2023 Subaru WRX (Manual): Drives Way Better Than It Looks
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 พ.ย. 2024
- Today I drive and review a 2023 Subaru WRX Premium Manual!
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At first I was turned off by the plastic fender flaire, but then I soon realized how much I'd rather stare at plastic long term than a rust blighted wheel well.
plus you can always replace it once it gets chipped up from rocks and such if you hate looking at it so much. It makes sense to have it on there. The wheel wells don't bother me as much as the diaper on the back does, but he's right, if you get it in black, it's not so bad.
Any word on if the next year will have paint matched arches?
its plastic now on@@dolfowolfo1
If only they painted it
I just test drove one. First thing that stood out immediately to me was the shifter and clutch. Super pleasant to drive. The one I drove had the short shifter option.......amazing.
that's actually good they still build subaru with manual transmission. all about driving is changing gears manually
Picking mine up in an hour premium harmen kardon manual moon roof in Magnetite Gray.
Why are you writing this? Go get her already! Congrats!
@@MaximumDIYGaragehe did say in an hour. Don’t rush the man
@@MaximumDIYGarage Gotta love summer tires when sold in the Lake Tahoe area.
"Inline 4-Cylinders dont like to rev" Honda is like, hold my beer bud...
LOL
All the turbos killed that idea
@Kenneth R LOL You're stuck in the past. New Honda's are completely different.
Literally stopped watching when he said this! Cringe
My 1.6 NA Miata said the same
I ordered my 2023 WRX last month. It will be arriving in Vancouver on the 14th. of April, then 3 weeks from customs and a train ride to Quebec. I should be receiving it around the 1st week of May. I have a 2020 BRZ right now which I totally love and if I could, I would have kept her as a summer car. However, after passing 2 Canadian winters on excellent 10/10 snow/ice tires with extra weight in the trunk, I was too stressed for daily driving up in the mountain where I am to work every day. There are lots of curves on the country road, and even though it is well cleaned by snow removal, slush and thick ice when it is below -20 C had the BRZ slip a bit, the tCS system is still amazing for a propulsion drive car compared to other propulsion driven cars I have had, but still, I never felt safe like I used to driving my Impreza I owned before the BRZ. For the first time in my 30+ years of driving, I actually could not make it up a 45-degree hill just before Christmas after leaving work during a storm. It was windy, and very cold, but the snow was falling heavy and slushy with ice beneath it. I was in a line of traffic going up a hill and was waiting. I knew at that moment I wouldn't be able to get up if the traffic moved forward. I had no momentum and was stationary. When the traffic did move, I gently tried to advance in second gear (manual transm.) and immediately the tires spun on the ice beneath the several inches of snow and the car went sideways. Well, I just kept the turn and went back down the hill..I had a Honda Civic years ago and I would have managed to spin up the hill easily with just the front-wheel drive because of the weight of the motor, but the BRZ..nope.
Should have gotten a crosstrek or a truck. Wrx is too low to the ground and if you get any significant snow you’ll be snow plowing the front anyway. Crazy you’d live in Canada and only have a rear wheel drive vehicle…
@@Mitsu3kGT I've owned a Legacy and Impreza, I've also owned a CR-V and pickups. It takes driving to another level when driving a RWD. Luckily, we have excellent snow removal unless it is stormy with heavy snow falling like I encountered last winter, even with the snowploughs passing every 10 minutes and salting, there was too much heavy accumulation. I have been driving for years in snow, so you can get by on RWD with excellent snow tires, but it is risky and you need 110% attention on your driving and the road. However, after years of experience driving,, front-wheel drive will be better in winter driving than RWD. My BRZ was 5" ground clearance btw, (WRX is 5.4") some mornings during storms I would have to shovel to get in the car but I have someone who clears my driveway during the night and afternoon so I rarely had to plough snow when getting into my driveway or out in the morning, even with a good accumulation of 8-12 inches, I could still easily plough through the snow bank and onto the main road. But, like I've said, I'm used to driving in snow and snow tires are mandatory in my province from Dec 1st to March 15. Even with my Impreza (5.1" clearance), I could plough through 3 feet of heavy snow to get into the back shipping yard of my place of work on a Saturday (gate closed, no snow removal until Sunday evening) and leave with no problems ever getting stuck. But, driving experience in the snow is learned. I've seen many people get stuck driving 4x4 and AWD SUVs. I have pulled 4x4 pickups out of the snow banks here with my Legacy and once pulled out a Nissan SUV AWD and Mazda C3 AWD with my little Impreza..
I personally like the cladding.
looks fun. Love manuals. Imagine it would be great on snow and ice.
It’s good in the snow but it’s not great in the ice. I’m in the mid west and we get some strange weather patterns. But I love mine have about 700 miles on it now
@@jordancollins2553 I am from northern Canada and same here but honestly ALL cars find it hard on pure ice. The tires quality is also very important..
You don’t want to drive on ice.
@@jordancollins2553 they come with terrible Dunlop hard summer tires. Not even the nicer Yokohamas the sti came with. Cheapo summer tires that are shit in winter and ice. Get Snow tires or you will crash.
@@jordancollins2553 did you switch out the summer tires in the winter time? Just curious cause I’m interested in buying one but don’t want to have to switch out the tires if I can help it
Good video, but don't rest your hand on the shifter. It's bad for longevity
My everyday sedan!! Amazing review Ben.
5th gear at 33 mph?? That's certainly a choice. Haha nice video though I really liked the way you covered it.
Yeah I saw that too. Is that guy some kind of noob? A noob giving a review? Pfft 😮
He was in eco mode
@@reyob12 😂😂😂
Thinking about getting one of these when the lease on my '21 Crosstrek is nearing it's end, after hearing so many positive reviews on how it drives. The cladding doesn't really bother me...the way some people talk about it, you'd think Subaru's decision to attach some unpainted plastic means their property will get foreclosed on or something. I just really wish the WRX was still offered with a 5-door option. The trunk is a good usable size, I'll give it that, but it's hard to beat the practicality of a hatch for bigger bulkier stuff. I'm already seeing new '22 WRXs offered at $1k - $1,500 below MSRP around here. Nice first impression!
@LoveMyZJ there are several other hatch options out there, if you aren't attached to Subaru. I have a '22 wrx, and it's such a fun car. Especially in the snow. Easily tunable too, if you're into that. I'll keep it stock.
@@steve8803 I dig the GR Corolla, but it's a little too small and the super limited availability is unfortunate. The Golf R is nice, But I'm not really a VW fan. I also like the Type R but that's FWD only. The local Subaru dealership here has had an orange '22 WRX Premium sitting on the lot for a few weeks now, so I might see if they'll let me test drive it. I'm also starting to see them being listed for under MSRP, which is also tempting, and I'd leave mine stock as well....nearly everything feels plenty fast after driving a Crosstrek lol
The 6 speed manual in the wrx is not the same as the sti
The 6 speed in the wrx is PROBLEMS
@@Mitsu3kGT it's only a problem if you modify and add a lot of power. In stock form it is perfectly reliable.
@@steve8803 incorrect. It gave me problems STOCK
I got the limited in Silica Black, both the color and in person it looks so much better than any of the other colors.
Black looks sharp as hell but its a mother to keep clean
Ain’t that the truth.
I've had mine for 3 months. I've gone from getting it mostly because I needed the practicality to being pretty sure I'll never sell it unless it's to trade it in for another one. It kinda sucks that the only rallisport cars left are this and whichever Toyota your region gets, but at least they're all great cars. My Subaru dealer experience has been pretty good too, if I end up getting a second fun car in a few years it will probably be a BRZ.
Never sell it? Bud that 6 speed transmission is garbage in that car. It’s not even an sti. These wrx are a joke and the rally term should not be applied anywhere near a non sti
6 speed wrx is a split case garbage trans
6 speed sti trans is bulletproof. There is no comparison. Subaru is dying. The only thing they’ll offer soon is crosstreks and foresters
@@Mitsu3kGT Why do you sound offended 💀.
What has been your average mpg?
@@coreymyers1839 I do a lot of hilly backroads stop and start driving, so I'm in the mid 16's. When I'm on the highway I get mid to high 20's, and even on backroads if I'm driving for more than 5-10 miles I usually average around 20.
Some of your comparisons were questionable but you were entertaining enough for me. I drove the new wrx and I felt right at home when compared to my 2020 wrx. Gear box is super identical in terms of feel when shifting. The STI has a way crisper shift than that. But you stated you don't drive manuals often so won't knock you for that. Good video though
The 2020 wrx and the 2023 wrx have the exact same shit basically
The 6 speed in the wrx is garbage, it’s a split case trans that has all kinds of vibration issues. I had a 2019 wrx with that problem trans. They had a service bulletin on it but it no where near fixes the issue. Just delays the vibrations you’ll get from the trans until it eventually kills itself
The sti is a beefy totally different transmission and the EJ is their old school tried and true engine. My 2021 wrx sti is the last of its breed. Anything after that and these cars became a joke
@@Mitsu3kGT I have had my WRX for a while now and I’m starting to not like the Tranny lol. It’s hilarious that you mentioned that while I was thinking how clunky it’s starting to feel the more I drive
@@BRBgottadj I had a 2019 wrx and the trans in the wrx is marketed as being the same but it absolutely is not. Google the difference in google images. I have a 2021 sti now and it’s night and day. The sti trans is known for being almost bulletproof. I’ve had local buddies blow their normal wrx split case trans at 33k miles
those cars are going for a hefty discounts right now.
more reviews with manual transmissions, please. Borg Warner T56 perhaps?
Consider it holy grail having analog rpm for 2023 car..
Thinking about trading my 2020 5.0 for a base manual WRX and put a 1 inch lift with better wheels. Love my 5.0 but i live in MD and i wont drive it if there is rain, snow, or salt on the roads. Not to mention my insurance has gone up on my 5.0 a lot also.
You should do it! I traded in my Outback Wilderness for this and love it. I got the Limited trim.
@@MaJaGa86 I currently have a 2020 Mustang GT. As much as i would love to, it is extremely hard going to a 170 HP car from a 460plus HP car. I need more power then 170 HP.
@@CharmCityWRX Its 271 HP I believe. Trust me, I had a 2017 Jetta GLI before my Outback and that had 230 HP and felt quick. I haven't even pushed my WRX yet (want to break it in nicely) and can tell it is ready to fly. Way stronger than my GLI was.
@@MaJaGa86 shit my bad, you are correct. I was thinking this was a comment from my conversation about the Crosstrek.
I say yes because where you live. If it's too slow do a 93 tune and you'll be at 330whp ish near 5.0 speed unless you got automatic.
It’s always snowing or raining there Ben!
Amazing Subaru Ben !! 😁😁😎😎
I really do like manual transmission,the analog speedometer ,and this plastic cover to protect the car from rust, but the problem of this car is a lack of the power and sound .There is no boxer engine sound
Good the cops won't notice you as much when you're having fun in it.
Such a shame they decided to cover the exterior with storage bin plastic.
Did you say the tail lights are unique? They’re literally the civics tail lights from their last generation. That’s the thing about wrx’s, they’re usually a step behind with aesthetics and tech but a step above when it comes to performance
I think these look pretty cool I don't understand what all the issues are about...
i was like that too until i found out these 2.4s have RTV issues that cause oil starvation in this motor causing them to go boom
@@davidestrada7337 I was just about to ask if this would have that RTV issue just like on the GR86. How disappointing 😢
@@davidestrada7337 typical internet blowing things out of proportion.
@@davidestrada7337that's the US made 2.4 Boxer engines in BRZ and GR86 not ones in WRX
STI, denso, fuso, ultra-denso
"Premium" package lacks automatic seat adjustment and hvac for the rear...but has a huge tablet on the dash. IDK. I get it's a driver's car, and I would love to take one for a test spin, but yeesh 36k for a car that lacks some pretty basic amenities.
Ben, you do know that you are reviewing a 2022 not a 2023?
More clicks this way
Nice, but will they bring back the hot hatch wrx ?
Only in the form of an imprezza
@@BRBgottadj that's too bad, the 2,0i N/A is not that thrilling.
I want a 22
Cool car but i think would rather the new corolla GR coming out.
Have fun finding one and prepare to pay at least 5000 dollars additional mark up.
@@joelritenour6751 Been closer to 10k lol it’s crazy
Ben, you do great videos! If I could just recommend one thing is to slow down your speech a bit. You swallow most of your words’ endings. It’s hard to understand. Other than that, keep you the great work! Thank you for producing several videos daily! Really enjoy that variety of cars you’re presenting!
I'd donate a testicle to science for a wrx hatch again D:
Loved your reviews. Just wondering if this WRX has gear indicator. Thanks Ben
Only the sti does. And it’s not until your foot is off the clutch and it’s in gear
WRX premium does- when not engaging clutch. Not sure if available on the base, but the “premium” is far from their highest package.
