Subaru Needs A Performance Car Check

Things were different four years ago.

Four years ago, Subaru Corporation did a performance car check and decided to drop the WRX STI from its lineup. At the time, it was probably the right decision. The electric car revolution overtook the auto industry, and Subaru got caught up in the wave of change. 

The winds of change are blowing in a different direction. 

As we approach the decade's midpoint, the enthusiasm for EVs has significantly waned. With many automakers scaling back their EV offerings, it's imperative for Subaru Corporation to conduct a performance check and swiftly recalibrate its performance car division. 

Let the wing fly high again. 

It's been four years since Subaru discontinued the WRX STI performance sports car, and that iconic wing is sorely missed. The current sales of the WRX continue to drop, underlining the urgency to bring back that nostalgic element and make the WRX relevant again. 

The iconic STI wing is a feature that has long been synonymous with Subaru's performance cars, evoking a unique and profound appeal among enthusiasts. 

Recalibrate the wing.

I'm not advocating that Subaru stick a wing on the WRX, but they should bring back the STI. Before discussing the wing's return, I'll give the September sales performance report for the WRX and see why it's time to reevaluate.

The WRX's September performance numbers are down again. 

Subaru reported delivering 1,329 WRX sport sedans to performance enthusiasts in September, compared with 1,630 in September 2023. That's a decrease of 18.5 percent. The WRX is down 34.2 percent for the year, with 13,545 sports cars delivered in the first nine months of 2024. 

SOA sold 20,574 WRX sport sedans in the same period in 2023. The WRX has decreased in sales volume now for 15 consecutive months. I would say it's time to do something extreme to save the performance model. 

Subaru isn't standing still, but they aren't moving fast enough. 

A new 2025 WRX tS, a model that promises to bring some excitement, arrives next year. But is it enough? You can read my report here. 

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS will arrive at Subaru retailers in the first quarter of 2025, but more is needed to create new excitement around Subaru's performance cars. 

Subaru's two sports cars are struggling to keep pace.

The Subaru BRZ had a slight uptick in sales in September, from 291 models delivered compared with 270 in September 2023—an increase of 7.8 percent. However, it's not much to get excited about. 

Bring back the STI and its wing.

The wing set the WRX STI apart from other sports cars and appealed uniquely to performance enthusiasts. With the slowdown of EVs and the move toward hybrid vehicles, Subaru needs to change its direction regarding the STI. 

Subaru has even delayed the launch of its new 3-Row SUV, which will be made in America in collaboration with Toyota. They were able to rethink their EV strategy; now they need to shift gears and rethink bringing back the STI sooner rather than later. 

I reported earlier that the WRX STI will launch in 2027 as an all-electric performance car, but that plan may change now with the slowing market for electric vehicles. Subaru Corp. won't risk spending research and development on a performance car that will not be in high demand. 

The discontinued Legacy has more sales than the WRX.

Subaru will drop the Legacy sedan after the 2025 model year, and the discontinued model has more sales than the WRX this year. The Legacy has sold 14,642 midsize sedans compared with 13,545 WRX performance sedans. 

It's not time to pull the plug on the WRX and call code red on the performance car like it did the Legacy. But it is time to make a drastic move and offer performance enthusiasts the higher-performance STI again. A new turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder STI with the wing must return sooner rather than later to make the performance car relevant again. This is the bold future I'm advocating for. 

If Subaru wants to make the most significant splash, they could offer the STI in a new hatchback body style. That would bring back the wing in a substantial way. 

What are your thoughts on this? Your voice is integral to this discussion. Click the red 'Add new comment' link below and share your insights.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Subaru USA and @no_subawu_4_u