The Subaru WRX is a compact car built from 2015 to 2026 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Japan — 100% of those on record. Between 2015 and 2026 it grew 8 cm longer and gained 42 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the WRX is
The Subaru WRX is a compact car that Subaru built from 2015 to 2026 — 12 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2022. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest sibling in the Subaru range: Legacy.
Where the WRX is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 279 WRXs on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JF1 | 2015-2025 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Subaru VIN decide which of these 2 lines your WRX belongs to. What every character in a WRX VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Subaru WRX adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
WRX generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the WRX's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the WRX that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-2021 | 459 cm | 265 cm | 1505 kg | - | - |
| 2022-2026 | 467 cm | 268 cm | 1547 kg | +8 cm | +42 kg |
Between 2015 and 2026 the WRX gained 8 cm in length (+1.7%) and 42 kg in weight (+2.8%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the WRX that is 42 kg against 8 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Subaru WRX tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment WRX owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Subaru WRX have? Power & range
The Subaru WRX is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.4L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Subaru WRX, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.4L · 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The WRX by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Subaru WRX. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | WRX | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 17 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 289 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,468/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 1,432 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Subaru WRX?
The WRX is a compact car, built from 2015 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
Where is the Subaru WRX made?
Across 279 cars in our records the split is: Japan (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the WRX have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2022. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the WRX grew 8 cm longer and gained 42 kg.
What is the Subaru WRX warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the WRX reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific WRX?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Subaru
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | 2005–2026 | 137 | 29 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2016–2026 | 26 | 36 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Subaru Forester | 1998–2026 | 121 | 35 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Subaru Impreza | 1993–2026 | 183 | 32 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Subaru Legacy | 1990–2026 | 222 | 30 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Subaru Ascent | 2019–2026 | 25 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
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