It’s been a while since we’ve seen a proper STI. Even if the concept we saw at the Japan Mobility Show was quite the thing, it’s still just that—a concept. We’re still waiting on Subaru to finally build that successor that’ll be worthy enough to wear the famed performance badge.
Until then, we’re stuck with the ‘regular’ WRX models. But make no mistake, while these don’t have the Subaru Tecnica International bits and pieces, these are still very much capable machines.
Recently, I was able to drive the WRX Wagon, just after my teammate Charles Banaag tested the WRX Sedan. They’re both a bit long in the tooth, but after driving the five-door for nearly a week, I confirmed that this is still worth considering in 2026—even with many other better options available in the market. That said, there are still a few deal breakers that will sway many potential customers from buying this Subie.
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5 Reasons to buy the Subaru WRX Wagon in 2026
1) It still looks good.
Style is subjective, I know, but I will die on this hill—the WRX Wagon remains one of the sexiest five-doors in the market, from Subaru or otherwise. It’s probably due for a mid-cycle refresh soon, but the exterior still doesn’t look dated at all. You could sit this beside some of the newer Subies in the lineup and it won’t look old.
2) It’s still extremely fun to drive.
For the nth time, it’s no STI, but that doesn’t mean it has no right being a fun car. Because it is.
The 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer that it shares with its sedan sibling churns out a healthy 271hp and 350Nm of torque, and while it’s mated to a CVT, it’s an impressive CVT. That transmission simulates gearshifts properly, and it eliminates that rubberband feel that you normally get from a ‘gearbox’ like this.
The WRX Wagon also handles quite well. That patented Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system lets this attack corners better than most sedans, even the ‘performance-oriented’ ones. It stays planted through twisties. Not once did I lose traction when I drove it, even when taking on hairpins at speed. It lets not-so-skilled drivers like me to have more fun behind the wheel, and that’s a testament to how stable this car is.
3) The interior remains solid.
Four years later, the WRX Wagon’s cabin is still as solid as ever. It’s not as flashy as other newer cars, but the build quality is unquestionable. It adds to the premium feel when you’re inside. The leather seats are still plush and comfortable, and the plastics inside don’t feel cheap at all. Space for four passengers is also still more than decent, but the fifth passenger might have a hard time fitting in the middle of the second row.
Of course, this being a wagon, trunk space is excellent. From weekly grocery runs to occasional out-of-town drives, it’s the perfect companion. It’s easy to load or unload stuff in the back since the vehicle sits low to the ground, and hauling a little extra cargo is possible since you have more room than in your typical sedan.
4) That entertainment system is hard to beat.
USB-A ports are all you’ll find here, but it doesn’t matter—that 11.6-inch infotainment system lets you project Apple CarPlay and Android Auto vertically, and there’s plenty of real estate to go around. But the best part is that sound system. Despite it being several years ago, it’s still one of the best setups out there. If my ears’ memories serve me right, the Outback still sounds better, but the WRX Wagon’s is still right up there.
5) Subaru EyeSight.
Need we say more?
This wagon may be old, but its safety suite is still one of the best in the market. It has all the features that you won’t even find in some newer models today. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and even driver-attention warning that’s incredibly sensitive—even looking at the central touchscreen display for a few seconds will trigger a notification on the instrument cluster.
2 Reasons not to buy the Subaru WRX Wagon in 2026
1) It chugs gas like no other wagon.
The WRX Wagon is a gas-guzzler—there’s just no other way to go about it. It barely did 10km/L on the highway, and let’s not even dive deeper into the 3-5km/L consumption in the city. If it were an STI, it’d be forgiven, but it’s not. You get a wagon not for performance, so you’d expect some semblance of practicality in terms of fuel economy, but no. Of the wagons available in the market right now, the five-door Mazda 6 and BMW 3-Series models sip much less gas than this.
If, again, it were an STI, then you’d let it slide that it drinks up gas as much as performance wagons like the M340i or M3 Touring, but again, it’s not.
2) It’s expensive.
It’s a Subaru, I know, but P3.038 million for this feels like a lot. In terms of pricing, it’s closer to a Toyota GR Yaris and a Honda Civic Type R than it is to a Civic RS e:HEV, and that says a lot. You don’t get the performance of a hot hatch, but you also don’t get the benefits of a hybrid, so those reasons alone will make it difficult to sell this to a lot of car buyers, especially in this day and age. Heck, it’s more than half a million pesos pricier than the hybrid Forester. Make of that what you will.
If you’re keen on driving dynamics and that fun-to-drive feeling, then you’re in the right place. But if you’re looking at a wagon more for practicality than performance, this is definitely not the car for you.
More photos of the Subaru WRX Wagon 2026:
