2016 Subaru WRX

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$19,649–$30,881 Inventory Prices
(4.5) 40 reviews
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2016 Subaru WRX
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2016 Subaru WRX. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Comfortable seats
  • Visibility
  • Handling and acceleration
  • Relatively affordable
  • Highway poise

The Bad

  • CVT operation in most situations
  • Road and engine noise
  • Choppy ride on rough pavement
  • Small trunk
  • Sound quality of standard stereo

Notable Features of the 2016 Subaru WRX

  • EyeSight active safety features available
  • Touch-screen multimedia system standard
  • Manual or CVT automatic
  • Sedan only
  • All-wheel drive standard

2016 Subaru WRX Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

The Subaru WRX and WRX STI are performance cars based on the company's Impreza compact sedan. They have turbocharged engines, performance-oriented all-wheel-drive systems and racy bodywork. Both models were redesigned last year.

(Skip to details on the: WRX STI)
New for 2016
The EyeSight active safety system, which includes adaptive cruise control, precollision braking, and lane departure warning and prevention, is now available. A blind spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert are also available. A 6.2-inch touch-screen stereo with Pandora integration, Bluetooth audio streaming and iPod connectivity is now standard.
Significant Standard Features

  • 268-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
  • LED taillights
  • Automatic climate control
  • 60/40-split folding backseat
  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Backup camera
  • Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system

Significant Available Features

  • Leather upholstery
  • Heated front seats
  • Power moonroof
  • Harman Kardon premium audio system
  • 7-inch touch-screen navigation system with multitouch gesture controls, iTunes tagging capability and two USB ports
  • 18-inch alloy wheels

WRX STI
Subaru's racing-inspired WRX STI features a 305-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It also includes other high-performance hardware like Brembo-brand brakes and a driver-controlled center differential that's part of the standard all-wheel-drive system.
What's Sp...

Vehicle Overview

The Subaru WRX and WRX STI are performance cars based on the company's Impreza compact sedan. They have turbocharged engines, performance-oriented all-wheel-drive systems and racy bodywork. Both models were redesigned last year.

(Skip to details on the: WRX STI)
New for 2016
The EyeSight active safety system, which includes adaptive cruise control, precollision braking, and lane departure warning and prevention, is now available. A blind spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert are also available. A 6.2-inch touch-screen stereo with Pandora integration, Bluetooth audio streaming and iPod connectivity is now standard.
Significant Standard Features

  • 268-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
  • LED taillights
  • Automatic climate control
  • 60/40-split folding backseat
  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Backup camera
  • Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system

Significant Available Features

  • Leather upholstery
  • Heated front seats
  • Power moonroof
  • Harman Kardon premium audio system
  • 7-inch touch-screen navigation system with multitouch gesture controls, iTunes tagging capability and two USB ports
  • 18-inch alloy wheels

WRX STI
Subaru's racing-inspired WRX STI features a 305-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It also includes other high-performance hardware like Brembo-brand brakes and a driver-controlled center differential that's part of the standard all-wheel-drive system.
What's Special

  • Limited trim level now offers low-profile rear spoiler
  • Active torque vectoring
  • Six-speed manual transmission only
  • Flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Alcantara simulated suede and leather upholstery

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View 16 Photos

Latest 2016 WRX Stories

See all 2016 Subaru WRX articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.5
40 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.7)
Performance
(4.8)
Interior Design
(4.3)
Comfort
(4.3)
Reliability
(4.6)
Value For The Money
(4.7)

What Drivers Are Saying

(5.0)

My favorite car

by King54 from Port Angeles on July 10, 2018

This vehicle handles really well and it is so worth every penny a dealership is trying to sell. The next car I buy is for sure going to be the WRX. Read full review

(5.0)

Love it!

by Dimitri A from BROOKLYN New york on July 1, 2018

If you decide to get the 2016 wrx a intake and exhaust is a MUST (aem intake invidia q400 exhaust) it changed to car so much its like a totally new car it drives so much responsive and feels like ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2016 Subaru WRX currently has 0 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2016 Subaru WRX Base

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/thigh
good
Lower leg/foot
good
Overall evaluation
good
Retraints and dummy kinematics
good
Structure and safety cage
good

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
acceptable
Left Leg/Foot
acceptable
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Small Overlap Front - Driver Side

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
good
Overall Evaluation
good
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
good
Structure and Safety Cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranty

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

CPO Program & Warranty

Certified Pre-Owned by Subaru

Program Benefits

24-hour roadside assistance and Carfax vehicle history report

  • Limited Warranty

    7 years / 100,000 miles

    Powertrain: 7 years/100,000 miles from original date of first use. Roadside assistance: 1 year from date of purchase

  • Eligibility

    Under 6 years / 85,000 miles

    Vehicles receive a 152 point inspection and reconditioning.

Have Questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The WRX received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*

Third-row access

N/A

Infant seat

B

Booster

(second row)

A

Booster

(third row)

N/A

Latch or Latch system

A

Forward-facing convertible

(third row)

N/A

Forward-facing convertible

(second row)

A

Rear-facing convertible

A
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.
For complete details,
read the full report

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker