Not many vehicles have traversed more than three decades like the WRX. In its STI form, it’s a car that awakens your inner child and makes you grin from ear-to-ear, and that’s just thinking about driving it.
It’s a legend on the streets, and regardless of whether you’re a traditionalist or a modernist, you want to jump behind the wheel. The 2024 Subaru WRX Club Spec commands that level of attention, on looks alone.
While it’s not an actual STI variant anymore, it does have an ever-present staunchness, with a throwback design that gives a nod to its long history. Things start strong with a bonnet scoop, and LED headlights tastefully moulded into the front corners.
Side-on is where you’ll notice the most change over the standard model, with gorgeous 19-inch matte grey alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres. These are paired with Brembo brake callipers, with ventilated and drilled front/rear discs.
Once you’ve composed yourself, you’ll note the continuation of contour across the body, beckoning you towards the rear. That’s finished with aggression, and a king-sized rear spoiler that’s straight from the STI catalogue.
A solid rear bumper, dual twin exhausts and WRX Club Spec badging completes the package. It looks legitimately ready for a JDM street car brawl. That excitement continues inside too, with variant-specific Recaro front seats.
They’re not plus, but do grip your back like nobody’s business. These are the seats you want to be in when you’re going fast around corners, because the support is impeccable. Beyond that, a plaque commemorates the Club Spec edition and its limited build status.
Just 150 examples were available down under (it’s sold out). Above said plate is an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, in portrait format, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is a catch though.
Due to the high resolution, text and instructions on screen can seem small when you’re connected to your smartphone. Other notable features include the Ultrasuede on the seats and trims, well situated cup holders, and deep pockets in the doors.
USB-A and USB-C connectivity is at arm’s reach, as well as an AUX port for older device connections, but only up front. The reversing camera delivers a crisp picture on screen, but there’s no sunroof, cutting out an opportunity for extra natural light.
A premium Harman Kardon 10-speaker and amp system delivers a bang-on audio experience. On the safety front, Subaru has jammed the WRX Club Spec with so many inclusions that there’s too many to mention.
The lane centre function and adaptive cruise control are useful, as is speed sign recognition, which has been tied to the ACC for quick adjustment. Lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking and throttle management also feature.
Although the 2024 Subaru WRX Club Spec is born out of a rally spirit, it may surprise you to know it’s child friendly too. Courtesy of our resident 9-month-old, we were able to pop in a full-sized baby capsule in the back seat.
In a minor downside, the front passenger sacrifices a little leg room to fit it in. There are two ISOFIX anchor points and some top tethers too, although in real world practicality, you probably don’t want more than one child seat back there at a time.
Under the hood is a 2.4-litre direct injection turbocharged horizontally opposed Boxer 4-cylinder petrol engine (try saying that fast or writing it without punctuation). It generates 202kW of power and 350Nm of torque, delivered to all four wheels.
In what has to be the ultimate cool factor though, that’s drive through a 6-speed manual transmission. As you would imagine, fuel efficiency isn’t the priority, with an advertised economy of 9.9-litres/100km. But who cares about that, honestly.
You couldn’t wipe the smile off our faces when it came to the driving experience. It only took a few gears and corners to realise that Subaru had tightened the Club Spec down. Stiffer suspension means you feel more bumps, yet it’s totally worth it.
The way it connects the power to the road, with barely any body roll, around corners at a healthy pace, and with pinpoint accuracy when braking is sublime. You won’t look at roundabouts the same way once you’ve cut loose in this rally-bred machine either.
On longer drives, the assistance tech makes for a reasonable experience, although we wouldn’t recommend driving across the country in it as the seats and suspension would get old, fairly quickly.
All-in-all though, the 2024 Subaru WRX Club Spec is exactly as advertised. It’s an iconic legend, with modern inclusions, and an engine rumble and speed that echoes through the decades.
It comes in a range of colours, including Ceramic White, Ice Silver Metallic, Ignition Red, Solar Orange Pearl, WR Blue Pearl, Sapphire Blue Pearl, Magnetite Grey Metallic and Crystal Black Silica.
It’s backed by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty and 5-years capped priced servicing (up to 75,000km), and priced from $52,590 plus on-roads. At the time of writing, all 150 examples are spoken for.
You can find out about the rest of the range on the Subaru Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One.
To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was supplied by Subaru Australia for independent review purposes.
