2015 Subaru WRX Preview: 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show

The 2015 Subaru WRX is a brand-new interpretation of the Japanese automaker’s high performance compact sedan.  Although not nearly as svelte as the WRX Concept that was shown off in New York this past spring, the 2015 Subaru WRX improves on the bones of the Impreza sedan upon which it is based in terms of both style and performance.  As the standard-bearer in a field of affordable turbocharged four-and-five-door automobiles that has grown increasingly crowded (think Ford Focus ST and the upcoming redesigned Volkswagen GTI), the fresh Subaru WRX comes along at the best possible time for Subaru.

What’s New for the 2015 Subaru WRX:

• The 2015 Subaru WRX is a brand-new vehicle
• The Subaru WRX adds aggressive flair to the Impreza sedan’s design
• A new continuously-variable automatic transmission is now optional with the model
• More power, two different all-wheel drive systems offered for 2015
• No hatchback model currently in the cards
• Torque vectoring reduces understeer

New 2015 Subaru WRX: Styling and Design

The 2015 Subaru WRX looks very much how you would expect it to, given the decision to spurn the sexy WRX Concept in favor of the Impreza sedan’s more readily available design.  An air intake on the hood, a sporty body kit, revised front and rear fascias, and a squared-off, aggressive personality highlight the Subaru WRX’s visual charms. 

On the inside of the car there’s a clear improvement versus the 2014 model, which was heavy on hard plastics, and a new infotainment system as well as a boost gauge and a few other assorted goodies dress up the sedan’s passenger compartment.  One inch longer than last year, the car is now more spacious in the rear seat.  So far, only a sedan has been discussed by Subaru, with the popular hatchback model not yet confirmed for production.

New 2015 Subaru WRX: What’s Under the Hood

The 2014 Subaru WRX drops last year’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine in favor of a new 2.0-liter unit borrowed from the Subaru Forester XT.  Capable of pushing out 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the unit offers modest increases in both departments for the sedan but more important is the direct fuel injection technology that the 2.0-liter motor brings to the table, a move that pushes fuel efficiency up to 30-mpg on the highway for the WRX.

Also helping the car achieve more frugal fuel mileage is an optional continuously-variable automatic transmission – another gift from the Forester that provides six and eight ‘virtual’ gears to be accessed via paddle shifters in Sport and Sport Sharp modes.  Hardcore performance fans will be more pleased with the WRX’s graduation from a five-speed to a six-speed manual transmission, which is now standard with the car.

New 2015 Subaru WRX: Features and Technology

The 2015 Subaru WRX retains its symmetrical all-wheel drive system, but there are a few wrinkles to be added with the new model.  As with the 2002 Subaru WRX that introduced North America to the joys of a turbocharged compact sedan, the 2015 edition will be offered with a pair of all-wheel drive implementations.  Manual transmission models offer the same viscous coupling design WRX fans are used to, while the WRX CVT shifts to an electronically-controlled system.  Torque vectoring also puts in an appearance with the 2015 WRX in order to alleviate understeer.

New 2015 Subaru WRX: What Autobytel Thinks

The 2015 Subaru WRX is stiffer, marginally more powerful, and much nicer on the inside than the model it replaces.  There will undoubtedly be an STI edition of the car to follow and further increase the car’s performance.  One hopes that the STI will bring with it a few more cues from the WRX Concept, but even if it doesn’t, Subaru has done a solid job of upgrading its iconic compact while also broadening its appeal by way of its more efficient CVT transmission.