The Subaru VB WRX. Will It Rally?

Without a doubt, Subaru is known in the world of rally as more than capable competition vehicle. The question is what time will it set on our mountainous rally stage here at Team O'Neil?
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[@Teamoneilrally]

The Leaderboard is now also online: teamoneil.com/will-it-rally/

[@aujourduy7795]

"One owner, never tracked, never hard driven, only highway miles" Wyatt:

[@user-jp4ld1ss9i]

You’re a clown if you think that’s funny….

[@GrappIer]

He said the thing!

[@metagen77]

Granny took it to church, garage car.

[@robalexander7348]

Yes Wyatt, i have now owned five new WRX i'm now enjoying my new 2023 Sport, and have driven them all with Respect, and i've had total reliable trouble free driving 👍 Au

[@awepossum1059]

So original and funny man. Keep it up!

[@andymcdo]

an A-B test with stock tires vs gravel tires would be fun

[@jonathankifle4712]

Just what I was thinking

[@MonkellD]

Gravel tires vs soft alpha endurocross in mud👉

[@luisking4812]

Throw in the old turbo wrx as well please

[@accordv6er]

Yesss A B and C. Winter tires next

[@inconel7185]

Yes

[@1998lemuel]

Wyatt is probably the best car sales man for rally enthusiast lol

[@ScreamingMoon]

This video is exactly what I was looking for, honestly. Hoping to get one.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

That was freaking amazing. I actually took my WRX to the dirt track with AT tires and it is INCREDIBLE. I plan on doing more RallyX this year and I'm happy to know the car kicks as much ass as I thought it did. I gotta come see you guys one day for some legit lessons. 🤘🙏

[@HiBlock1]

Which tires do you have on yours? Have you lift it?

[@gabrielteran2577]

How was the fitment with the AT tires? Did you have to do any lift ?

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@HiBlock1 yea I have a 1.5 I ch lift but you can run up to 235/55/17 on stock suspension. That's what I'm running but I have too small a rim. Realistically I'll probably work to 225 or 215 even for the dirt

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@gabrielteran2577 fitment tia good stock. You can get away with 235/55/17 but most people go 225/55.

[@roycolter612]

Suabru should have given you one to make this exact video when the VB was announced. My respect for the VB increased after this video.

[@dylanbasil4100]

Mine too and I own one! Hahah

[@bmanboogie]

This is the best review of the VB WRX I have seen so far. Thank you for showing what this car can do off road and rally.

[@Teamoneilrally]

Our pleasure!

[@andrewm5840]

“A couple chilies spicier than I thought” that sounds PERFECT

[@apocalypse487]

Read this comment as he was saying it lol.

[@YrocFrick]

Owned one since '22. It is a monster on the old back roads. A pleasure to drive to work every day as well.

[@22.250Rem]

I DD my vb as well, I’m more of a domestic drag racer type in my cars but I wanted a fun 6 speed awd daily. I look forward to my drives to and from every day.

[@takaradope]

What kind of fuel economy do you get I'm cross shopping with an older one

[@YrocFrick]

@@takaradope 23 avg MPG, lots of highway and canyons. I don't go flat often but I do have fun.

[@jeremykaiser1090]

Thanks for this bro. With all the hate this car's gotten, it's nice to see a review where it's being judged on what it's made for, being a capable do everything rally car, and not being compared to a CTR for once. Great review as usual.

[@yunghernando3946]

What’s a CTR?

[@beerleagueeverything8030]

Civic type r….. Seriously though, the VB wrx just does everything really well (assuming you have appropriate tires for the circumstances). Space for kids, gravel, snow, traffic, freeway, whatever.

[@Teamoneilrally]

Thank you!

[@TandyTerrison]

@@beerleagueeverything8030if only it were a hatchback

[@WoodenViking]

The sad part is seeing these things slammed on the pavement most of its life, people dont know that this is what its made for right here in the video

[@DennysD123]

Exactly. Cars not even paid off and dudes voiding their a to b.. Mines 100% stock and I keep realistic expectations about what the car can do

[@user-zv3fe4nz8o]

After watching this I see why Subaru added all the plastic, makes sense now.

