Life After The STI - Is The Next-Gen Subaru WRX’s Run Already Over?

How is the next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX doing after ten months of sales this year? After two months of sales increases in July and August, the next-generation Subaru WRX showed signs of life after the STI. But Subaru of America (SOA) reports sales have significantly dropped in September and even more in October.

The Camden, N.J. automaker reports the next-generation WRX saw a decline in sales, dropping 31.6 percent in September, and now it drops 40.3 percent in October. SOA says they delivered 1,664 new WRX performance sedans to U.S. customers last month compared with 2,786 in September 2021.

How is the WRX doing through the ten months of 2022? Subaru of America has sold 14,386 WRX sports cars in 2022, down 40.1 percent from the 24,006 sold through the first ten months of 2021. Without the performance-tuned STI to prop up sales, the WRX has the most significant percentage of decrease of any Subaru model in SOA's lineup.

Was it a mistake for Subaru to drop the STI?

Performance enthusiasts bought the next-generation WRX, but the sport-tuned sports car's sales continue to drop without the performance-tuned STI. Subaru says they dropped the STI to develop a new all-electric performance model, but Subaru dropped the STI too soon. The Japanese automaker should have kept the high-performance STI in the lineup while developing new technologies.

Should buyers wait for the new WRX STI?

Performance car buyers will have a long wait. Subaru Corporation could take five to eight years to bring back the STI performance sports car. It will look very different and be either all-electric, have hybrid technology, or have an internal combustion engine under the hood scoop that runs on a new synthetic fuel. Subaru is looking into all possibilities.

Should buyers wait for the 2023 WRX?

The 2023 WRX is the last model in the lineup to be announced. There are no advantages to waiting for the 2023 WRX. Subaru Corporation will make minor changes to the 2023 WRX, and there will be a price increase for the 2023 model. The 2023 WRX won't arrive until this winter.

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru WRX?

The 2022 WRX is still a good value. The 6-speed manual trim level starts at $30,600. The WRX with Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) is $32,450, the WRX Premium 6-speed manual is $33,100, WRX Premium SPT is $35,150, the WRX Limited 6-speed manual is $37,490, WRX Limited SPT is $39,740, and WRX GT is $43,390. Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($995).

The next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX sales are down 40.1 percent year-to-date, the most significant drop of any Subaru model through the first ten months of 2022. Performance car buyers miss the next-generation STI, and Subaru should have kept the performance sedan in the lineup. Performance car buyers have a long wait for the new STI.

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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 USA