5 Thoughts on the 2020 Subaru WRX

The Subaru WRX has been a choice for the brand’s long-time fans. But with a turbocharged engine and the iconic hood scoop, it’s also easily recognized even by the most casual of motorists who’ve come to know what those three letters—W-R-X—stand for. Having been a fan of the Levorg for years, I finally had the opportunity to try out the very platform that it was based off of. First, it was refreshing to finally be driving a sedan again. Secondly, my conversations with die-hard Suabru fans had instilled the impression that the WRX was a force to push.

For a woman who lives through Manila’s congested streets on the daily, there are a number of factors that influence her decision in choosing the right car. The spec, the space, the practicality, the handling, the fuel economy. And then there are the exceptions, for whom performance and driving comfort take precedence. In this story, here are the reasons why (and why not) the decidedly male-centric Subaru WRX could also be the right choice for the modern woman.

#1. Safety, Leveled-Up

As the award-winning safety technology for Subaru, EyeSight has finally made it to the WRX, and it makes a solid difference in turning the well-loved race machine into a practical city driver. This, coupled with the standard safety features, make it a companion you’re confident to tackle the daily grind with.

#2. Turbocharged

Speed is the name of the game and it’s no wonder that women are up on their feet early, set to tackle the day’s list of tasks one after the other. For the career-driven woman, the performance of the WRX offers the efficiency of a reliable companion—the 265-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine gives it more than enough power. Oh, and despite the WRX still not using the Subaru Global Platform, it’s still a stable, adaptive car to drive around even through Manila’s uneven, pothole-ridden streets.

#.3 Driver In-Control

Subaru vehicles are known for its superior handling and stability control. These are features that are crucial, not just for the track driver, but more so for the regular commuter. For women, reliability is an important factor — a car that will take them through the day’s errands without breaking a sweat, while making them feel safe and in control. This is what the WRX offers. It is a step-up from your usual sedan, giving us women on-road confidence.

#4. Practical, Yet In-Style

There’s no doubt about it: the Subaru WRX continues to turn heads. It is fair warning that fellow drivers may challenge you to a drive-off at a stoplight. However, the WRX proved to be as practical as it is stylish. On the outside, it has got all the makings of a racing rock star, from the low hoodline to the solid-looking 18-inch wheels. On the inside, it has got generous cargo room, albeit not as much as its wagon derivative, comfortable plush leather seating, and up-to-the minute infotainment system.

On that note, I was pleased to discover that the WRX still come with the original Subaru Starlink system—a far better cry than the Panasonic head unit that is installed in the 2019 Forester. Just the feature of the Apple CarPlay was a winner in itself.

#5. It’s Not Perfect Though

The downside of the WRX is that because it was meant to be a performance-oriented sedan, the ride is decidedly bouncier than I would have liked—more so than even the Levorg. Going over speed bumps have to be done slower than you would the Levorg and you can feel the road imperfections more, as well.

In addition, seating is also tighter for both the front and back rows. The bucket seats for driver and passenger are comfortable, but does not offer much wiggle room. The back row, on the other hand, is designed for 2 average-sized males, or perhaps 3 small children.

The WRX serves up the right combination of form factor and function, not just for the city dweller, but those who prefer to do more enthusiastic style of driving. It serves all the right notes—perhaps save for the aforementioned ride and space for the daily grind. In this regard, the Subaru WRX is a chosen few, even more so women. However, for those who appreciate what it can do, it delivers all the right notes.

Words and photos by Gen Tiu.

Subaru PH Starts Summer with Cash Savings Up to P 200k

Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru is starting summer with a special pricing promotion on selected MY2019 (Model Year 2019) and MY2020 (Model Year 2020) models.

Remaining MY2019 Forester, Levorg, WRX, and Subaru XV models can be had with the following promotions:

• Subaru Forester 2.0i-L EyeSight SAR360 – P 100,000 discount (Net Price: P 1,738,000)
• Subaru Forester 2.0-i-S EyeSight SAR 360 – P 130,000 discount (Net Price: P 1,838,000)
• Subaru XV 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360 – P 80,000 discount (Net Price: P 1,728,000)
• Subaru XV 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360 GT Edition – P 50,000 discount (Net Price: 1,838,000)
• Subaru Levorg 2.0 GT-S EyeSight – P 100,000 discount (Net Price: P 1,998,000)
• Subaru WRX 2.0 CVT EyeSight – P 150,000 discount (Net Price: 2,058,000)

For those opting for financing, these models are available with either a special all-in downpayment promo.

