Buying a new car is undoubtedly one of the most challenging tasks for anyone. Usually, the decision is boiled down to the variant offering the best set of features. On the other hand, the buyer might already have decided which engine-gearbox combination to purchase. And in most cases, the buyer is likely to buy a car with an automatic gearbox. After all, it eases the overall driving experience. Automakers are aware of the need and are keen to offer some of the best in business automatic gearbox options.In the process, though, one such category has been hurt. It is a category of buyers, or rather enthusiast buyers, who do not want the ease of driving. Instead, such buyers prefer some raw mechanicals to get completely engaged while driving a car. And what’s that? Well, a good engine, paired with a sleek manual gearbox. Finding one in today’s world could be rare. However, there is one such car that has kept the love for a manual gearbox alive. UPDATE: 2026/03/12 We have updated the article with more context on the Subaru WRX's safety and reliability. Manual Cars Are Disappearing These Days Subaru So, what exactly is happening in the automotive industry? Well, popular car brands are now focusing on offering various automatic gearboxes, even on base variants. After years of research, automakers have developed some of the best in-segment automatic gearboxes, including DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) or torque converter units. These gearboxes have not only enhanced the comfort of driving a car but are also more reliable than before and work silently in the background, without hampering the driving experience.John Beltz SnyderAdditionally, recent technology has helped automakers improve overall fuel efficiency, a key factor that was previously a major reason why many chose manuals over automatics. Overall, the improvements in automatic gearboxes have helped automakers gain the confidence of buyers. And that has increased demand for such technologies.Chase Bierenkoven | TopSpeedThe result: demand for manual cars has declined in many global markets, with only a few performance cars left with such an offering. So, if you are an enthusiast trying to find yourself a performance sedan with a manual gearbox, you are left with only a few options. And among all, there is one such sedan that has truly nailed the combination of a fantastic manual gearbox with an equally juicy powertrain. Are There Enough Options? 2026 Subaru WRX-22 Finding a car with a performance-tuned engine and an equally sleek manual gearbox could be tricky. Yes, there are some popular options to choose from, including cars like the Honda Civic Type R, BMW M2, or even the Porsche 911. The Civic nameplate ranked among the most popular manual cars, which also made it one of the best-selling models. However, there is another Japanese product that does not shy from grabbing the attention of enthusiasts. It is quick, has a character, and offers a beautiful ride and handling balance. It is the 2026 Subaru WRX. The 2026 Subaru WRX Is Perfect For Manual Enthusiasts Subaru So, is the Subaru WRX really a perfect car for manual enthusiasts? Well, let’s first discuss what it has to offer. To everyone’s delight, the Subaru WRX has an option to be chosen with a six-speed manual gearbox. This gearbox has close ratios, which helps the driver to stay within the powerband while shifting gears. Also, Subaru has done an excellent job by pairing the gearbox with a limited-slip center differential. The setup ensures there is consistent traction by distributing torque equally to the front and rear wheels. Yes, the power is channeled to all four wheels in the Subaru WRX. Powered By A Peppy Boxer Engine Jared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/ValnetWhat makes the overall setup and the Subaru WRX a tempting car is the engine. The sports sedan comes with a 2.4-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine. It is the popular Boxer engine that not only focuses on pure performance but also does a great job of keeping overall NVH levels and the center of gravity low. Regarding performance, the engine delivers 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with the manual gearbox and all-wheel drive setup, takes the Subaru WRX from a standstill to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. But does the setup make the Subaru WRX an ideal enthusiast car?Jared Rosenholt/CarBuzz/Valnet To make the WRX a perfect driving machine, the car sports a track-tuned suspension setup. Upfront, it gets McPherson struts with internal rebound springs and a double wishbone setup at the rear. The setup is responsible for minimizing body roll and is said to offer excellent stability. What also boosts the confidence of the driver are the performance Brembo brakes, which promise excellent stopping performance. The Subaru WRX Is Not Your Regular Performance Sedan Wales Rally GB Now, if you think that the WRX is just like a regular performance sedan out there, then you'd be wrong. The Subaru WRX has a real sports legacy that enthusiasts appreciate. The WRX nameplate holds great value in the Subaru lineup. Back in the 1990s, Subaru entered the world of rally racing with