To add, it has it in this video. Center portion of cluster, bottom left corner.
Yes it does my 22 has it
Fender is the best part. Trust me.
How does the interior compare to the golf r?
I like the seat manual adjustments plus actually key please
Ben, I appreciate the view of the car, but you really are lacking experience with the WRX. I have leased 3 so far, and I want to know should I keep or do a new lease. So the difference between last year and or the year before would be valuable. Having you excited is great, real happy for you, but you don't offer much beyond "you like this car", and the shifter is smooth... The car is "larger" so I am told, and more "comfortable" so says the dealer... on longer trips (plus 2 hours) I end up raising the seat up as high as it will go, so my head is in the sun roof space, so my legs get a rest or extension, I am only 6' but this is an issue. Short rides, there is no car anywhere near this fun in this price bracket.... to all the wrx's keeners, if you have anything to add, I will certainly check back to this comment.... please and thank you.
do they produce Forester with Manual?
Why does this say a 2023 model? They're not released yet.
VB WRXs drive NOTHING like the VA STIs no idea why you would say that. You do realize they have completely different transmissions right? The STI 6 speed is day and night difference from a WRX 6 speed and can literally hold 3 times the power of the WRX's. They're also a mechanical linkage shifter vs the cable shifter in the WRX, and WAY smoother to shift.
which model and year do you own?
this is 2022 wrx... 2023 wrx isn't out yet... and to prove it... the screen interface is 2022. They changed it on the 2023 models.
2023 is IDENTICAL to the 2022. Where did you hear anything about screen differences?
car sounds good. love that boxer sound. gluggagluggaglugga
How is it at maintaining 70+ MPH for a few hours?
Loud and punishing
I'm curious on the STI. I imagine it will be a hybrid option
They aren't releasing it yet because they are working on an all-electric version supposedly...
@@zergilli9719 There is no word on what the sti will be. All we know is it won't be purely ICE. And it's not coming for a long time.
do you like the shifter? you didn't talk about it 😂😂😂
2 things that made me cringe: Cold revving a brand new engine and full throttle pull during the break-in period. I know one pull ain’t gonna hurt it but still, I could never bring myself to run a brand new engine hard. I can’t even bring myself to drive over 3k rpm’s when my WRX hasn’t warmed up yet and it’s got 20k miles.
I deliver parts to automotive assembly plants, this is nothing compared to what the crack head workers put them through while driving them to staging areas to be shipped. Doesn't matter how something is broken in, just change the oil at 1000 miles and even better would be 500 and 1000 to get any metal shavings out
Hard break in on these will actually get you more power and less oil burn. Warm up oil and send it ASAP off the lot
Buy one.
does this car tell you when to shift?
No
This car needs the Recaros, suede on dash, Brembos and paint some of the cladding for me to even consider it! Catless up pipe and a catch can!
I'm sorry but why are you pointing out the Subaru logo? We can all see it, I hate it when car reviewers point out the obvious. Also the Fender flares I think look pretty cool I disagree with the people who don't like them and I think they are pretty practical in protecting the vehicle which is what you want. Also telling us the shifter is really good when you only shifted it from 1st to 2nd really is meaningless. I'm getting the impression that you really don't know anything about cars .
he obviously doesn't... lots of things in the video that he mentioned makes no sense whatsoever
I saw two new ones, in my area, with a little bit of dealer markup....$68,900 (not including tax)🙄
Any chance it's like the 2022?
It is a 2022 he is reviewing. 2023 haven't come out yet.
has the RTV problems with the 2.4 fixed?
US built model 2.4 issues not Japanese made 2.4t
Ok thx. Will be picking up 2024. Cannot decide between the sport or tr which is rs in Canada
i think subaru finaly said hey lets put the sti transmission on these...
6 speed yes , same transmission as STI.... no but better than the o.g 5 speed wrx.
Why are you in 5th at like 33mph?
killing off the rear wing is a HUGE ZONK! 👎😏
You mean Japanese park bench ?
Lol.. I love it... I wanted one until I found out about the gasket problem. I bet that car you tested now has gasket peaces floating in the oil pump... Its a shame...
