Subaru WRX

Built on the 2650 mm long wheelbase, the Subaru WRX features a five-seat configuration inside the cabin with snug room for occupants at the front and rear. As per company claims, the material quality used inside the cabin also sees improvement over the previous version. A dual-zone climate control with air-dust culture is layered inside, it also comes with floor heater ducts for rear passengers. Harman Kardon sourced 8-inch infotainment unit with speakers, subwoofer and amplifier along with a 7-inch LCD touchscreen, Siri compatibility, and satellite navigation are reserved for the higher trims. There are two 12V power jacks and it also packs auto-dimming rearview mirror, power steering, smart key and push-start ignition, power windows with all AUTO function, etc. Save for seatback pockets for the driver, other utility points including rear cup-holders, front centre tray are standard while centre console with sliding armrest and cup-holders on centre console with a sliding lid is offered with the CVT version. 

Changes made to the model in the last facelift majorly include a revised grille in front and new design for the bumper. Also, there are new steering-responsive LED dusk sensing headlamps with integrated indicators and LED daytime running lights.  Fog lamps at front get LED units, while the talking point at the side remains the large alloys, available in 19-inch and 18-inch options. The heated wing mirrors are painted in body colour and can be adjusted as well as folded electrically. The rear combination lights and the rear LED spotlight are part of the standard kit. Electric sunroof, front wipers with de-icer are some of the other bits that are reserved for the higher variants. Proportionally, it measures 4,595 mm long, 1,795 mm wide and 1,475 mm high. 

The suspension set-up consists of inverted MacPherson struts with lower L-arms and coil springs as well as stabilizer bar at the front, while rear features double-wishbone coil springs stabilizer bar. Tweaks made to the electric power steering offer more stability and improved ride comfort. Handling is another area where this vehicle impresses, the mid-range acceleration is excellent in second and third gear. 

Under the hood, it gets a 2.0-litre direct-injected turbocharged horizontally-opposed Boxer 4-cylinder petrol engine good for 197kW at 5,600 rpm. It makes 350 Nm torque between 2,400 to 5,600 rpm. Transmission options available on the WRX include a six-speed manual unit and a CVT automatic gearbox. In terms of performance, the manual version attains 100 km/h of speed from standstill in just 6 seconds compared to the CVT variant which takes slightly more time at 6.3 seconds. 

Ventilated disc units are standard at front, whereas the manual variants make do with the regular disc units at the back. CVT equipped grades, on the other hand, feature ventilated brakes at the rear as well. Additionally, there is a 4-sensor/4-channel ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and VDC. Packed with a plethora of safety tech, the Subaru WRX received a 5-star rating in the ANCAP safety crash test. It gets multi-mode driver’s control centre differential, adaptive cruise control, electronic throttle control system, Subaru’s intelligent drive comprising of a bunch of safety bits and several other features. 

With the last update made for the MY2018, the longstanding model gets a raft of changes, mostly aesthetic that transforms it into a stylish vehicle. Mechanically, it continues featuring the pounding Boxer engine from the previous model and packs a whole bunch of safety features. Interior styling has also improved and it offers a solid mix of comfort and connectivity tech.