2020 Subaru WRX

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system	Superior

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru WRX Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Although the car shares some of its design elements with the Subaru Impreza, there are now sufficient differences for the WRX to be rated separately.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1418
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	10
Footrest (cm)	12
Left toepan (cm)	7
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Upper dash (cm)	6
Lower instrument panel (cm)	6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1418
Head
HIC-15	116
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	1.8
Right	1.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	6
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.64
Right	0.66
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.0
Right	2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	47
Right	77

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Subaru WRX Limited 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Although the car shares some of its design elements with the Subaru Impreza, there are now sufficient differences for the WRX to be rated separately. Beginning with 2018 models, the passenger-side front-end structure, upper A-pillar, lower hinge pillar, and floor were reinforced to improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap crashes.

Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1708
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Footrest (cm)	7
Right toepan (cm)	7
Center toepan (cm)	6
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	3
Right lower dash (cm)	3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1708
Head
HIC-15	108
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	47
Maximum Nij	0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.54
Right	0.55
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	36
Right	45

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1708
Head
HIC-15	101
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	34
Maximum Nij	0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm)	29
Femur (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.59
Right	0.62
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.8
Right	2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	71
Right	54

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru WRX Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Although the car shares some of its design elements with the Subaru Impreza, there are now sufficient differences for the WRX to be rated separately.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

Small greasepaint marks on the side curtain airbag show that the dummy's head motion was well controlled as it moved forward into the frontal airbag and then back toward the seat during the crash.

Forces on the lower left leg were high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF1403
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	5
Left (cm)	3
Center (cm)	6
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-1
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF1403
Head
HIC-15	373
Peak gs at hard contact	80
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.39
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.7
Femur force - right (kN)	1.6
Knee displacement - left (mm)	2
Knee displacement - right (mm)	3
Maximum tibia index - left	0.60
Maximum tibia index - right	0.56
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	5.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	67
Right	47

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2017-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru WRX Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Although the car shares some of its design elements with the Subaru Impreza, there are now sufficient differences for the WRX to be rated separately. Beginning with 2017 models, the side curtain and side thorax airbags were modified to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes.

Two tests of the WRX were conducted, one of a 2015 model by the Institute and the other of a 2017 model by Subaru. These vehicles are rated separately, except that the structure ratings for both vehicles are based on both tests.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1610	CES1404
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-13.0	-13.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1610
Head HIC-15	340
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.5
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	41
Lateral force (kN)	1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.55
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.51
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.7
Acetabulum force (kN)	3.0
Combined force (kN)	4.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	1.1
L-M moment (Nm)	145
A-P moment (Nm)	75

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1610
Head HIC-15	252
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Compression (kN)	0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	34
Lateral force (kN)	1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.80
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.48
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.4
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.8
Combined force (kN)	1.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	1.0
L-M moment (Nm)	151
A-P moment (Nm)	-32

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2015-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru WRX Premium 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,420 lbs
Peak force	17,641 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.16

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seats

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Manual cloth seats
Geometry
Backset (mm)	22
Distance below top of head (mm)	0
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	12.5
Head contact time (ms)	57
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	379

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Limited trim equipped with Navigation with High Beam Assist package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Limited trim equipped with Navigation with High Beam Assist package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2018-21 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	98.7 m	None
Straightaway left edge	52.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	70.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	62.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	67.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	128.8 m
Straightaway left edge	108.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	78.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	86.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	70.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	75.6 m

Trim level(s)

Limited trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Limited trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2018-21 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	98.7 m	None
Straightaway left edge	52.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	70.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	62.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	67.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	128.8 m
Straightaway left edge	108.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	78.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	86.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	70.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	75.6 m

Trim level(s)

Base trim
Premium trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Base trim Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2016-21 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	84.4 m	None
Straightaway left edge	31.5 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	43.0 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	34.9 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	36.2 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	31.1 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	162.0 m
Straightaway left edge	150.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	58.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	61.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	45.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	46.4 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Optional EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Package name

Optional EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2016-21 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

optional EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2019-21 models of the following trim lines: Premium trim equipped with CVT package, Limited trim equipped with CVT package

Superior

with optional equipment

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 32 mph. A warning was issued 2.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2017-21 models built after January 2017

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	Limited
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	Limited
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	67
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	1
Clearance angle (degrees)	73
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	1
Clearance angle (degrees)	70
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	1
Clearance angle (degrees)	68
Tether anchor
Location	Rear deck
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

2020 Subaru WRX

small car / 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Seat belts & child restraints

Other available safety features

Small overlap front: driver-side

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Moderate overlap front: original test

Side: original test

Roof strength

Head restraints & seats

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Child seat anchors