Subaru WRX sportswagon review: less thrills, more tech

This modern-day cult favourite has had a makeover and lost some of its animal appeal. But that might be a positive for those who have grown old with the badge.

Subaru’s WRX Sportswagon has grown up in fifth-generation guise: more size, more power, more goodies and more money. Here are five things to know about the $55,490 (plus on-roads) mid-spec GT.

It’s the practical but duller choice

Has the WRX gone soft? In Subaru world those three letters are semi-sacred. As a rally car we picture it jumping, splashing, drifting and spitting flames. On road, it’s for the all-wheel-drive performance fan, amateur racer and modifier – lowered, pumping sick beats with the obligatory defect sticker. But this ’Rex is for those who prefer a pipe and slippers. For starters it has a sensible wagon back. Its exhaust favours mild over wild, and there’s – gasp! – a continuously variable auto. It’s a good CVT, but has all the appeal of Covid at Christmas to driving enthusiasts. At least they can pick a WRX sedan with six-speed manual instead.

The Sportswagon is the more practical but less exciting choice. Picture: Supplied.

It’s rich with safety and technology

There are positives to growing up. The Sportswagon’s interior’s roomy, with decent boot space and superb cabin quality. It feels solid and smartly laid out and soft-touch plastics abound. It’s pretty loaded, too. There’s a portrait-style 11.6-inch touchscreen, leather-accent power seats, bum warmers for four, a sunroof and power tailgate. And because it’s sporty, there’s red stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel and alloy pedals. Being the family WRX, Subaru’s nailed the safety. Highlights are advanced auto emergency braking front and rear, blind-spot assist and speed-sign recognition. Cabin cameras detect fatigue and distraction, and, very cleverly, recognise individual drivers and set their climate, seat position and mirror preferences accordingly.

The latest WRX Sportswagon is more refined than its predecessor. Picture: Supplied.

Don’t try driving it like you’re Colin McRae

Subaru calls this car “an exhilarating, heart-racing Sportswagon,” but not if you’re used to screaming ’Rexes of old. Power’s up only 5kW to 202kW and torque remains at 350Nm, but peaks lower in the rev range. The boxer four-cylinder has decent pull when up to speed, but that tardy CVT gearbox let’s the motor down. There are eight artificial ‘‘steps” in the transmission and in Sports Sharp mode these simulated shifts are rapid and bring more driver engagement. But why not just fit a proper auto gearbox? Cornering and grip aren’t bad but the Sportswagon feels soft next to the sharper WRX sedan. Get the $57,990 tS version for electronic dampers if you enjoy back roads.

The Sportswagon feels softer through the corners than the sedan. Picture: Supplied.

Its lane-keep assist is surprisingly brilliant

Many car manufacturers sling on driver assist systems to tick a box, then forget to check they actually improve the drive experience. Subaru’s Eyesight safety shows the way with its Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Centring and Lane Keep Assist. It’s simply brilliant. The system recognises lane markers and smartly holds position in the middle of the lane, subtly and naturally turning the steering wheel for you. Many rivals’ efforts are too invasive, forceful and unreliable. Adding to the serenity, radar cruise control locks on to a car in front and pilots you semi-autonomously through traffic jams. Should WRXs be this sensible?

The cabin is plush and has all the latest technology. Picture: Supplied.

It’s old school but in the wrong ways

Driver aids on 1990s WRXs were a clutch pedal and manual handbrake. Today’s Sportswagon has only two pedals and electronic parking brake but there’s old-school to be found, not all of it welcome. There’s a CD player in the glovebox (we know, it is 2022) and modern goodies such as USB-C ports, wireless charging or a digital driver display remain absent. Fuel economy at 8.5L/100km using premium isn’t a great sign of progress, while back seats are too upright and firm – a modern family wagon should really have sliding and reclining rears. And where’s the much-loved angry WRX exhaust sound? Thank goodness the audio system’s a belter as some compensation.

Originally published as Subaru WRX sportswagon review: less thrills, more tech