Check out the Subaru WRX’s closest alternatives

In the Philippine market, the econo sedan still reigns supreme. Examples of the Toyota Vios and Mitsubishi Mirage G4 are still plentiful on the roads and are used by a variety of consumers, ranging from Grab drivers, first-time car owners, and those who just want a reliable personal vehicle. 

The more high-end segment of the sedan market, however, isn’t doing so great. In fact, there are only a handful of examples priced above P2 million left. The aforementioned is especially true for Japanese brands.

Regardless, Subaru is still offering the WRX sedan in the market. It even has a manual version - practically an endangered species at the current age. 

Sure, the Subaru WRX has a lot to offer, especially for those wanting to alleviate their sport sedan itch. But what are some similarly priced alternatives to the Subaru-made nameplate? Let’s find out here. 

Subaru WRX

Before listing its similarly priced alternatives, let us first take a gander at the Subaru WRX’s specifications and features. 

Under the hood, the WRX uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer-four gasoline engine paired with a continuously variable transmission or a six-speed manual. Power is sent to all four wheels via an all-wheel-drive system. 

At maximum, the said powertrain can generate up to 271 horsepower (hp) and 350 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. For optimum efficiency, the model also gets a drive mode selector. 

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Ride quality and stability for the Subaru WRX are handled by a MacPherson strut front suspension and a double wishbone rear end. Stopping power, meanwhile, is provided by front and rear disc brakes. 

For its exterior design, the current version of the Subaru WRX is an evolution of the previous VA generation of the nameplate. It does, however, carry some “crossover” style accouterments such as black plastic claddings. Other sections of the car get an aggressive vibe to it, achieved by sharp corners and angles. 

The model’s lineup of exterior equipment includes LED lighting fixtures, steering-sensitive headlamps with automatic function, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, sunroof, and a set of 18-inch wheels. Its looks are also enhanced with a trunk spoiler, twin dual exhaust tips, and sizable air vents all around. 

Inside, the Subaru WRX is a five-seater arrangement with a 60:40 split-folding rear seat and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. All seats are clad in leather, and all inside are kept cool by a dual-zone automatic climate control system. 

For its screens, the WRX has analog gauges paired with a 4.2 digital screen. Its main display, meanwhile, is an 11.6-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The infotainment system is linked to a six-piece speaker set. 

Other notable amenities available for the Subaru WRX include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Leather steering wheel
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• USB ports
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Rear air-conditioning vents
• Rear folding armrests
• Push-to-start button
• Electronic parking brake

Safety-wise, the Subaru WRX has seven airbags, anti-lock braking, a rear-view camera, vehicle dynamics control, hill-start assist, and active torque vectoring - among others. 

Apart from the aforementioned, the Subaru-made sedan also has a collection of active driver-assist systems, such as: 

• Driver monitoring system
• Adaptive cruise control
• Reverse automatic braking
• Subaru rear vehicle detection
• High beam assist
• Autonomous emergency steering
• Pre-collision braking
• Lane centering control
• Lane departure prevention
• Pre-collision throttle management
• Lead vehicle start alert

Price-wise, the Subaru WRX ranges from P2.788 million-P3.223 million across three trims. 

Here’s a table showing the specs and features of the Subaru WRX: 

Model	Subaru WRX CVT EyeSight
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,670x1,825x1,465
Wheelbase (mm)	2,675
Ground clearance (mm)	135
Wheel size	18-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning Analog gauges with 4.2-inch display Auto-dimming rearview mirror Electronic parking brake Sunroof Power-adjust driver’s seat 60:40 split-folding rear seat Six-piece speaker set
Infotainment system	11.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Five
Powertrain
Engine	2.4-liter turbocharged boxer-four
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	271
Torque	350 Nm
Technology
Safety	Seven airbags Anti-lock braking Rear-view camera Vehicle dynamics control Hill-start assist Active torque vectoring ISOFIX Parking sensors
ADAS	Driver monitoring system Adaptive cruise control Reverse automatic braking Subaru rear vehicle detection High beam assist Autonomous emergency steering Pre-collision braking Lane centering control Lane departure prevention Pre-collision throttle management Lead vehicle start alert
Price	P2.943 million

Toyota Camry HEV

While it is larger and not a sport sedan, the Toyota Camry hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is still a viable alternative to the Subaru WRX. It does, after all, carry a P2.657 million starting price, which is somewhat within range of the mid-spec Subaru WRX CVT EyeSight. 

For its engine, the Toyota Camry HEV uses a 2.5-liter hybrid gasoline mill paired with a CVT. At maximum, it can generate up to 226 hp and 221 Nm of torque. 

Contrary to the sporty and aggressive appearance of the Subaru, the Toyota-made sedan bears a slicker, more elegant exterior design. Its looks are complemented by features such as LED lighting fixtures, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, panoramic moon roof, and a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. 

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The Camry’s interior, meanwhile, uses a five-seater layout with seats, sections of the dashboard, and parts of the interior door cards clad in leather. Both seats up front come with power-adjustability and lumbar support. The rear seat also has a 40:20:40 split-function with power reclining. 

Concerning its screens, the Toyota Camry HEV was equipped with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a similarly-sized infotainment display. The infotainment central unit comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is connected to a nine-piece JBL speaker set. 

