Got My 2021 WRX in the WR Blue of course. It beat me up for the first 1000 miles but being at 20K now, I'm still learning more about it every day. It's gotten smoother as well. I can def vouch for the clutch being unpredictable at times but I wanted this car for a long time and I'm forever grateful for it. Definitely worth the buy for me.

I have a 2019 wrx premium in ice silver metallic and I love it . I can take turns so fast that I feel like I’m going to pass out . It grips and rips

I got the base WRX in Feb and just passed 2k miles. My test drive was brutal but it does get smooth after 2k

Great review. I have the 2019 WRB Premium. Everything you've said is true in mine as well.

I find riding the clutch for an extra second and slowly letting off it is the smoothest way to drive the wrx

Wrx clutch needs to be slipped a bit for a smooth shift. Moving off from still, you wanna pause a sec at biting point while giving a bit gas. For a smooth 1st to 2nd, gently lift off throttle completely BEFORE clutch in and shift to 2nd, then again, you wanna pause a sec at friction point at the same time applying a bit throttle before smoothly re-engage the clutch fully. Hope it helps.

About to dump money in a 2021 WRX base. Never been more excited for a learning experience in my life

I have the base wrx 2020 and I feel like you just gotta relax and time your first gear with the gas then same with the second gear. The third gear and up is smooth. Love the car.

You’re quality is great. Keep it up.

My '17 WRX had a heavy clutch and I loved it. I test drove a' 19 WRX and the clutch was half as light. I have engaged the "braking steering assist once, the car did ridiculously tight turn even with throttle.

I feel better about myself since you mentioned the clutch. I just jumped out of a 2016 Fiesta ST into a 2020 WRX. Definitely taking some getting used to but I'm certainly having fun with it.

Nice review! Thank you!

Thank you. Great video, very informative!

I found placing the right side of my right foot against the transmission tunnel with a light pressure really makes it much easier to coordinate the use of the gas a clutch pedal. Much smoother starting from a stop and smoother gear changes.

,best daily review for the car ! U get sub

Dude, you rock. 😂 Thank you for the insight, man.

Well this guy answers my question i am asking myself. Being 6'6 my issue was leg room. Thanks to this guy for talking about that

Nice review bro, about to get my first WRX next week (it's in transit). I'm coming off from '14 MINI Cooper Hardtop where the clutch is so forgiving so it'll be interesting to see how I'll do with WRX. My test drive was clunky, not going to lie, but love how the car drives.

Thanks for interesting review 😊

Great review, interesting point about the CVT. Sure would lose a fair bit of engagement but would make it incredibly easy around town. Currently driving a 2.5L CVT 2011 Outback, bought 10 years ago, and it's only gotten stronger over the years - and love the AWD grip. Hardly any issues either. I've tried an STI, and what you said about the clutch had me laughing. I didn't stall it, but yeah the bite point is about 5mm wide. :) As amazing as it was on the back roads, and I'm still grinning just remembering that, there's no way I'd want to commute with that - ever.

I have a 17 base, bought it new. Drove it stock before tune. I enjoyed it stock and even more now. The Cobb drivetrain upgrade was far the best thing I ever did. Bushings, short shift plate, shift stop, and pitch stop. I have the cobb intake and 3 port boost controller. 270whp/270 torque. Btw, I have 90k miles.

Drove fine on the test drive. Stalled twice getting up the dealership driveway 😑

Have a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, bought it new and that has been my car since. Thinking about a WRX next.

So, my 15 base model had the clutch issue at 6000 miles. The throw out bearing broke and came apart. The clutch was replaced under warranty, and felt much better after replacement than it did when is was “3miles” new. The shifter had slop in it from side to side when in gear, it was clunky and drove me nuts. Perrin makes a shift stop mount/brace that will clean that slop up. It’s cheap and easy to install, and easy to adjust: makes shifter level feel much more solid. My 2020 limited feels great from the factory, so I don’t know if they have improved the design, or if it is different from base model to limited model.

awesome. I got a series.white . tuned with e30 and burble. swapped in STI springs. very fun to drive

Love my wrx ❤️

All I want is performance, and practicality when the weather turns evil. Base WRX is fine. All those electronic gizmos, no thank you! Who needs a power driver's seat if you're the only one touching your Precious. You adjust the seat when you buy it, and you're done! If a mechanic works on your car and needs to drive it a bit, without a power driver's seat, they usually pull it forward or push it back. You get in it, that's all you need to adjust! Sun-roof, go outside and look up at the sky. Moon-roof.... go outside at night. These electronic extras belong on a luxury car for people who are dead inside. They don't belong on a WRX.

