2020 Subaru WRX Sedan

The base model will cost 27,495 of your US dollars, and is only available with a manual gearbox - this is the cheapest enthusiasts' WRX on sale. The mid-level trim is the Premium, which retails for $29,795. The top-trim, which earns leather and other added features, starts at $32,095. Opting for the Lineartronic CVT on either of the latter two trims bumps the MSRP up by $1,900. Fully loaded with options, the end cost can exceed $45,000.The Series.White is priced from $33,395 but is limited to a mere 500 units. The Subaru WRX's prices exclude the destination charge of $900.

Previous iterations of Subaru's compact performance sedan were plagued by a heavy nose that resulted in tremendous understeer. The current generation, however, is far more willing to turn in, allowing one to dive deep into corners and allow the all-wheel-drive system to claw the front end of the car out. The WRX likes to be pushed to the limit and even has a quicker steering rack than that of the more performance-focused STI. Unfortunately, the steering is electrically assisted and therefore lacks feel until you're really approaching the limits of what the front wheels can take - but it's responsive nevertheless. The chassis and suspension work together to create a driving experience that belies the car's heft, and the WRX feels lighter, and therefore more willing to turn, than its curb weight figures may suggest. From a dig, the WRX is a lot of fun too, with the AWD system hooking up instantaneously and allowing you to out-launch plenty of faster cars. With such an emphasis on handling and performance, as well as that signature rally heritage, the WRX is still a car built for the road, and although the suspension is stiff, it's never jarring and will soak up small imperfections and large bumps well. Rivals are more refined and more comfortable from day to day, but most lack the carefree and fun demeanor that this car conveys. The standard brakes are impressive too, but the upgraded Brembos available on the performance package are even better, with easy modulation and a willingness to soak up abuse.

The Subaru WRX sedan is a special breed of vehicle. It's not the type of car that you will impress your mother-in-law with. It's not overly-assisted, or excessively luxurious. The Subaru WRX is a mechanical thing in almost every way, and is all the better for it. It may not have the greatest infotainment system and it may be heavy on fuel, but it's a spacious and capable all-weather family car that is comfortable enough to use every day. It's also phenomenal to drive, especially when you're pushing it to its limits, and the thrill of quickly evaporating turbo lag and sudden acceleration combined with unbeatable traction, creates a machine that is full of character and fun, but can still be civilized enough so as not to offend your neighbors. It doesn't shout about its abilities, it's affordable and it's reliable. It has its faults, but it's definitely worth considering if you eschew convention.

To maximize the performance potential of the WRX without opting for the more expensive, thirstier, and less comfortable STI, the best model for us is the Premium with the optional performance package. This gives you a WRX with a set of 18-inch wheels, a larger seven-inch touchscreen, bigger Brembo brake calipers, and impressively comfortable and supportive Recaro seats. This also gives you more color, as this package is the only way to add red to parts of the upholstery. We'd opt for the manual transmission to maximize how much fun you can have without sacrificing frugality, and thus maintain a balance between driver enjoyment and economic responsibility.

Since the WRX is so good, the STI offers more and should be even better. With a 2.5-liter flat-four turbo producing 310 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque, this STI is the kind that sets your pants on fire in a fun way. Easy to spot thanks to a large rear wing and model-specific fender vents, the STI also gets Recaro seats and numerous red interior accents as standard, along with 19-inch wheels. However, the STI's stiffer suspension makes it less compatible for daily use, and although the improved feel from the hydraulic steering setup gives you a lot more feedback, the cons outweigh the pros. The Subaru WRX costs around $10,000 less in STI guise and fuel economy is far worse, with city EPA figures at a reprehensible 16 mpg. As a toy, the STI is undoubtedly better, but as a daily driver, we'd rather have the WRX.

If you're after a fun car that won't exceed a base price of $30k, the Subaru BRZ could be tempting. It too comes standard with a manual transmission, but is rear-wheel-drive and therefore should be more fun to play with. Its 2.0-liter flat-four is naturally-aspirated, so power is low at just 205 hp, but it weighs less than 2,800 lbs. Coupled with skinny tires, it's easy to slide even for the novice. However, you also get a lot less car. The trunk is tiny in comparison to that of the WRX, with just 6.9 cubic feet of volume, and its coupe-style body means that it's only usable as a two-seater, despite supposedly having space for four. In essence, you'd be buying a car with broadly similar fuel economy, but less power, less space, and less practicality. The WRX is the undeniable winner of the competition when compared to the overpriced BRZ.