There are a number of cars with cult-like followings, from the Ford Mustang to the Porsche 911. Both of these cars have been around since the ’60s, but not all popular cars have such a long history. You may be surprised to find that Subaru has one that has a very enthusiastic, if less well-known, group of followers. The rally-car-inspired Subaru WRX has a lot to offer buyers who have several different vehicle desires. Here’s a look at why the Subaru WRX has such hardcore fans.

The Subaru WRX doesn’t have top sales, but it does have a devoted fanbase

Subarus are popular with “a dedicated core of buyers, especially in the U.S.,” according to GoodCarBadCar. These buyers love Subaru’s engine, all-wheel drive, and affordable performance. The company has enjoyed excellent growth in the U.S. since 2006.

The WRX is just a small portion of Subaru’s sales, selling between 21,800 and 31,400 units annually in the U.S. in the past four years, according to GoodCarBadCar. However, the Subaru WRX is such a popular car that it has clubs of fans across the United States, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The history of the Subaru WRX

The Subaru WRX was developed as a rally car in 1992. It soon began winning titles and developed a legend and a following, according to Subaru of Glendale. The first WRX cars were based on the Subaru Impreza, which TorqueNews says had modest sales. Popular Mechanics explained that the original WRX was the road version of the Subaru Impreza WRC that raced in the World Rally Championship. However, it wasn’t available in the U.S. 

The Impreza WRX did finally arrive in the U.S. for 2002, and the WRX STi followed it in 2004. The niche rally car became a popular performance sports car. Subaru separated the WRX from the Impreza for 2015, introducing it as its own model. With the arrival of the new generation, EVO Australia magazine explained its popularity by saying, “It’s addictive fun and serves to remind that, while the WRX may be 20 years old, its blend of traction, affordability and performance will never grow old or go out of style. It’s rare that a new generation performance car manages to be both more livable and more fun to drive. The new WRX pulls off the double.”

What people love about it

There’s a lot to love about the Subaru WRX. The car combines a nod to ’90s rally culture with today’s technology. It’s also just a nice-looking car.

The WRX is Subaru’s top performance car and has two great engine options. It has a 2.0-liter turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The WRX STI trim is even more powerful, with a 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 310 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque

Like most other Subaru vehicles, the WRX is a safe car and includes plenty of safety features. It earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Providing a touch of practicality, the WRX also has a spacious trunk.

Along with its power and practicality, the Subaru WRX also has great handling. It’s well balanced on corners because of its suspension and its active torque vectoring. The car is well-grounded, and all trims include all-wheel drive, making it great in poor weather and over rough terrain. The WRX STI trim also has additional performance features.

With nearly 30 years of history, the Subaru WRX continues to deliver, and its devotees remain an enthusiastic bunch. The WRX offers its owners a fabulous mix of performance and practicality, which has helped to make it well-loved.