About This Subaru WRX Base 2019 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru WRX Base 2019 sits on a set of 17×7 / 17×7-inch Motegi MR116 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Motegi 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 Base builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Motegi MR116 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Motegi MR116 on the Subaru WRX Base 2019
I walked around this VA-chassis WRX for an hour at the show last weekend. The Motegi MR116 wheels in a 17x7 sizing look surprisingly purposeful on the stock body. Most guys jump for 18s or 19s, but this 17-inch setup keeps the car nimble and aggressive.
The +40 offset pushes the face of the wheel just enough to clear the front calipers without needing sketchy spacers. We checked the clearance at the hub, and the bore seats perfectly against the Subaru factory hub. You get a nice, flush mechanical connection that keeps the steering wheel vibration-free at highway speeds.
Because the wheel is a 7-inch width, it stays tucked slightly inside the fender line. You won't face any annoying rubbing issues, even when you hammer it through a tight corner. The 17x7 footprint keeps the steering feel sharp and direct, which is exactly what the WRX platform needs.
The spoke design on the MR116 adds a lot of visual depth to the wheel face. Even though the barrel lip is modest, the split-spoke pattern gives the car a much wider presence than a standard factory set. It balances the visual weight of the car perfectly.
Those coilovers are the real secret sauce behind this look. By dropping the ride height, the owner erased the massive factory wheel gap that usually ruins the WRX stance. The suspension geometry feels dialed, and the wheel-to-fender relationship now looks intentional rather than accidental.
Watch out for the inner fender liners if you decide to go significantly lower than this build. While the 17x7 sizing is forgiving, an aggressive alignment setup might cause some minor scrubbing at full lock. Keep your camber specs reasonable to protect the finish on the inner barrels.
I love that this setup avoids the common "hella-flush" pitfalls. It looks like a car built to drive fast on real roads, not just park on a show lawn. You get pure utility wrapped in a clean, understated package.
What We Recommend for Subaru WRX Base 2019 Owners
If you own a base 2019 WRX, stop over-thinking your wheel choice. A 17-inch wheel is the absolute sweet spot for this chassis. It offers a taller tire sidewall, which saves your rims from nasty potholes and improves your ride quality on rough asphalt.
We always suggest a square setup for these cars. Running the same wheel and tire size on all four corners allows for proper tire rotation. It keeps the all-wheel-drive system happy and saves you a ton of cash in the long run.
Aim for an offset between +35 and +42 for that perfect flush look. If you go lower than +35, you start risking fender contact unless you roll your arches. Keep it in the +40 range like this build if you want a hassle-free installation that just works.
Don't fall into the trap of buying cheap spacers just to poke the wheels out. Good wheel fitment comes from picking the right offset, not from bolting on spacers that stress your wheel bearings. Get the offset right from the factory and skip the extra hardware.
Choose a tire with a slightly meatier sidewall to fill that gap. A 235 or 245 width tire on a 7-inch rim looks beefy and protects the wheel from curb rash. It gives the WRX that rally-inspired look that enthusiasts actually respect.
Style and Build Analysis
The Matte Black finish on these Motegi wheels transforms the whole vibe of the car. It pulls the attention away from the shiny trim and keeps your eyes focused on the aggressive lines of the WRX. It looks tactical, serious, and ready for a stage rally.
Matte black hides brake dust better than any other color I know. When you are pushing this car hard on a mountain road, your wheels stay looking clean while your brakes do the work. It is the ultimate choice for a driver who actually drives their car.
The split-spoke design creates a sense of constant motion even when the car sits still. It breaks up the dark void of the wheel well without looking too busy or cluttered. The visual weight feels evenly distributed across the four corners of the car.
This car feels more grounded and hunkered down than a stock WRX. By ditching the factory silver or dark grey wheels for a true matte finish, the owner gave the car a much meaner road presence. It looks like it belongs on a track, not in a shopping mall parking lot.
I have seen hundreds of WRXs, but this one sticks in my mind because of its restraint. It doesn't scream for attention with neon colors or giant wings. It uses high-quality parts and clean proportions to make a statement that lasts.
Why We Love This Build
I walked past this WRX three times at the meet because I kept noticing new details. The way the matte black Motegi wheels absorb the light makes the car look like a shadow waiting to pounce. The ride height is perfection, tucking the tire just enough to look expensive without compromising the ability to clear a speed bump.
This build represents the soul of the WRX platform. It is capable, tough, and perfectly tuned for the street. When the sun hits the matte finish, the contrast against the factory paint creates a depth you just don't get with gloss. It is a masterclass in making simple mods look like a million bucks.
You need to see this setup in person to truly appreciate it. It is functional art that begs you to get behind the wheel and find the nearest twisty road. Stop dreaming about it and go get your own set, because this is how a WRX should look.
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 Base 2019
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Motegi MR116
- Wheel Size: 17×7 / 17×7
- Offset: 40 / 40
- Wheel Finish: Matte Black
- Tires: Continental Extreme Contact 235/45 25.3″x9.3″ / 235/45 25.3″x9.3″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Subaru WRX Base owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 17×7 / 17×7-inch wheels fit my Subaru WRX Base? 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 Base owners run 17×7 / 17×7-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
