About This Subaru WRX Premium 2016 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru WRX Premium 2016 sits on a set of 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-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 2016
I walked around this VA chassis WRX for twenty minutes straight at the meet last weekend. The 18x9.5 setup on all four corners hits that aggressive sweet spot every Subaru owner chases. By running a +35 offset, the wheels sit perfectly flush with the fender lines without needing any crazy modifications.
The Option Lab R716 design clears the stock WRX front calipers with plenty of room to spare. I hate when wheels look cramped behind the spokes, but these have an open, purposeful aesthetic. The hub bore matches up perfectly, so we avoid those annoying vibrations from hub-centric rings.
Those coilovers are the secret sauce that makes this fitment actually work. Without the lowered ride height, those 9.5-inch wide barrels would look like a monster truck. The drop tucks the tire just enough to create a clean, intentional look.
You need to watch the rear fenders if you plan to track this car hard. On big dips, the rear tire can kiss the plastic liner if the alignment isn't dialed in. I suggest adding a touch of negative camber to keep the tread away from the metal.
The barrel depth on the R716 gives the car a much wider stance than the factory wheels. It changes the geometry of the car visually by pulling the track width out. It makes the WRX look like it has actual muscle under those arches.
Spoke design matters here because it pushes the visual weight toward the edge of the rim. The way the R716 spokes curve out from the center creates a deep, concave profile. It looks fast even when the car sits completely still in the parking lot.
What We Recommend for Subaru WRX Premium 2016 Owners
If you want this look, stick to the 18x9.5 square setup. It keeps the handling balanced and allows you to rotate your tires regularly. Staggered setups on an AWD Subaru are a recipe for drivetrain headaches, so please avoid that.
Aim for an offset between +35 and +38 to keep the wheels inside the fenders. Anything lower than +35 will poke too much and ruin your paint with rock chips. You want that flush fitment, not a bro-truck poke.
Pick a tire with a slightly rounded sidewall to save your fenders. A 255/35/18 is the golden standard for this width and offset combination. It gives you enough protection without looking like a bloated balloon.
Do not skip on the alignment after you install your coilovers. Dialing in a bit of camber will save you from rubbing issues and help the car turn into corners better. A good alignment is the cheapest performance mod you can buy.
Avoid cheap spacers if you can help it. Buying a wheel with the correct offset from the factory is safer and looks way cleaner. Hub-centric spacers are okay in a pinch, but a direct-fit wheel is always the goal.
Style and Build Analysis
That Bronze finish is the perfect contrast against the WRX factory paint. It pops under the sun but looks moody and technical in the shadows. I see a lot of black wheels, but bronze adds a level of class that sets this build apart.
The R716 has a distinct motorsport-inspired vibe that fits the Subaru brand perfectly. It echoes the rally heritage of the WRX without looking like a cheap replica. It feels like a wheel that was designed specifically for this body style.
When you look at the car from the side, the proportions are spot on. The wheels fill the gap enough to look aggressive without making the car feel unusable on the street. It is the definition of a well-executed street build.
I have seen hundreds of WRXs, but this one has a specific weight to it. The wheel choice makes the car look heavier and more planted on the road. It looks like it wants to hunt for apexes on a mountain road.
The stance isn't just about being low; it is about filling the negative space under the fenders. These wheels reach out to meet the bodywork, creating a unified shape. It is a masterclass in how a simple wheel swap changes the entire personality of a vehicle.
Why We Love This Build
This WRX stops us in our tracks because it is pure function meeting perfect form. The way the bronze finish catches the sunset makes the whole car glow with an aggressive, metallic warmth. It turns a standard daily driver into a piece of art that demands attention at every stoplight.
We love how the wheels fill the arches without looking like they are trying too hard. It is a balanced, honest build that makes us want to grab our own keys and go for a drive. This is exactly how a Subaru should look.
Do your car a favor and find a set of these wheels immediately.
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 2016
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Option Lab R716
- Wheel Size: 18×9.5 / 18×9.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Bronze
- Tires: Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 235/45 26.3″x9.3″ / 235/45 26.3″x9.3″
- Suspension: Coilovers
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 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-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 18×9.5 / 18×9.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
