Loud, raw, and fast—that’s how I’ve always seen the Subaru STI. It’s the sort of car that keeps you awake and demands every ounce of your attention, especially on spirited backroad drives. I’ve never actually driven one until my teammate, Aaron Pagador, lent me the keys to his tuned Impreza WRX STI ‘Hawkeye.’ And boy, it was everything I had hoped for. The smell of unburnt gasoline in the air, the deafening pops and bangs echoing through the walls of our subdivision, and the kind of acceleration that gets you smiling from ear to ear. It was unforgettable. If I had the money, I probably would have bought one even before I jumped out of the driver’s seat.
Subaru may have pulled the plug on the STI (for now), but the WRX lives on. It’s softer, subtler, and a touch more civilized. But beneath all the safety tech and more refined interior lies a very punchy engine. It wasn’t quite what I expected, but it certainly didn’t leave me disappointed.
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Styling
Older WRXs never really looked aggressive. Most of them actually looked vanilla. But that was part of their charm. Their simple, subtle exterior made them the perfect blank canvases, ready for their owners to slap wheels, exhausts, and stickers to make them their own. The current generation, on the other hand, comes out of the factory looking like they’re designed to pick a fight. Maybe that’s why pedestrians give it a second look and other drivers make space at intersections. It certainly stands out, but it’s not something I’d frame and hang on my bedroom wall.
Unlike the orange color Subaru used to launch the WRX here in the Philippines—which makes the car look like it’s been dipped in Fanta—the silver finish transforms it completely. Suddenly, the WRX becomes far more palatable, even elegant, if you catch it from the right angle—emphasis on right angle.
Up front, it’s not bad at all. The signature L-shaped headlights give it some presence, and the hood scoop hints at something under the hood generating plenty of heat. But view it from the side or rear, and that’s where it starts to raise eyebrows. There’s an excessive amount of black plastic cladding all around, especially at the back. The 18-inch wheels are about the only subtle element, and they don’t quite complement the body’s lines—a more sporty rim would have worked better.
The overall shape is there, and the car could look significantly cleaner if those black claddings were painted in body color, similar to what Subaru did with the WRX Wagon. Standing at 135mm above the ground, a slight drop in ride height would also go a long way in improving its stance. Honestly, I prefer the look of the older WRXs, but with proper modifications, I think this look would grow on me.
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Interior
While it may sound like I want to redesign the WRX’s exterior from the ground up, the interior, on the other hand, is actually a rather pleasant place to be. The cabin carries the familiar Subaru design language, but the WRX adds a few sporty touches, such as carbon fiber-like trim and red stitching. There’s also plenty of space inside, even for taller passengers, and the panels are well-padded, giving it a more cozy vibe.
The thick, flat-bottom steering wheel feels great in hand and offers excellent grip—useful when driving on provincial roads. Finding an ideal driving position is also easy thanks to the eight-way adjustable seats. I wouldn’t call them soft, but after long hours of driving, I never felt any discomfort on my back.
It is not a luxury car, sure, but the WRX’s interior is solidly put together, spacious, and thoughtfully designed. And that’s something any driver would appreciate.
Engine performance
It’s not like Aaron’s 300hp STI, but the WRX is still quite punchy. Under the hood is a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine that puts out 271hp and 350Nm of torque. Power goes to all four wheels via Subaru’s Sport Lineartronic transmission, its version of CVT. You can also choose between drive modes on how the engine and transmission respond to your throttle input.
Torque comes in early, which makes overtaking and quick pulls effortless. The CVT feels surprisingly responsive at city speeds—it’s smooth, predictable, and easy to live with day to day. But things start to change once you really want to have fun.
Off the line, the WRX pulls hard enough to push you into your seat, but the excitement peaks around 4,000rpm. Beyond that, it’s mostly CVT drone while the power starts to drop off. It also sounds a bit more restrained than expected—a bit tame despite the big quad tip exhausts at the back. If you are the kind of driver who wants to rev your engine up to redline, the manual version would suit you better.
Ride and handling
I took the WRX to Nagcarlan, Laguna to see how it behaves on twisty roads, and this is where Subaru’s all-wheel drive really comes alive. It doesn’t feel light, but it tackles corners with confidence and composure. The steering is sharp and predictable, giving you a clear sense of where the front wheels are going. Combined with its low center of gravity, the WRX feels incredibly stable and planted even when you start pushing harder through bends. It’s the kind of car that makes you feel braver behind the wheel than you probably should be. That said, I think it could use a bigger set of brakes.
Despite how capable it is on the corners, the WRX still manages to be fairly comfortable on regular roads. The suspension is firm, as expected from a performance sedan, but it’s not punishing. It eats up bumps and potholes better than you’d think, even on provincial roads where surfaces can be unpredictable.
NVH levels are decent, too. Whether it’s an old dump truck tumbling beside you or a single-cylinder motorcycle with an open muffler, the WRX’s cabin insulation does a good job of keeping the noise out; not completely, but enough so it doesn’t get annoying. My only gripe is the faint clunking noise at the back whenever I hit a bump. Not sure if it’s only with this demo unit, but it’s definitely noticeable.
Extra features
The WRX also comes loaded with safety tech and convenience features that make it a surprisingly good daily driver. Even if it’s your first time behind the wheel of a Subaru, you won’t get lost trying to figure out what button does what—everything is logically laid out and within easy reach. Ergonomics is something Japanese brands have always nailed, and the WRX is no exception.
Up front is a massive 11.6-inch touchscreen display that houses both infotainment and vehicle settings. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, and I appreciate that essentials like the auto brake hold and some A/C controls are just a tap away. That said, I still wish a few of these were physical buttons for quicker access. The same goes for the engine temperature and boost gauges—it would’ve been much cooler if Subaru had kept them analog. I just wish it had USB-C ports or even wireless Apple CarPlay.
While the convenience features still have touches of the previous decade, safety, on the other hand, is up to date. Subaru’s EyeSight system remains one of the best in the business, and it really adds peace of mind on the road. Features like pre-collision braking, autonomous emergency steering, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure prevention all work seamlessly to keep the car safe on the road.
Verdict
The Subaru WRX I experienced wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be rough, loud, and a bit unruly—just like the rally-bred machines it descended from. But instead, it turned out to be comfortable, composed, and surprisingly easy to live with.
Sure, the exterior design still raises eyebrows, and the CVT might dull some of the excitement, but there’s no denying that Subaru built a solid car with just the right mix of performance and practicality.
From a young, carefree rebel, the WRX has matured into a responsible, well-rounded driver’s car that still knows how to have fun when the road opens up. Would I buy one if I had P2.888 million? Probably not. But I’d be more than happy to drive one every day.
SPECS: 2026 Subaru WRX Sedan 2.4 EyeSight CVT
Price: P2,888,000
Powertrain: 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer
Power: 271hp
Torque: 350Nm
Layout: All-wheel-drive
Seating: Five
Score: 8/10
More photos of the 2026 Subaru WRX Sedan 2.4 EyeSight CVT:
