The Good
The 2018 WRX offers thrilling performance with its turbocharged engine and AWD. It appeals to emotional buyers seeking fun and engagement. For practical buyers, it provides decent reliability, all-weather capability, and a relatively affordable entry price for a performance car. Its functional design and comfortable front seats enhance its appeal.
The Bad
Weaknesses of the 2018 WRX include a somewhat stiff ride, especially on rough roads. The interior design can feel dated, and the fuel economy isn't stellar for its class. Potential buyers should watch out for signs of previous modifications or aggressive driving, as this can impact reliability. The infotainment system can also feel a bit clunky.
2018 Subaru WRX: Quick Overview
- Engine Options:
- 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (WRX)
- 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (WRX STI)
- Horsepower:
- WRX: 268 hp
- WRX STI: 305 hp
- Fuel Economy (estimated):
- WRX (manual): 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
- WRX (CVT): 18 mpg city / 24 mpg highway
- WRX STI: 17 mpg city / 22 mpg highway
- 0-60 Times (estimated):
- WRX: 5.4 seconds (manual)
- WRX STI: 4.9 seconds
- Towing Capacity: Not recommended or rated for towing.
- Trim Level Features:
- WRX (Base): Cloth upholstery, 6.2-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, Bluetooth, USB port, automatic climate control, all-wheel drive.
- WRX Premium: Heated front seats, sunroof, fog lights, upgraded 7-inch touchscreen.
- WRX Limited: Leather upholstery, LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, push-button start.
- WRX STI: Performance-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD), Recaro seats (optional).
- WRX STI Limited: Adds leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert to the STI features.
2018 Subaru WRX Specifications
Vehicle Information
| Year | 2018 |
| Make | Subaru |
| Model | WRX |
| Trim | - |
| Style | CVT |
| Type | - |
| Category | Compact Car |
Manufacturing Details
| Made In | Japan |
| Manufacturing City | OTA |
Dimensions
| Doors | 4-Door |
| Curb Weight | 1538.13 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | - |
| Overall Height | 147.57 cm |
| Overall Length | 459.49 cm |
| Overall Width | 179.58 cm |
| Wheelbase Length | 264.92 cm |
| Standard Seating | 5 |
Engine & Performance
| Engine | 2.0-L |
| Engine Size | 2L |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Transmission Type | Automatic |
| Transmission Speeds | 6-Speed |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
Additional Features
| Anti-Brake System | 4-Wheel ABS |
| Steering Type | Rack & Pinion |
Pricing
| Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) | $26,995 USD |
| Invoice Price | $25,463 USD |
| Delivery Charges | $860 USD |
Vehicle History Report
Specifications
History
Events
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Analysis
What Problems Does the 2018 Subaru WRX Have?
Another area of concern revolves around the manual transmission, with some owners reporting issues with shifting smoothness and premature clutch wear. This can be exacerbated by aggressive driving habits.
Infotainment system glitches and connectivity problems have also been noted, although these are typically minor annoyances rather than major reliability issues. There have been a few recalls for the 2018 WRX, including potential fuel pump failures. Owners should check with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) or Subaru to verify if their specific vehicle is affected and ensure all recall work has been completed. Long-term, the durability of the turbocharged engine and AWD system depends heavily on proper maintenance, including regular oil changes and inspections. Preventative maintenance is crucial to mitigating potential issues down the line. Overall, while the 2018 WRX can be a reliable vehicle, potential buyers should be aware of these common problems and thoroughly inspect any used WRX before purchase, ideally with a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic.
How long will the 2018 Subaru WRX last?
What Technology & Safety Features are Included?
Driver-assistance features, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, are available on the Limited trim. Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance system, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking, is *not* available on the manual transmission WRX models.
Entertainment features include a standard four-speaker audio system, with upgrades to a Harman Kardon premium sound system available on higher trims. Optional features include navigation and keyless access with push-button start.
The 2018 Subaru WRX received good crash-test ratings from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), earning a "Top Safety Pick" award when equipped with optional EyeSight. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) gave it an overall safety rating of five stars.
What Colors Options are Available?
Exterior Colors
Interior Colors
2018 Subaru WRX Prices and Market Value
2018 Subaru WRX Cost of Ownership
2018 Subaru WRX Fuel Efficiency
2018 Subaru WRX Safety Rating
NHTSA
2018 Subaru WRX Warranty
Basic
Powertrain
Rust
2018 Subaru WRX Insurance
reasonable repair costs.
How Does the 2018 Subaru WRX Compare to Other Vehicle?
Reliability is a mixed bag; the WRX can be reliable with proper care, but engine issues are a potential concern. The GTI is generally considered more reliable. Price-wise, the WRX is competitive, often undercutting the Golf R and Civic Type R.
Alternatives to the WRX include:
* **Volkswagen GTI:** More refined and slightly more fuel-efficient, but lacks AWD.
* **Honda Civic Si:** Excellent handling and value, but less powerful than the WRX.
* **Volkswagen Golf R:** More powerful and sophisticated than the WRX, but more expensive.
* **Hyundai Elantra N:** Offers similar performance to the WRX at a competitive price, with a more modern interior.
If AWD isn't a necessity, the GTI or Civic Si are solid alternatives. If you're willing to spend more, the Golf R offers a more premium experience.
