2018 Subaru WRX STI

The 2018 WRX is Subaru's compact performance sedan, the one you cross-shop with the Golf R and Civic Type R if you want all-weather grip. The ride is firm and the cabin is a bit loud on coarse pavement, which is the trade for how sharp and communicative the steering feels. It's a sedan with a usable back seat and a trunk that swallows a week's groceries, so it works fine as a daily driver. The STI sits above the Base, Premium, and Limited trims, trading some daily comfort for a track-ready suspension and a stronger 2.5L engine. Its 2.5L I4 makes 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed manual and all-wheel drive that give it tenacious grip out of corners.