[@LS1conehead]

It would not look so bad to me personally if they would've just made all of that wheel well cladding ROUNDED instead of angular/squared-off like they did. 😉☹

[@wigletron2846]

Should have just been body color

[@steve8803]

​@@wigletron2846doesn't matter what Subaru does, people will change it. Like when they cut out the fenders on their VA STI and bolted on widebody flares that look like an 8 year old designed it.

[@mikescardiaries]

Let's be honest here though. Just because it makes sense and is functional doesn't mean it's pretty lol

[@MeestroDavid]

I will never do this, but this is absolutely the WRX review I needed to see.

[@Teamoneilrally]

Thanks!

[@mikey_gc8]

Definitely making me appreciate the VB more!! Wyatt has some HANDS!

[@DoubleOSevan]

Awesome video. The VB is my daily but it's great to see how the WRX is still a capable rally machine. On one hand I'm super impressed and on the other bummed out that Subaru didn't grace this wonderful chassis with an STI trim.

[@Taqweeeeeto]

Aw not me watching this while sitting in my 24' Ceramic White WRX wishing I had gravel roads near me 😮‍💨

[@TranceFur]

Take a drive out to the country 😜

[@xXlURMOMlXx]

​@@TranceFurIt'll break down before he makes it out to the city

[@kennethgamble5498]

At the beginning my first thought was I hope so

[@KAZAAPOPULAS]

Thank you for doing this kind of review. In a world where everyone talks about the features of the car and not how it drives, mechanical aspects, or simply if you're having fun; this has been a wonderful take on the Subaru WRX.

[@dualsportPNW]

Nice to see you properly test it and really nice that it holds up to its heritage roots in rally.

[@Teamoneilrally]

We can say we are happy with the results.

[@alexallen9305]

I absolutely adore mine. Such an awesome driving car. Cool to see it being driven for what it was made for

[@malcolmhilariion2877]

This is shocking to see. Maybe the new WRX is more akin to the FRS in the blank canvas to build from? Seems like it’s almost a color book page of “here’s a rally car fill in the rest for us?”

[@FallenArtemie]

It's crazy that the VB has the same hp number as the VA but performs so much better. Everyone who has driven both remarks on how much smoother the power delivery is on the VB. It's almost like it doesn't need the STI treatment.

[@BeastMode1210]

They could leave the engine alone but put the sti trans and diffs in it and it would be perfect. they already have a model with the sti brakes

[@QactisX]

Stiffer chassis and .4L more displacement means less boost and better torque curve

[@niannolan]

This KZbin channel is the best advertisement I've ever watched. Keep it up!

[@illyack5593]

You ain't lying LOL

[@alan1as1]

Absolutely enjoyed every bit of this video! Just got my WRX base manual in same color! Its like watiching my own flying there, what an amazing video. Wish I could have your skill one day!

[@Teamoneilrally]

Thank you for checking it out. Hopefully we'll see you at rally school some day.

[@charlesrussell6183]

Wyatt's eye's WIDE open at 4:00. 'Exciting Ride'

[@asadasemwali8365]

Thank you for driving the WRX like a REAL MAN!!! Subaru's, especially WRX's are made to be driven HARD, with Attitude!!!

[@KTH96]

I had a base '22 WRX that was unfortunately crushed by a tree, got a '24 GR Corolla but I still miss the WRX!

[@simonsmith582]

As a manual Golf R owner, I 100% approve of this video!! The WRX is legendary indeed, I don't see myself ever having the balls to drive like this in my car. So when it comes to dirt roads, it's definitely WRX for the win! Well done!

[@noahchiasson7809]

The fact that these videos don’t get more views is criminal

[@Teamoneilrally]

We agree.

[@ilikerealflight]

Wow I've been living under a rock. Was unaware they killed off the STI

[@drunksquirrel2051]

You are a few years late to the retirement party

[@madrider6936]

As a floridian, it’s kinda hard to find some nice trails but boy let me tell you my VB be EATING up these backroads!! This car is insane and always surprises me to say the least!

[@Teamoneilrally]

Nice!