The best manual car I have ever driven

I currently have the 2020 WRX with the CVT which I leased with out driving in May of 2020. It currently has 14k and no issues. I came out of a 2018 WRX Manual with a short throw shifter. I loved it. It helped with shifting for sure. The only reason why I went with the CVT was because my daughter was learning how to drive. Because I was working from home, she actually put 4k on the car driving to school, work and hanging out with Friends before I purchased a 3.6r Legacy for her. Now, being 2023, I struggle with moving to a 3.6r used Legacy or Going with the Legacy Sport. My wife like that she can drive my WRX since it’s not a Manual, so the WRX Manual is off the table. I am not really liking the new TECH that Subaru has and feel like the 2020 has just enough in it with the split screen which I love. I just hate the headlights are not bright enough and don’t have the Harman Karden system in there for Audio. Buy out is 19.5 and there is no car I could get that cheap with that much fun to drive aspect and low mileage. Having a really hard time with my latest decision. I have grown accustomed to the CVT and use the Paddle Shifters daily. I am in the north east, do run winters. Fun fact, couple of inches of snow pre Covid caught me before the winters were on and my stick got me home, no issues (20 mile commute with hills and curves) no issues on the stock SUMMER tires. Love this car and set up, just not sure what to do.

Love the review. I got a 2020 WRX like the one you drove here. I leaned the clutch the hard way (first owned manual car). But I’m loving the car.

i got the same exact car 1 week ago. same trim same color

Okay, so I do agree to a point. I had a 2015 base model, and now have a 2020 limited. My car is a 6mt and is my daily. I drive cars for a living, even when you are “used to the clutch” you either ride the clutch or have a rough start. Perrin makes a pitch stop mount brace and mount. These clean up that slop and clunkiness, and make it a much better experience. I do not know why Subaru manufactured the wrx with a plastic junk pitch stop mount, but replace it, and get the brace, and you will be much happier with the car. Noticeable difference in all driving conditions, most noticeable driving around town and in traffic.

I don’t know is just me I guess... cuz i bought the basic one and I change the wheels that limited has and It feels that run faster and more fun .. mmm that is what I feel lol

I purchased a new 2019 and yes it was taking a while to get used to the clutch until I disabled the hill assist. My base model came with a STI shifter, so I have no complaints. I’ve owned many manual transmission cars and they they are all different, you adapt to it.

I think I am getting the base version soon.

Atleast you tell people about the clutch I had no clue. I didn't stall it but definitely bogged down and was really close

WRX stock tune and the throttle pedal mapping is brutal. stage 1 tune is much smoother to drive.

Just tune out the rev hang, problem solved. I went with a base model since I plan on ripping out most of the stuff in the car anyways. Didn’t feel like paying for things that will just sit in my garage collecting dust. Also the base is less weight, I also was looking into a base sti. But I just couldn’t go with the ej motor, it was the only drawback to the sti. The wrx on the other hand had an updated motor, finally had a 6 speed, the 2020 has a touchscreen on the base model and It gets better gas mileage which on my long trips comes in handy. It’s the all around perfect car for everything. Master of bone but good at everything thrown at it. The only complaints about the wrx overall, rev hang, no port for the wires to come out of the center console and the seats no matter recaro or cloth seats were both horribly uncomfortable for more than an hour. Either way the seats have been in the list of things to change since day 1. While I’ve gotten used to it now after 6 months of ownership I still can’t wait for the day I find a seat I like.

Yes, it took me time to figure out the throttle/clutch program when starting in first gear. Then I discovered hill assist.

My first try WRX with experience of motorcycle clutch but it not to bad like this.

LOL about the clutch.... When I bought my WRX, the salesman said he wasn't allowed to ride along on the test drive (because of the Coronavirus) so he made me go back and forth in the parking lot first before taking it out on the street. Fortunately I've driven plenty of nit-picky manuals before so I did fine. Ironically, I find the 1-2 shift to be the most abrupt; much more so than starting from a stop.