Ranks #429 Sedan
| 1 | 2023 Toyota Camry | (5.0★) |
| 2 | 2023 Honda Accord | (0.0★) |
| 3 | 2023 Lexus ES | (0.0★) |
| 4 | 2024 Subaru Legacy | (5.0★) |
| 5 | 2022 Mazda MX-30 | (4.0★) |
| 6 | 2024 BMW M3 | (0.0★) |
| 7 | 2023 Ford Mustang | (5.0★) |
| 8 | 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT | (0.0★) |
| 9 | 2023 Audi A3 | (0.0★) |
| 10 | 2023 Chevrolet Camaro | (5.0★) |
| 11 | 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | (0.0★) |
| 12 | 2023 Nissan Altima | (4.0★) |
| 429 | 2018 Subaru WRX | (5.0★) |
Final Verdict: Is the 2018 Subaru WRX a Good Vehicle?
Anthony on December 9, 2024
This car has been nothing short of a pleasure to own.This car has been nothing short of a pleasure to own. Its so much fun to drive, handles well, pulls hard, and just puts a smile on my face all the time. Its practical with good storage space and good back seat room. The AWD system on the car is great and offers endless grip. The car does have its quirks, it is a little noisy on the highway (wind noise), and the interior quality is just so-so (materials aren't bad, but aren't great either), and there are a couple of creaks and rattles. Even so, this vehicle has been great.
kstumply on June 8, 2021
Best handling car I've ever driven.I get a lot of complements on my 2018 Subaru WRX Limited. I love how well it handles and it's quick too. I drive it daily and always look forward to getting behind the wheel.
Diver Dan on February 28, 2021
Great fun to drive!This car was exactly what I needed in a small, very sporty version. The strength of wheels could be improved. Infotainment system not fully compatible with Android phones. Electric requirements too much for the battery. Replaced 3 times in the first 36 months but at no cost to me.
5thSubaru on December 12, 2019
5th Subaru so maybe I’m biasedYup, I’m a Subaru fan boy, but a WRX has been on my bucket list for years & to finally drive one is awesome! The ride is definitely rougher than my outback, but the fun of driving it out-weighs all of that.
Otto Parts on November 26, 2019
Extremely fun to drive. Value performanceFor the money, the performance is amazing. Handling is hard to believe and motor is strong from low RPM. Seats are supportive in performance driving, steering and brakes very good.
JAAM Design on October 6, 2019
Great enthusiast daily driverWhat can I say about the 2018 subaru wrx? It is versatile for all your daily needs. It's just fun to drive! Taking the kids to school in a hurry, cruising the beach parking in the sand the awd will pull you right out. Cruising the mountain twisty roads in the fall hearing that turbo spool or hitting the slopes in winter with your friends. Even getting 26-30mpg everywhere. It does everything very well but some things could use a extra touch for instance it handles ok some antiroll sway bars could help for aggressive driving alot of body roll and chassis flex. Now my biggest complaint can be fixed with a cobb accessport if you dont mind voiding warranties. The 18 wrx has a weird factory tune. The powerband is irritating it peaks 22psi of boost @3000rpm to 4000rpm at part throttle and then gets pulled back to 16.5psi threwout no matter how hard you push the throttle down. It says let's play SIKE!!! It's a issue that can be resolved with a simple flash tune but those of us that want to keep the powertrain warranty are forced to live with it. So there you have it my pros and cons to the 2018 SUBARU WRX
Subiedad on August 26, 2019
Great car but needs to be tuned, Lots of potentialI love the looks, the comfort and reliability. So far it has been running great. But for a turbo 268hp car i feel like the power is held back by the stock tune. The power needs to be unleashed. Especially on 2nd and 3rd gear around 4k rpm you feel a huge rev hang like it wont accelerate faster it just hangs. Pretty disappointed but over all the looks and handling makes up for it. Spend the extra 1k if you want more performance from the STI or just aftermarket tune it.
CarGuy21 on July 10, 2019
Very fun car!The low end torque makes it an enjoyable car for driving around town. The direct injection allows it to make great MPG on the highway. There is definitely still turbo lag however, and the stock tune is horrendous. It leaves you feeling like the car is loosing power in the higher RPMs and almost seems to come and go while under full acceleration. Thankfully, the handling is incredible and makes up for some of the flaws of the acceleration.
BlakeC on July 6, 2019
Joy to drive! Beautiful carThis car met all my needs, was a joy to drive, and is a great value for someone wanting a high-performance vehicle without spending a lot of money. I used it primarily for interstate commute and it adds a little fun to the daily drive to work and back.
Boy racer on March 28, 2019
We’ll builtQuality and performance are top notch but the infotainment system is third rate. Half the time Bluetooth won’t connect to my iPhone. When it does and I’m playing music, the song information won’t refresh. The only thing that works consistently is SiriusXM and local FM/ AM. The build quality is really good. The car is solid and seats are comfortable and the ride is acceptable for a performance vehicle.
Drew B
Drew is a seasoned automotive expert and contributor to VinCheck.info. With nearly 15 years of experience as a former Porsche technician, he brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge to his writing. Born in North Carolina, a region renowned for its deep-rooted NASCAR culture, Drew developed a passion for cars early in life, often building and working on vehicles from a young age. At VINCheck, Drew leverages his extensive technical background to provide in-depth analyses of various vehicles. His articles often focus on engine performance, reliability, and maintenance insights, offering readers practical information grounded in real-world experience. Some of his notable contributions include reviews on the Mazda CX-5's longevity and detailed examinations of engine options for models like the 2011 Toyota Camry and Tacoma