Subaru WRX STI, test drive (equipment, price, final verdict)

We have reached the end of the test drive of one of the most special vehicles to pass through Highmotor in recent months, the Subaru WRX STI.

If in the first instalment we analysed the dynamic character of the Japanese car and in the second we focused on its design, in this third article we take stock of everything related to its price and equipment.

Equipment

The Subaru WRX STI arrives in Spain with a very complete level of equipment. In our country it is only sold in the “Rally Edition” trim, which ensures that its standard specification is capable of satisfying even the most demanding customers. Among the equipment we find features such as LED headlights with headlight washers, 18″ alloy wheels, a fixed rear spoiler, tinted glass…

Inside we enjoy rain and light sensors, keyless entry and start system, dual-zone climate control, sport seats with heating and a mixed leather and Alcantara upholstery, a navigation system with a colour touchscreen, Bluetooth and USB input, premium Harman&Kardon audio system with 9 speakers and amplifier, rear-view camera and cruise control, among others.

In terms of safety, the STI comes well equipped with 7 airbags, ESP, ABS, ASR, Brembo brakes, SI-Drive system, DCCD multimode system, and seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters on the front seats.

In fact, the only option that may carry an extra cost is metallic paint, priced at €500.

Price

The recommended retail price of the Subaru WRX STI in our country is €46,900 including taxes. However, the model currently benefits from a €2,000 discount from the brand, bringing the final amount down to €44,900. If we put this price in context by comparing it with its likely rivals, we find that a VW Golf R costs €39,230, although it is a less practical vehicle, with less equipment and a much less sophisticated traction system.

Another possible alternative is the Audi S3 Sedan, with the same engine as the Golf (2.0 TSI 300 CV). Its price starts at €45,500. It has slightly less generous equipment and a less sporty approach, although its performance is somewhat superior, also standing out in other areas such as build quality and the materials used.

Personal verdict

Finally, who is the Subaru WRX STI for? Well, strange as it may seem, my opinion is that the Subaru is a car perfectly capable of appealing to a wide range of buyers. While it is clear that you will not find the comfort of a C-Class or the running economy of a diesel saloon, the STI stands as an alternative that is perfectly usable day to day, its main drawback being fuel consumption that is clearly higher than average.

However, the Subaru has a host of virtues, such as its noble handling, its practicality and its generous equipment. Of course, the vast majority of potential buyers will be customers who prioritise other qualities, such as its extremely sporty feel or its first-class performance.

It is, without a doubt, a vehicle that leaves a mark. We can speak of one of the few -very few- cars currently on sale that convey a “old-school” feel. The new STI, although clearly more civilised than previous generations, remains a car that you drive, not one that drives you. From the very first moment you feel a strong connection, and the man-machine relationship manages to establish itself with a purity that, today, is practically impossible to find in a market full of very good, very fast, very safe, very pleasant cars… but too filtered.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso