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2018 Subaru WRX: restyled, not repriced

by Michel Deslauriers
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Photo: Subaru Canada Inc.

The 2018 edition of Subaru’s performance-oriented WRX sedan will be on sale in Canada this June, featuring updated styling as well as new equipment and safety features.

First and foremost, the car’s powertrain is unchanged, meaning the WRX is still motivated by an all-wheel drivetrain and a turbocharged, 2.0-litre flat-four engine that develops 268 horsepower as well as 258 pound-feet of torque between 2000 and 5200 rpm. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a continuously variable automatic with manual mode and wheel-mounted paddle shifters is a $1,300 option. However, the company’s engineers revised the 2018 Subaru WRX’s steering and suspension characteristics.

The car also receives redesigned front bumper, grille and fog light housings, while the Sport-tech trim benefits from new 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the instrument panel and centre console get new improved trimmings, the gauge cluster has been revised and the centre stack now hosts a 5.9-inch touchscreen. A fold-down rear-seat armrest has been added as well. The Sport trim receives a 10-way power driver’s seat, LED fog lights and cornering headlights. The manual transmission’s shift level has been reshaped, and according to Subaru, clutch feel has been improved.

With the six-speed manual, the WRX Sport-tech is available with a new, $2,300 RS package that adds 8-way power-adjustable Recaro front seats, Ultrasuede upholstery, red-painted brake callipers and Jurid brake pads. With the CVT automatic, the Sport-tech can be equipped with Subaru’s $1,300 EyeSight package that includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and more.

The 2018 Subaru WRX will start at $29,995 before freight and delivery charges, the same base price at the 2017 model. The WRX Sport is listed at $33,195, while the WRX Sport-tech starts at $36,495—an increase of $400 in both cases.

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