Picking the perfect 2020 wrx spoiler for your build

Choosing the right 2020 wrx spoiler is often the very first "real" mod people look into after they get their car home. Let's be real, while the VA chassis looks decent enough from the factory, the trunk area can feel a little naked, especially if you have the base or Premium trim that just comes with that tiny little lip. It's like the car is missing its personality. Whether you're trying to mimic the classic STI rally vibe or you want something a bit more low-key and modern, the aftermarket is absolutely flooded with options right now.

The struggle is that once you start looking, you realize it's not just about picking a "wing." You've got to think about trunk tension, paint matching, whether you're okay with drilling holes into your metal, and if you want carbon fiber or painted ABS plastic. It's a rabbit hole, but it's a fun one.

The Big Wing Energy: Going the STI Route

For a lot of owners, the iconic STI wing is the only way to go. It's the classic silhouette that everyone associates with the WRX. If you're looking for a 2020 wrx spoiler that makes a statement, this is it. It's big, it's bold, and it looks exactly like what a rally-bred sedan should have.

But here's the thing—if you didn't buy an STI, getting that wing onto your WRX takes a little work. You basically have two choices: you can do a trunk swap with someone who wants a "sleeper" look, or you can buy an aftermarket replica. Trunk swaps are great because you get the factory paint and the heavy-duty torsion bars (which we'll talk about in a minute), but finding a match in the same color can be like finding a needle in a haystack.

If you go the aftermarket route, you're looking at brands like Noble or OLM. These replicas are usually pretty spot-on these days. They fit the lines of the 2020 model perfectly. The main thing to watch out for is the installation. You're going to be drilling into your trunk, which is terrifying the first time you do it. My advice? Measure three times, pray once, and then drill.

The Subtle Flex: Duckbill Spoilers

Not everyone wants a giant wing obstructing their rearview mirror. If you're into a more "OEM plus" look, a duckbill might be the best 2020 wrx spoiler for your specific taste. These are much more subtle but they change the side profile of the car significantly. They kick up at the end of the trunk, giving it a much more aggressive, "molded" look without looking like you're trying to win a time attack race at the grocery store.

Duckbills come in a few flavors. You have the low-profile ones that just replace the factory lip, and then you have the "high kick" versions that really stand up tall. Carbon fiber is a huge favorite here. There's something about a World Rally Blue or Crystal White Pearl WRX with a high-gloss carbon fiber duckbill that just looks expensive. It adds a layer of sophistication that the big wings sometimes lack. Plus, most duckbills can be installed with high-strength 3M tape, meaning no holes in your trunk if you aren't ready for that kind of commitment.

Performance vs. Aesthetics

We should probably address the elephant in the room: does a 2020 wrx spoiler actually do anything for performance? If you're driving to work or hitting the occasional backroad, the answer is mostly no. These cars are plenty stable at highway speeds without extra aero.

However, if you actually track your car, a functional GT wing—like something from APR—is a different story. These aren't just for show. They're adjustable, made of high-grade carbon fiber, and designed to actually plant the rear end when you're taking high-speed corners. But be warned: a real GT wing on a daily driver is a bold choice. It screams "track car," and you'll definitely get more attention from both car enthusiasts and the local police. If you're okay with that, the look is undeniably aggressive.

The Torsion Bar Problem

This is the part that a lot of people forget when they're shopping for a 2020 wrx spoiler. If you have a base trunk, your torsion bars (the springy metal rods that help the trunk pop open) are designed for a very light lid. If you bolt a heavy STI-style wing onto that lid, your trunk isn't going to stay up. In fact, if you hit the trunk release, it might just unlatch and sit there, or worse, it could come crashing down on your head while you're loading groceries.

If you're going for a heavy wing, you really should look into getting the STI-spec torsion bars. They're thicker and have more tension to handle the extra weight. It's a small detail, but it's the difference between a mod that feels professional and one that feels like a DIY project gone wrong.

Material Choices: ABS vs. Carbon Fiber

When you're browsing for your 2020 wrx spoiler, you'll notice a big price gap between ABS plastic and carbon fiber. ABS is great because it's durable, relatively cheap, and takes paint really well. If you want a wing that matches your car's body color perfectly, ABS is usually the way to go.

Carbon fiber, on the other hand, is all about the "cool factor." It looks technical and high-end. But keep in mind that carbon fiber requires maintenance. If you live somewhere with harsh sun, you need to make sure that carbon is UV-coated, or it'll start to yellow and peel after a couple of years. A good ceramic coating or a regular wax routine is a must if you want that weave to stay looking sharp.

Installation: DIY or Pro?

Can you install a 2020 wrx spoiler yourself? Absolutely. If it's a tape-on duckbill, it'll take you twenty minutes and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol to clean the surface. If it's a bolt-on wing, you're looking at a couple of hours.

The biggest tip for a DIY install is to use a template. Most reputable brands provide a paper template that shows you exactly where to drill. If they don't, you can make your own using the mounting points on the wing itself. Also, don't forget to use some touch-up paint or a rust inhibitor on the bare metal edges of the holes you drill. You don't want your trunk rusting out from the inside three years from now.

Making the Final Call

At the end of the day, the 2020 wrx spoiler you choose should reflect how you use the car. If it's your daily driver and you want to keep it classy, a color-matched duckbill is almost impossible to beat. It fits the car's natural lines and doesn't make you a target for every teenager in a straight-piped Civic.

But if you grew up playing Need for Speed or watching WRC highlights, you're probably going to want that big wing. There's no shame in that. The WRX is one of the few cars on the road that can actually pull off a massive spoiler without looking ridiculous. It's part of the heritage.

Whatever you decide, just make sure you're buying from a source that has good fitment reviews. There's nothing worse than getting a wing delivered only to find out the base is warped or the bolt holes don't line up with the trunk's internal bracing. Do your research, check the forums, and once it's on, you'll find yourself looking back at your car every time you walk away from it in the parking lot. That's how you know you picked the right one.