Moreover, on-board device charging can be performed via a 12-volt accessory outlet, five Type-C USB ports, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. 

Keeping everyone cool inside the sedan is a dual-zone automatic climate control system with separate automatic controls for the rear seat. Plus, the said climate control is backed by a Panasonic nanoeX to ensure good air quality inside the five-seater sedan. 

Other noteworthy amenities available to the Toyota Camry HEV include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Leather steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Push-to-start button
• Ambient lighting
• Paddle shifters
• Electronic parking brake
• Drive mode selector
• Front seat ventilation 
• Heads-up display

Safety-wise, the Toyota Camry HEV’s basic kit consists of seven airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors, panoramic view monitor, front and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, vehicle stability control, and Toyota’s vehicle security system.

The aforementioned are reinforced by several ADAS features, such as:

• Pre-collision system
• Automatic high beams
• Lane trace assist
• Lane departure alert
• Dynamic radar cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Safe exit assist

Here’s a table to summarize the specs and features of the Toyota Camry HEV: 

Model	Toyota Camry HEV
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,920x1,840x1,445
Wheelbase (mm)	2,825
Ground clearance (mm)	135
Wheel size	18-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Electronic parking brake Panoramic moon roof Power-adjust front seats Ventilated front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control Panasonic nanoeX air purifier Ambient lighting Power reclining rear seat Wireless smartphone charging pad Five Type C USB ports Rain-sensing wipers Tilt and telescopic steering column Nine-piece JBL speaker set 12.3-inch digital gauge
Infotainment system	12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Five
Powertrain
Engine	2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	226
Torque	221 Nm
Technology
Safety	Seven airbags Anti-lock braking ISOFIX child seat anchors Panoramic view monitor Front and rear parking sensors Hill-start assist Vehicle stability control Vehicle security system
ADAS	Pre-collision system Automatic high beams Lane trace assist Lane departure alert Dynamic radar cruise control Blind-spot monitoring Safe exit assist
Price	P2.657 million

Hyundai Elantra N

A straight-up rival of the Subaru WRX is the Hyundai Elantra N. Like the Subie, the said nameplate is a sport sedan that was designed for performance. Plus, its price tag of P2.738 million is quite close to the mid-spec WRX. 

Its nature as a sport sedan is clearly reflected in the Hyundai Elantra N’s exterior design. Its silhouette appears similar to the standard Elantra, but it gets sharply designed front and rear bumpers, complemented by a red-colored lip and side sill. It also has plenty of N-badging all around. 

Exterior equipment available to the Elantra N includes the following: 

• LED exterior lighting fixtures
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Power folding side mirrors
• Sunroof
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic headlamp functionality

When it comes to engines, the Hyundai Elantra N uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder capable of dishing out 276 hp and 392 Nm of torque. The said figures make it the most powerful model on this list. 

Power for the Hyundai-made sedan is sent to its front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It also has paddle shifters, a manual hand-operated parking brake, a tilt and telescopic steering column, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, a drive mode selector, an electrochromic rearview mirror, and a perforated leather steering wheel. 

For its comfort-oriented amenities, the model has a five-seater layout with leather upholstered seats, a dual-zone automatic temperature control system, and power-adjustable front seats with ventilation. 

Handling on-board entertainment and navigation for the Hyundai sedan is a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The model also has an eight-piece Bose speaker set, USB ports, a 12-volt power outlet, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. 

The basic safety kit of the Hyundai Elantra N consists of anti-lock braking, six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, tire pressure monitoring, and an engine immobilizer.

It also has the following ADAS features: 

• Forward collision avoidance assist
• Lane following assist
• Lane keep assist
• Parking distance warning
• Rear occupant alert
• Rearview monitor
• Blind-spot collision avoidance assist

Here’s a table summarizing the specs and features of the Hyundai Elantra N: 

Model	Hyundai Elantra N
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,676x1,825x1,415
Wheelbase (mm)	2,720
Ground clearance (mm)	135
Wheel size	19-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Rain-sensing wipers Power-folding side mirrors Sunroof Perforated leather steering wheel Wireless smartphone charging pad Eight-piece Bose speaker set Push-to-start button 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster Dual-zone automatic temperature control
Infotainment system	10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Five
Powertrain
Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
Horsepower	276
Torque	392
Technology
Safety	Six airbags Anti-lock braking Electronic stability control Hill-start assist Tire pressure monitoring Engine immobilizer
ADAS	Forward collision avoidance assist Lane following assist Lane keep assist Parking distance warning Rear occupant alert Rearview monitor Blind-spot collision avoidance assist
Price	P2.738 million

Final thoughts

All in all, the Subaru WRX is an attractive buy for those looking for a practical sedan with enough power for canyon carving and the occasional track day. It strikes a good balance between performance and comfort as well.

Regardless, two of the WRX’s rivals mentioned above also have some good qualities. So, if you’re the type looking for a sedan above the P2 million price range, consider test-driving the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Elantra N as well. 

Also read:

Subaru Crosstrek vs. the competition

Ideal cars for modern-day moms

Passenger POV: Here’s why the Subaru Evoltis is a good car for ‘passenger princesses’

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