2014 Subaru WRX and WRX STI remain a terrific value

Subaru has just announced pricing on the 2014 WRX and WRX STI and they get a $200 bump in price over the 2013 models. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we’ll see any changes for the 2014 model year and we'll have to wait until 2015 for the new generation model. Subaru did not give us exterior treatment details and no images were released so plan on virtually no changes to the exterior or powertrain.

The starting MSRP for the WRX is $25,995 and WRX STI starts at $34,495 not including destination ($795). The popular high-performance models have seen their sales increase by nearly 40-percent year-to-date and still remain a good value in the competitive small performance car segment. The WRX and WRX STI both compete with the two-wheel-drive Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen GTI and all-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

The 2014 WRX continues with a 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled four-cylinder Boxer engine that pumps out 265-horsepower and 244 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated with a five-speed manual transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Subaru does not offer an automatic on either the WRX or WRX STI. Both come with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and viscous coupling locking center differential for great traction in either wet or dry conditions.

The sporty 2014 WRX ($25,995) comes standard with a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels and an AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. Both WRX and WRX STI will still come in four-door sedan and the five-door models.

WRX Premium starts at $28,495, and adds fog lights, a power moonroof, and, on the sedan, a body-color trunk spoiler. Also standard, the All-Weather Package includes heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer for cold weather climates.

What’s new for 2014

2014 WRX Limited ($29,495) adds leather-trimmed upholstery and high-intensity discharged (HID) headlights. New for 2014, The WRX Limited now offers a Navigation System with AHA Connected service, for $1,100. The system features a 6.1-in. touch screen, voice-activated controls, SMS text messaging, Satellite Radio (subscription required), iTunes tagging, and SD card map upgrades.

WRX STI cranks it up a notch

The 2014 WRX STI continues to take performance to another level for enthusiasts. Again we don’t see any changes to the powertrain. It will continue to feature a 305-horsepower turbocharged/intercooled Boxer engine, six-speed manual transmission, performance suspension and the exclusive Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The WRX STI still features Brembo performance brakes, Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) and Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system, the latter featuring a track performance-optimized mode.

All WRX STI models include as standard HID headlights and the All-Weather Package, with heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. The WRX STI five-door ($36,495) comes with BBS forged aluminum-alloy wheels, fog lights, rear window wiper/washer and special cargo area features. The WRX STI Limited adds power moonroof, fog lights, leather upholstery and BBS wheels.

Subaru did not announce deliver dates for the 2014 WRX and WRX STI models.

Model/Trim Transmission MSRP
WRX 4-door 5-speed $25,995
WRX 4-door Premium 5-speed $28,495
WRX 4-door Limited 5-speed $29,495
WRX 5-door 5-speed $25,995
WRX 5-door Premium 5-speed $28,495
WRX 5-door Limited 5-speed $29,495
WRX STI 4-door 6-speed $34,495
WRX STI 4-door Limited 6-speed $37,845
WRX STI 5-door 6-speed $36,495

Image: Subaru WRX Concept