My Impreza's manual transmission is like that. Also, the friction zone is like an inch off the floor. So annoying compared to my Civic.

Great Video, I have a 2003 Sonic Yellow WRX Wagon that I am putting up for sale as I just got a 2018 50th anniversary to replace her and yes I got her new.. The Clutch is what you said.. I guess its now electronic and took a week to get used to. The first gear is way too short, I have to shift at 15mph if i am normally driving.. But it just is a perfect WRX.. Havnt put my girl up for sale yet, but I love the Rex..

I used to not be able to drive my 2015 wrx with regular shoes on cause of the clutch and throttle sensitivity 😂

Tone down the bg music when you're driving. I like to hear the engine and not the music. It's annoying.

I own a 2017, I never understood why people kept describing it as "unrefined". Compared to the STI it's supposed to be very refined. I guess it's a matter of what you're used to. The suspension in my 2014 BRZ before that for example was very tight so the WRX with it's softer suspension and electrically boosted steering still felt soft to me and took some adjustment for that reason.

great review brother appreciate you thanks man the only thing I would disagree with you on was your opinion of the trunk space you are crazy no other car can fit 4full size sparez in the trunk WRX was intended to be able to carry for full size spare tires for when you go to the track. you tell me if another car that has that ability to carry for full size tires in the trunk and you said it's okay on trunk space.. lol

Is this somehow an astronomically harder to shift car the the 2019? With reduced rev-hang issues this thing should be easy. As for stalling, well, I owned an 07 Civic, and even after mastering the clutch still stalled when I wasn't paying enough attention to it. The WRX is much more forgiving in comparison, so I never had this issue. Great review! Im really loving my 2019 and am anxiously waiting for my warranty to end so that I can tune out some of my minor gripes.

Looks so dope , like an Evo and a BMW combined. Looks so much better than a civic

I didn’t have any issues shifting a WRX in fact it was really easy you just have to be easy on it and take your time shifting

I’ve owned a 2019 civic si. Now I own a 2021 wrx premium and IMO the WRX is more fun to drive

I love the touchy wrx, this thing requires a bit more skill to tame :). Makes smooth shifts much more rewarding!

Upgraded sway bars will make steering tighter.

You mentioned the GTI is easier to live with. How is the build quality and road noise compared to the GTI? How about the undercoating and corrosion protection? Any reliability issues other than the clutch?

I am considering one of these for my daily driver; I live in the Northeast and we get a share of snow; etc. I have a 600hp blown mustang with a hot cam and tall gears. The clutch in that is pretty challenging, so I am wondering how the clutch engagement will compare (have yet to test-drive). I'm hoping to find something my wife can drive in a pinch too (she doesn't really drive manual; so she'd be learning on the car).

Nice palace hat

Is the boxer engine gone from the wrx 😨 and only sti get them btw good video

my 18 wrx is base 6 speed and is pro tuned with the usual mods is so much better than stock. its like my car went super saiyen!

It’s all in the tune tbh

You didn't mention rev hang like reviewers for 2019 and before years ALWAYS do. Did Subraru get rid of it for 2020?

Hmm I’m 6’4” last time i sat in a 2017wrx I didn’t fit, no head room, do you know if the seating position is the same?

I have had both WRX and WRX STI cars and currently have 2019 WRX STI. Between the clutch and too aggressive hill assist have stalled the car few times when starting up hill. Had one idiot gun his large Ford van and rear end my car when this happened. I have since disabled the hill assist to get rid of the too aggressive brake application to not deal with this. I have a 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe that releases the hill assist much quicker than the STI. My previous Subaru cars have not been this aggressive and I have driven stick cars since 1967. There are faster and better handling cars but they do not feel as good to me when driving.

Nice review. Im thinking about trading my 2018 honda accord sport 1.5 into a 2020 WRX Premium. Would you say the WRX is worth it and reliable?

had a 2016 WRX ran into transmission problems. It did cost me a lot for repair. I had no mods just the exhaust.

Great reveiw but the velostet n is more harsh in ride than the wrx

Great review man! Couldn’t have said it better as I drove the 2019 model. One thing I can say is that the steering is a bit off as you noted (its electric while STI is hydraulic). However it feels much nicer and on point in the winter with the winter tires. The clutch also feels stiff when shifting from first to second gear until it “bites”. It is a great daily/rally car for the price!

