Honda City vs Subaru WRX
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Honda City
Price TBC
Sedan
Petrol
1.5L SOHC i-VTEC (L15A/L15Z)
88kW
5.7 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
536L
Subaru WRX
From $48,890
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
202kW
9.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
414L
Honda City: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Honda City features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Subaru WRX gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments.
The Subaru WRX counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Honda City uses a 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC (L15A/L15Z) producing 88kW and 145Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.
The Subaru WRX responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Subaru WRX has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 88kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Honda City measures 4,455mm long on a 2,600mm wheelbase, 215mm shorter than the Subaru WRX at 4,670mm (2,675mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru WRX generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 536L in the Honda City and 414L in the Subaru WRX, giving the Honda City a 122L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.8 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,625/year for the Honda City and $2,822/year for the Subaru WRX. That is a $1,197 annual difference in favour of the Honda City.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Honda City) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru WRX). The Subaru WRX has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda City if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru WRX if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Honda City and Subaru WRX trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Honda City will save you roughly $1,197 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Honda City has a clear edge. The Subaru WRX adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Honda City and Subaru WRX?
The Subaru WRX is the cheapest at $48,890 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda City uses the least fuel at 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Honda City holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Subaru WRX, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda City has the largest boot at 536L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Subaru WRX has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX makes the most power at 202kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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