Subaru WRX STI (2014 – 2018) Review

Subaru WRX STI (2014 – 2018) At A Glance

Powerful and vocal boxer engine. Responsive handling with mountains of grip. Large and practical interior.

Running costs are huge. The attention-seeking exterior won't be for everyone. Cabin feels cheap and dated.

Reviews for Subaru WRX STI (2014 – 2018)'s top 3 rivals

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Ferocious acceleration. Meaty steering. 163mph and 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds.

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Surefooted all-wheel drive handling, impressive performance, subtle styling, available as an estate

Honda Civic

Engaging, enjoyable and exciting. Seriously fast thanks to 310PS turbocharged engine. Superb grip and...

Subaru WRX STI (2014 – 2018) handling and engines

• Readers report Real MPG to be between 24–29 mpg

The Subaru WRX is extremely powerful and enthusiasts will immediately take to its high-revving 2.5-litre boxer petrol engine that's found beneath the huge bonnet. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine is loud and theatrical, awakening with a rumble that builds into deep thunder as you engage first and power away. 

Getting the clutch and transmissions to work in harmony is a tricky process - the former has a high biting point and the latter is notchy - but with a bit of practice it's possible to work past the agricultural set up to unleash brutal levels or power. Subaru claims a 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds and we have little reason to question these figures, such is the rapid rate of the WRX's acceleration. 

The star performer here is the four-wheel drive system, which is excellent, with mountains of grip in the corners and almost limitless traction on the straights. To get the most out of the WRX, it has to be revved hard to facilitate rapid gear changes needed to then obtain the mid-corner bite from the all-wheel drive system. The steer, although heavy, provides lots of feedback and the ventilated disc Brembo brakes are sharp too, scrubbing off speed in matter of seconds. 

While WRX is a lot of fun to drive on the edge, it makes some rather significant compromises with a painfully hard ride that transfers every lump or bump into the cabin. As a result the Subaru is a tiring car to drive over long distances, with the 2.5-litre engine droning heavily at motorway speeds, while the suspension crashes over all but the smallest of potholes.

Things don't improve at lower speeds either, with the heavy steering and notchy gearbox making the WRX feel cumbersome. The high riding clutch also makes heavy traffic an unpleasant experience, with the WRX either bunny hopping or labouring along as you try to define the wafer thin bite between stalling or firing 392Nm of torque to all four-wheels at once. 

Parking is problematic too, with a huge turning circle and oversized bodywork making it difficult to define the corners. There's no sensors or reversing camera options either, so more often than not it'll a case of opening the driver's door and trying to judge for yourself. For the hardcore enthusiasts, this will all be part and parcel of the rally car experience, but for other it will prove to be breaking point in a car that quite simply isn’t suited to life as a daily driver. Especially when you factor in the high fuel and tax costs, with a claimed 27.2mpg and 242g/km of CO2.

Subaru WRX STI (2014 – 2018) interior

• Boot space is 460 litres

The interior of the Subaru WRX is relatively large, beating both the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R for head and leg room in the rear. This means it's quite easy to fit four adults into the cabin, while the 460 litre boot should prove large enough to carry three large suitcases. 

For the driver there's a relatively clear view of the road, although the bulging bonnet does obstruct visibility a little, but this can be remedied by rising the seat a couple of notches. Indeed, the seat boasts a good range of adjustments - six in total - and lots of lumbar support, while the tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment makes it easy to get comfortable.  

Unfortunately the dashboard layout isn't quite so appealing; the leather-wrapped steering wheel is pleasant enough to the touch, but covered in cheap switches that continue to decorate the drab dashboard. We really can't emphases how much we dislike the WRX's interior. None of the controls have a premium feel and the scratchy layer of plastic is dull and unappealing to the eye.

The stereo system is also basic and feels rather old, while the four-inch colour display at the top of the dashboard looks cheap and distinctly aftermarket. Dual-zone automatic climate control is fitted as standard, along with Bluetooth, but there's no navigation, DAB or any option of a touchscreen. However, most of the in-car controls are simple to use and pairing a phone to the Bluetooth system is easy enough. 

All of the seats in the WRX are cloth, with leather accents, which provide lots of all-round support thanks to their wraparound sporty design. There's also no shortage of interior storage, with cup holder, deep door pockets and space for a couple of large water bottles. 

Standard Equipment:

18-inch alloy wheels, LED head lamps, LED tail lights, sports bodykit, front fog lights, privacy glass, dual-zone automatic climate control air conditioning, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, steering wheel mounted cruise controls, front map lights with overhead cascade lighting, luggage space lamp, front cup holders, driver and passenger illuminated vanity mirrors with lids, multi- functional centre console with 12v power outlet, driver’s foot rest, leather wrapped steering wheel, six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, sporty front seats with red stitching and red leather accents (leather and Alcantara), CD/radio.

Subaru WRX STI (2014 – 2018) models and specs