I’ve owned a GR86 for over a year now, but I’ve always been curious about how the WRX drives. If I hadn’t bought the GR86, a WRX or GTI probably would’ve been more sensible alternatives. After a while, my curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to answer the “what if” question—how happy or unhappy would I have been with the driving dynamics of a WRX if I bought one instead. I also have been toying with the idea of buying another vehicle for winter driving that is still fun but more suited for salty roads and occasional snow.

To satisfy this curiosity, I found a used VA WRX base manual with 60,000 miles at a local CarMax and took it for a 30-minute test drive. Here are my observations.

The first thing I noticed was the clutch pedal—it was unexpectedly heavier than the GR86. I am unsure if this was normal or perhaps a sign of an aftermarket clutch installed by a prior owner. It was so heavy that my calf and foot started to get sore, and holding the clutch in at a stop became tiring. I am not a really physically strong person so, if the clutch effort is indeed this high normally for this model, I don’t think I would be able to get used to it. If I were to more seriously contemplate buying one, I would like to test drive more to see whether this was unique to this particular example or how all WRXs are. I also noticed that the engagement point was much lower in the travel compared to my car.

One thing I liked was the exhaust sound. It seemed unmodified, but it was noticeably louder. My car sounds kind of bland, with the typical generic four-cylinder noises. The WRX had a bit of a rumble and a lot more character, without being obnoxiously loud at cruising speeds. I preferred it over the more subdued sound of my 86.

The steering surprised me too. For a four-door sedan, it was quicker than I expected. The on-center sensitivity wasn’t far off from the GR86, but I did notice something odd. The weight of the steering wasn’t linear—it felt heaviest on center, and the wheel wanted to pull back to straight more strongly. However, when I turned the wheel a few degrees from off-center, that resistance seemed to ease up. It was an unexpected detail I felt through my fingertips. Also not sure if normal or perhaps a sign of age or something else.

Since it was a test drive, I didn’t push the car hard (I don’t drive very aggressively most times in any case) but I did give it some throttle while exiting a tight left-hand turn. That’s when I felt the AWD I think. All four wheels seemed to claw at the road for grip, which felt very different from the RWD dynamics of my GR86. In my car, a similar maneuver would likely induce some oversteer, pivoting the car toward the inside of the turn. The WRX, on the other hand, seemed more prone to understeer when pushed harder. I think I still prefer the rwd character of my 86 and being able to sometimes adjust mid corner with both the steering and the throttle.

Ride comfort in the WRX was, as expected, notably better. It was more cushy than the GR86, but not to the point of ever being soft; and better at absorbing road imperfections. In my car, bumps and divots feel harsher. 

When it came to noise and vibration, the Subaru felt more isolated. Despite the louder exhaust, the engine noise and vibrations seemed more distant, likely due to the extra sound deadening and the car’s larger size. In contrast, the GR86 feels rawer, with much more road and engine noise creeping into the cabin. The shifter wasn’t bad. It wasn’t as notchy or precise as the GR86’s. It got the job done and didn’t feel terrible, but it didn’t strike me as particularly good either. 

As for power, it felt comparable to my car, though the delivery was different. The Toyota is more linear and builds power predictably toward redline, especially in first gear, while the WRX felt flatter up top. It seemed quick, just not as eager at higher RPMs. I think I prefer the more revvy nature of the 86.

Overall, I came away with the impression that the WRX is a pretty fun car to drive. If I had needed something more practical, I think I would’ve been happy with the WRX as my daily. That said, I still prefer the RWD dynamics of the GR86 and how light and agile it feels. If budget and partner can be convinced to fit a third car into our lives, I would seriously consider adding one to our driveway.