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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 18 / 24 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,900 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 420 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $24,422–$31,262 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Subaru WRX is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.0/10, while Technology at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sports — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.0/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. Technology scores 6.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $24,422–$31,262, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru WRX sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sports market. At 7.0/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2016 Subaru WRX sits in the middle of the field. Until its technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Subaru WRX ranks #267 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 16% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $24,422 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 47%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Across the WRX model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $33,099 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $33,099 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $32,135 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $31,170 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $30,206 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $29,242 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $28,278 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $27,314 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $26,350 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $25,386 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $24,422 | |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $23,458 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Forward collision avoidance / crash imminent braking 12/06/2015 · 15V366000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to… |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Gasoline / Turbo/supercharger 21/03/2016 · 16V162000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may… |
| Exterior lighting / Back up lights / Switch 21/07/2022 · 22V522000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.