[@ismael5755]

As a owner of a vb i hated it looking at pictures, I said what the heck lets see it in person. Fell in love after a test drive and doesn't look as bad in person. Did some mods. Bigger hood scoop, paint match flares, new front grill and I'll tell you, complements left and right. Great vehicle

[@rereichel]

You are right. I have one in white. Even with no mods, people tell me they like it. Enjoy it!

[@angeltaq]

can you tell/link where you got your parts? Also can you explain how the process of installing the parts were? Want to do the same mods to my new 23’ wrx :)

[@destructor1794]

@@rereichelput a wing on it you’ll like it more

[@LS1conehead]

Scoobie should have offered the paint match flares as either a paid, or no-cost option, right from the factory. NO need for this rally distinguished marque to look like their other (now HUGE!), more 'pedestrian' off-road oriented, vehicle options. 😉😡

[@miker.4248]

Have a 22 VB in ceramic white. It’s phenomenal. Never thought id say that coming from a 17 STI

[@bobsanders9500]

Good car selection Wyatt. Finally a car that has actual rally potential. Interesting analysis. Well done.

[@Teamoneilrally]

Thank you!

[@g.s.8108]

Why Subaru did not release this car at a Rally School is beyond me? Give Journalist some seat time with instructors in this setting and the car's rationale becomes clear. Even the plastic cladding makes sense. I have a Focus RS currently and the WRX is slowly winning me over as my next vehicle, mostly due to this video and how well the chassis seems to respond to subtle weight transfer with braking inputs. The FocusRS is like the GR Corolla and uses electronics to get the car to drift under throttle but I agree it does not feel fully natural. Your comment about predictability is spot on with this simpler AWD system. Holding a drift in the Focus RS is easy, the computer makes the AWD feel closer to RWD. Less understeer on throttle compared to the Subaru. But trying to add opposite lock or transitions from one slide into another, the RS computer feels like it wants correct itself out of the slide in an unnatural and sometimes unpredictable way.

[@illyack5593]

Man, great comment.

[@themechanicaladvantage]

Commenting for the algorithm. Fun video to watch. Good luck.

[@LifeisbetterwithaMalinois]

I live on a farm, and love driving the wrx 2016 fast on the gravel roads. Went from 18inch to 17 inch with a bit more rubber on the wheels for ruts and potholes. Ive been airborne - when safe on backroads on gravel - a couple of times.😊😊😊 wish Wrx would come out in a gravel road version, smaller rims and breaks, bigger wheels, higher air intake to keep the dust out, rally suspension😊

[@guitarmon5765]

Can't believe how he can handle talking and driving so nicely the same time, good job man

[@mariosnikolaou5212]

Wyatt, your reviews are absolutely mental. We love you m8. Greetings from Greece.

[@Teamoneilrally]

Hello!

[@Blue_Ghost-X]

Took my 22 off on dirt and gravel and I was immediately surprised with how well it handles and how capable it was on those surfaces. On the road the car is great but not amazing. I have found new love in my WRX taking it “off road.”

[@jeannice3475]

Thank you very much for this review from France! I didn't understand everything, I just understood that this sub, as all sub, is really funny to drive, and the 4wd are 4 real Wd! Thank you to share with us your happiness and your advices! 😊👍🙏👌

[@flaminapplesauce5281]

finally someone tests this car correctly

[@NiceVideoz]

Nice video, I can feel the excitement and nice camera angle of the jump!

[@Levibetz]

Now if only Subaru would design a new manual, or give the WRX a cost-cut version of the STI 6 speed like from the Spec B. A guy at an autocross I was at recently broke the transmission in his brand new WRX. First drivetrain failure I've seen at an autocross and it was a 100% stock car under warranty. The cable shift 6mt is just a dinky little 75mm center-center trans that dates all the way back to the Brat. It's wildly over-stressed.

[@22.250Rem]

One of the few things keeping me from getting a tune on mine

[@Levibetz]

@@22.250Rem I think you'd be okay with a tune. It's really the shock loads and such that will kill them. This guy was pretty hard on it I think. But yeah once you start to make real power it becomes an issue. Having the sti trans is great though, clutch dump launches and all, it's what you should be able to do with a Subaru.

[@22.250Rem]

@@Levibetz I have a legitimate street strip car too, so this is my DD and I wrestle back and forth with modding the car. It’s a really fun car just to drive. I can’t imagine how fun an e85 tuned vb is.

[@user-qo4qe5py3v]

Love the 360 cam. Fantastic video yet again!

[@ducnut]

Your comments, combined with how quickly your hands and feet were moving, led me to believe it was going to be near the top. I just didn’t expect it to be THE top.

[@machinesinger]

Got one in 22 and don't want another car. I simply enjoy my car. It's a true extension of me without being "in your face" about it.

[@NickBeek]

It would be great to see you do the same video with the Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai competition cars! ;-)

[@XTwarrior1985]

We had one show at our first Rallycross this season. Dude was brave, our course gets bumpy and damages and rips off bumpers. He did fine though. I loved when I ran my 06 2.5i, was competitive in my class, but the motor couldn't stay together the way I drove it, which was hard. It was meant to get groceries in snow, not bounce off redline a bunch of time in 60 seconds 😢

[@alfs8]

Love this vids! The car and the driver r all more than capable for this kind of game! Especially the drive👍🏻

[@coscorrodrift]

Nice, i've never been super judgy but i gotta say that the comparisons with the Corolla on a stylistic basis had me expecting the wrong things from the video LOL, glad it can handle itself and that it's keeping the heritage alive, probably for the last time ever

[@QactisX]

This was sick! I’m riding the AI boom on the stock market while I try to get my current 04 Highlander LTD into shape to sell/trade then I’m getting a 24 in WRB or MGM. Can’t wait! I’m out in the country now and you better believe I plan to be whipping it out on some dirt roads

[@RobHTech]

It's pretty fast. I like it. I'd like to see more vids on the VB.

[@Teamoneilrally]

@@RobHTech More are coming soon!

[@SomeDayPilot13]

Not the road test we needed…. But absolutely the road test we wanted! This was incredible.

[@pawnone]

Pretty sure we didn’t get the turbo Impreza in the United States till 2003 92 was just the 2.5rs

[@spuds3986]

Wrx was 92 internationally

[@TehTimo908]

98-2001 was the 2.5RS for America

[@spuds3986]

@@TehTimo908 in the video he was talking about the wrx globally that was very much a thing in 1992 because it was participating in rally’s and on the streets in Europe and Japan

[@TehTimo908]

@@spuds3986 Yeah but the dude I was replying to was talkin about the 2.5rs as well

[@imsethtwo]

been waiting for more of this series

[@Teamoneilrally]

To come soon!

[@garrettsouthmayd1722]

I'm so happy I have my 2018 STi ESPECIALLY after seeing this.....

[@icemantuck2638]

Great video. It was fun watching you have fun pushing it on a gravel course.

[@stevef998]

While it is out of production I'd be really interested to see a 'Will it Rally?' with a veloster N - seems to be rally inspired & leaned into it for promotion (there was even a rally edition) - yet I honestly don't think I have seen anyone properly take one offroad. I'm not saying it seems like a fantastic package for rally - stiff suspension and FWD - but I'd like to see one pushed a bit.

[@aaronbryan5095]

The stock suspension setup of this VB generation WRX seem so much more well sorted than the previous 2 generations of WRXs, maybe that's why it handles pretty well despite being the heaviest WRX yet.

[@TheVikingRaid]

great video! would love to see more on the VB with some appropriate tires!

[@Teamoneilrally]

We will be doing more videos with this WRX.

[@88NX250]

Why aren’t you hosting Top Gear US?

[@GR_Papi]

Just sold mine about a week ago it’s a great car but wanted a little bit more that tuning couldn’t offer. I’ll miss it for sure ❤

[@AbleMable]

You see, I'm happy with it being 100% stock. To each his own

[@GR_Papi]

@@AbleMable it’s a great car stock 100 percent, but as a current and forever wrx sti owner the 22+ wrx was missing a driver feeling with me that I found with a GR Corolla for a daily driver

[@AbleMable]

​@@GR_Papilol, I was a heartbeat away from buying a GRC, but the wife hated it so much, interior-wise. Ended up with the WRX and saved close to $15k 😊

[@charliecharlie8621]

Keep making these videos I know where I wanna go to rally school now

[@Teamoneilrally]

Thanks for checking us out! We have many more videos coming soon, and hope to see you at rally school some day!

