2023 Subaru WRX Sportswagon evaluate
A Levorg by every other identify?
After dropping the Liberty wagon for the Levorg – the identify a mix of Legacy, Revolution and Touring – Subaru determined to rename its WRX-based sports activities property particularly for the Australian market.
Behold, the Subaru WRX Sportswagon. Launched domestically Slot Gacor round 12 months in the past, the newest iteration of the compact wagon has as a lot in widespread with the WRX Sedan as ever… except for mainly each physique panel.
Beneath the pores and skin the 2 vehicles journey on the identical platform, are powered by the identical high-output 2.0-litre Boxer turbocharged engine, and have close to an identical inside designs – a minimum of, forward of the rear seats.
The place the WRX Sedan leans in on the nameplate’s rally heritage and appeals to a extra fanatic demographic, the WRX Sportswagon is extra pitched as a sensible GT with luxurious bent.
Station wagons was the household automobile staple, however in 2023 the WRX Sportswagon has subsequent to no pure rivals except for the Skoda Octavia RS, and maybe the far dearer Volkswagen Golf R Wagon.
Does this turbocharged, all-wheel drive Sportswagon make a case for itself?
How a lot does the Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon price?
The highest-spec WRX tS Sportswagon on check is priced from $58,990 earlier than on-road prices, although the vary opens at $50,990.
That represents a $1000 enhance on when the automobile launched in 2022, and the Sportswagon vary as an entire is $1000 dearer than the equal sedan.
The front-drive Skoda Octavia RS Wagon begins from $57,490 drive-away in base specification, however optioned up you’re wanting nearer to $64,790 drive-away – which strains up nearly completely with the WRX’s $64,709 D/A sticker primarily based on a Melbourne postcode.
The all-paw Volkswagen Golf R Wagon, which may sprint from 0-100km/h in simply 4.9 seconds, will set you again a minimum of $78,000 drive-away based on the corporate’s Australian configurator.
Different potential options embrace the even pricier Audi A4 Avant 45 TFSI quattro S line ($78,200), Skoda Excellent Sportline 4×4 Wagon ($70,990 D/A) and Volkswagen Passat 206TSI R-Line Wagon ($67,790).
As you possibly can inform, the WRX Sportswagon occupies a distinct segment nook of the market.
2023 Subaru WRX Sportswagon pricing:
- Subaru WRX: $50,990
- Subaru WRX GT: $56,490
- Subaru WRX tS: $58,990
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon like on the within?
Like each different new Subaru… with sporty dressing.
The Japanese model has been doing a whole lot of copy/paste with its current designs, with the Sportswagon’s cockpit wanting very very like a sportier model of the cabin within the Outback, or the upcoming Crosstrek (nee XV) and Impreza.
Your consideration is rapidly drawn to the upright 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which has a little bit of Ford Ranger or Tesla Mannequin S about it, whereas the tS’s unique highlights embrace STI-branded bits all through the cabin.
Construct high quality is sweet, with an important mixture of padded and stitched surfaces giving off the impression Subaru has paid loads of consideration to element, and it blends old-and new faculty in quite a few methods – suppose STI badges and analogue gauges blended with new-age infotainment and design.
The entrance row may be very snug, and there’s heaps of adjustment within the seats and setting wheel to get cozy for longer stints.
Each entrance seats are electrically-adjusted on this specification, with the driving force’s seat additionally providing reminiscence presets.
The analogue devices flanking a smaller TFT show aren’t flashy or configurable as rivals from the Volkswagen Group, however they’re purposeful and a throwback to sporty Subarus of previous. There are many those that desire easy, elegant analogue gauges.
Storage up entrance is fairly good too, with loads of nooks in your odds and ends, plus a giant centre cubby beneath the armrest and bottle holders within the doorways.
Subaru’s newest infotainment system could look very swish and new-age, nevertheless it’s fairly easy to make use of and simple to reside with.
I’m a giant fan of the upright orientation and shiny graphics, however in contrast to some vehicles fashions within the vary just like the Outback and upcoming Crosstrek, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are solely obtainable through a wired connection – which isn’t tremendous handy given the small cubby for telephones barely matches my iPhone 14 Professional Max.
The native navigation system has a behavior of beeping and bonging each time you’re coming as much as a security or pace digital camera regardless of whether or not you’re counting on the embedded system or smartphone mapping, and there’s a number of capabilities buried within the show like local weather controls and Auto Maintain – why not simply have a tough change for the latter?
A minimum of the digital local weather controls are completely positioned on the base of the display screen and have further arduous buttons for temperature adjustment. It’s actually one of many higher implementations of this type of expertise.
