Verdict
A
Performance Saloon · Japan · 1992-Present
Subaru WRX
Subaru WRX — spec data and generation history.
Years
1992-Present
Generations
5
Segment
Performance Saloon
The rally homologation legend - Subaru's WRC-derived flat-four turbo AWD performance line, separated here from the regular Impreza. GC8 (1992-2000) the original Bug-eye era launched WRX and STI in JDM-spec; UK got proper STI from 1999. GD/GG (2000-2007) Bug-eye/Blob-eye/Hawk-eye era and the Petter Solberg WRC-winning years. GE/GR/GH/GV (2007-2014) hatched-only era with the WRX STI 305-bhp / 393-bhp variants. VA (2014-2021) was sedan-only WRX STI, the last UK STI sold (2018 EJ257 30-year-end run). VB (2021-Present) - global WRX returned but no STI variant, and Subaru pulled UK sales of WRX entirely 2018. The WRX STI is the two-pedal-pressing fast-road God of homologation - flat-four boxer warble, AWD with adjustable centre diff, and ferocious launch character. Used clean cars now genuine investments.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
GC8 1992-2000 → GD 2000-2007
BHP (STI) +25 bhp
0-60 mph -0.6 s
Cabin Modernised
GD 2000-2007 → GR 2007-2014
BHP (STI) +25 bhp
Hatch body Added
Weight +50 kg
GR 2007-2014 → VA 2014-2021
Body Sedan only
BHP (STI) +5 bhp
Cabin tech Step-change
VA 2014-2021 → VB 2021-Present
Engine EJ257 → FA24F
BHP -34 bhp (no STI)
STI Discontinued
Cabin tech Major step-change
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1992-2000
GC8
→
2.0 turbo STI - 276 bhp, 0-62 in 5.4s.
Verdict
A
BHP
276
0–60
5.4 s
Top
150 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$19,000-$57,000
- + The original WRX STI - JDM royalty
- + Colin McRae 1995 WRC drivers title pedigree
- − Rust kills them
- − JDM imports often heavily modified
2000-2007
GD
→
2.5 turbo STI - 301 bhp, 0-62 in 4.8s.
Verdict
A
BHP
301
0–60
4.8 s
Top
158 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$15,000-$48,000
- + Bug-eye / Blob-eye / Hawk-eye eras all collectable
- + Petter Solberg 2003 WRC drivers title
- − EJ207 ringland failure on tuned cars
- − Subframe corrosion
2007-2014
GR/GV
→
2.5 turbo STI - 305 bhp, 0-62 in 4.7s.
Verdict
B
BHP
305
0–60
4.7 s
Top
158 mph
MPG
22 mpg
Used
$13,000-$36,000
- + Hatchback (GR) added 2007
- + Saloon (GV) followed 2010
- − Hatchback styling polarising
- − EJ257 ringland still
2014-2021
VA
→
2.5 turbo STI - 305 bhp, 0-62 in 5.2s.
Verdict
B
BHP
305
0–60
5.2 s
Top
158 mph
MPG
22 mpg
Used
$23,000-$51,000
- + Saloon body return after GR hatch
- + Cabin step-change
- − Subaru pulled UK STI sales 2018
- − EJ257 still in ringland-failure family
2021-Present
VB
→
2.4 turbo (FA24F) - 271 bhp, 0-62 in 5.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
271
0–60
5.4 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$41,000-$56,000
- + New FA24F 2.4 turbo less stressed than EJ257
- + Cabin major step on VA
- − No UK availability - imports only
- − No STI variant - line ended
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1992-2000 - GC8
- Rust on rear arches and sills
- EJ20 turbo failure on tuned cars
- Front strut top mounts
2000-2007 - GD
- EJ207 ringland failure on tuned cars
- Subframe corrosion
- STI 6-speed gearbox 3rd-gear synchro
2007-2014 - GR/GV
- EJ257 ringland failure (USA-pattern)
- Diff bushes wear
- Steering rack knock
2014-2021 - VA
- EJ257 still ringland-prone on hard use
- Rear diff seals
- Tribeca-clutch failure on Type RA
2021-Present - VB
- FA24F oil consumption (early)
- CVT torque-converter issues (Sport-Lineartronic)
- Plastic cladding fades
- No UK availability
Rivals
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution · Audi RS3 · Honda Civic Type R · Volkswagen Golf R