Model Year Matters

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2012 Subaru WRX

Sedan · 2010–2026

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2025The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

20102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

What changed for 2012

No changes to the main specs and features from 2011.

2012 WRX trims

BaseLimitedPremiumSTISTI Limited
Powertrain
Engine2.5-liter Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER2.5-liter Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER
Horsepower265 hp265 hp265 hp305 hp305 hp
Torque244 lb-ft244 lb-ft244 lb-ft290 lb-ft290 lb-ft
Transmission5-speed manual with Incline Start Assist5-speed manual with Incline Start Assist5-speed manual with Incline Start AssistClose-Ratio 6-Speed ManualClose-Ratio 6-Speed Manual
Gears55566
Drivetrain5-Door / 4-Door5-Door / 4-Door5-Door / 4-Door5-Door / 4-DoorAwd
Fuel economy (combined)21 mpg21 mpg21 mpg——
Size and capability
Seats55555
Cargo behind last row5-Door: 19 cu ft
4-Door: —		5-Door: 19 cu ft
4-Door: —		5-Door: 19 cu ft
4-Door: —		5-Door: 19 cu ft
4-Door: —		—
Max cargo5-Door: 44.4 cu ft
4-Door: —		5-Door: 44.4 cu ft
4-Door: —		5-Door: 44.4 cu ft
4-Door: —		5-Door: 44.4 cu ft
4-Door: —		—
Trunk5-Door: —
4-Door: 11.3 cu ft		5-Door: —
4-Door: 11.3 cu ft		5-Door: —
4-Door: 11.3 cu ft		5-Door: —
4-Door: 11.3 cu ft		11.3 cu ft
Length5-Door: 173.8 in
4-Door: 180.3 in		5-Door: 173.8 in
4-Door: 180.3 in		5-Door: 173.8 in
4-Door: 180.3 in		5-Door: 173.8 in
4-Door: 180.3 in		180.3 in
Curb weight3,208 lb—3,241 lb5-Door: 3,373 lb
4-Door: 3,384 lb		3,417 lb
Tech
Touchscreen—OptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Apple CarPlayOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Android AutoOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
AudioOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Speakers6 + option6 + option6 + option6 + option6 + option
Comfort
SeatsClothLeatherClothLeatherLeather
Heated seats—FrontFrontFrontFront
Climate zones11111
Exterior
Sunroof—Tilt/Slide MoonroofTilt/Slide Moonroof—Tilt/Slide Moonroof
Wheels17 in17 in17 in18 in18 in
HeadlightsHalogenHID ProjectorHalogenHID ProjectorHID Projector
Packages and options (28)
BaseLimitedPremiumSTISTI Limited
BBS Package ———Optional—
Body Side Moldings OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Exhaust Finisher ———OptionalOptional
Fog Lights OptionalStandardStandard—Standard
Roof Carrier Bars OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
SPT Carbon Fiber Trunk Trim OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
SPT Oil Cap and Battery Hold Down v2.0 OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
SPT Performance Exhaust System OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Trunk Spoiler OptionalStandardStandard——
Turbo Heat Shield OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Auto-Dimming Mirror with Compass and HomeLink OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Rear Cargo Tray OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Short-Throw Shifter OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Turbo Boost Gauge OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Navigation System —OptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
SIRIUS Satellite Radio OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
10-Inch Powered Subwoofer OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
XM Satellite Radio OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Dark Gray Metallic OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Ice Silver Metallic OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Lightning Red OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Obsidian Black Pearl OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Plasma Blue Pearl OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Satin White Pearl OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
WR Blue Pearl OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Black Alcantara / Carbon Black Leather ———Optional—
Carbon Black Checkered Cloth Optional—Optional——
Carbon Black Leather —Optional——Optional

Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem brochure, Oem brochure, Oem brochure. Still partial for this year: fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.

Year by year

YearEnginesDriveFuel economyCrash ratingRecalls Owner complaintsMost-reported problemCarPlay
2026 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271 hp
manual available		AWD21–22 mpg 5 of 5 0 0 — —
2025 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271 hp
manual available		AWD21–22 mpg 5 of 5 0 2 Electrical system (1) Yes
2024 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271 hp
manual available		AWD21–22 mpg 5 of 5 0 13 Unknown or other (6) Yes
2023 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271 hp
manual available		AWD21–22 mpg 5 of 5 1 8 Air bags (2) Yes
2022 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271 hp
manual available		AWD21–22 mpg 5 of 5 1 25 Engine (15) Yes
2021 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 268 hp
2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 310 hp
manual available		AWD18–23 mpg 5 of 5 1 13 Power train (6) Yes
2020 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 268 hp
2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 310 hp
manual available		AWD19–23 mpg 5 of 5 1 17 Electrical system (5) Yes
2019 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 268 hp
2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 305–310 hp
manual available		AWD19–23 mpg Not rated 2 30 Electrical system (14) Yes
2018 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 268 hp
2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 305–310 hp
manual available		AWD18–23 mpg Not rated 2 44 Engine (11) No
2017 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 268 hp
2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 305 hp
manual available		AWD19–23 mpg Not rated 1 53 Electrical system (14) No
2016 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
2.5L 4-cyl turbo
manual available		AWD19–23 mpg Not rated 3 34 Electrical system (10) No
2015 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
2.5L 4-cyl turbo
manual available		AWD19–24 mpg Not rated 3 55 Engine (20) No

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Which years have…

Wireless Apple CarPlayWireless Android AutoApple CarPlay (wired or wireless)AWD or 4WDLane centeringBlind-spot monitoringHeated front seatsLeather seatsRemote startSunroof or moonroof

Apple lists CarPlay for: WRX 2019–2025 (Apple).

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
YearVersionStarsForward collision warning Lane departure warningRecallsComplaints
2026 SUBARU WRX 4 DR N/A AWD5 StandardStandard 00
2025 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD5 StandardStandard 02
2024 SUBARU WRX 4 DR AWD5 StandardStandard 013
2023 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD5 OptionalOptional 18
2022 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD5 OptionalOptional 125
2021 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD5 OptionalOptional 113
2020 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD5 OptionalOptional 117
2019 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWDNot Rated OptionalOptional 230
2018 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWDNot Rated OptionalOptional 242
2017 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWDNot Rated OptionalOptional 153
2016 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWDNot Rated OptionalOptional 334
2015 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWDNot Rated NoNo 352

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
YearEPA modelEnginesCombined
2026WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo		 21–22
2025WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo		 21–22
2024WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo		 21–22
2023WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo		 21–22
2022WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo		 21–22
2021WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo		 18–23
2020WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo		 19–23
2019WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo		 19–23
2018WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo		 19–23
2018WRX STI Type RAMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo 18
2017WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo		 19–23
2016WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo		 19–23
2015WRXMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo		 19–24

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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