At first, the 2022 Subaru WRX was not popular with performance enthusiasts, but it's showing signs of life after the STI. New WRX sales are up again.
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How have performance enthusiasts accepted the next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX? When Subaru of America announced the all-new 2022 WRX performance sedan, it met with mixed reactions of some excitement and even more disappointment. The SUV-like fender flares, only a three-horsepower gain, and no hatchback body style were some of the criticisms.
Sales of the all-new 2022 WRX started slow, but they've been up two months in a row now. One of the big reasons the numbers looked so dismal earlier this year is Subaru dropped the WRX STI and included those sales with the WRX. But the 2022 WRX is making a rebound on its own.
photo credit: Schumacher Subaru
Subaru of America (SOA) reports in August; the next-generation WRX saw its second month of increase in sales. SOA says they delivered 2,304 new WRX performance sedans to U.S. customers compared with 2,194 in August 2021, an increase of 5.0 percent. Last month the WRX was up 9.8 percent.
Subaru of America has sold 11,046 WRX sports cars through eight months of 2022, down 41.2 percent from the 18,771 sold through the first eight months of 2021. Those numbers still reflect the STI sales that were there last year.
The global microchip shortages, supply chain issues, and the recent Subaru plant shutdowns in Japan, where the WRX is manufactured, are part of the reasons for slow sales. But more performance fans are now ordering the new 2022 WRX from retailers to their specs and having it shipped from the factory.
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, WRX Premium 6-speed manual is $33,100, WRX Premium SPT is $35,150, 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).
Is anyone buying the WRX GT with Subaru Performance Transmission?
You can't get a 6-speed manual gearbox in the GT trim; it only comes with the new Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) automatic transmission. A few buyers opt for the WRX GT trim, but nearly 90 percent of performance car buyers get the manual gearbox.
Should buyers wait for the 2023 WRX?
There are no advantages to waiting for the 2023 WRX, and there will be a price increase for the 2023 models. Subaru Corporation will make minor changes to the 2023 WRX. The 2023 WRX won't arrive until this fall or winter of 2022.
The next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX sales are still down 41.2 percent year-to-date, the second most of any Subaru model through the first eight months of 2022. It's because Subaru dropped the WRX STI. But the WRX on its own is showing signs of life, and performance fans are warming up to the next-generation model.
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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: Schumacher Subaru
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