A rally weapon repackaged for the street—and the first AWD compact to crack the US sports car mainstream.
The 1994 Subaru WRX is the first-generation production expression of Subaru’s 1992 World Rally Championship effort. It is a turbocharged, all-wheel drive compact saloon built on the Impreza GC platform. Its blue-and-gold livery stems from a Singaporean cigarette sponsorship. It established all-wheel drive as a performance asset in the US compact segment—starting with its 2001 US launch—and forced rivals to follow.
The WRX is a turbocharged Impreza subtype born from 1992 WRC development—and its name means 'World Rally eXperimental'.
2:28
How it landed in America
It started as a saloon on the Impreza platform—and became the first high-performance AWD compact to succeed in the US in 2001.
4:20
When it grew up
From 2015, it split from the Impreza—and swapped the EJ engine for the FA20F with direct injection and twin-scroll turbocharging.
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Why it looks like that
Its blue-and-gold livery came from a cigarette sponsorship—and modified versions won rallies worldwide.
Worth your time?
Yes. Drive the whole thing.
4/ 5
What works
delivers usable rally-derived traction
defined a new US performance category
has clear visual identity
What does not
hatchback
wagon
Impreza-badged post-2014
EJ-engine post-third-gen
Drive it if
drivers who value rally-bred AWD traction
buyers who accept compromised ride for grip
Skip it if
those needing hatchback utility
drivers prioritising cabin quietness or steering finesse
The written brief1 min read
What the car is and where it came from
The Subaru WRX is an all-wheel drive compact car. It launched in 1993 as a turbocharged subtype of the Impreza. It was created for the World Rally Championship in 1992. Subaru says WRX stands for ‘World Rally eXperimental’.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It is a turbocharged, all-wheel drive compact car. It uses the Impreza saloon platform. The driver gets power to all four wheels through a mechanical centre differential. The layout prioritises traction over agility.
What it gets right
It delivers rally-derived all-wheel drive traction in a road-going compact. Its blue-and-gold livery signals purpose. Its lineage from the 1992 WRC Impreza gives it functional credibility.
What it does not
It does not offer hatchback or wagon body styles after 2015. It does not retain the Impreza name beyond the 2014 model year. It does not use the EJ-series engine from the third generation onward.
What it changed
It brought high-performance all-wheel drive into the US sports car mainstream. It shifted perception of compact cars from economy to capability.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for drivers who prioritise all-wheel drive traction and rally heritage over ride comfort or interior polish. It is not for buyers seeking hatchback versatility, luxury appointments, or front-wheel drive efficiency.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you want a rally-bred AWD compact that defined a segment in the US. No—if you need practicality, refinement, or neutrality in driving feel.
