If you're looking to change up the rear profile of your car, adding a 2020 wrx duckbill is probably one of the most satisfying visual mods you can do. Let's be honest, the VA chassis WRX has a great silhouette, but the factory trunk can look a little plain if you don't have the massive STI wing. While the "big wing" look is classic, not we all want to drive around resembling they're ready to enter a rally stage at any given moment. That's where the duckbill comes in. It offers ideal "OEM plus" vibe—aggressive enough to notice, but subtle enough to maintain things classy.
Why the Duckbill Look Just Works
There's something about the way a duckbill spoiler flows with the body lines of the 2020 WRX. It extends the trunk line slightly upward and backward, giving the car an even more planted, muscular stance. Unlike the stock lip spoiler, which is pretty much invisible from more than ten feet away, a duckbill actually changes the geometry of the car's rear.
Most owners go this route because it fills the gap between "totally stock" and "full track build. " It's that middle ground which makes the car look finished. Whether you're taking a murdered-out black look or you want a pop of carbon fiber against a World Rally Blue paint job, the duckbill just fits the personality of the FA20-powered sedan.
Material Choices: Carbon Fiber vs. ABS Plastic
When you start shopping for a 2020 wrx duckbill , you're going to run into two main options: carbon fiber and ABS plastic. Both have their pros and cons, and your choice really depends on your finances and the overall "theme" of your car.
Carbon Fiber is the gold standard for many. It looks incredible, specially when the sun hits the weave. Most high-quality carbon duckbills come with a clear coat that protects against UV rays, but you still have to keep an eye on them over the years to prevent yellowing. In case you already have a carbon front lip or side skirts, a carbon duckbill is a no-brainer to tie the whole look together.
ABS Plastic is the more "practical" choice. It's usually cheaper, incredibly durable, and comes in some different finishes. You may get them in matte black, gloss black, or even paint-matched to your specific Subaru color code. The nice thing about ABS is that if it gets scratched, it's easy to fix or repaint. If you're planning on color-matching the spoiler to your car's body, ABS is the strategy to use since you're just going to paint over it anyway.
Comparing the "High Kick" vs. "Low Profile" Styles
Not every duckbills are created equal. You'll usually see them categorized by how aggressive the "kick" is.
- The High Kick: This is for the person who wants individuals to notice the spoiler from the block away. It stands tall and has a sharp angle. It's very popular in the stance community and with folks who want a more "drift-inspired" look.
- The Low Profile/OEM+: These are much more subtle. They look like what the factory should have put on the vehicle in the first place. It follows the trunk line smoothly and just adds a little bit of character without screaming for attention.
Deciding between these two usually comes down to what else you've done to the car. If you're running stock wheels and stock height, a huge high-kick duckbill might look a bit misplaced. But if you're lowered on coilovers having a nice set of wheels, that aggressive kick really completes the look.
Installation: Are you able to Do It Yourself?
One of the best things about a 2020 wrx duckbill is that it's an extremely beginner-friendly mod. You don't need a lift, and you don't even really need a full set of tools in most cases. Most of these spoilers are held on with high-strength 3M double-sided tape.
Now, I know what you're thinking—"Is tape really going to hold a spoiler on at highway speeds? " The answer is yes, as long as you do the prep work correctly. If you just slap the tape on a dirty trunk, it's going to fly from the first time you hit 60 mph. You need to clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol to get all the wax and road grime off. Using a 3M adhesion promoter is also a pro tip that makes a huge difference.
Some versions do use the factory bolt holes in case your car came with the small lip spoiler. If you're lucky, the holes will line up perfectly. If not, lots of people choose to just "delete" the bolts and rely on the tape, though plugging the holes is something you'll have to deal with to avoid leaks.
Popular Brands to Look Out For
There are a ton of companies making spoilers for the VA chassis, but a few names always pop up within the forums and Facebook groups.
OLM is probably the most common. They have a massive selection of styles, from the "Point Five" to the "High Five" and everything in between. They're reputed for decent fitment and reasonable prices.
Rexpeed can be another big one, particularly if you're looking for carbon fiber. Their parts are generally well-regarded for the price, though like any aftermarket body part, you may have to do a little bit of wiggling to get it centred perfectly.
Then there are the more "high-end" options or even the "eBay specials. " While you will find a 2020 wrx duckbill to get a bargain on eBay, just be prepared the fitment might be 95% perfect instead of 100%. Sometimes you have to weigh the cost savings contrary to the potential for a small gap here or there.
Aerodynamics vs. Aesthetics
Let's be real for the second: unless you're taking your WRX to some track where you're consistently hitting 120+ mph, the duckbill is almost entirely an aesthetic choice. While a spoiler is technically designed to create downforce by disrupting airflow, on a daily-driven street car, you're mostly just carrying around a very cool-looking piece of plastic or carbon.
That's not a bad thing, though! The WRX has always been a car that's as much about the "look" and the culture as it is about the performance. Adding a duckbill doesn't negatively impact your gas mileage in any noticeable way, and it doesn't make the car harder to drive. It just makes you look back at your car more regularly when you're walking away from it in a parking lot.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
Once you've got your 2020 wrx duckbill installed, you can't just forget about it. If it's carbon fiber, you should address it like your paint. Wax it or ceramic coat it. This can help prevent the sun from "clouding" the resin.
If you used 3M tape, it's a good idea to examine the edges every couple of months, especially after a harsh winter or a really hot summer. If you see an edge beginning to lift, it's better to peel it off, clean it, and re-apply the tape than to wait for it to get worse.
Final Thoughts on the Upgrade
If you're sitting on the fence about getting a 2020 wrx duckbill , I'd say go for it. It's one of those rare mods that isn't permanent, isn't crazy expensive, and completely changes the vibe of the car. It bridges the gap between boring base model look and the "look at me" STI wing.
Whether you go for the aggressive high-kick in carbon fiber or a color-matched low-profile version, it's a great way to make your WRX feel a bit more like your car. Just take your time and energy with the installation, make sure everything is arranged straight, and enjoy the newest view in your rearview mirror. It's a little change that makes a huge impact on the overall aesthetic of the 2020 WRX.