The 2019 Subaru WRX is hard to categorize thanks to its sedan body, all-wheel drive, plentiful grip, and strong acceleration.
Rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R check some of those boxes, but trade friskiness for refinement.
The Honda Civic Si and Type R feature flashy designs that may be over the top for some paired with terrific driving dynamics.
Audi’s S3 and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG-tuned CLA45 cost more than the Subarus, but perhaps not as much as some buyers expect for their luxury labels.
Finally, Ford dealers may still have the manic, unrefined, but wildly fun Focus ST and Focus RS hatchbacks.
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 2019 Subaru WRX#11 in Compact Cars Get Your Price |  2019 Audi S3Get Your Price |  2019 Honda Civic#7 in Compact Cars Get Your Price |  2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class#8 in Subcompact Cars Get Your Price |  2019 Volkswagen Golf#6 in Wagons Get Your Price |  2018 Ford Focus |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2019 Subaru WRX and WRX STI trade eye-catching design for breathtaking performance on a variety of road surfaces. |
Safety upgrades this year make the 2019 Honda Civic as compelling as ever. |
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a compact luxury car with finesse. Its low price is justified in its small footprint and interior, but it still looks great. |
The practical 2019 VW Golf is a smart choice whether as a frugal hatchback or a zippy GTI. |
The 2018 Ford Focus is irony on wheels: it comes in a dizzying range of models, of which the SEL and ST are our picks. | |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $27,195 | $44,500 | $19,450 | $33,100 | $21,845 | $17,950 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 17 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded H-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| Manual | Premium Plus 2.0 TFSI quattro | LX Manual | CLA 250 Coupe | 1.4T S Manual | S Sedan |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | quattro Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2019 Subaru WRX vs. 2019 Audi S3 | 2019 Subaru WRX vs. 2019 Honda Civic | 2019 Subaru WRX vs. 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class | 2019 Subaru WRX vs. 2019 Volkswagen Golf | 2019 Subaru WRX vs. 2018 Ford Focus | |
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