[@Higlac89]

You did this test on summer tires? I'd be very interested to see how it compares to the VA STI if they're both on better tires. Maybe some basic snows like I run on mine in SCCA rallycross

[@MatarM0]

This type of driving should be advertised in car commercial xd It surpassed my expectations

[@Teamoneilrally]

Wyatt has a lifetime of professional driver training, thank you for the kind words.

[@lagargola6467]

I just buy this car it's pretty good, make another video doing it better time,great video boss 😎

[@andiszile]

I am surprised. Had a feeling that wex has gone more towards tarmack performance, but no it's still capable on gravel. Would love to see it compared to GR yaris, or Corolla

[@Teamoneilrally]

We hope to compare it to something worthy soon!

[@LS1conehead]

The GR Yaris is not allowed into the USA at all, so unless they bring one in on one of those one year exemption 'competition car' exclusions, they will never ever be able to test one.

[@scorpio13617]

My 2017 manual Forester has the same 4wd system, but annoyingly I can’t completely disable the stability control! Completely takes the fun out of our Montana winters.

[@toluenrast5855]

Look into unplugging the fuse for that.🙂

[@dash0173]

I'd be willing to bet you could unplug a fuse to fix that ;)

[@youblockwood]

In the 17, the fuse will also disable the power steering, engine after 5000 RPM, tachometer, etc.

[@youblockwood]

@@toluenrast5855won’t work in the 2015-up

[@joshb2386]

Very curious about your impressions on the wrx vs the gr corolla!

[@Teamoneilrally]

Great comparison video idea!

[@ryansmith7974]

Great to see the Subaru still has it! Fun to watch ⌚️

[@Teamoneilrally]

Thank you for watching.

[@kristoferfc6525]

I'd love to see the GRC in the summer on your track :)

[@willzhi8291]

I don’t want to do this to mine but I like this video so at least I know what my car can do 😅

[@matthewaltenore628]

DUDE THAT LOOKED SO FUN😭

[@Teamoneilrally]

It was!

[@mariagus805]

for a channel that has lots of views, I'm surprised about all the misinformation, the STI always had mechanical LSDs in it's entire life. It's never had fake cheap electronic LSD. Infact all the GC and GD STI had pure mechanical LSDs front and rear with absolutely no electronic LSD or traction control or stability control, it was pure and a joy. The new VB WRX being open diff is not good, open diff means power gets sent to the left/right side that has least traction, it's what you DONT want whether it's rally or on track. But it looks like the video guy is just going in circles and not taking the test drive serious.

[@suzumr2754]

Where exactly in the video is this misinformation you’re talking about? Because Wyatt was pretty specific and quickly differentiated the STi and the WRX in key details. Also, an awd with open diffs (front/rear) is not *as* bad as people make it out to be. Sure, you’re better off with mechanical LSD on each axle for maximum traction in corners, but an open diff awd car in comparison is not too far behind (we’re still talking about the WRX/STi here). Watch the whole video through instead of stopping at the beginning to comment, because he does more than just “going in circles and not taking the test drive seriously”…

[@LS1conehead]

I would not even call the electronic nannies even as much as "fake cheap electronic LSDs", because as far a I am concerned, they just wear down brake pads/rotors/components faster while providing very little benefit, or positive results. My bargain basement, el cheapo 'performance shitbox' (as very many on here would label the FWD only Fiesta ST) has these nannies, and I reflexively switch them off (as far as the system will allow it, with the console button) upon starting the car, every single time I do, even if just running to the grocery store for dinner.

[@joshr.5199]

LOVE THIS VIDEO

[@renardgood7063]

Looking if the CVT's are any good but I found this awesome channel instead.

[@Teamoneilrally]

Welcome aboard!

[@ianfairbanks1318]

Holy hell yes another video!❤❤❤

[@Teamoneilrally]

Thank you for watching.

[@dman50amm]

Guaranteed!

[@natethemechanic9076]

Yaaaas! We need this track for all rally car testing.

[@CoyWhite]

honestly expected worse, pleasant surprise to hear it’s still a maaaaaad lil car

[@WanganTunedKeiCar]

Exactly my reaction! I was worried that this car didn't live up to its legacy, but this is all I needed to hear!

