About This Subaru WRX Premium 2022 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru WRX Premium 2022 sits on a set of 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch Option Lab R716 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Option Lab for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Subaru WRX Premium builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Option Lab R716 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Option Lab R716 on the Subaru WRX Premium 2022
I walked up to this WRX at the meet and immediately clocked those Option Lab R716s. The 18x8.5 sizing sits perfectly within the factory wheel arches. It keeps the car agile without adding unnecessary unsprung weight.
The +35 offset pushes the wheels just enough to fill those plastic cladding arches. We see a flush look that avoids that sunken factory aesthetic. It gives the WRX a much wider, planted stance right out of the box.
I checked the caliper clearance personally, and these wheels clear the stock WRX brakes easily. You do not need any spacers to run this setup. The inner barrel design leaves enough breathing room for the stock braking hardware.
The hub bore fits the Subaru platform like a glove. We always love a hub-centric fitment because it eliminates those annoying vibrations at highway speeds. You get a smooth ride every single time you hit the throttle.
The R716 spoke design creates a great sense of depth near the center cap. The barrel lip depth provides a nice visual weight without looking gaudy. It looks purposeful and aggressive, exactly how a rally-bred sedan should look.
Since this car runs stock suspension, the gap remains consistent with factory specs. The wheels fill the space well, but you might notice the fender gap is still there. If you drop the car later, this offset will handle a modest lowering spring with zero drama.
I looked for potential rubbing spots under full steering lock. The 8.5-inch width is conservative enough that you will never scrub the inner liners. You can drive hard in the canyons without worrying about your tires chewing up the plastic liners.
What We Recommend for Subaru WRX Premium 2022 Owners
If you want the best performance for your WRX, stick to a square setup. Rotating your tires is a massive benefit for an AWD car. It keeps your differential happy and saves you serious cash on rubber in the long run.
For the VB chassis, an 18x9.5 is the holy grail if you want extra grip. However, the 18x8.5 setup we have here is the smart move for a daily driver. It keeps the steering feel sharp and prevents the car from tramlining on ruts.
Stay within the +35 to +38 offset range for these wheels. Going lower than +35 will poke the tire past the fender and look like a drift car. That invites rock chips and paint damage to your quarter panels.
Avoid massive tire stretch if you value your wheels. Use a 245/40R18 tire to protect the lip from curbs. A little bit of sidewall actually looks better on this rugged body style anyway.
Do not forget to grab some high-quality hub rings if the manufacturer supplies them. People often skip this step and wonder why their steering wheel shakes at sixty miles per hour. It is a tiny detail that makes a world of difference.
Style and Build Analysis
That blue finish against the dark grey bodywork is a total knockout. It pops without screaming for attention like a neon green wheel would. It reminds me of the classic rally heritage that made us all fall in love with Subaru in the first place.
The R716 design is modern and leans into the sharp, angular lines of the 2022 model. Those thin, flowing spokes look fast even when the car sits parked. It creates a technical vibe that fits the high-tech interior of this generation.
When the sun hits these wheels, the blue metallic flake really comes alive. It reflects the sky and highlights the curves of the fender arches. The visual impact is clean, sophisticated, and incredibly refreshing.
This build avoids the trap of being over-the-top. Most guys add too much carbon or gaudy wings that ruin the balance. These wheels let the car’s natural shape do the heavy lifting while adding a custom edge.
Compared to other builds we have featured, this one shows restraint. It feels like a factory "plus" trim level that Subaru should have offered from the showroom. It is tasteful, functional, and undeniably cool.
Why We Love This Build
I love this WRX because it is built for the street, not just for Instagram. Seeing the blue R716s catch the light as the car rolls through the lot stopped me in my tracks. It fills the wheel arches with purpose and gives the car a muscular, athletic silhouette that the stock wheels simply lack.
You can tell the owner cares about driving dynamics as much as looks. Everything feels cohesive and intentional, like a proper enthusiast machine should. It makes me want to grab my own keys and hit the twisty roads immediately.
This is the blueprint for a perfect daily driver that looks like it belongs on a rally stage. Build it exactly like this and you will never look back. Just go drive it hard.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Subaru WRX Premium 2022
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Option Lab R716
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Blue
- Tires: Yokohama Advan Sport As Plus 255/35 25″x10″ / 255/35 25″x10″
- Suspension: Stock
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Subaru WRX Premium owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels fit my Subaru WRX Premium? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Subaru WRX Premium owners run 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
