Practical magic: 2022 Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon review

How much does the Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon cost?

The list price is $57,990 plus on-road costs. For Melbourne buyers, the on-road impost is $63,704. That makes it the most expensive vehicle in the Subaru line-up, edging the WRX tS sedan by around $1000.

Lesser versions of the WRX Sportswagon start from $55,368 driveaway for those with a 3000 postcode, but they lack the adaptive shock absorbers that endow the tS variant with a much-improved cornering capability.

While the WRX sedan has a range of competitors, including hot hatches like the Hyundai i30 N, the wagon’s nearest rival is the Golf R wagon and that’s a $14,000 dearer proposition.

The WRX comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. The cost of keeping your car maintained over that period, by complying with the 12-month/15,000km service schedule, is $2365.74.

There are seven exterior colours to choose from and none of them will involve an extra hit to the purchase cost.

The only option pack is a styling deal valued at $3245 that adds a rear diffuser, roof spoiler and front bumper skirt.

Is the Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon safe?

Despite launching in Australia in May, the WRX has yet to be tested by ANCAP. One of the quirks of the WRX line-up is the fact the manual gearbox can’t be paired with the full “EyeSight” suite of safety software.

That’s likely to result in a dual rating by ANCAP, with only those vehicles with the continuously variable transmission predicted to earn a five-star rating.

Fortunately for safety conscious Sportswagon buyers, all three versions are CVT-equipped, providing owners with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with lane-centring and speed sign recognition and a driver-attention alert (it will chime if it detects the driver looking away from the road).

Eight airbags are on standby to deploy in the event the safety software and sensors can’t prevent a crash. The bonnet is now aluminium, not only to reduce weight but to improve the Subaru’s friendliness to pedestrians in the vulnerable road users test.

What’s the Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon like inside?

The centrepiece of the WRX interior is an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen connected to a 10-speaker Harmon/Kardon sound system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard and there’s a digital radio with better-than-average reception, voice recognition and satellite navigation.

The climate control switchgear is separated from the infotainment display, meaning physical buttons rather than swiping through menus to adjust the temperature.

The heating function is satisfyingly quick to reach operating temperature on a cold start, something most drivers will appreciate at this time of the year.

The rear cargo area will hold 492 litres, expanding to 1430 litres with the rear seats down (and they drop flat).

The Subaru WRX Sportswagon will also accommodate tall occupants in the rear seats, making it a smart choice for families who live life in the fast lane.

What’s under the Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon’s bonnet?

This iteration of the WRX sees capacity of the flat-four engine expand to 2.4 litres, with a turbocharger boosting outputs to 202kW at 5,600rpm and 350Nm from 2,000-5,200rpm.

That just a 5kW lift over the previous 2.0-litre turbo engine and highlights how much more potential performance there is to be had, should buyers boost the turbo pressure (not that we recommend it beyond track vehicles, given it will void the warranty).

Sedans can be had with a manual or CVT, but the wagons are a CVT-only proposition.

There’s a reason why CVTs aren’t typically used in performance vehicles but Subaru’s persistence with this transmission has resulted in a version that is acceptably responsive, if lacking the accelerator-actuated reactivity of a dual-clutch auto.

Power is sent to all four wheels using Subaru’s signature all-wheel-drive approach and it defaults to a 45:55 front -to-rear split.

Is the Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon efficient?

Belying its performance credentials, the WRX is frugal on fuel if you don’t hammer the right pedal, though you are recommended to feed it the more expensive 95 RON fuel.

The claimed combined fuel use of 8.5 litres over 100km is achievable, as is the urban rating of 11.2 litres/100km.

How does the Subaru WRX tS Sportswagon drive?

You will need to be committed or careless to breach the Sportswagon’s grip levels. With the AWD system shuffling torque to the tyres that need it most and a flat, flex-free chassis, there’s a huge amount of entertainment to be enjoyed without compromising the car or occupant safety.

That’s especially the case with the adaptive dampers set into Sports mode, when they respond with a rapid progression that embarrasses the conventionally damped cars in the range.

The Sportswagon rolls on skinnier, less sticky Yokohama tyres than the Dunlop-shod sedan, so serious owners can make instant improvements to on-the-limit adhesion by upgrading the rubber.

Subaru has deployed a new dual-pinion electronic steering system that “reduces steering resistance, for a smooth and linear steering response”. It has certainly reduced resistance, but at the expense of feedback.

That’s not an issue 95 per cent of the time, but when you’re carving up corners it does detract from the performance ethos that underpins the WRX badge.

It’s a bit like having dental work: you’ve got a fair idea of what’s going on, but the sensation is a bit vague.

Should I buy one?

It is hard to argue against the Subaru WRX Sportswagon in tS guise.

While the sedan faces plenty of opposition from the hot hatch and sedan set; there’s nothing in the Sportswagon’s price bracket that will provide this level of performance and versatility.

It is no longer a boy racer's toy, but is now a potent tool for motoring enthusiasts on a budget.