Two days ago I bought a 2020 base model. I didn't have any trouble with the clutch in the test drive. Shifting is a bit weird, but I found it's smoother if I use less clutch.

I have a 2018 WRX and it’s a pain to drive smoothly. I haven’t driven any of the competition but used to drive a Honda Accord 5-speed MT, and the Honda was way easier to drive than the WRX. The WRX has bad rev hang going into 2nd gear, but this can be tuned out. The WRX is overall a fun little car though, and the rough ride just comes with the turf.

imagine a dealership letting this dude launch a new wrx just going to redline.

Better looking wrx compared the new 2022 model

While I love Subaru's the engine is getting a little tired for the times. Check out the Toyota GR Yaris 257 Horsepower, All-Wheel Drive

has the 2020 wrx rev hang been fixed?

Thought this was Alex from FI 😭🤣

actually your comment about the side vent 2:25 they are functional they help with heat extraction. if you buy some perrin engine side vents it allows more ventilation engine bay heat drops about 8 degrees and leaves the bay a little quicker.

Thank you for this awesome review, I wish Subaru would do something about the fuel economy on this vehicle because damn fuel prices are expensive!!! What if they put out an option to have a RWD WRX I mean it's out of the norm but it would yield a notable increase in MPG and you would still be able to have some fun around the corners. It's just something to think about🤔

10:03: whenever I let people drive my sti that's how it is lol

In my experience WRX clutch just grabs really hard and the power band is really touchy. Even after owning one for almost a year, my takeoffs are still a little bumpy sometimes. STI clutch is butter, and the power band is more linear which is why it’s easier.

That's sad that Marshall's closed :(

Great review, but I disagree with shifter being notchy and transmission being difficult to drive smoothly. I love the feel of shifter clicking into gear, and clutch take-up isn't too difficult to do smoothly, imo.

COBB ACCESSPORT and you're done!

You forgot to add this car completely sucks in hot climates. Feels like there's no boost during summer and I can't stand it. Luckily, I live in Florida and it's only hot 8 months out of the year. 🤮

I have never heard of the WRX having clutch problems. Clutch failure is due to human error.

Car clutch and trans breaks because people launch them on pavement. They thrash the fuck out of them. If u drive the car like it’s meant to be then I will last a long time. Just make sure u clean ur valves every 15-20k. Gotta love direct injection.

If you want to incease your viewers start off with a fast drive to get them hooked then after you pull over then show the car because people want to feel and see how fast it is discussing the car is boring at first so Flip the script start your video at 14:48 you also fail to disclose that VW's last 3 years then fall apart why Subaru's give you atleast 10 years so if you want Longevity Subaru if you want to lease then go VW

As soon as he said he had no issues with the stock sound system I immediately cannot trust his judgment. The stock stereo is junk. The head unit, the speakers, it's all junk. Had to spend like 1800 bucks to completely replace it all to make the car a nice place to be including wireless android auto, a 10" sub and while retaining the factory steering wheel controls and backup camera. As far as the driveability, the stock throttle is non-linear. It's in the ECU. It's front weighted. You give it 10% throttle input and it outputs 30% engine output. At 50% throttle input its at 100% output. The last half of the pedal travel is completely numb and at 5k rpm it falls on its face. A Cobb Accessport and a OTS Stage 1 Tune corrects this and makes it linear so 10% input gives you 10% output. No more stalling and jerky 1-2 shifts. That's another $700 bucks. So for just $2,500 you can have a WRX with a proper sound system and one that drives proper. Still worth it.

WRX buyers want pain. Dead.

Subaru went from the sweet bug eye impezas to this horrible looking camry abomination 🤣🤣

I will not buy this car after he launched it.

It's hard for me to take car advice from a guy who looks like he can't change his own oil. Sorry, bro.

He’s right I bought my 2020 wrx base a couple weeks ago and it made me feel like a teenager again trying to learn Manuel again lol. Shifter feels stiff and clutch is sensitive, but I love it

never buy a Subaru. the head gaskets fail...

quit with the crappy acting. over acting is so terrible to watch.