2013 Subaru WRX vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Lancer Ralliart are the closest competitors to the WRX and STI.

Compared to the STI, the Evolutioni is a sharper, edgier car to drive, and its superb Twin Clutch automatic manual gearbox helps make the most of it on the track.

On the flip side, the STI is much more refined, and more comfortable for longer journeys.

Moving down one notch, the WRX competes with the Mitsubishi Ralliart, though the WRX is both faster and much more pleasant inside.

Other competitors, like the Mazda MazdaSpeed3, have to make do with front-wheel drive--and the same applies to the Volkswagen GTI as well.

In both cases, these are hatchbacks, while the Subaru offers a choice of hatch or sedan body styles.

One other strong new rival for 2013 is the Ford Focus ST; with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 252 hp, and a level of style and interior refinement that's on par with other Focus models, the ST is arguably the new champ for budget performance.

But with no all-wheel drive or automatic-transmission option, it also has some barriers.