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Subaru has always been about offering multipurpose vehicles to their loyal fan base, but by dropping the 5-door hatch from the 2015 WRX STI lineup, it could be a big mistake. In the past, Subaru has done an excellent job of listening to their current customers and improving their vehicles with what they hear from them. But dropping the hatchback from the WRX/STI lineup is alienating performance fans.
Why is it such a big deal for Subaru to offer a 5-door hatch in addition to the sedan? For Subaru buyers, it’s all 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. In addition to offering performance, it offers buyers to use the WRX STI 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 have dogs, and the 5-door hatch is ideal for transporting their four-legged friends to the vet and taking them along for their active lifestyles on the weekends. Subaru knows this and has partnered with the Center for Pet Safety to Test Pet Car Safety Restraints to keep those animals safe while riding in a Subaru. The active lifestyle of Subaru owners has always lent itself to taking the family dog along on camping and hiking trips. Subaru recognizes that their owners love dogs and they take them along on family trips. So why would they do away with WRX/STI hatch?
Subaru has said they sell many more of the sedans over the hatchback models. This will help Subaru save on production costs. Up until now, the Subaru WRX and WRX STI have been produced at the main Subaru plant in Japan. But starting in 2016, Subaru will begin building the Impreza and WRX/STI here in the U.S. in Indiana after they end building the Toyota Camry.
There is an outcry from current Subaru owners for the Japanese automaker to bring back the 5-door hatch to the WRX/STI lineup. Right now, Subaru is struggling to keep up with the demand for the popular 2014 Forester and new VX Crosstrek. The decision to drop the hatchback is likely to add space on the production line for those new vehicles by eliminating the slower-selling Impreza 5-door. But that could change at the end of 2016.
Will Subaru bring back the hatchback when they add production capability and begin producing the WRX/STI here in the U.S. in 2016? With the Toyota pull-out of the Camry production in 2016 at the Indiana plant, it will leave Subaru lots of room to expand. Will we see a 2016 Subaru WRX STI hatch? Maybe we’ll see a WRX STI hatchback again if the backlash from Subaru 5-door fans is loud enough. Tell us what you think.
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Comments
i too am waiting for january
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i too am waiting for january to hit tosee if a sti wrx hatchback is available. my 2015 will be alot more fun if one is available.
I've been patiently waiting
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I've been patiently waiting for Subaru to update the WRX. Finally it came in 2015 and I was excited to buy a 2015 WRX hatchback. What... no hatchback? Thanks Subaru! You have forced me to buy a Ford Focus ST because I refuse to drive an unpractical stupid sedan. Hopefully you get your crap together soon and bring back the the WRX hatch, until then you have lost a customer.
Gimme the concept car! I don
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Gimme the concept car! I don't care if it's powered by Obama's bad breath! I'll drive it, anyway! Well,... perhaps not. But, I LOVE the look of this car! Now, seriously,... make it light (in the 3,000 lb range), tight (excellent suspension, adjustable would be sweet), and right (300+ hp, turbo-4 is okay, and a performance oriented transmission,... I'll even take a GOOD automatic, NO CV, and 4WD). White, please. And, to whom should I make out my check?
Having a very active life
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Having a very active life style, the hatch works much better for many potential customers. Take a look at how hot the CUV segment is becoming. The the XV Cross-teck seems to fit that segment. But who is making a performance entry? We have currently have two Subaru's and will be replacing one soon. I have a short list of vehicles in consideration. If a wagon or hatch WRX becomes available. Or maybe drop the turbo engine in the XV. A "WRX-V" would have a also draw a lot of interest. That list will shrink to one.
Hot hatch? Lol I've never
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Hot hatch? Lol I've never been a fan of those hatch backs especially the ones Subaru had produced in the past. I think they looked like cockroaches. Lol
Anyone else notice that as
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Anyone else notice that as Subaru exits the hatch market that (in the USA) the GTI, fiesta, and focus are doing very well. The bmw 1 series, focus RS, and golf R are all now 4wd turbo hot hatches? Subaru should let the impreza be the boring volume car and let the WRX have some utility and personality.
Bring back the hatchback and
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Bring back the hatchback and I'll buy one! Much more versatile and better looking than the sedan!
I'd purchase tomorrow the WRX
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I'd purchase tomorrow the WRX wagon. I've owned several Subaru's and still tear up that I had to sell my hatchback when I got stationed overseas for a few years. Silly me, I thought that I'd come back stateside with a few extra bucks and get the latest and greatest. I'm just not interested in a sedan but I still want the Subaru feel and performance.
I currently own a 2011 Sti 5
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I currently own a 2011 Sti 5 door after previously owning a 2005 4 door, and I intend to buy another Sti this fall. If I must buy a 4 door, I will do so under extreme duress until they again make a 5 door. Then I will immediately trade in the 4 door.
Subaru, PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE bring the 5 door back for 2016.
i really thing that subaru
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i really thing that subaru made a great injustice by not doing a hatchback for 2015 or 2016. i went and got a subaru legacy that i really do not like at all. if you subaru would do wrx hatch i would go and get one asap.
My current car is a 2005 WRX
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My current car is a 2005 WRX hatch, with 116k miles on it. I'm in the market for a new car. Sadly, I'm not sure if a new Subaru is in my future because I can't get a WRX hatch. I hate to say it, but they may have lost a loyal customer here. The hatch is what suits my lifestyle, and my needs. Maybe it's time to switch to a VW or something. And I just LOVE the Lapis blue paint! I'm really bummed I can't get a new WRX hatch!
i didn't EVER want to get out
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i didn't EVER want to get out of a subaru. mine was totaled in an accident. someone crashed into me.
to my dismay i only JUST found out the hatch was DISCONTINUED. are they mad? I'm not sure what I'm going to do for a vehicle. i can't wait till 2017 models come out...and that IF they make a hatch.
i guess ford focus st or rs? I'm so freakin sad right now.
Hi hate the Impreza hatcback,
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Hi hate the Impreza hatcback, looks cheap and do not hold there value. Subaru have done well ditching the hatch if anything it made the iconic Impreza into a cheap euro box. Its Impreza saloon all the way for me, and i don't know many people who like the hatches. If you want a family car or have dogs buy a ford hatch. People who with class buy an Impreza saloon.
Been lookgfor low mileage wrx
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Been lookgfor low mileage wrx hatchback, if thy were to announce a newone will be coming out I would hold off on a used one and buy one brand new from Subaru. THE WRX IS THE ONLY SUBAR I WILL BUY!
I'm holding onto my 2010
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I'm holding onto my 2010 Forester XT until they bring back a WRX hatch or introduce a Crosstrek XT. For those of us that believe in active lifestyles, a hatch is priceless!
Rahrg! So frustrated to have
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Rahrg! So frustrated to have gone through my undergrad degree, and now, almost all the way through my grad degree, using a picture of a drop-dead-gorgeous STI 5 door, to keep me motivated! Please! Bring the 5 door STI back; I want to reward myself for years of hard work with this kick a** car!!
Bring back the hatch. This
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Bring back the hatch. This article couldn't have made a better case for the hatch. Personally an outback/legacy guy BP era. I would totally consider in hatch trim for my next car!