Hop into the second row, and the WRX Sportswagon isn’t the type of impractical sports activities automobile your companion will scold you for.
There’s ample room for 2 adults, and kiddies shall be positive again there. ISOFIX anchor factors characteristic on the window seats as you’d anticipate, along with top-tether factors throughout all three rear positions.
Rear air vents, heated outer rear seats and USB charging ports headline the facilities checklist, and there are map pockets on the entrance seat backs in addition to bottle holders within the doorways.
There’s additionally a fold-down armrest with cupholders, although the raised seat base, driveline hump and the again that juts out means it’s not probably the most snug for an grownup – finest left for teenagers.
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon measures 4755mm lengthy, 1795mm broad and 1500mm tall on a 2670mm wheelbase.
There’s 492L of cargo area, increasing to 909L with the rear seats folded. Complete quantity with the second row folded is 1430L if measured to the roof.
Beneath the boot flooring of all variants is a 17-inch space-saver wheel.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Energy within the WRX line-up comes from a 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer horizontally-opposed four-cylinder petrol engine.
Energy and torque outputs are rated at 202kW (5600rpm) and 350Nm (2000-5200rpm), channelled to the model’s signature full-time all-wheel drive system through a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT).
Don’t scoff but on the inclusion of a CVT – Subaru has programmed eight “steps” you possibly can toggle between utilizing the paddles. The corporate says the CVT permits for quicker ‘gear modifications’ than earlier than, and there’s a downshift blipping management. That is the one transmission obtainable on the wagon.
The AWD system defaults to a forty five:55 front-rear torque break up, and within the tS it may be set right into a extra aggressive Sport mode limiting the quantity of torque shuffled ahead.
Oddly, for what’s pitched as a performance-oriented mannequin, Subaru doesn’t quote a 0-100 time for any WRX, not to mention the Sportswagon vary, although resident race automobile driver Chris Atkinson managed 6.47 seconds within the WRX Sedan CVT – which might make it about half a second faster than the Skoda however effectively behind the Golf R.
Mixed gas economic system is rated at 8.5 litres per 100km, with 192g/km of CO2. The gas tank measures 63 litres, and requires minimal 95 RON premium unleaded.
How does theSubaru WRX tS Sportswagon drive?
It’s been some time since I’ve pushed a Subie, however that signature rumbly start-up felt very acquainted.
The muted rumble of the turbocharged Boxer engine sounds no completely different to a Forester or BRZ actually; whether or not that’s good or unhealthy is as much as your style.
Efficiency is robust however not essentially all that thrilling, with all 350Nm obtainable from 2000rpm giving it that boosty nature Subaru’s turbocharged engines are identified for.
In its customary setting the CVT behaves as you’d anticipate, holding revs and slurring by its variable ratios in regular driving. It’s not notably ‘sporty’ in really feel when pushed this fashion.
However press the steering-mounted drive mode button to interact Sport or Sport# and the CVT begins to behave like an eight-speed computerized.
The CVT will ‘shift’ by simulated ratios and does a fairly snappy job of it. I tended to interact Sport repeatedly simply so it might drive like a standard auto.
In regular driving although, you’d be higher off leaving it in the usual setting for the sake of effectivity. The highest ‘ratio’ within the Sport setting is slightly brief, leaving the engine revving over 2000rpm at cruising speeds, the place within the extra relaxed modes the CVT will drop revs to about 1500rpm.
When issues pace up, the WRX Sportswagon does an honest job of getting together with first rate grip, however I used to be left feeling slightly numb.
I went on a drive by the winding roads close to the Bass Coast in Victoria’s south east, and was in convoy with mates in Toyota Supras and sizzling hatches by some fairly quick and technical stretches of nation street.
The Subie proved to be fairly fast at full throttle, and the immense grip afforded by that all-wheel drive system means you possibly can take corners with confidence. It doesn’t thoughts being pushed, however don’t neglect this can be a 4755mm lengthy property weighing 1613kg (tare).
You possibly can really feel its weight in corners, and the softer suspension tune (even with adaptive damping) means the WRX Sportswagon can lean slightly. I by no means pushed it arduous sufficient for it to completely disintegrate, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel as sharp or as eager as one thing like a Skoda Octavia RS or Golf R Wagon.
At full noise the rumbly Subaru engine observe is current however by no means at a degree that’s notably participating. Boxer followers will little doubt benefit from the engine observe, however even then it’s slightly subdued for a efficiency flagship carrying STI bits inside.
