Are Subaru WRXs Reliable? Reasons for Their Reliability
Subaru is considered one of the more reliable car manufacturers right now, with generally good options across a range of different vehicle types. They’re not the most reliable manufacturer on the market, but neither are they the least or even of low reliability. But how does the WR-X compare? Is the Subaru WR-X reliable?
Well, its reputation would suggest otherwise. While not considered a bad vehicle, the WR-X isn’t as reliable as many of its competitors or even as reliable as other Subaru offerings.
But is its reputation for unreliability accurate? Let’s take a closer look to see if the Subaru WR-X is reliable or if its reputation for having problems is earned.
Is The Subaru WR-X Reliable?
There are a few reasons to question the reputation of the Subaru WR-X when it comes to low reliability. A lot of experts think that the low-reliability problem is less about the actual reliability of the vehicle and more about the user experience.
There are plenty of consumers who aren’t entirely happy with their Subaru WR-X, though the problems can’t entirely be attributed to parts failures or inconsistency.
For one thing, a lot of expert evaluations of the Subaru WR-X actually rate it fairly well, looking at the components used and their comparative durability and performance ratings. The vehicle is also well put together, which would suggest that the parts should work as well as they do in other vehicles, not worse.
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However, complaints about problems like brake failures, poor fuel efficiency, rough acceleration, and other issues are fairly common with the Subaru WR-X. That’s not a good sign for the overall reliability, and rating teams that are a little closer to the consumer, like Consumer Reports, don’t rate the Subaru WR-X as highly as car specialists.
Let’s take a closer look at the Subaru WR-X to help decide if the reputation for being unreliable is well earned or a result of the Subaru WR-X not being quite the vehicle its owners want it to be.
Strengths Of The Subaru WR-X
The biggest single strength of the Subaru WR-X is its engine. Powerful, compact, and offering speedy acceleration that makes the Subaru WR-X look like a fun car to drive, with a lot of power under the hood, making it even more effective.
It’s also got a good suite of safety features, including the rearview camera and driver’s assistance that is expected from a modern vehicle.
The interior also offers some advantages, including a suite of electronics and entertainment systems that don’t have any known problems and work well.
All of these are big pluses, but there are some serious problems that we need to consider before deciding whether an exciting engine and effective safety features are enough to make a reliable vehicle.
Weaknesses Of The Subaru WR-X
Unfortunately, while some experts rate the Subaru WR-X in the good or even great category when it comes to reliability, the Subaru WR-X has a lot of consumer complaints.
For instance, the engine, while it offers impressive acceleration, highlights some of the other problems with the Subaru WR-X. Its fast acceleration is made uncomfortable by the ineffective suspension system that can lead to a shaking and unstable feeling in the cabin.
Thankfully the suspension is good enough that the actual stability of the car on the road isn’t at risk; it just doesn’t support a comfortable ride, especially over rough surfaces or at the WR-X’s highest speeds.
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All that shaking may also contribute to the other big problem known with the Subaru WR-X, its brakes.
Braking failure is a serious problem in any vehicle, and the Subaru WR-X is no exception. Braking problems can cause serious accidents, make a car harder to drive, or lead to other parts failures when they’re working but just a little off.
Replacing your brakes can also be an expensive repair when you need to. Worse, while brake pads themselves are affordable, needing to replace them more often than you should can add to the maintenance costs of the vehicle.
There are two other important problems worth noting.
Neither engine option has a good reliability rating. They’re fairly prone to developing oils leaks and aren’t as fuel-efficient as the engines in competitor vehicles. These problems aren’t as severe or as common as the shaking or brake problems, but they’re still frustrating for consumers.
The interior of the Subaru WR-X also isn’t very comfortable. It’s got a lot of hard, thin-feeling plastics. The seats themselves, and fabrics, don’t have any significant problems, but it’s not as comfortable as it could be.
Interior comfort might not have a big impact on the true reliability of the Subaru WR-X, but it absolutely has an impact on how long you’re likely to want to drive it.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?
Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last? How often should you replace your brakes? We’ve got answers
How Long Should You Expect A Subaru WR-X To Last?
When well-maintained, Subaru WR-X will last to 150,000 miles and longer. That means that they can easily be a reliable vehicle for 10 years or more, which is relatively comparable with other models.
However, there are a few problems with that assessment. For one thing, how long the Subaru WR-X can last doesn’t actually tell you much about the maintenance it needs to get there. Unfortunately for the Subaru WR-X, its maintenance costs tend to be higher than average, which can lead to consumers upgrading to a new vehicle before it’s strictly necessary.
How Can You Increase A Subaru WR-X’s Reliability?
Unfortunately, because of the nature of the problems with the Subaru WR-X, the usual tactics to increase the reliability of your vehicle aren’t as effective as they could be. Driving carefully and smoothly can still help, and keeping a close eye on fluid levels is incredibly important with a Subaru WR-X, but that won’t fix brake problems or the shaking while you drive.
So, ultimately, keeping on top of regular maintenance is one of the only things you can do to increase the reliability of a Subaru WR-X, but it won’t increase the life of your WR-X as much as it would another vehicle.
Final Verdict: Is The Subaru WR-X Reliable?
On paper, the Subaru WR-X should be a great vehicle. Unfortunately for Subaru, its actual performance and reliability leave something to be desired. It’s not as effective as it should be, and a few of the most common problems also commonly shorten the life of the vehicle or make it less reliable over time.
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