[@ciello___8307]

people hate on the new one for no reason. Yes, the styling is weird but dynamically its superior to any previous wrx

[@jvepps]

@@ciello___8307 except in the weight category, its the heaviest/largest of all WRX/STi variants.

[@JoshDillon-lm3hw]

​@jvepps the base is 3lbs heavier than the last gen base model an all the 6 speed trims are lighter than an sti

[@johntrain7120]

Try the Honda Ridgelines AWD it’s the opposite. All electronic and clutch based

[@theredsalmon612]

This is awesome. You are such an incredible driver!

[@4lairr]

I'd really like to see a summer GR corolla lap as a comparison

[@alexcole8438]

Nice series mate! I like the talk to action ratio of this channel considering its american :P

[@JasonKahn]

My dad still owns his 2002 WRX its amazing Subaru still has the same AWD system on the manuals after all these years. Only big difference is the 02 has a rear LSD and the 2.0L revs to 7500RPM. The 02 weakness was the 5spd my dad is on his 5th unit, this last replacement he had the gear sets upgraded. And yes my dad an I still drive the crap out of it.

[@Teamoneilrally]

Nice!!

[@JasonKahn]

​@@TeamoneilrallyAwesome channel, cool video, you've definitely earned a new subscriber. The video randomly popped up in my Google feed.

[@Teamoneilrally]

@@JasonKahn Thanks for subscribing! More fun videos coming soon.

[@aaronbryan5095]

I still remember when Road & Track tested the 2011 WRX STI sedan at your rally school, the rear suspension of that car was absolute garbage though, flops all over the place as if the rear dampers have almost no damping in them.

[@combatdoc]

Now I know what to do next weekend!

[@carsnanime4719]

Great review and sick driving!

[@Teamoneilrally]

Thanks!

[@nijirvan270]

Unfortunately, it is computer control at this point. The coupler is controlled electronically. And with the open diff, the only thing stopping one wheel tire fires is it applying brakes on that particular wheel

[@panderalexander]

Yeah he should have probably done research first before saying STI was electronics when every STI has always been mechanical LSD, and new VB just like you said is open diff that uses electronic brakepad that can't be turned off by turning off traction control or stability control.

[@spicyroo4429]

I'd love to see if it's little brother the RS can do anything rally related!

[@zak41518]

Can't wait for mine to be 6+ years old and I can finally turn it in to a straight rally car and just rip through my acreage. Someday. Someday it will happen.

[@butifarrada3963]

How did you disconnect the electronics, abs included? Thanks guys, Wyatt is the boss

[@tpsullivan17]

Great video! You need to retest the GR Corolla with ABS turned off on the gravel

[@Teamoneilrally]

Yes, we do.

[@nateb9326]

Love to see more laps, then maybe just change the tires and see the difference!

[@grriceman782]

Except the disappointing standard "summer" tires will go just a mere 20-25K and only if you are gentle with them

[@bjammin187]

Let’s see ya fancy Type-R perform this well in the dirt😊

[@bjammin187]

And yes, I know the Type-R is track- oriented, but a lot of people hate on the wrx for not being as fast, so…..

[@sawyercrosby3710]

@@bjammin187 this didn’t prove the WRX is ‘fast’. They haven’t rallied any of it’s competition. They did the GRC in winter but it was a super icy day so very non comparable. In the summer, the WRX was barely ahead of the E46 328i, which is pathetic

[@axeya366]

Dang right. Not just dirt, gravel and rain.

[@iamcarl4591]

Lol ofc it does WRX is still very active in the Japan "JRCA" rally scene

[@LS1conehead]

And of course it is THE absolute dominant force HERE, in the top tier class of our ARA series, since Scoobie is the ONLY manufacturer who can (and DOES) dump mucho dinero into their U.S. based, 'Prodrive WEST' type preparation operation, Vermont Sportscar. They have the coin to do this since they do not have to invest a single cent into the WRC series, having been totally out of that for the last 15 years or so. 😉

[@MarlosCartinez]

I worked for Rivian and almost got sent out for team o neil then they let us go 😢 childhood dream shattered

[@Christosan88]

Certainly happier about my TR order