• MY2019 Subaru Forester 2.0i-L EyeSight SAR 360 – P 148,000 all-in downpayment
• MY2019 Subaru Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360 – P 138,000 all-in downpayment
• MY2019 Subaru XV 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360 – P 188,000 all-in downpayment
• MY2020 Subaru Forester 2.0i-L EyeSight SAR 360 – P 248,000 all-in downpayment
• MY2020 Subaru Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360 – P 268,000 all-in downpayment

Zero percent interest (assuming 50 percent downpayment and 24 months of pay) is available as well for the MY2019 Forester 2.0i-L EyeSight SAR 360, Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360, and Subaru XV 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360.

Models with SAR 360 have been recently outfitted with a 360-degree camera. Called Superview Around Recognition (SAR) 360, the system helps drivers navigate through tight or challenging confines.

If the Forester or Subaru XV aren’t your thing, other MY2020 Subaru models are also available with huge cash savings:

• MY2020 Subaru BRZ A/T – P 100,000 discount (Net Price: 2,058,000)
• MY2020 Levorg 2.0 GT-S EyeSight – P 50,000 discount (Net Price: 2,048,000)
• MY2020 WRX 2.0 CVT EyeSight – P 100,000 discount (Net Price: P 2,058,000)
• MY2020 WRX STI 2.5 M/T – P 200,000 discount (Net Price: 2,648,000)

This special pricing promotion is ongoing until the end of March 2020.

Subaru and STI Come Up with Their Own "GT" Models in Japan

How’s this for a plot twist. Motor Image may have been the first one to come up with their own special GT Edition models like the Forester GT Edition and the Subaru XV GT Edition, but Subaru Corporation’s now doing the same.

Shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Japanese automaker came up with two GT models: one based on the Subaru BRZ and another on the WRX. Both models were done as a collaboration between Subaru and in-house tuner, STI. It’s said to evoke their motorsports heritage while proposing a “fun-to-drive attitude that’s unique to Subaru and STI.”

Both the Subaru BRZ STI Sport GT and the WRX STI Sport GT don a brand-new color: Galactic WR Blue Metallic. The carmaker has yet to make an official announcement, but this may replace the iconic WR Blue Pearl color very soon.

Using the BRZ GT300 that runs at the Super GT series, the Subaru BRZ STI Sport GT adds a more aggressive aero kit including canards and a two-stage rear spoiler. At each corner, it gets 18-inch BBS wheels finished in a lovely copper shade. Inside, it has a silver-and-black two-tone interior with red highlights and a couple of STI branding.

Meanwhile, the WRX STI Sport GT takes its inspiration from the 24-Hour Nürburgring endurance racer. Interestingly, this is based off the WRX as opposed to the top-dog WRX STI. Still, that didn’t stop Subaru from adding a more aggressive aero kit with canards upfront and additional brake venting out the back. It also gets a carbon fiber rear wing and 19-inch BBS wheels. Inside, it gets the same silver-and-black scheme, tons of STI goodies, and dedicated Recaro seats.

All-New Subaru WRX, Levorg Expected in 2020; To Have Smaller Turbo Engines

Subaru is busying migrating its entire product line-up to its stiffer, safer, more capable Subaru Global Platform. Of course, enthusiasts are holding their breath as to when the WRX and WRX STI will be getting the same treatment. Well, it seems with have the answer now. But sadly, you’ll have to wait your breath a little bit longer: late 2020 is the earliest the world will see the next iteration of a go-fast Subaru.

According to Japan’s BestCarWeb, the WRX, Levorg, and WRX STI will all finally move to the Subaru Global Platform, but the migration will be done in stages. The WRX (or WRX S4 as it’s known in Japan) will switch first in 2020 and then the WRX STI will move in 2021.

All three models will gain the new “Dynamic x Solid” design language and as such, will gain the trademark U-shaped LED headlights and “greatly inflated front and rear fenders.”

Without citing insider sources, the website says all three models will feature downsized turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer engines. They are lighter and have improved combustion efficiency.

The Levorg’s current 1.6-liter FB16DIT will be swapped for a new 1.5-liter motor making 150 horsepower and 245 Nm of torque; the WRX will change its FA20DIT to a new 1.8-liter making 270 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque; and finally, the WRX STI will have the FA20DIT with 320 horsepower and 441 Nm of torque. The site goes on to say that the WRX STI will continue on with a 6-speed manual, while the Levorg and WRX will have a retweaked version of the Lineartronic CVT.

