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2025 Subaru WRX

small car / 4-door sedan

2025 Subaru WRX 4-door sedan
2024 Subaru WRX shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use
+

Key

  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • Marginal
  • Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

  • Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Subaru WRX Premium ES 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 WRX conducted by Subaru.

Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN2203
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 9
Left toepan (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 5
Parking brake (cm) 0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 4
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 1
Lower instrument panel (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN2203
Head
HIC-15 110
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Femur (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.62
Right 0.57
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 3.3
Right 2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 64
Right 124

Passenger-side

  • Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Subaru WRX Premium ES 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 WRX conducted by Subaru.

Overall passenger-side 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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2211
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 14
Footrest (cm) 13
Right toepan (cm) 6
Center toepan (cm) 4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 5
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 7
Right lower dash (cm) 7

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2211
Head
HIC-15 107
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Femur (kN)
Left 1.2
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.44
Right 0.69
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 26
Right 38

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2211
Head
HIC-15 74
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 13
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.40
Right 0.36
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 29
Right 44

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Subaru WRX Premium ES 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 WRX conducted by Subaru.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF2202
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 4
Left (cm) 5
Center (cm) 7
Right (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) 0
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2202
Head
HIC-15 298
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 17
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 34
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.7
Femur force - right (kN) 1.2
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 2
Maximum tibia index - left 0.38
Maximum tibia index - right 0.79
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.6
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 3.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 50
Right 52

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Subaru WRX Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Beginning with 2024 models, changes were made to the rear seat belt pretensioners, load limiters and belt tongues to improve occupant protection in moderate overlap front crash tests.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head came close to contacting the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the chest and a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2434
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 4
Left (cm) 7
Center (cm) 8
Right (cm) 7
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -4
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2434
Head
HIC-15 197
Peak gs at hard contact 15
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 32
Femur (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 4
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.49
Right 0.66
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.6
Right 2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 58
Right 48

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2434
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 2.2
Compression (kN) 0.8
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 34
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 4.5
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.2
Right femur compression 0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Subaru WRX Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru WRX was redesigned for the 2022 model year. Beginning with 2024 models improvements were made to the side structure and changes were made to the side curtain airbag to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 WRX conducted by Subaru.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2413
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -14.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2413
Head
HIC-15 204
Peak gs at hard contact no data
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 1.0
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 36
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 31
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.45
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.53
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.8

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2413
Head
HIC-15 228
Peak gs at hard contact no data
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 31
Lateral force (kN) 1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 37
Average deflection (mm) 33
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.72
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.61
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.4

About the side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim
  • GT trim
  • tS trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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

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 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
Trim level(s)
  • Limited trim
  • GT trim
  • tS trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 92.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 56.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 79.0 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 65.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 70.4 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.8 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 148.8 m
Straightaway left edge 146.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 81.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 85.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 76.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 69.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • Premium trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 92.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 56.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 62.4 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 59.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 49.8 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 47.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 148.8 m
Straightaway left edge 146.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 68.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 66.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 51.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

  • standard EyeSight
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

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

Crossing adult — night

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 6 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 3.3 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 4 mph and a warning was issued 1.1 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 60 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 73 dB
Difference between background and signal 13.1 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 60 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 74 dB
Difference between background and signal 13.4 dB
Dominant audio frequency 1180 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimLimited
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, a single lower anchor and the ability to borrow the second anchor from another position.

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

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimLimited
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
1 dedicated anchor and 1 that can be borrowed from seat 1
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 1
Clearance angle (degrees) 86
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 88
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 1
Clearance angle (degrees) 92
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		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 78
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation