10 Subaru WRX Competitors to Consider

2019 Subaru WRX White Driving Front Quarter ・ Photo by Subaru

Since its introduction for the 2002 model year, the Subaru WRX has been a performance benchmark for the sport compact market. The 2019 WRX comes with a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-opposed four-cylinder engine rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. All models feature Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system, and the buyer can choose a six-speed manual transmission or Subaru’s Sport Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. The WRX will accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 5.5 seconds and carries a base retail price of $28,080, including destination fees.

There are many competitors to the WRX, but none of them are exactly like the Subaru. Many of the closest competitors in terms of performance are luxury sedans with much higher prices, and some do not offer AWD. Nevertheless, here are 10 alternatives to Subaru’s rally-bred champion for your consideration.

2018 Dodge Charger GT AWD

Dodge’s four-door Charger is rarely considered alongside the WRX, but its standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine packs 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. Dodge offers AWD in the GT and GT Plus trims, and your choice of the AutoStick or TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s good enough for a 0-60 time of about 6.4 seconds and a quarter-mile time of about 15 seconds, while still offering excellent all-season traction.

The Charger seats five, and it offers 1,000 pounds of towing capacity with the V6 and AWD. The GT AWD trim level comes with Dodge’s Uconnect 4C system with an 8.4-inch display. The 2018 Charger GT AWD carries an MSRP of $34,390. Upgrading to the GT Plus AWD trim with heated and ventilated seats, HID headlights, and blind-spot monitoring costs $37,590.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2018 Ford Focus

Ford’s popular Focus sport compact hatchback competes with the WRX when you select the ST or RS trim levels. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine in the Focus ST produces 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, and the Focus comes with a six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.

If that’s not enough, the Focus RS has a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine under the hood, delivering 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The RS uses the same close-ratio six-speed transmission found in the ST, but also adds a Quaife limited slip front differential and all-wheel drive. The 2018 Ford Focus ST retails for $22,545, while the RS trim carries an MSRP of $41,995.

Photo by Ford

2019 Acura TLX

The 2019 Acura TLX is a luxury alternative to the WRX. Acura offers a choice between an inline four-cylinder with 206 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque and a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The V6 comes attached to a nine-speed automatic transmission, and optionally includes Acura’s Super Handling AWD system. The four-cylinder option is mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters and front-wheel drive.

The TLX offers a luxury interior with black Alcantara or red leather seating with contrast piping and top-stitching. Equipped with the four-cylinder engine, the 2019 TLX retails for $33,995, or for $39,195 with the V6 and AWD.

Photo by Acura

2019 Buick Regal GS

The 2019 Buick Regal GS AWD is a fastback sedan with a generously-sized cargo area under a large rear hatch. With a retail price of $39,995, the Regal GS is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 310 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque. Buick’s V6 is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive and an oversized Brembo brake package. The 2019 Regal GS will make 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, and still returns 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

The Regal GS offers luxury features such as leather-trimmed massage seats with heating and ventilation. A Bose audio system is optional, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported on all Regals.

Photo by Buick

2018 Audi A3

The 2018 Audi A3 Quattro is an AWD sedan with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine rated at 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The A3 comes with a seven-speed twin clutch transmission designed to shift gears in a fraction of a second. The A3 Quattro will do the 0-60 run in 5.8 seconds and carries a suggested retail price of $35,925.

If that’s not quick enough to suit you, consider the A3's performance version: the 2018 Audi S3, with 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, which will hit 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. This Audi has a base retail price of $44,625. In addition, Audi has optional magnetic ride suspension available in the S Sport package for an additional $1,100.

Photo by Audi

2019 Jaguar XE

The compact 2019 Jaguar XE sedan is an excellent alternative to the WRX. The XE is available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. Together, that’s good enough to go from zero to 60 in 6.3 seconds and up to a top speed of 120 mph. The 2019 XE AWD retails for $40,490.

It’s also possible to get the XE with a 180-horsepower turbo-diesel engine, with a whopping 317 pound-feet of torque. This XE version carries a sticker price of $42,010.

Photo by Jaguar

2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Hyundai’s unusual Veloster Turbo comes in three different trim levels from the R-Spec to the regular Turbo to the Turbo Ultimate. All Veloster Turbo models offer 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Veloster buyers have a choice between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for $1,500 extra. All Velosters have front-wheel drive. The R-Spec has a retail price of $23,785, and the Veloster Turbo Ultimate costs $27,535.

If you wanted even more, Hyundai is planning to release a Veloster N edition with 275 horsepower and a rev-matching six-speed manual transmission. Pricing on this hot rod is not yet available.

Photo by Hyundai

2018 Kia Stinger

Kia has made quite an impression with the all-new 2018 Stinger mid-size four-door fastback sedan. Stinger buyers can choose a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque with all-wheel drive. All Stingers use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Kia Stinger emphasizes civilized and comfortable performance, making the 0-60 dash in 6.1 seconds up to a top speed of 132 mph. The 2018 Stinger retails from $41,450 when equipped with the available AWD system and the optional V6 engine.

Photo by Kia

2019 Infiniti Q50

The 2019 Infiniti Q50 comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while an available 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 is offered with either 300 horsepower (3.0T) or 400 horsepower (Red Sport). Both engines are available with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission.

As a luxury option, the Q50 features heated leather seats with red contrast stitching and maple wood trim. A split-screen infotainment system pairs a 7-inch screen paired with an 8-inch screen. A Bose audio system is available as an option. A birds-eye surround-view camera system is standard equipment. The 2019 Q50 2.0T Pure AWD retails for $38,545, while the 3.0T Luxe AWD carries a sticker price of $41,295.

Photo by Infiniti

2018 Honda Civic

The 2018 Honda Civic Si is a frequent WRX competitor, even though it's not available with AWD. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine in the Civic Si makes 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with a six-speed manual transmission. But the lightweight Honda will accelerate from 0-60 in 6.3 seconds. Whether you choose the four-door sedan or two-door coupe, the Civic Si will cost $24,995.

A more worthy competitor to the WRX could be found in the 2018 Honda Civic Type R, retailing at $35,595. This car offers a 2.0-liter engine with 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, again mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This Civic will pull from 0-60 in just 4.9 seconds. In addition to performance, luxury features like navigation, premium audio, and advanced smartphone integration are included.

Photo by Honda