The 10 Best U.S. Hot Hatchbacks, But Subaru Doesn’t Sell One Here

Here are the best hot hatch models for 2022. Why doesn't Subaru sell one to its U.S. performance customers?

Subaru performance fans have asked for a WRX hatchback body style since the Japanese automaker discontinued the model in 2015. The fifth-generation 2022 WRX does have the hatch body style, but it's for something other than U.S. performance fans.

Subaru offers the 2002 Subaru WRX Sportwagen down under, but U.S. performance enthusiasts can only look at and not touch it. The Sportwagen would likely sell well in North America, and how does it compare with the ten best hot hatchbacks from U.S. News?

The 2002 Subaru WRX Sportwagen is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. See how it compares with the U.S. News 10 best list in horsepower and price below.

2022 Hyundai Veloster N: Price: $32,500 | Performance Score: 7.5/10 | HP: 275
2022 Mini Cooper JCW: Price: $32,900 | Performance Score: 7.7/10 | HP: 228
2022 Volkswagen GTI: Price: $29,880 | Performance Score: 8.9/10 | HP: 241
2022 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo: Price: $30,550 | Performance Score: 8.4/10 | HP: 227-250
2022 Volkswagen Golf R: Price: $44,090 | Performance Score: 8.4/10 | HP: 315
2022 Kia Stinger GT: Price: $51,790 | Performance Score: 8.0/10 | HP: 368
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45: Price: $54,950 | Performance Score: 7.2/10 | HP: 382
2022 Hyundai Kona N: Price: $34,200 | Performance Score: 8.2/10 | HP: 280
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV: Price: $33,500 | Performance Score: 7.5/10 | HP: 200
2022 Polestar 2 Dual-Motor: Price: $51,900 | Performance Score: 8.6/10 | HP:
408

The 2022 Subaru WRX Sportwagen may do well against its U.S. competition. It would be priced around $37,000 with a 6-speed manual gearbox. But it could use more horsepower to keep up with the Volkswagen Golf R and Hyundai Kona N, its main competition.

Subaru desperately needs a 2023 Subaru WRX STI hot hatch with 325 plus horsepower. The new STI would satisfy STI and hatchback performance enthusiasts.

Will Subaru bring back the WRX hatch?

According to Subaru's sales numbers, sixty percent of WRX and STI sales were hatchback models before they dropped the model.

Planet Subaru says, "For the crowds clamoring for the WRX hatch's return to North America, take comfort that Subaru made the significant investment in engineering the car. Perhaps when the global auto industry recovers from the chip shortage in the next year or two, Subaru might offer the hot hatch here."

Subaru Corporation listened and brought back the 5-Door hatch body style to Australia. Will Subaru of America bring the 2022 Subaru WRX hot hatch to U.S. shores? Stay tuned.

Would you buy the 2022 Subaru WRX Sportwagen if Subaru of America offered it here? Or is it just a rebadged Levorg with a 2.4-liter turbo engine?

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru