Subaru WRX STI vs Ford Focus RS
Overview | |
MSRP$37,245 | MSRP$36,120 |
Average price$30,356 | Average price |
Listings812 | Listings95 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
| |
Reviews SummaryA performance sedan is an ideal blend of fun and functionality. It’s similar to hot hatchbacks, like the Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Golf R, or Hyundai Veloster N. They offer performance and practicality, and do it at a relatively affordable price. But there’s not just one tier of performance. Like selecting fuel at the pump, there are levels. And for every level you go up in performance, it becomes more of a commitment. Such is the way of the 2021 Subaru WRX STI, a performance sedan that will put a smile on your face, but it’s also a bit of a lifestyle choice. The WRX STI was last redesigned for the 2015 model year, and though it received some infotainment updates for the 2019 model year, it is a somewhat dated car. It's still based on the previous-generation Subaru Impreza platform, in fact. Automakers tend to let their performance offerings linger a bit longer before a redesign, however. And just as the Golf R is to the VW GTI or the Type R is to the Civic Si, the STI is a level up from the Subaru WRX. So does the STI offer enough performance to warranty selecting it over the standard WRX, or other sporty compacts for that matter? Read on to find out. | |
Reviews SummaryEuropeans did this to us. They made us crave the Ford Focus RS, a street-legal rally car with way too much turbocharged power driving the front wheels. That was in 2009, and only in 2016 has Ford’s European division brought its most feral Focus RS yet—with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. How wild is this winged terror? We tightened our helmet and shut down an entire racetrack to assess its ferocity. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.5L 310 hp H4 | Engine2.3L 350 hp I4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower310 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower350 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City16 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway22 | MPG Highway25 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.5L 310 hp H4 | Engine Name2.3L 350 hp I4 |
Torque290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | Torque350 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm |
Horsepower310 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower350 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City16 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway22 | MPG Highway25 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space12.0 cu ft | Cargo Space19.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3450 lbs | Curb Weight3460 lbs |
Height58.1 in | Height58.0 in |
Length180.9 in | Length171.7 in |
Width79.5 in | Width80.5 in |
Wheelbase104.3 in | Wheelbase104.3 in |
Maximum Payload959 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $37,245 | $36,120 |
Average price | $30,356 | |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 6.8 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| |
Summary | A performance sedan is an ideal blend of fun and functionality. It’s similar to hot hatchbacks, like the Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Golf R, or Hyundai Veloster N. They offer performance and practicality, and do it at a relatively affordable price. But there’s not just one tier of performance. Like selecting fuel at the pump, there are levels. And for every level you go up in performance, it becomes more of a commitment. Such is the way of the 2021 Subaru WRX STI, a performance sedan that will put a smile on your face, but it’s also a bit of a lifestyle choice. The WRX STI was last redesigned for the 2015 model year, and though it received some infotainment updates for the 2019 model year, it is a somewhat dated car. It's still based on the previous-generation Subaru Impreza platform, in fact. Automakers tend to let their performance offerings linger a bit longer before a redesign, however. And just as the Golf R is to the VW GTI or the Type R is to the Civic Si, the STI is a level up from the Subaru WRX. So does the STI offer enough performance to warranty selecting it over the standard WRX, or other sporty compacts for that matter? Read on to find out. | Europeans did this to us. They made us crave the Ford Focus RS, a street-legal rally car with way too much turbocharged power driving the front wheels. That was in 2009, and only in 2016 has Ford’s European division brought its most feral Focus RS yet—with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. How wild is this winged terror? We tightened our helmet and shut down an entire racetrack to assess its ferocity. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.5L 310 hp H4 | 2.3L 350 hp I4 |
Drive Train | AWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 310 hp @ 6000 rpm | 350 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 16 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 22 | 25 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.5L 310 hp H4 | 2.3L 350 hp I4 |
Torque | 290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 350 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm |
Horsepower | 310 hp @ 6000 rpm | 350 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 16 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 22 | 25 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 12.0 cu ft | 19.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3450 lbs | 3460 lbs |
Height | 58.1 in | 58.0 in |
Length | 180.9 in | 171.7 in |
Width | 79.5 in | 80.5 in |
Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 104.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 959 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.