The Subaru WRX at a glance: Everyday sedan with Rally-bred DNA
This is the second-generation Subaru WRX (if you count out the Impreza-based WRX) that was launched back in December 2022. It arrives in Malaysian shores as a fully-imported (CBU) from Japan in two variants, the Subaru WRX 2.4 6MT, and the Subaru WRX 2.4 CVT Eyesight. The unit shown here is the six-speed manual variant in WR Blue Pearl with a price of RM 284,745 (OTR excluding insurance). The CVT variant, meanwhile, is priced at RM 290,745 (OTR excluding insurance). Note that this older demo unit does not come with the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology; the current Subaru WRX manual transmission variant comes with the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard. The stickers on the rear passenger doors are also added for this demo unit and do not come as standard.
- Subaru WRX 2.4 6MT – RM 284,745
- Subaru WRX 2.4 CVT EyeSight – RM 290,745
Starting with the vehicle’s dimensions, the Subaru WRX measures 4,670 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, 1,465 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,675 mm. The All-Wheel drive Subaru WRX is underpinned by the revolutionary Subaru Global Platform and the iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
At the front, seductive LED ‘switchback’ Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH) headlights with Daytime Running Light (DRL) offset the striking grille. The iconic bonnet scoop accentuates the WRX identity. Moving along the side, the Subaru WRX runs on 18-inch sporty wheels, with black cladding wheel arches and muscular fenders that highlight the off-road motorsport aesthetic. At the rear, a huge black bumper cladding takes almost half of the rear fascia, and a dual twin tail pipes completes the aggressive rear end.
Here are the exterior details of the Subaru WRX 2.4 6MT:
- Auto LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and auto-leveller
- Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH)
- High Beam Assist
- Front LED fog lights
- LED taillights
- Rear LED fog lights
- Bonnet Scoop
- Key-linked folding door mirrors
- Rear diffuser
- Rear spoiler
- Dual twin tail pipes
- Roof carrier brackets
- Shark fin antenna
- Side sills skirts
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- 245/40 R18 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 tyres
- Ceramic White, WR Blue Pearl, Magnetite Grey Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Sapphire Blue Pearl, Ignition Red, and Galaxy Purple Pearl exterior colours.
The Subaru WRX 2.4 CVT Eyesight adds:
- Reverse auto tilt door mirrors
The heart and soul of the Subaru WRX is the 2.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine, designed to sit lower and flatter in the engine bay than traditional engines. Boxer’s unique design delivers less noise and vibration to the cabin, while a low centre of gravity improves stability, cornering, and traction with the road. Another unique feature of the Subaru WRX is the iconic intercooler placed on top of the low-mounted boxer engine. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that is responsive and fun to row gears with. Spirited driving with the Subaru WRX offers such an inviting feeling, giving absolute confidence to the driver tackling corners.
Here are the powertrain details for the Subaru WRX 2.4 6MT, which are:
- Engine: 4L 4-cylinder turbocharged boxer (FA24F)
- Displacement: 2,387 cc
- Power – 275 PS
- Torque – 350 Nm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission (MT)
- Drivetrain: Symmetrical All-Wheel drive (AWD) and a centre differential with a viscous Limited-Slip Differential (LSD)
The Subaru WRX 2.4 CVT Eyesight adds:
- Sport Lineartronic Continuous Variable Transmission (instead of 6MT)
- SI-Drive mode select (Intelligent Mode, Sport Mode, and Sport# Mode)
Stepping inside, an 11.6-inch tablet-like infotainment touchscreen provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A sports meter cluster with a Multi-Information Display unit provides high visibility, with rally-inspired large tachometer and speedometer dials. Air-conditioning features dual zone climate, and the controls are semi-physical. The sports bucket seats are fabric material but hug the body very well. A flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and metallic sports pedals complement the sporty and comfortable interior. Note that the Subaru WRX 2.4 6MT does come with a luggage compartment floor as standard. This media car unit is missing the luggage compartment floor when we received the car.
Here are the interior details of the Subaru WRX 2.4 6MT:
- 11.6-inch head unit display
- Dual gauge layout meter cluster with 4.2-inch full colour LCD
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- One 12V power socket
- Two front USB-A ports
- Rain-sensing front windscreen wipers
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with WRX logo, with tilt and telescopic adjustment
- Fabric seat upholstery
- Manually adjustable driver sport seats with height adjuster
- Manually adjustable front passenger sport seats
- Centre console cupholders
- Centre console storage
- 60/40 split folding rear seats
- Rear centre armrest with cupholders
- Two rear USB-A ports
- 6 speakers
The Subaru WRX 2.4 CVT Eyesight adds:
- Leather + Alcantara seat upholstery
- 10-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support and memory function
- Rear air conditioning vents
- Electronic parking brake
Despite being a sport-centric sedan, the Subaru WRX does come with the modern must-have Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), also known as the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite, which comes with the following safety features:
- EyeSight Assist Monitor
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Emergency Lane Keep Assist
- Lane Centring Function
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Sway Warning
- Lead Vehicle Start Alert
- Pre-Collision Braking System
- Pre-Collision Brake Assist
- Autonomous Emergency Steering
- Collision Detection Unlock
- Speed Sign Recognition
- Driver Monitoring System
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- 7 Airbags
To recap, the Subaru WRX 2.4 6MT is priced at RM 283,500 and comes with a 5-year or 100,000 km vehicle warranty.
The modern-day vehicle landscape has seen a decline in sedans as people nowadays prefer SUVs. A user-friendly type of vehicle with its huge body that provides road authority, combined with unmatched practicality. With that in mind, seeing the Subaru WRX features the same black cladding wheel arches might suggest that the iconic sedan is trying to fit in with the SUV crowd. On the contrary, it is Subaru’s way of saying that its sports-centric sedan is here to stay, always evolving with its rally-bred DNA.
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