A significant option is missing that fans want on the 2016 Subaru WRX/STI

The 2016 Subaru WRX and WRX STI will begin arriving in U.S. showrooms this summer and will come with added safety features and new infotaintment for performance fans. There is one significant offering by Subaru that is missing for the 2016 models, the five-door hatchback model is still not available on 2016 WRX/STI.

We talked about this when the new-generation STI was launched last year and the hatchback is still not offered in 2016. Subaru has always been about offering multipurpose vehicles to their loyal fan base, but the 5-door hatch is still not an option.

Why is it a big deal?

For WRX/STI buyers, it’s about performance, it’s also about the versatility and utility that the hatchback offers. Performance fans use their cars for everything and they love the extra functionality that the hatch offers. Along with offering performance, it offers buyers to use the performance cars for multi-purposes. It can be used for recreational activities like transporting mountain bikes, snowboards, and surfboards for use on the weekends.

Many Subaru owners also have dogs, and the 5-door hatch is ideal for transporting their four-legged friends to the vet and taking them along on the weekends. Subaru knows this and has partnered with the Center for Pet Safety to test pet car safety restraints and carriers. Active WRX/STI owners take the family dog along on camping and hiking trips.

Subaru sales are up across the lineup

Subaru has said they sell many more of the sedans over the hatchback models. We’ve heard from sources it was more like 50/50 in the U.S. Subaru WRX and WRX STI are produced at the main Subaru plant in Japan and the Japanese automaker is struggling to keep up with demand for Forester, Outback, XV Crosstrek, WRX/STI and Levorg. The decision to drop the hatchback is likely to add space on the production line for their hot-selling lineup around the globe.

Subaru is expanding production at their Indiana plant and the expansion will be online sometime in 2016. This will just barely help Subaru keep production up with the increasing demand for their other all-wheel-drive vehicles. They will also start producing a new 7-seat SUV at the U.S. plant in 2016-2017.

What can hatchback fans do?

Subaru listens to their loyal customers and will respond if you send a clear message that you want a new-generation WRX/STI 5-door hatch. Subaru documents every one of your responses in a Customer/Dealer Services database. If you want a WRX/STI 5-door hatchback, send your response to John Mergen, Subaru of America, Inc. at the Customer/Dealer Services Department. You can call 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) or email at [email protected]

Mergen said last year, “Subaru is always striving to improve upon our products and appreciates when our customers bring their product interests to our attention.” By responding with your request, this will allow it to be properly reviewed, tracked and considered by Subaru’s Product Management Department. If you want a 2016 Subaru WRX/STI 5-door hatch, let Subaru know.