Same, really like this and the Toyota GR86 but the RTV issue ruins it😢
Such a non-issue. Internet blowing things way out of proportion. I would bet ALL Subarus have the same "issue". I believe even a common thing in the FB20 Imprezas as well.
that is why, i did not buy as well. Also, Subaru take a decade to fix the issues. It is a shame because the the car seems very good. I tested the shifter and the clutch and both were very good. The steering could be a bit heavier but livable. These are being discounted because of the RTV issues
@@ontarioman6301 lmfao, the RTV "issue” has zero to do with why they are being discounted. So full of sh*t! 🤣
Subaru fix the gasket issue years ago
Dumb question, Is Subaru doing away with this engine option for this or the STI?
No STI
This is what STX pricing used to be like 4-5 years ago. Whack.
As an owner of a '16 WRX with CVT, what I don't understand is why Subaru are somehow impressed with 270hp. It's not a fast car. Perspective matters, yes, and these cars handle SO well. I used to like mine, but let's not kid ourselves. With EV's at just $10k more pushing out 480 - 570hp, this romance Subaru has with sub-300hp offerings is outdated. 300hp just isn't the thrill it was 20yrs ago - it's average now. Put it this way, you have to shout to use the phone while driving & you'll feel every inch of every bump you hit - something I don't mind if the tradeoff means performance. A 0-60 of almost 6 seconds stopped being impressive in the mid 1990s. I'll miss the nimble handling, but EVs are simply SO much faster & gas prices? Bah, no more.
Does it have auto rev match?
No
auto rev match is for plebs
No but this one has no rev hang. So it’s very soft to shift .👍🏻
Tf I get same gas mileage out my 2008 wrx
Why does the legacy have more torque? Why does the WRX not have more power than the outback and legacy. Weird to make the sportiest model not perform better than the wagons and the legacy.
The outback is 182 - 260 horse
The wrx is 271
The legacy is 182 - 260
The 2021 wrx sti was 310. I have a 2021 sti, all these people talking about wrxs need to stop pretending and just pass on the car. They stopped making the only one worth buying
The cars a tuners dream the held back the horse power so tuners could go crazy. This engine was better built then Sti's 2.5t
Gonna be buying this soon, but god do I hate those fender flares!
Get them wrapped with the car and problem solved ( this is my plan).
Dude slow your talking the heck down.
Honestly nothing about these cars are wrx anymore
I have a 2021 wrx sti, it’s got the EJ engine and the better 6 speed transmission, the electronic diff stuff…
The normal wrx can hardly even be called a wrx anymore. It has nothing that the true sti would of had.
That's a Honda 😂
3.6 mpg? Did I read that right 😂
It's 19-26 mpg according to Subaru.
That's really a 2023?????
I don’t think so the 2023 not even available on their website here in California I could be wrong though
You drive manual like a trucker! Revv it up!
I’m sorry Ben I do not mean to be disrespectful. But did you have a few Red Bulls before you did the video that day? It’s so difficult to understand you because you talk too fast. I understand you’re only a car journalist but just thought I’d let you know it’s difficult to hear clearly what you’re saying because you talk too fast. Have a good day.
I like your reviews but buddy...can you please slow down your talking...3 times in this vid I had to stop, go back and replay to figure out what you said.
$36k and the interior still looks outdated, damn
gonna run out of gas
Test Drive TV - all these flunks driving dealer demos - thrashing other peoples future purchase
Camry has more hp
5 mile wrx hitting boost 😟
so??? LMAO!
Still prefer my 15 wrx
let's be honest, it wouldn't be hard to get it driving better than it looks, the back end looks like a smashed civic. who approved that design? you can run voting polls on social media before you offend everyone's eyes with smashed civic vibes.. how can subaru go from making some of the best looking cars to some of the worst?. I want to ask honda the same question too. but that's another day.
Subarus have always looked weird
dork alert
Dude a fat man in a tuxedo is still a fat man! Yes it has a very refined ride and handles very well. The interior is very nice in the Limited and GT. The dash layout and control, also very good. Sterling wheel Awesome. But that’s were it stops. Transmission feels cheap. Nothing like the previous Sti. Performance? 1st gear is a dog. It does pick up from 2nd on but no explosive acceleration. $30k plus😮 Don’t even waste your time. It looks like a CrossTrek GT conception. You may grow to like the look, but you’ll never love it. Save your money and get a used Sti.
It’s just plain ugly!