How Subaru's Flagship WRX STI Just Lost To Little Brother BRZ

It’s unusual when the flagship of Subaru’s sports cars, the WRX/STI performance sedan is down in sales compared to its little brother BRZ sports coupe. That’s what happened in July. Before the newly-refreshed 2018 Subaru WRX and WRX STI arrive this summer, sales of the 2017 WRX/STI slipped backward 10.8 percent from the previous July, while sales of the Subaru BRZ sports coupe were up 5.4 percent.

It’s unusual because sales of the rear-drive BRZ have been steadily dropping for quite some time before it gets a complete remodel. The flagship performance model in Subaru’s sports car lineup, WRX/STI has been selling well (19,118 units in 2017) down slightly (-0.9 percent) from 2016.

But WRX/STI’s 10.8 percent drop didn’t stop Subaru from having its best July ever, a 7 percent increase over July 2016, and 68 consecutive months of yearly month-over-month growth. The new Impreza compact and Outback wagon led the lineup and both had their best July ever for the brand. WRX/STI gets upgrades which will create new energy around the performance sedans.

Both 2018 WRX and WRX STI come with extensive upgrades like revised front styling, optimized suspension enhancements, new 19-inch wheels, upgraded Brembo brakes (STI), new available Recaro performance seats (STI), a Performance Package option (WRX), new EyeSight Driver Assist safety tech (WRX), and upgraded interior materials and quieter cabin.

In July, the flagship WRX/STI loses to its little brother BRZ, but it won’t be down for long. Sales of the sport-tuned 2018 Subaru WRX and performance-tuned WRX STI should be right back up this month as the newly-refreshed models are arriving in showrooms now.

Watch Stacking Up: 2016 WRX STI and BRZ

Photo credit: Subaru Canada via YouTube