8 Top Subaru WRX Competitors
Top competitors of the Subaru WRX include the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the ever-popular Honda Civic Si. Click here for details.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
A refined and thrilling ride, the Subaru WRX is a top choice when it comes to speed—or is it? From the Volkswagen Golf GTI to the Honda Civic Si, the Subaru WRX is up against some tough competitors for a top spot in the sport compact sedan class.
Subaru is injecting new life into the rally-inspired car field with the updated WRX, starting at a comfortable $30,600. The WRX features all-wheel drive, a new turbocharged engine, exciting design upgrades, and an infotainment system that gives competitors a run for their money.
But at the end of the race, will the WRX be wearing gold? Or should you look elsewhere for the sports sedan of your dreams? Here with info on the Subaru WRX’s top eight competitors—and how to lower your monthly
Subaru WRX insurance cost
—is Jerry
, the top-rated car insurance
app for savings.1. Volkswagen Golf GTI
Starting price: $30,975 to $39,425
Selling points: Modern styling, fun to drive, practical
Weak spot: Interior and infotainment features are lacking
Let's start off with one of the best in the business. The
Volkswagen Golf
GTI gets a 10/10 rating and a 10 Best accolade from Car and Driver. Between the incredible driving experience provided by the 241-hp four-cylinder turbo engine and the rare standard offering of manual transmission, the GTI is a worthy competitor.One major difference from the WRX is that the GTI is a sports
hatchback
, so if you don’t need the bigger vehicle, it might not be the best choice. However, that extra cargo capacity only costs a few hundred dollars extra on the base model—if you regularly haul around camping gear or sporting equipment, the GTI may be the one for you!Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers2. Hyundai Elantra N
Starting price: $33,245
Selling points: Fresh handling and roomy backseat
Weak spot: Bold styling, uncomfortable seats
A compact sports sedan with attitude, the
Hyundai Elantra N
proves itself with a 286-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that comes with a manual or automatic transmission. Car and Driver gave it a 9/10 and an Editors’ Choice rating—it’s the kind of car that grows on you! Although the seats could be graciously described as “firm”, the cabin of the Elantra N feels like the cockpit of a race car, creating an exciting and upscale interior. Although some may not dig the bold exterior style, it’s hard to pass on this competitor—especially as it comes with Hyundai's legendary 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
3. Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Starting price: $32,390
Selling points: Exciting ride, practical features, affordable
Weak spot: Disappointing interior materials, divisive exterior styling
The high-performance version of the Jetta, the
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
adds a 228-hp turbo four-cylinder engine partnered with an independent rear suspension to provide responsive and speedy handling. Stick with the standard six-speed manual transmission to go from 0 to 60 in around 6.1 seconds! The interior, though a bit lackluster, is roomy and has some red accents that spice up the dash. The 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, interior lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof all give the GLI some extra clout to make up for the shiny plastic and low-quality stitching. Plus, the trunk is surprisingly spacious for a car of this size!
4. Honda Civic Si
Starting price: $28,595
Selling points: More affordable than most, responsive handling
Weak spot: Engine noise at higher speeds, not a lot of options
Looking for a sporty ride that’s a little more affordable than the WRX? The
Honda Civic Si
may be worth your time! An Editors’ Choice pick from Car and Driver, the Civic Si balances daily driving with impressive small car performance—the 200-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine can throw up a 6.8-second 0-60 time!However, the Si only comes in one trim level, so what you see is basically what you get. Heated seats are no longer offered, but a few add-ons like summer tires are available for a bit extra. But for a reasonable price and a driving experience that rivals the WRX, the Civic Si may be the car for you!
5. Genesis G70
Starting price: $38,870 to $53,545
Selling points: Great value, luxury in abundance
Weak spot: Cramped back seat, base engine leaves much to be desired
There’s a lot to love about the
Genesis G70
—from a gorgeous interior to an affordable price tag, this sports sedan really stands up against the WRX as a luxury alternative.The base engine, however, is nothing to write home about. Upgrading to the twin-turbo V6 gives the G70 more power under the hood—is a zero to sixty time of 4.7 seconds fast enough for you? Add a spirited and smooth driving experience with excellent handling, and you’ll see why Car and Driver gives the G70 an Editors’ Choice award!
6. Kia Stinger
Starting price: $37,435 to $52,635
Selling points: V6 engine is worth upgrading for, premium feel
Weak spot: Unsteady handling on winding roads
On the larger side of the sports sedan class is the
Kia Stinger
. Alluring on the outside, practical as all get out on the inside, the Stinger is tastefully designed and can hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds when equipped with the optional V6 engine!However, it’s the twistier roads that unseat the Stinger in terms of performance prowess. The rear suspension protests if pushed too far and bumpy roads make cornering a knuckle-whitening experience.
7. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Starting price: $44,600 to $48,550
Selling points: Plentiful tech features, responsive engine
Weak spot: Steering is meh
For higher luxury with a sporty feel, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a lot going for it. Built on a rear-drive platform with all-wheel drive available, the C-Class speeds past the competition using its turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The abundance of touchscreens may seem a little bit overkill, but tech features like the generous infotainment display, digital gauges, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto give the C-Class a modern edge.
8. BMW 3-Series
Starting price: $42,445 to $55,695
Selling points: Smooth ride, plentiful cabin and trunk space
Weak spot: No manual transmission
Last but not least is the
BMW
3-Series. The pinnacle of a sports sedan with the luxury that’s come to be associated with the brand, the 3-Series easily wins an Editors’ Choice distinction from Car and Driver. Considering that all three trims come with excellent powertrains—from the turbocharged four-cylinder (330i) to the plug-in-hybrid setup (330e) with up to 23 miles of all-electric range to the 382-hp turbo straight-six (M340i)—you really can’t go wrong with a 3-Series.
The only drawback to this super sports sedan is the subpar steering feel and the lack of a manual transmission option. Although some competitors will outrank the 3-Series when it comes to value and exterior styling, there’s no doubt that the BMW 3-Series is a top contender when it comes to performance and luxury.
Subaru WRX vs. the competition
That’s enough talk—let’s get into the nitty-gritty! Here are the specs for the Subaru WRX and its eight top competitors side by side.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Subaru WRX | $30,600 to $42,890 | Turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four | 5 seats | 13 cubic ft | 19/26/22 mpg |
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI | $30,975 to $39,425 | Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 5 seats | 34.5 cubic feet (rear seat down), 19.9 cubic feet (rear seat up) | 24/32/27 mpg |
2022 Hyundai Elantra N | $33,245 | Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 5 seats | 14 cubic ft | 20-22/30-31/23-25 mpg |
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI | $32,390 | Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 5 seats | 14 cubic ft | 26/37/30 mpg |
2022 Honda Civic Si | $28,595 | Turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder | 5 seats | 14 cubic ft | 27/37/31 mpg |
2022 Genesis G70 | $38,870 to $53,545 | Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 | 5 seats | 11 cubic ft | 17-21/25-31/20-24 mpg |
2022 Kia Stinger | $37,435 to $52,635 | Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder or twin-turbo V6 | 5 seats | 23 cubic ft | 17/24/20 mpg |
2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | $44,600 to $48,550 | Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder | 5 seats | 13 cubic ft | 23/33/27 mpg |
2022 BMW 3-Series | $42,445 to $55,695 | Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six or 48-volt hybrid | 5 seats | 17 cubic ft | 25/34/28 mpg |
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We’ve gone through eight competitors for the Subaru WRX, and there are even more choices out there! But don’t get overwhelmed—you can take comfort in the fact that no matter which sports sedan you choose, finding
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