While the production version of the WRX and Levorg will arrive in showrooms sometime late 2020, the carmaker is said to preview a concept version of these three cars at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show in October.

Source: BestCarWeb

Subaru's Saving the Manuals with the 2019 BRZ and 2019 WRX and We Drive Them Both

Name a performance car nowadays, and chances are, it’ll come with an automatic transmission. Whether it’s because carmakers will claim that a slush box will provide the same amount of performance minus the hassle of operating a third pedal, or increased market demand (bean counters will say: who buys manuals nowadays), this has become a fact of life—like how the sun rises in the east, sets in the west, and the new Supra’s basically a Z4 underneath. Thankfully, there’s still one brand that’s flying the Save the Manuals flag locally, and that brand is Subaru.

The P 2.748-million top-dog WRX STI aside, Subaru has managed to keep two interesting choices in their line-up that hover around the two million-peso mark: the BRZ and WRX. Both of these sport-oriented cars are available with automatics—a traditional 6-speed for the BRZ and a CVT for the WRX, but even more impressive is that both can still be had with a 6-speed manual.

Priced at a smidgen above two million (P 2,058,000 to be exact), the BRZ stands out in Subaru’s line-up for two reasons. First, it’s the only two-door offering in the entire line-up that consists mainly of family-oriented sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. Second, it’s not available with all-wheel drive, even as an option.

Instead, the BRZ opts for handling purity—backed up by credentials such as a low center of gravity, low curb weight, and a high-revving 2.0-liter flat-4 making 200 horsepower.

Coupled with its go-fast appearance—updated last year with new headlights, taillights, 17-inch wheels, and a standard rear spoiler, the BRZ is aimed more as a weekend canyon carver or track day machine. Getting in requires some impromptu ballet to clear the heavily-bolstered seats (now covered in suede). From there, the list of features isn’t long. If it doesn’t expedite driving, it doesn’t have it. Thus, it’s got a push-button start/stop, and that’s about it. The audio system is still godawful and ancient, and there’s still no hands-free Bluetooth.

On the other hand, there’s the WRX. Priced at P 1,930,000, it’s more affordable of the two. Available only by indent order (same with the Outback 2.5), the WRX is certainly the choice if you’re after a sporty everyday car, or more comfortable long-distance tourer.

Equipped with the same engine in the BRZ, but turbocharged, it makes 268 horsepower. And like traditional Subarus, comes with the brand’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

Also updated last year, the WRX gets larger rims and wider tires, and revised exterior styling to make it look more badass. Oh, and unlike the BRZ’s more driving focused features, this one has more convenience features baked in like a touchscreen audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Naturally, the P 128,000 price difference versus the WRX CVT means omissions—lots of them. Bye-bye LED headlights, push-button start/stop, leather seats, and even the EyeSight driver assist system. This here is basically a turbocharged, all-wheel drive entry-level Vios. No kidding.

Now, given that a vast majority of owners will drive either of these cars on public roads as opposed to a race track, it’s more important to focus on that aspect rather than quote lap times. With that, it’s surprising that both offer their own pros and cons.

Between the two, the BRZ is the apex hunter—as in it rewards the serious driver who’s always on attack mode. Turn into a corner, and the BRZ dances along with immediacy. The steering is weighty and linear, while the gearbox is rewarding its nice, precise notches. However, because peak torque comes in at 6,400 rpm, it’s imperative to keep the revs up and shifts deliberate to keep things going at a brisk pace.

In addition, the ride in the BRZ is stiff; as in WRX STI stiff. Couple that with a heavy clutch pedal and trying to navigate through EDSA traffic for two hours can be a bane. Oh, and it doesn’t have hill hold assist, so tackling parking ramps may be a challenge.

Meanwhile, the WRX trades the BRZ’s directness for civility. Unlike the BRZ which can throw you out when pushed over the limit, the ‘Rex uses its all-wheel drive to keep itself pointed in the right direction. Throw it into a corner and it’ll rotate quickly with little or no slip. By default, the all-wheel drive system splits the power 50/50 between the front and rear wheels, but it can be sent completely to the rear if required.  It’s simply confidence-inspiring no matter what the weather.

