Perch & Pounce: 2026 Subaru Perch WRX Review

Overview: a little fish with big teeth

Subaru's new Perch WRX arrives like a sprightly school leader: compact, indomitable, and decorated with stickers that whisper rally legend. The Perch keeps the WRX slice of Subaru DNA — boxer engine hum, staunch AWD, short-throw shifts — then swims it into a more efficient, mildly hybridized future. It looks like it could thread a canyon and still fold neatly into your grocery spot. That combination is the whole tuna sandwich here: performance for the weekend, civility for weekdays, and the kind of tactile honesty that makes mechanics grin even when accountants frown.

Powertrain and performance

Under the hood sits a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system and a wet-clutch seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Peak numbers: 310 hp, 330 lb-ft torque at a surprisingly linear band. Subaru quotes 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. On the tarmac it feels closer to that figure than many competitors — the torque arrives with boxer thrum and a flat, predictable shove. The mild-hybrid unit smooths low-speed torque dips, aids turbo spool, and tucks a bit of regeneration into city runs without upsetting the WRX character.

Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, which is sensible: the Perch isn't built for autobahn record-chasing so much as concentrated, real-world speed. The seven-speed DCT is quick, but emotionally it's never as evocative as a row-your-own. If you want heel-and-toe theater, tick the manual-mode and get practiced. The paddles are satisfyingly mechanical and the clutch engagement in full manual is firm, giving you that tactile confirmation you crave.

Handling: pounce like a Perch

This is where the Perch truly earns its name. Subaru tuned the AWD system for more rear torque bias under throttle, which gives the car a playful, predictable rotation through corners. The suspension is multilink at both ends with adaptive dampers that have three settings: Comfort, Sport, and Track. In Sport the Perch rides taut without jarring; in Track it's crisp and communicative but not punishing. Steering is hydraulic-like in feel but with modern precision — communicative, slightly heavy, and never numb.

Grip is impressive thanks to standard 235/40 R19 performance tires and a limited-slip center coupling that hands power around like a competent coxswain. Compared to the previous WRX formula, the Perch gains composure and learns to be faster with less speed — a sign of mature chassis tuning.

Interior, tech, and real-world usability

Subaru didn't confuse the Perch's interior with too much faux-sport razzle. There's a subtle fish-scale pattern in the seat fabric — tasteful and not ironic — and plenty of soft-touch surfaces. The driver's seat offers excellent bolstering for spirited driving while remaining comfortable for long commutes. Rear seats fold with a 60/40 split, and the hatch gives you sensible cargo volume for weekend trips.

Tech is modern but not overreaching. A 12.3-inch touchscreen runs Subaru's updated infotainment with crisp graphics and on-screen torque vectoring readouts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard wirelessly. Driver aids include adaptive cruise with lane follow, a proactive AWD traction manager, and an over-the-shoulder camera for tight parking maneuvers. Build quality is solid, with tight panel gaps and reassuringly weighted knobs.

Fuel economy and practicality

The mild-hybrid help nudges city mileage into the mid-30s mpg on our mixed loop; highway cruising in the high 30s. If you drive it like a sensible person most of the time and a bit squirrelly on the weekends, expect real-world mid-30s. For a high-performance compact with AWD, that’s a respectable compromise.

Fish smell test (yes, we do this)

We gave the Perch what I call the fish-sniff TPO — toss in wet gear, close the hatch, and let the memory of a coastline settle. Subaru engineers either hate me or did their homework: there is a faint marine note if you intentionally air out a bucket of bait and then hop in, but otherwise the cabin is neutral. Carpets resist absorption, and the hatch liner seems to be treated for odor management. Verdict: survivable for anglers, socially acceptable for dates.

Numbers and cold pragmatics

• Engine: 2.4L turbo boxer + 48V mild-hybrid
• Power: 310 hp
• Torque: 330 lb-ft
• Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch (wet clutch)
• 0-60 mph: 4.8 seconds (manufacturer)
• Top speed: 155 mph (limited)
• Fuel economy: mid-30s mpg combined (real world varies)

Pros, cons, and who this is for

1. Pros: Engaging AWD chassis, usable performance, good fuel economy for the class, practical hatch layout, refined cabin.
2. Cons: Mild-hybrid feels conservative rather than revolutionary; DCT lacks the rev-matching drama of some manuals; price creeps into premium compact territory.
3. Who should buy: Drivers who want rally-bred agility without sacrificing daily comfort. Anglers who want a performance car that tolerates damp boots. Anyone who values mechanical honesty and usable speed over showy badges.

Final verdict

The 2026 Subaru Perch WRX is a pragmatic performance hatch with heart. It keeps the WRX spirit — lateral grip, boxer character, and a grin-inducing chassis — while adding efficiency and civility that many buyers actually want. It won’t light the world on fire with radical hybrid gimmicks, but it does something more valuable: it delivers a usable, fun package that fits a modern life. It’s the kind of car you can drive hard on a canyon morning, pack with surfboards or fishing rods by noon, and still not feel like you made a bad decision on fuel or practicality.

In short: the Perch pounces like a sprinter, behaves like a grown-up, and understands the importance of a dry trunk liner.