2024 Subaru WRX: Keep Your CDs, Add a Player

Do you still have your CD collection? If so, you can take it with you when driving the 2024 Subaru WRX, which still offers a CD player.

It seems like CD players are a thing of the past and date vehicles by at least a decade. While it seems odd to find these items in modern vehicles, the WRX is one of those models that still has such an item. Strangely enough, you won’t get this item as part of the base model; you have to pay $375 to have a DC player installed in this Subaru sedan.

Do any other vehicles still have CD players?

Although it seems a bit out of place in today’s market, some automakers offer a CD player as an option on higher trims. These higher trims are typically purchased by older drivers who might not want to embrace streaming services for their musical enjoyment. With that in mind, here are nine other vehicles that still include a CD player somewhere in the mix:

• Subaru Forester
• Lexus LC 500
• Subaru Outback Touring
• Subaru Crosstrek
• Nissan Maxima SV
• Lexus ES
• Mazda 6
• Toyota Highlander
• Cadillac Escalade

What does the 2024 Subaru WRX offer?

Powertrain

The WRX uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat four-cylinder engine that produces 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates to either a 6-speed manual or CVT to give you the desired driving feeling and performance. This powertrain requires premium fuel to operate properly and give you the desired performance on any road. As you expect from a Subaru, you’ll enjoy the benefits of standard symmetrical AWD, which decreases the fuel mileage but gives you more control on the road.

WRX Base Trim

The starting point for this Subaru sedan is the base trim, which gives you some excellent features. This model has:

• 6-speed manual transmission (no CVT option)
• Symmetrical AWD
• 11.6-inch touchscreen
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic climate control
• High-flow exhaust
• Sport suspension
• Active torque vectoring
• Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control
• Hill start assist
• Eyesight driver’s assist system
  • Forward collision avoidance
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Adaptive cruise control with lane centering
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Lane-keeping assist
  • Lead vehicle start alert
• Wiper-activated LED headlights with automatic high beams
• Power mirrors
• Remote keyless entry
• Rearview monitor
• Sport front seats
• Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Automatic climate control
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker audio system

WRX Premium

Step up one trim in the Subaru WRX lineup, and you’ll find the Premium trim. This model builds off the base version with:

• Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT)
• Pre-collision throttle management
• Auto-vehicle hold
• Steering-wheel paddle shifters
• SI-Drive modes
• Electronic parking brake
• External oil cooler
• Rear center console storage box lid
• USB-A and USB-C charge ports in the rear console
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED fog lights
• Low-profile rear spoiler
• All-Weather Package
  • Heated side mirrors
  • 3-mode heated front seats
  • Windshield wiper de-icers
• Subaru Keyless Access
• Dual-zone automatic climate controls
• Aluminum pedals
• Front console USB-C port

The Premium trim can be had with a power moonroof and a 504-watt/11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

WRX Limited

Keep climbing that trim ladder, and you’ll find the Limited trim of this Subaru sedan. At this trim, you’ll enjoy:

• 10-way power driver’s seat
• 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Built-in GPS navigation
• Steering-responsive LED headlights
• Blind-spot monitoring with lane change assist
• Rear cross-traffic detection
• Power moonroof
• Ultrasuede and simulated leather seat coverings

WRX TR

Next up, we find the Subaru WRX TR, which adds more to the Limited model with some performance upgrades. This trim gives you:

• Manual transmission only
• 6-piston Brembo front brake calipers
• Larger rear brake pads and rotors
• Performance springs with stiffer damping rates
• Retuned steering rack
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Recaro front seats in black and gray Ultrasuede

WRX GT

The GT model is at the top of the lineup, giving this Subaru more performance equipment for your driving pleasure. This model has:

• Recaro sport seats
• Electronically controlled shock dampers
• Configurable Drive Model Select settings for the throttle, steering, and shocks
• CVT only

Where does the CD Player go?

If you spend the money to have your local Subaru dealer install a CD player in your WRX, this item sits in the center console. You load the discs vertically, which is much different from the traditional horizontal approach to loading CDs in the player.

Which of the Subaru WRX models strikes your fancy? Will you choose one and then ask for the CD player to enjoy playing your favorite music? You knew there was a reason to keep those CDs all this time.