Ask any automotive journalist worth their weight in salt and the choice is obvious – we would almost always choose a wagon over a crossover.

But for me, there’s a more personal connection. The very first car I remember being driven in was a 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Wagon. As such, there’s always a tinge of nostalgia whenever I find myself behind the wheel of a wagon.

Which was why I was genuinely looking forward to sampling the WRX wagon, which has been reintroduced to the line-up after being absent for two generations. The last WRX wagon was of the GD/GG generation, launched in the early noughties.

Restrained yet Muscular

It is unmistakably a modern Subaru product, sharing many design elements with the Crosstrek and Forester. In my opinion, it has lifted the very best styling cues from its stablemates, blending it with a general theme befitting of that WRX moniker.

And whilst you see the commonalities between all three models, the WRX Wagon just takes it up a notch, with a more sculpted front end. For added aggression, the WRX hallmark – a large bonnet scoop, features on this latest car too. It blends form with function, as it serves to also funnel cool air into the top mounted intercooler. 

The long roofline, stretching to the rear windscreen, culminates in a fashion that Subaru has down pat, especially given their history with wagons. The C-shaped tail lights, twin exhaust tips, that refined yet muscular look, the whole design is tied together cohesively.

This particular example is a GT Edition model, and comes with additional aerodynamic enhancements on  the front lip, side skirts and rear bumper. Upgraded multi-spoke wheels are also part of the GT Edition package, though they have not been fitted to this exact vehicle.

Interior Straightforwardness

Like the CrossTrek, the WRX Wagon gets a semi-digital gauge cluster, together with the large 11.6-inch vertical infotainment screen. This screen is quite responsive, with its large size making visual and physical interaction seamless.

Cabin space is rather generous, with quality materials being used around the cabin too. The front semi-buckets offer great support without compromising too much on comfort, and passengers in the back wouldn’t complain about shoulder or knee room too.

Being a wagon, its rectangular-shaped boot comes with 492 litres of space, and its size means longer items like golf bags will slide right in. This is expanded to an even more generous 1,430 litres after knocking down the rear seats. And to top it all off, it even comes with a full sized spare tyre, a rarity in cars today. 

But it isn’t all good news on the inside. For starters, the infotainment screen’s graphics do look dated, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto means you’d never really use the native UI to begin with. Subaru could have also allowed buyers to option their cars with a greater range of interior colours, to really strengthen the historical ties with their legendary classics.

Create a Boxer, Then Add a Turbocharger

On paper, all seems well. Like all Subarus, it comes with a 4-cylinder boxer engine. The FA24F is 2.4-litres of turbocharged, horizontally-opposed internal combustion, producing 271 bhp and 350 Nm of torque. It sends power to all four wheels via a CVT transmission, with the century sprint being accomplished in 6.1 seconds. Business as usual then.

However, there’s a sense that something is missing. The visceral rawness of its predecessors have given way for a package that is more grown up, more comfortable and much more sensible. Don’t get me wrong, acceleration was still pretty decent, but the punch-in-the-gut sensation from the WRXs of old isn’t present in this package.

All things considered, the simulated “gears” actually felt good – it shifted rather snappily, and was more than happy making repeated upshifts and downshifts. This transmission was smooth under light throttle, but upon heavy throttle application, it felt ready to party. I’d even go as far as saying that Subaru is the only manufacturer that has figured out how to set up a CVT for performance applications.

Understeer Is Safer Than Oversteer

Steering feel was actually pretty decent, with a fair amount of feedback through the steering rack. The driver centricity is obvious in the design, with a brake pedal that is nicely positioned for left foot braking. The brakes themselves also held up fairly well to exuberant driving without exhibiting any noticeable dip in performance.

In the corners, the car tends to default to understeer, perhaps due to a combination of its overall setup (understeer is safer for the average driver), and its factory-fitted Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 tyres.

Don’t get me wrong, these are great tyres for daily driving and some high-speed running on Malaysia’s North-South Expressway, but they fall short in the bends. All things considered, it’s a non-issue, and nothing a trip to any reputable tyre shop can’t rectify.

Rounded Edges with Sharp Potential

It is a legendary name, wrapped up in an iconic bodystyle. It should have been the best of a both worlds – a fun and fast performance car with all the practicality that you’d ever want, or need.

And yet this latest WRX Wagon just doesn’t have the same rough-round-the-edges appeal of its predecessors. Which left me wondering – was this a deliberate decision to cater to changing consumer tastes? This is in keeping with the general trends of the automotive industry. Buyers now prioritise comfort and refinement over outright performance, and manufacturer needs are in the business of shifting greater volume.

A WRX should be raw, rapid and emotionally inducing, with comfort playing second fiddle, as was the case historically. There’s a sense that basic ingredients are there for this latest car to do the same, just that it would have to be unlocked by the aftermarket.

I believe it’s time for Subaru to develop an utterly unhinged and spicier WRX Wagon. In a world that is being slowly overpopulated by sedate cars, there is an overwhelming need for wagons that can once again deliver the thrills of yesteryear.

And if there is a manufacturer that can do just that, it is Subaru.

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