Subaru WRX Drops A Massive 41 Percent In The New Year

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The Subaru WRX is on a downward slide to start the new year. Check out its performance in January. Where does the WRX go from here?

I cover the WRX sales performance monthly, and the sports car is headed in the wrong direction. The Subaru WRX started the year with a massive sales drop. The WRX performance sedan dropped 41.6 percent in January, the most significant decrease in any Subaru nameplate sales volume. 

WRX by the numbers

Subaru of America reports the WRX had 1,172 performance sports cars sold in January compared with 2,006 models sold in January 2023. WRX continues its slide backward. The WRX performance sedan also decreased the most of any model in December. 

What's next for the WRX?

The 2024 Subaru WRX performance sports car will arrive at U.S. retailers this spring with a new TR trim level.

I covered the new WRX TR trim level in detail in previous reports. WRX TR offers new performance upgrades that include a Brembo braking system with 6-piston front calipers, 2-piston rear calipers, larger pads and rotors, and a larger brake master cylinder.

The WRX TR arrives with new performance upgrades. 

Subaru says stiffer springs with revised damping rates and a retuned dual-pinion steering rack offer the WRX TR better body control and steering response while maintaining ride quality. 

The WRX TR also comes standard with exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels in a satin gray finish paired with Bridgestone Potenza S007 summer performance tires for enhanced grip and braking performance.

All WRX TR models are equipped with Recaro performance design front seats, offering the driver and passenger increased support for performance driving. The Y-shaped design at the center of the seat backrest supports the sides and shoulder blades to maintain a proper driving position.

The seats are wrapped in black and gray Ultrasuede with contrasting red stitching and embossed "Recaro" logo on the seatbacks. The driver's seat is 8-way power-adjustable. 

The 2024 WRX TR is equipped exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission, and the moonroof has been deleted.

What is the price of the 2024 WRX?

The 2024 WRX has five trim levels: Base, Premium, WRX TR, Limited, and GT. Here is the new pricing with increases and a model guide. 

The 2024 WRX 6-speed manual trim level starts at $33,855. The WRX Premium 6-speed manual is $35,755, The WRX Premium with Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) is $37,105, the WRX Limited 6-speed manual is $40,135, the WRX Limited SPT is $41,685, the all-new WRX TR 6-speed manual is $42,775, and WRX GT SPT is $45,335. Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,120).

MY TAKE

Will the new 2024 Subaru WRX TR be enough to revive interest in the WRX sports car? In my opinion, the WRX needs a hatchback body style to get performance fans excited again about the sports car. Sales will take off if Subaru Corporation brings a new hot WRX hatch. 

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru WRX story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

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Watch The 2024 Subaru WRX TR Is A More Intriguing Tuner Ready Rally Sports Sedan

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA

Submitted by Wrexti (not verified) on February 9, 2024 - 8:25PM

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I disagree. A hatch might garner some interest, but all Subaru has done lately are wagons. I doubt they'll want to make a one off chassis. There are a few issues they need to solve.

1. The plastic has to go. They thought it'd tickle the "rally" itch fans have, but it's just doesn't. It looks cheap and the back end looks like it has a tumor.
2. Performance is decent, and the FA engine is an improvement, but thanks to the Internet (and Donut), everyone thinks they're just going to blow up. Subaru should be overbuilding their engines and transmissions at this point to change the narrative.
3. They're not keeping up with their competitors. It feels like they're just phoning it in at this point, especially now that the STI is dead. People want to feel like they're buying into a platform that's on the bleeding edge, not just a repackaging of what we've had for years. They could have been doing SO MUCH MORE with the STI, but they never updated the engine in over a decade. My 05' STI short block and the 2015 STI short block are virtually identical. Why?

I love Subaru, but I feel like they're going the way of Toyota. Just happy to focus on volume sales and let their performance legacy die. At least Toyota seems to be coming back. Hopefully Subaru shakes out of it before too long.

Submitted by Jay smiles (not verified) on February 10, 2024 - 1:37AM

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We liked the previous generation better. We also liked getting out the door for under $28k on the base model. Styling, price, and a FA engine that could make 350hp but isnt tuned to do it, means lower sales. Shrink the car. Lower the price, retrostyle cues and fix this beast!

Submitted by LB (not verified) on February 10, 2024 - 12:04PM

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As a 2015 WRX owner that WAS looking to update my ride I can say I'm disappointed by the engine and price. They put a bigger engine that gets worse mpg and only makes 3 more horsepower. This is also very poorly priced, it's in the price range of EV cars that have similar if not better performance stats. I don't know what Subaru has been doing all these years but this is a huge L as far as I'm concerned.

Submitted by Gforced (not verified) on February 10, 2024 - 12:46PM

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Price increases have gone bonkers. But what about the industry as a whole? Would be interesting to know how the competitors sales numbers compare for the same months.

Submitted by Jim (not verified) on February 12, 2024 - 3:25AM

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I think the TR announcement is likely the reason for late 2023 sales slump. People are waiting. My local California dealer has over twenty 2023 WRX models on the lot but no other 2023 cars.

Submitted by Denniskfc (not verified) on February 12, 2024 - 6:18PM

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Unless the hatchback is built on a smaller platform and becomes a true rival to a GR Corolla, it is not going to change the driving dynamics of a mid size sedan. Right now, Subaru WRX has become the legacy RS of the 1990s. They need a new impreza in order to build a new WRX

Submitted by Derp (not verified) on February 18, 2024 - 10:37PM

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I had a 2012 wrx and now a 2019 wrx both bought new. I just dont want to spend so much money to get a new one when:
1. Its so ugly
2. Interior is ugly
3. Barely anything new
4. No one cares anymore.. subaru puts 0 effort in, they let the price creep to where the value is gone.. the following has shrunk.

If Subaru wanted to grow back their enthusists and create the next car for their aging fanbase to upgrade to, they need to put the wrx engine in the crosstrek and have a hood scoop and give it 3500 pound tow rating with that engine. And they cant neuter the acceleration with a crappy CVT. Ill accept a CVT but it needs to be their good one. I love my wrx but its holding me back now that I am older. I need more ground clearance and I need to tow and I need that extra hatch back trunk space.