Interesting. I haven't watched/read any of the other reviews, honestly. It's certainly not quiet. The ride quality is better than before by a lot, but we're not talking Lexus. And the interior does feel more refined than before, but at the same time there's a lot of cheapness going on.
@gladdy02 that's because it is much more refined. Still, it's a $30k AWD 271hp sport sedan. It's a bargain. But don't expect Audi refinement, that comes with a much bigger price!
The Civic SI is the first one that comes to mind. It's cheaper, but somehow it feels a little nicer. The GTI also. That one has its own downfalls I know, but the materials feel nicer than the WRX.
My bad, 246 at the crank. One of the articles listed it as wheel and I wasn't thinking. But they're reporting 271 at the crank. Where are you seeing 248-268whp reported?
Thanks! Yeah, they're definitely putting more into refinement. It helps that it's on the Subaru Global Platform now I think. But I'm not sure if it's enough to hold up to the competition outside of the AWD. Will be interesting to see how it holds up in the next couple of years.
I like heavy steering too, and I was ok with this one. It's not as heavy as the new SI, which I really loved, but it's probably about on par with the GTI, but with a little more communication to it.
It has the AWD for now and at its price point, since there is no longer going to be a WRX STI on the new gen WRX platform, when the GR Corolla comes, the WRX will fall even further putting the GR Corolla in place of the WRX and the no longer WRX STI.
Yeah, it's gonna be interesting to see how the GR Corolla is in terms of pricing and how it actually drives once people start getting into it. We have the Golf R already, but it's a bit of a higher price point. We'll definitely have to see how it goes, but is Subaru even concerned about losing it? They're putting more stuff into the CVT only model and they're starting to get into EVs now.
@@jacob_1866 yeah, the markups on the GR Corolla seem to be pretty rough from what I hear. I feel like the lack of markup is the main thing saving the WRX right now. I get what you mean about jumping to a Lexus/BMW/Audi type car, but definitely going to be a different type of driving experience than a GR Corolla. Not that the Corolla is worth a 15k markup, but still a different type of car.
@@jacob_1866 I'm extrapolating/speculating a bit since I haven't been in those specific vehicles, so definitely take this with a grain of salt, but the Lexus and the Audi are both rear biased, while the Corolla has selectable AWD. The 3 cylinder turbo is going to behave differently than the turbo 6 or NA 6. You've got a manual vs auto thing. But also when you move up to the luxury stuff, they tend to put more focus on daily-ability/comfort/etc which ends up softening things. You tend to end up with lighter steering, softer suspension, quieter cabin, cushier seats. Obviously better for the daily drive, but you do lose a little bit of connection for the more spirited drives.
I went with the Sport-tech, Canadian for Limited. From a 2018 Chevy Cruze RS auto Im absolutely loving everything about the car! I dont even care about the cladding, it’s a rally car, you don’t want painted fenders on a rally car xD with the Solar Orange it looks so nice, very Halloween’ish. As for the displacement/horsepower, the engine is under-stressed thanks to the extra displacement - and Subaru knows people tune them so that will probably open up more potential. The turn signal thing is annoying 😂😭
Nice! Congrats on the car! Glad you're loving it! Yeah, at the end of the day, the exterior is probably the thing I care about the least. If it's fun to drive and you love it, then who cares? I agree, it's definitely opened up to more tuning potential. Will be interesting to see what people can do with the new motor. Enjoy the car!
Great review! However I'm pretty sure the WRX would still have a top mounted intercooler under the hood scoop. Otherwise very informative. Thankyou! 🙂👍
Oh man! You are absolutely correct! I'm so used to seeing them being down there, I didn't even think about it when I was recording. I'm going to see if YT will let me clip that part out. Thank you!
@@GearboxCarReviews I ordered a manual Limited, was mostly referring to options currently only available on the cvt, being available on the manual next year. Thanks!
Ah, I see what you mean. I would really hope they'd at least add driving modes and adaptive suspension, but I wouldn't hold my breath on them. It's such a weird decision to leave them off. And the adaptive cruise and EyeSight safety stuff has always been left off of their CVT models, so that stuff I really wouldn't expect.
I'd expect probably sometime in the fall. September/October-ish, based on the previous year releases. I can ask and see if I can get any more info though.
100% agree! That's why I mention it at the beginning as my perception before driving. There's so much more to cars than a spec sheet, but peak power and torque are how many people tend to judge them before we drive them.
This is why we need reviews from "the average Joe" most of the major publications made it seem like this thing was Soo much more refined and quite.
Interesting. I haven't watched/read any of the other reviews, honestly. It's certainly not quiet. The ride quality is better than before by a lot, but we're not talking Lexus. And the interior does feel more refined than before, but at the same time there's a lot of cheapness going on.
@gladdy02 that's because it is much more refined. Still, it's a $30k AWD 271hp sport sedan. It's a bargain. But don't expect Audi refinement, that comes with a much bigger price!
@@steve8803 agreed!
nice review better than an si
Thanks! Yeah, it sort of depends on your situation. They definitely both have their place.
(8:09-8:20) which "competition at this price point made the interior front surface more premium?" Just curious.
The Civic SI is the first one that comes to mind. It's cheaper, but somehow it feels a little nicer. The GTI also. That one has its own downfalls I know, but the materials feel nicer than the WRX.