Oh, and while both of these Subarus have nice, throaty exhaust notes, the WRX just permeates the cabin better. It’s also faster than the handling-focused BRZ in a straight line. The clutch pick-up is also lighter and easier to modulate. The only let down? The vague cable-shifter mechanism. Rowing through them feels like shifting gears in a Vios.

Now, would-be WRX and BRZ owners will likely not care about fuel economy, but for those who’re curious, it’s quite surprising that both of these cars end up with similar figures: 6.17 km/L (at 11 km/h for the BRZ and 13 km/h for the WRX).

Priced close to each other, it doesn’t matter if your heart goes for the BRZ and WRX. Both represent an increasingly outlier choice because of its three-pedal set-up. The practical minded will surely go for an automatic transmission for its everyday civility, and for the enthusiast beginner, it might be easier to push around too.

However, nothing beats the directness of a manual gearbox. Call it old-fashioned thinking, but opting for a stick shift separates the true enthusiasts from the wannabes. Given there are few and far between, only a handful of these sporty Subarus will ever find a home. It’s a pleasant surprise therefore that Subaru’s kept the faith alive in the manual gearbox.

2019 Subaru BRZ M/T and 2019 Subaru WRX M/T
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Ownership	2019 Subaru BRZ M/T	2019 Subaru WRX M/T
Year Introduced	2012 (Refreshed: 2018)	2014 (Refreshed: 2018)
Vehicle Classification	Sportscar	Sports Sedan
The Basics
Body Type	2-door coupe	4-door sedan
Seating	2+2	5
Engine / Drive	F/R	F/AWD
Under the Hood
Displacement (liters)	2.0	2.0
Aspiration	Normally Aspirated	Turbocharged
Fuel Delivery	Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Layout / # of Cylinders	F4	F4
BHP @ rpm	200 @ 7,000	268 @ 5,600
Nm @ rpm	205 @ 6,400-6,600	350 @ 2,400-5,200
Fuel / Min. Octane	Gasoline / 95~	Gasoline / 95~
Transmission	6 MT	6 MT
Cruise Control	Yes	Yes
Fuel Economy @ Ave. Speed	6.17 km/L @ 13 km/h	6.17 km/L @ 11 km/h
Dimensions and Weights
Length (mm)	4,240	4,595
Width (mm)	1,775	1,795
Height (mm)	1,320	1,475
Wheelbase (mm)	2,570	2,650
Curb Weight (kg)	1,258	1,465
Suspension and Tires
Front Suspension	Independent, MacPherson Strut	Independent, MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Independent, Double Wishbone	Independent, Double Wishbone
Front Brakes	Vented Disc	Vented Disc
Rear Brakes	Vented Disc	Disc
Tires	Michelin Primacy HP 215/45 R 17 W (f & r)	Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 245/40 R 18 W (f & r)
Wheels	Alloy	Alloy
Safety Features
Airbags	7	7
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)	Yes	Yes
Traction / Stability Control	Yes	Yes
Front Seatbelt	3-pt ELR with pre-tensioner x 2, 3-pt ELR x 2	3-pt ELR with pre-tensioner x 2, 3-pt ELR x 3
Traction / Stability Control	Yes	Yes
ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor	Yes	Yes
Parking Sensors	No	No, with Rear Camera
Other Safety Features	None	Hill Start Assist
Exterior Features
Headlights	LED	Halogen
Fog Lamps	Yes, Front (LED)	Yes, Front and Rear
Auto Lights	Yes	Yes
Rain-sensing Wipers	No	No
Interior Features
Steering Wheel Adjust	Tilt/Telescopic	Tilt/Telescopic
Steering Wheel Material	Leather	Leather
Seating Adjustment (driver)	6-way Manual	6-way Manual
Seating Adjustment (front passenger)	Manual	Manual
Seating Surface	Leather/Suede	Fabric
Folding Rear Seat	Yes,60/40	Yes
On-Board Computer	Yes	Yes
Convenience Features
Power Steering	Yes	Yes
Power Door Locks	Yes	Yes
Power Windows	Yes	Yes
Power Mirrors	Yes, with Fold	Yes, with Fold
Climate Control	Automatic	Automatic
Proximity Key	Yes	No
Audio System	Stereo CD MP3 USB	Stereo CD MP3 Aux USB Bluetooth Apple CarPlay Android Auto
# of Speakers	6	6
Steering Controls	Yes	Yes