2019 Subaru WRX STI Review

We live in an age where front-wheel drive hot hatches can lap the Nurburgring in almost seven and a half minutes. Renault reclaimed the record from the Civic Type R with its new top performing hatchback, the Megane RS Trophy-R running a time of 7:40.1 around the Nordschleife. To put that into perspective, a 2010 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG runs similar times. Not only are the new generation of compact sports cars insanely fast, but they are starting to match premium cars in terms of interior luxury and features. The 2019 Subaru WRX STI can therefore be considered the odd one out. It doesn't have the same refinement or build quality as its competitors and it uses a flat-four engine, but Subaru's recipe for a fast compact has become quite endearing. The big question is can the legend of the STI keep up with the new kids on the block?

What's the Price of the 2019 Subaru WRX STI?

You can have your Subaru in two flavors. The standard WRX STI starts at an MSRP of $36,595 before tax, registration, licensing, and a $885 destination charge. The Limited trim STI with extra safety and tech features starts at an MSRP of $41,395 and if you manage to snap up a Series.Gray, it will cost you $$40,580. As always, dealerships are responsible for their own pricing, so look hard and you might pick one up for less.

2019 WRX STI Exterior

Dimensions

2019 WRX STI Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

This is where the 2019 WRX STI truly shines. Gone are the days of excessive understeer when under throttle. Instead, the 2019 STI will go where you point it, and boy how so! The chassis shines through as one of the car's best elements and coupled to a firm suspension set up, excessive body movement is kept to a minimum. This, however, comes at the cost of ride comfort, and rougher road surfaces will feel jarring, to say the least. This shouldn't deter the enthusiast most likely to buy this car. Subaru has done an amazing job with the STI's steering. The electrically assisted setup reacts well to quick steering inputs and feels direct. Electrically assisted steering can sometimes feel overly light or artificially heavy, but in the STI, you'll find a beautifully balanced steering feel that chooses moderation over the extremes. The STI's secret trick is its electronically managed limited-slip differential in conjunction with a planetary-gear-type center differential. This fancy diff allows the STI to shift its power between the front and rear wheels.

The clever electronics behind this system monitors parameters such as wheel slippage, steering angle, throttle position and braking to help determine ideal torque distribution and direct it to the wheels with optimum traction. What does all this mean? The WRX STI handles hard cornering and slippery road surfaces better than ever. Pedal spacing for the 6-speed manual is good and allows for comfortable heel-toe shifting. The WRX STI's Brembo branded ventilated and cross-drilled 4-wheel discs bite down hard: 6-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers with 4-channel, 4-sensor Super Sport ABS and electronic brake-force distribution gives good feedback when driving hard.

2019 WRX STI Interior

2019 WRX STI Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2019 Subaru WRX STI A Good car?

The Subaru WRX STI is a wild one. It laughs in the face of its more refined competitors such as the Golf R or Civic Type R and packs a bite that's as potent as its flat-four bark. Make no mistake, the STI isn't the fastest or the most refined compact sports car, it doesn't come packed with the best features, and it doesn't have a modern double-clutch gearbox. It's a loud and brash six-speed brawler that looks and sounds the part and will offer up more performance than the ordinary driver would ever be capable of exploiting on the street. It's also not the most fuel efficient of performance cars, but again, those who love the STI brand will turn a blind eye. Yes it has grown up, and for the better; it's better in the bends, easier to live with and safer than it's ever been. A rally car for the road it remains.

What Subaru WRX STI Model Should I Buy?

Subaru has made it relatively easy for you to make a decision. If you're only interested in the WRX STI's driving capabilities and nothing else, then the base model will be the obvious choice. If you're looking for more everyday practicality and some added safety, then cough up the extra bucks for the Limited.

2019 Subaru WRX STI Comparisons

2019 Subaru WRX STI vs Volkswagen Golf R

The Golf R is a relative newcomer to the all-wheel-drive compact scene, but that doesn't matter one bit when you actually get in and drive the thing. It's an absolute blast. It's more refined, better equipped and more comfortable than the STI and delivers better gas mileage. Interior space is comparable, but the Golf's hatchback design makes it easier to live with, and interior materials and fitment is noticeably better than that of the Subaru's. The Golf is slightly less powerful, but delivers its power in a more convincing manner, and will reward the less skilled driver more, thanks to that amazing DSG gearbox. Volkswagen offers a better warranty (a full 6-year/72,000-mile basic warranty as opposed to the WRX's 3-year/36,000-mile basic). The Golf R comes at a price, however, and a no-frills version will set you back at least $40,395.

2019 Subaru WRX STI vs Honda Civic Type R

The most obvious difference here is the fact that the Civic only drives the front wheels while the Subaru turns all four. Do not let that fool you; the Honda Civic Type R accelerates and handles better than cars way above its price range, and its lap time around the Nurburgring is a testament to that. The Civic is the better driving car, on and off the road, but both can be jarring on rougher city roads. The Civic and Subaru have comparable legroom and headroom space, but the Civic's hatchback once again makes it easier to load and unload cargo. The Civic's V-tec turbo engine blows the Subaru's 2.5 flat-four out of the water, though it might not have as much character. Honda's reliability should trump the Subaru's, but the STI will retain its value better. The Civic Type R starts at an MSRP of $35,700, a smidge pricier than the Subaru ($36,595).