Used 2020 Subaru WRX STI Consumer Reviews
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2020 STI v 2018 WRX
Krish Bellamkonda, 07/22/2020
updated 07/26/2021
2020 Subaru WRX STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
@12 months- I traded the 20 STI for 21 BMW 330i. STI was a great car, but I wish I had kept the WRX since at my age (early 40s) I wanted a more settled ride and didn’t want to worry about taxing the clutch( STI is way less forgiving than WRX). With the used car prices the way it is, I got 3000 more than what I paid 1 year ago with 7800 miles. Decided to switch to 330i until next STI. As the title says, I traded in a 2018 WRX base for a 2020 STI base. 2018 WRX was a great car, with excellent driving dynamics, awesome value and more than enough power for tooling around town. I was averaging 30 mpg consistently with spirited driving giving me around 25 mpg on premium gas. Life was good, but given the 2020 STI might be the last of the kind, I decided to test drive it and see if I wanted an upgrade. I had concerns over the ride quality, clutch engagement and general refinement which was a tad below WRX due to an older powertrain dating back to 2004. But I came back very impressed on how well it drove, how engaging it was compared to 2018 WRX. Since I believe cars should be left the way they came from the factory(no aftermarket engine tuning), I decided to move to a STI. STI Strengths:- STIs drive very differently from the WRX. It is a much mature car at higher speeds and also the engine is free-r revving to redline. Although they look the same, the cars are entirely different from dynamics point of view. Also with the drivetrain's ability to switch between rear-bias to front-bias and drive modes(S,S#), the car handles like extremely well. The ride quality of 2020 is way improved over 2017 STI, but not as supple as WRX base trim(17 inch wheels).But suspension tuning and all the reviews about STI's ride harshness is exaggerated. If suspension is holding you back from STI, you should really test-drive the car. The car(STI) is much quieter with more quality materials than base WRX. Although with WRX and STI, quietness is not the forte of either. STIs offer very predictable handling and what I observe is that more you engage with the car, more you pay attention to the shift points and nuances of clutch engagement, it is way more rewarding than WRX. Also the WRX has very irritating lumpy power delivery where you get abrupt dropoffs when you rev hard. STI is way smoother and has much more linearity in the way power is delivered. Also, the clutch engagement point more sorted out than WRX although it is a tad harder. The shifter is much nicer with clear throws(with STI short shift kit). It is way shorter than WRX(with short shift kit). It feels more direct in terms of engagement and also, vibrations. With STI, my gas mileage is between 20-23 mpg. It has gone below 20 during the break-in period. So gas mileage is definitely not one of the strengths of this aging engine. But my goal was to become a better driver(more technical) and also take the vehicle to track in stock form at some point. STI is like 9/10s of a budget sports car which needs 9/10s of engagement from the driver to have fun, where WRX is like 6/10s of a budget sports car which needs 6/10s of engagement from the driver to have fun. Which brings us to WRX strengths. WRX Strengths:- Whereas WRX is a much more chuckable, agile car with predictable body roll/handling, STI is more of a heavier feeling car(hydraulic power steering) with little/no body roll and more precise handling and built for more serious, precise driving. WRX is lot more fun than STI in "chuckability' factor and puts a smile no matter how you drive it. The ease of driving WRX is something I miss with the STI. STI is meant for more track duty and this is where it is a bit of a letdown "around town". So STI is more technical than WRX. So if you deeply engage with the vehicle it is fun, Whereas WRX is fun no matter whether you deeply engage or merely engage. So for a daily driver, I would pick WRX over STI to put you in a better mood no matter how your day has been. Also it is easier to drive, when it comes to overall effort. I have a Corolla Hybrid which I use for daily drive, so I don't miss WRX as much. In addition, gas mileage for WRX (30 avg, 25 worst) is amazing for a car a that's as much fun as it is. Also, the turbo spooling and whine is something which is more audible and fun with WRX. In STI, it is replaced by rumble. I personally liked WRX turbo whine better. Also, WRX has better overall drivetrain vibration management than STI. STI shifter(being direct, not cable) has a constant vibration which exaggerates over bad roads. It is not a big deal, but it does irritate you, depending on how engaged you are. In short, if you don't want to be engaged at 9/10s, then WRX is a vehicle for you. Because STI does not tolerate relaxed driving as much as the WRX
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2020 STI. A legend of the past, today.
Betai Arriaga, 07/16/2020
2020 Subaru WRX STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
The 2020 STI is a through and through sports car. It hearkens back to the JDM analog legends of the 90's in all the best ways. We will remember cars like this fondly in years to come...we even already are starting to when you glance at the classifieds and see the $$$$ they're commanding. It has quick, weighty, and fantastically communicative steering without being tiring or twitchy. It still uses a hydraulic rack and pinion set up, which makes it far more of a connected feel for the driver than almost anything left on the road. The engine (freshly updated in 2019...but still the EJ257) delivers a classic turbocharged punch with the torque really coming into play once the turbo comes onto boil over 3.5k RPM. The aggressive gearing paired with the powerband means this is a car that you have to shift often, which is a joy with the precise 6 Speed (the only available transmission). The legendary AWD system (with actual mechanical limited slip differentials, and a driver controlled electronic center differential) will carry you through even small ineptitudes on your part as the driver, through any weather you throw at it. Although a set of winter tires would be recommended if you're planning on really tackling ice and snow. This is a car for the enthusiast that you can actually use...Every. Single. Day. And I do, happily. In the coming electric autonomous future...this is a car that still demands to be driven.
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2020 Subaru WRX for sale near you
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- Premium SedanMSRP: $22,97916 mi away
- Limited SedanMSRP: $25,59921 mi away
- Premium SedanMSRP: $25,89520 mi away
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Nice car, good for all around street fun.
Ed, 11/08/2020
2020 Subaru WRX STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Nice car, good for all around street fun. Put a nice set of highly rated summer tires & it performs decent on the track in stock form. Lacking in features as you cannot get all features separate. For ex: You can't get the high end sound without upgrading to the Limited trim. You also cannot get power seats with out upgrading to the Performance seating option or Limited trim. Seat adjustment & steering wheel adjustment is lacking as well! Interior lighting is also lacking & very weak. Seats 4 adults nicely & has decent trunk space for a vehicle with this pedigree. Fuel mileage is so-so if you don't stay in boost often. Turbo lag is noticed right away. This engine is the last of its kind as Subaru will do a complete update in about 2 years.
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2020 Sti
Austin, 12/06/2019
2020 Subaru WRX STI 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 19 people found this review helpful
Deff worth it