Subaru announced a new 2022 WRX hatchback for Australia, but here’s why performance fans in the U.S. don’t want the new Sportswagon. There are seven reason why.
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Don't get too excited about the newly-announced 2022 Subaru WRX hatchback just yet. Subaru brings a new 2022 WRX Sportswagon hatch body style to join Australia's next-generation 2022 WRX sedan. It's only for Australia, and it's a good thing it's not coming to the U.S. market. There are seven reasons why performance enthusiasts don't want the new WRX hatch.
Number one, the 2022 WRX Sportswagon is a Levorg with a WRX badge. To make things worse, it's only available with an eight-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic. That's right; it will not be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox like the 2022 WRX sedan, and the most significant six reasons why you don't want the rebadged "WRX Sportswagon."
The 2022 WRX Sportswagon does come with the new FA24 2.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged Boxer engine and sport-tuned suspension. But the new WRX hatch only comes with the 8-speed paddle-shift Sport Lineartronic CVT Subaru Performance Transmission like the new U.S.-spec 2022 WRX GT trim level.
The Sport Lineartronic automatic is called the "Subaru Performance Transmission." It comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, eight-stepped ratios, variable torque distribution, and sports shifting control, enabling "faster shifting and downshift blipping control," according to Subaru.
The new WRX GT CVT is an upgrade from the previous-generation Sport Lineartronic automatic transmission with 6- and 8-speed manual modes. But not many will want a CVT in their new performance car. Subaru offers one, so they can fit it with Eyesight.
Subaru now offers the next-generation EyeSight safety technology on every 2022 WRX hatch trim. Subaru Corporation hasn't developed the technology to fit the driver-assist system to models equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Don't get too excited about the newly-announced 2022 Subaru WRX Sportswagon hatch. Thankfully Subaru still offers the fifth-generation 2022 WRX sedan with a fully synchronized 6-speed manual with carbon first- and second-gear synchros. Performance enthusiasts in the U.S. want a WRX hatch body style, but not a rebadged Levorg with a CVT.
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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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My wife will not let me buy
My wife will not let me buy an MT, so we have the Impreza 5D CVT. I would trade it in for this sportwagon in a second despite the CVT, so actually, yes, I want this thing.
Your wife won’t let you buy a
Your wife won’t let you buy a manual. Maybe ask your mom, she might let you.
You need to grow a set then
You need to grow a set then or get a new wife if u cant even buy a stick then you dont deserve any sports car for that matter... then minivan for henpecked spineless sadsackless like you are do not belong here with real drivers and that includes my wife that learned stick and learned it better than many men for that matter with my teaching her.
And CVT is NOT a good thing for any sports car its blasphemy!
I've been wanting the Levorg
I've been wanting the Levorg to come to North America for years. I don't care if I can't get a manual I just want a fun wagon from Subaru in America again and l really like the looks of the Levorg.
I wholeheartedly disagree
I wholeheartedly disagree with your reasoning. I WANT the Levorg in Canada. I want a sportwagon and not a CUV or SUV. I have a 2012 Impreza WRX STI and a 2017 Forester XT. This Levoeg may not have a manual transmission, but that reason alone cannot justify why we can't have a Levorg in North America.
Import the Levorg Subaru Canada!
Bring it here to USA the 5
Bring it here to USA the 5 door hatchback i think the car looks better and the back end taillights over all design the rear better than the sedan, many people want the hatchback sport car handling feel and hauling stuff Bring it here to the USA!!
I live Wagons. Which is why
I live Wagons. Which is why I own an Outback.
I want this. I would Love a WRX Wagon. A Wagon for family and sports car for the parent. A two in one type of thing. If this were to come to the states we would be getting 2, one for me and one for the wife.
Subaru, you are missing out on this.
I really wish this was
I really wish this was available in Canada I would buy it in a heartbeat. This car reminds me of my 2005 impreza rs in the styling. I am due for an upgrade since the rear Strut towers in the rs wagon are toast. Salt is the worst.
Trying a bit hard for
Yeah, I agree a manual would be nice along with something which does the STI badge justice. But, have you ever driven the Lineartronic in the real world? ie away from the racetrack. My - previous gen - Levorg GTS is an amazing family and touring car. Wife drives it to the shops, it boogies in the touge and gets me to the Japan powder for first tracks. Gearchanges are quicker and more considered than either my previous VW GTi or Porsche tiptronic. I appreciate it hugging the fat torque curve while not sounding like lesser, hoover impersonating, CVT's.
2.4 liters? yes please
This isn't even 7 reasons,
This isn't even 7 reasons, this is 2 reasons explained multiple times in different ways.
That's just a bad article...
The Lavorg should have always been called a WRX, if anything it's a WRX wagon rebadged as a Lavorg that has now got the correct badge. Being a VA sti owner I love my 6 speed but given the choice of a second family car that's got a bit of poke and anyone can drive, I'm in. Your article wasn't much more than clickbait.
What an embarrassingly poorly
What an embarrassingly poorly written article.
“Seven reasons why!” then lists a single reason, and spends three paragraphs repeating that same reason in different and uninformative.
My only regret is that clicking this article gave your site ad revenue and so you’ll continue to pump out the same poorly written garbage.
7 repetions of that one
7 repetions of that one Extremely valid and beyond important point that negates any potential sports car value in one move is by far worth repeating
And remember this isnt the crap american cars where a stick wont help much since they cant handle worth crap as a rule (going fast in a straight line is their idea of performance)
The CVT absolutly kills the WRX sedan or hatch does not matter it's like the rarity of a slush box in an original Z doing so was considered a massive blasphemy from day one and was NOT offered that way anywhere but the USDM since the rest of the planet overwhelmingly knows how to drive stick
7 reason why you do !!!!! The
7 reason why you do !!!!! The wrx wagon is the best thing to have come from Subaru !
This WRX wagon is a Levorg
This WRX wagon is a Levorg which is the replacement for the Legacy wagon. Since, they don't make the Legacy wagon anymore and the Outback became a crossover/suv.
Can I not read but it stated
Can I not read but it stated 7 reasons, then started off with "Number one" stating the transmission is "not wanted" and then just said it the same way six more times without labelling them?
Please stop spreading fake
Please stop spreading fake info. The cvt is the same TR690 with slight changes to internal components. It's not really upgraded. Same thing since the start in 2012 with Legacy DIT. Also Levorg looks 100x better than the 2022 WRX.
MT’s like it or hate it are
MT’s like it or hate it are going the way of Dino’s so if I were to bitch I’d like the WRX here in the states with a DSG like that of say a Porsche/Audi but I’ll take it as is over not having it at all - discontinue the legacy and replace it with the hatch..