the popular Impreza WRX. Ever since then, Subaru dominated the World Rally Championship (WRC) and conquered the title for the first time in 1995.SubaruAnd despite being based on a rally sports car, the Impreza WRX was a perfect daily driver’s car. With the WRX, Subaru began a new era in the world of sports sedans. It always came with powerful turbocharged engines and an advanced AWD system, allowing drivers to go into the corners even in wet conditions with immense confidence. It's the reason why the WRX has developed a niche for itself in tuner culture and enthusiast circles; there are very few sports sedans on sale today with a rally-proven pedigree. It Offers Much More Than Sporty Performance, Too 2026-subaru-wrx-21Step inside the WRX and you will be greeted with a technology-driven cabin, surrounded by high-quality materials. The base variant is well-equipped with features such as an 11.6-inch touchscreen system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and multiple charging ports. On the other hand, the fully loaded WRX gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a 10-way powered driver’s seat, and a sunroof. Still Remains A Practical Sedan For Small Families 2026 Subaru WRX-17 Apart from the exclusive feature list, the WRX is a fairly practical sedan. It has plenty of cabin space that can accommodate up to five passengers. However, three full-size adults at the rear might sometimes prove to be a tight fit, especially with a slightly narrow hip room at 49.3 inches. The rear passengers have a good amount of shoulder room at 55.6 inches, along with impressive legroom and headroom. Also, if you plan a trip with your family on the WRX, Subaru offers a trunk space of 12.5 cubic feet. Not the largest, but it can comfortably accommodate small and medium-sized suitcases. Safety Is Not Overlooked, Either SubaruSafety is another aspect that matters a lot for a car that you’ll be driving around on the road. Fortunately, the WRX nails it right on the head. In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, it earned a solid 5 out of 5 Overall Safety Rating. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a “Good” rating across the board, except for the moderate overlap front (updated test), where it fared poorly. SubaruThe Subaru WRX also features an array of modern active safety and driver-assistance features you’d expect in 2026. As standard, it features forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. You can also opt for blind-spot monitoring and reverse automated emergency braking. Reliability, Clutch Wear, And Warranty Protection SubaruThe Subaru is known to make reliable cars that are not heavy on the pocket when it comes to maintaining them. The WRX, or any Subaru car, is equipped with refined engine and clutch internals that are responsible for handling heat and stress, improper shifts, or even aggressive launches. However, that does not mean the clutches will not show their age after a certain time. The regular wear and tear is bound to happen, just like any other car. What Independent Evaluators Have To Say SubaruYou don't need to take our word for it, either. Independent evaluators agree that the Subaru WRX is a pretty dependable car in the long run. While J.D. Power does not rate this car, iSeeCars gives it a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 for the 2026 model year. It also ranks it as the second Most Reliable Small Cars Under $35k. Meanwhile, RepairPal predicts an annual repair cost of just $682, which isn’t bad for a car that’s supposed to be driven enthusiastically. Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $682 (RepairPal) Est. Maintenance Costs During The First 10 Years: $6,655 (CarEdge) Total Recalls: 0 It's Easy On The Wallet SubaruAll in all, reliable sources, like Edmunds, claim that, over the period of five years, owning a WRX could cost you approximately $60,000. This includes insurance of $9,000, maintenance costs of $6,500, repairs of approximately $1,000, and taxes and fees of around $4,300. On the other hand, financing and depreciation might cost you for $6,600 and $15,000, respectively. The rest of the money is expected to be the fuel cost, which is around $18,000. Decent Warranty Coverage For When Things Go Wrong 2026 Subaru WRX-3Also, for a peaceful ownership experience, Subaru offers some of the best warranties on the WRX. It features a three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. On the other hand, the engine, the AWD system, and the transmission are covered under a five-year or 60,000-mile warranty. Having said that, if you ever get stuck on the road with your WRX, which is not usually the case, Subaru offers three years or 36,000 miles of 24/7 roadside assistance.SubaruOverall, the Subaru WRX is one of the top priorities of enthusiasts. It is indeed a fun-to-drive car that not only focuses on performance but is also a practical car. Additionally, being a Japanese product and considering Subaru’s proven track record, the WRX does not cost heavily in the pocket. Also, it is the reliability of the Subaru that makes the WRX a perfect choice among manual enthusiasts.Source: Subaru, Edmunds, IIHS, NHTSA, CarEdge, iSeeCars, RepairPal