The steering is fairly correct however missing in really feel, and the best way it weighs up in sportier modes can really feel a bit synthetic. Beautiful for lengthy, sweeping bends, however not as nice for the tighter, extra technical stuff.
Behind the steering wheel are a set of paddle shifters when you really feel like taking management of the CVT’s steps your self, and except for the odd slur by ratios right here and there they do a fairly good job.
If you’re not wringing its neck the Sportswagon makes for fairly the tourer, with an array of driver help programs to go along with the snug, comparatively refined drive on the freeway.
Adaptive cruise management and lane centring supply semi-autonomous help, which is nice for prolonged stints behind the wheel, whereas blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert assist judging that lengthy booty when merging lanes or reversing out of tight spots.
There’s entrance, aspect and reversing cameras which make judging this 4755mm lengthy and 1795mm broad wagon in automobile parks that little bit simpler too, and lets you not scrape these polished 19-inch alloys.
What do you get?
WRX Sportswagon highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Auto LED headlights incl. adaptive beam
- Clever, Sport, Sport Sharp drive modes
- 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display screen
- 6-speaker sound system
- Material upholstery
- Keyless entry and begin
- Twin-zone local weather management
- 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Digital parking brake with auto maintain
- Paddle shifters
- Computerized stop-start
- Reclining, one-touch folding rear seats
- Twin rear cost ports
- Ambient lighting
WRX GT Sportswagon provides:
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- CD participant
- Sunroof
- Leather-based upholstery
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- 8-way energy driver seat incl. lumbar
- 8-way energy passenger seat
- Driver seat reminiscence perform
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with auto-dipping
- Ambient lighting
- LED puddle lights
- Twin rear cost ports
- Entrance and aspect view displays
- Driver Monitoring System
- EyeSight Help Monitor
- Fingers-free energy tailgate
WRX tS Sportswagon provides:
- Electronically managed dampers
- Consolation, Regular, Sport, Sport+, Particular person drive modes
- Ultrasuede upholstery
Is theSubaru WRX tS Sportswagon secure?
Neither WRX physique model has been examined or rated by ANCAP nor Euro NCAP – it’s not even bought in Europe.
Normal security options embrace:
- 8 airbags
- incl. driver’s knee
- incl. entrance passenger seat cushion
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Adaptive cruise management
- Auto high-beam
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Emergency lane-keep help
- Clever pace limiter
- Lane centring help
- Lane hold help
- Main automobile departure alert
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Visitors signal recognition
WRX GT Sportswagon provides:
- Entrance View Monitor
- Aspect View Monitor
How a lot does theSubaru WRX tS Sportswagon price to run?
Like the broader Subaru line-up, the WRX is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
There’s additionally 5 years of capped-price servicing, with intervals of 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
Pricing has elevated incrementally since final 12 months, with the primary 5 companies capped at $378.33 (+$23.10), $517.96 (+$36.31), $453.19 (+$23.80), $792.10 (+$55.88) and $394.78 (+$33.53) on all computerized fashions.
All up, you’re $2536.36 for the primary 60 months/75,000km of upkeep, which isn’t all that low cost neither is it the most costly. For reference, Skoda fees you $1850 for the Octavia, whereas the Golf R will set you again $3000.
By way of real-world gas consumption, we have been seeing the journey pc hovering across the 10-11L/100km mark, which is slightly up on Subaru’s 8.5L/100km declare.
CarExpert’s Tackle theSubaru WRX tS Sportswagon
The WRX Sportswagon makes for a stable all-rounder.
Just like the model’s different merchandise, it makes a very good case for itself by providing heaps of ordinary tools, good inside area by class requirements, and the model’s signature full-time all-wheel drive.
The tS has all of the fruit and looks like an upmarket automobile, but when something it’s the WRX badging that’s my sticking level.
It’s not as fast or sharp as one thing like an Octavia RS, and whereas the CVT does an admirable job imitating a torque converter auto in Sport modes it nonetheless has a little bit of an elastic, lazy really feel that doesn’t encourage you to drive this factor such as you would a WRX.
What this makes good sense as, is a successor to the fourth-generation Liberty GT Wagons of the mid- to late-2000s. From this angle, the WRX Sportswagon tS matches the transient; it’s fast, snug, luxurious and understated.
However with that in thoughts, I’d recommend saving your self $8000 and shopping for the bottom mannequin, which misses out on the adaptive dampers and STI trimmings however maintains the very same drivetrain.
In any other case, in order for you some luxurious the mid-spec GT is $2500 cheaper than the tS and doesn’t miss out on any of the essential stuff.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
MORE: Every little thing Subaru WRX