It's under rated they dyno 248-268whp depending on the dyno.(on 93)
Interesting. From what I've been reading it seems like they actually overrated and it's coming in lower than reported. I read 246whp in a few places.
@@GearboxCarReviews 246whp is 300 crank .sti puts down 245whp
My bad, 246 at the crank. One of the articles listed it as wheel and I wasn't thinking. But they're reporting 271 at the crank.
Where are you seeing 248-268whp reported?
@@GearboxCarReviews th-cam.com/video/g2GRPagm34s/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/S-7VxcQiqwo/w-d-xo.html
Another solid review. It seems Subaru has finally put some focus on refinement. If the 2019 model was more like this one I may actually still have it.
Thanks! Yeah, they're definitely putting more into refinement. It helps that it's on the Subaru Global Platform now I think. But I'm not sure if it's enough to hold up to the competition outside of the AWD. Will be interesting to see how it holds up in the next couple of years.
Does the steering fell way to light?
I like a heavy steering feel 😭
I like heavy steering too, and I was ok with this one. It's not as heavy as the new SI, which I really loved, but it's probably about on par with the GTI, but with a little more communication to it.
Nice review great car bad breaks
Thanks! Yeah, for sure
It has the AWD for now and at its price point, since there is no longer going to be a WRX STI on the new gen WRX platform, when the GR Corolla comes, the WRX will fall even further putting the GR Corolla in place of the WRX and the no longer WRX STI.
Yeah, it's gonna be interesting to see how the GR Corolla is in terms of pricing and how it actually drives once people start getting into it. We have the Golf R already, but it's a bit of a higher price point. We'll definitely have to see how it goes, but is Subaru even concerned about losing it? They're putting more stuff into the CVT only model and they're starting to get into EVs now.
@@GearboxCarReviews yeah once the gr gets marked up... Might as well buy a lexus or audi/bmw at that point
@@jacob_1866 yeah, the markups on the GR Corolla seem to be pretty rough from what I hear. I feel like the lack of markup is the main thing saving the WRX right now. I get what you mean about jumping to a Lexus/BMW/Audi type car, but definitely going to be a different type of driving experience than a GR Corolla. Not that the Corolla is worth a 15k markup, but still a different type of car.
@@GearboxCarReviews that makes sense. What makes is different or better/worse driving experience than say a lexus is300, or an audi s4?
@@jacob_1866 I'm extrapolating/speculating a bit since I haven't been in those specific vehicles, so definitely take this with a grain of salt, but the Lexus and the Audi are both rear biased, while the Corolla has selectable AWD. The 3 cylinder turbo is going to behave differently than the turbo 6 or NA 6. You've got a manual vs auto thing. But also when you move up to the luxury stuff, they tend to put more focus on daily-ability/comfort/etc which ends up softening things. You tend to end up with lighter steering, softer suspension, quieter cabin, cushier seats. Obviously better for the daily drive, but you do lose a little bit of connection for the more spirited drives.
I went with the Sport-tech, Canadian for Limited. From a 2018 Chevy Cruze RS auto Im absolutely loving everything about the car! I dont even care about the cladding, it’s a rally car, you don’t want painted fenders on a rally car xD with the Solar Orange it looks so nice, very Halloween’ish. As for the displacement/horsepower, the engine is under-stressed thanks to the extra displacement - and Subaru knows people tune them so that will probably open up more potential. The turn signal thing is annoying 😂😭
Nice! Congrats on the car! Glad you're loving it! Yeah, at the end of the day, the exterior is probably the thing I care about the least. If it's fun to drive and you love it, then who cares? I agree, it's definitely opened up to more tuning potential. Will be interesting to see what people can do with the new motor. Enjoy the car!
Great review! However I'm pretty sure the WRX would still have a top mounted intercooler under the hood scoop. Otherwise very informative. Thankyou! 🙂👍
Oh man! You are absolutely correct! I'm so used to seeing them being down there, I didn't even think about it when I was recording. I'm going to see if YT will let me clip that part out. Thank you!
It did let me clip it out. Phew. Yeah, you can pretty clearly see the intercooler at 0:18 ha. Thanks again!
@@GearboxCarReviews No problem! Thanks again for the review 😊👍
Any time! I'll take any reason to get into drive more cars :)
What's the likelihood of anything improving on the 2023 model
Maybe some minor tweaks, but I wouldn't expect any ground-breaking updates.
@@GearboxCarReviews I ordered a manual Limited, was mostly referring to options currently only available on the cvt, being available on the manual next year. Thanks!
Ah, I see what you mean. I would really hope they'd at least add driving modes and adaptive suspension, but I wouldn't hold my breath on them. It's such a weird decision to leave them off.
And the adaptive cruise and EyeSight safety stuff has always been left off of their CVT models, so that stuff I really wouldn't expect.
Any idea when they will announce any changes?
I'd expect probably sometime in the fall. September/October-ish, based on the previous year releases. I can ask and see if I can get any more info though.
It doesn’t have the highest PEAK hp or torque but PEAK hp and torque don’t tell the whole story
100% agree! That's why I mention it at the beginning as my perception before driving. There's so much more to cars than a spec sheet, but peak power and torque are how many people tend to judge them before we drive them.
Great review! In your time with it, how was real world fuel economy?
Thanks! Not great in terms of fuel economy. I was getting about 20 mpg.