There really isn't much competition for the WRX these days. Especially if you are specifically looking for an AWD sedan around $30K. Maybe the Mazda3 Turbo AWD but that is aimed towards premium over sporty now. GLI and GTI (hatch) are FWD only. Civic SI and Elantra N-Line/N are FWD only too. Subaru misses that Mitsubishi competition.

 

Honda said something similar with the new Civic Si. Guess what? Doesn't matter how flat the hp/torque curve is, that's all you have. In instrumented testings/reviews, the new Civic Si was slower than the previous generation despite having a flatter, more useable power band. I predict the same results with the new WRX.