What is the future of the Subaru WRX? Did Subaru swing and miss with the performance sports car? I'll examine both questions.
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It's a question that Subaru Corporation probably doesn't even want to think about. Did the Japanese automaker miss the mark with the sport-tuned WRX? As I examine the question, it appears that the WRX is losing favor with performance fans.
First, let's check out the latest sales report. Then, I'll examine the future of the Subaru WRX and whether Subaru swung and missed with the performance sports car.
WRX Sales Have Dropped Again
The WRX has been on a downward slide for nine consecutive months. The downward trend continues, and it's not improving. The last time the WRX sports car had an increase was June 2023.
The WRX Has Decreased Nine Consecutive Months.
- March 2024 -38.9%
- February 2024 -46.3%
- January 2024 -41.6%
- December 2023 -37.1%
- November 2023 -37.3%
- October 2023 -14.7%
- September 2023 -2.7%
- August 2023 -27.2%
- July 2023 -25.1%
WRX Could Drop Further
Subaru of America reports that the WRX sold 1,837 performance sports cars in March, compared with 3,005 models sold in March 2023. The WRX performance sedan decreased 38.9 percent in March, the most of any model in SOA's lineup. For the first three months of 2024, the WRX dropped 42.1 percent, also the most of any Subaru model.
Fans Send Subaru A Direct Message
I think WRX and performance fans are sending Subaru a direct message. The message is, “we won’t buy the WRX until you make changes.”
Seriously, the WRX has declined for so long that this article could have been written a dozen times with simple name changes. That sucks, but it is the world Subaru is in.
What's Next For WRX?
The WRX will receive few upgrades, if any, for the 2025 model year. So, if you're waiting for a 2025 WRX, don't. It will basically be a carry-over model with no changes, and you'll end up paying more.
The 2024 WRX has five trim levels: Base, Premium, WRX TR, Limited, and GT.
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).
When Will The WRX Get Upgrades?
Subaru will give the 2026 sport-tuned WRX a "refresh" or mid-cycle upgrade. The WRX has a much longer life cycle than the Forester, Crosstrek, Outback, and other mainstream models.
Subaru performance cars like the BRZ have a much longer life cycle, seven or eight years before they get a complete remodel. So, the next-generation WRX will not arrive until around 2028.
When Will Subaru Bring Back The STI?
The good news is that the WRX STI is returning, according to Subaru's reports. The STI is expected to be converted to an EV in 2027.
Subaru says, "We will utilize the insight from this project (the all-electric Subaru STI E-RA concept) as an initiative for a future electrified society. STI will continue to create new values so that cars will remain enjoyable and enrich the lives of our customers in an increasingly decarbonized world, for all Subarus."
As I reported last year, Subaru Corporation filed a patent in Germany's Patent and Trademark Office in March 2023 for an" STe" (Subaru Tecnica electric) electrified performance sub-brand for hybrids and EVs.
Motor Trend says, "Subaru Corporation will launch the new STe electric performance car in three years with an on-sale date in late 2026 as a 2027 model year."
We have to wait for now, and waiting is such a drag. I want Subaru to bring back the WRX and STI hatchback body style. The WRX sedan sales are in a downward spiral, and the sports car needs more. Otherwise, what's the point?
Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru WRX report. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.
MORE SUBARU WRX NEWS
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The New 2024 Subaru WRX TR, Exposed In Italy
How does the new 2024 Subaru WRX TR perform? Check out what happened in Italy when the media took it out for a test run.
I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News and Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 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 The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
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For me, it is way under…
For me, it is way under powered. I owned a 2006 STI and loved it, but now....I will buy a used ZL1 Camaro or a used GTR or a new Nissan Z way before spending that kind of money on a Subaru WRX with only about 300 or less horse power.
Too bad, WRX is a fun car…
Too bad, WRX is a fun car for the money. Hopefully, the mods keep getting more deeply discounted, there are a couple I want.
I wasn't a fan. Ordered a…
I wasn't a fan. Ordered a 2021 STI late in the season and it got canceled. Was offered a WRX (Crostreck sedan) and declined. Purchased a 2022 Forester Wilderness instead. Drove it about 8 months, and sold it so I could buy a 2017 STI Limited. Bring back the bigger, meaner, faster, performance based machine without all that matte black Forester trim, you know... something that actually LOOKS performance and not like a Honda with a face lift and I may buy it. That and the EJ platform while not bulletproof has a WORLD of support, and people are just getting started with these new engines.
Besides neutering the…
Besides neutering the performance of the car, they just messed up the design so badly. It's like a Honda Civic and a Crosstrek had sex. Both the Civic and the Crosstrek have to be the ugliest cars ever made and their offspring is ugly times two. Subaru clearly doesn't want to appeal to the male audience anymore, or at least guys who have testosterone left in their bodies. For the cost, I would buy a slightly used Genesis G70 and make some tweaks. It looks a million times better and once a few mods are performed, it will blow the doors off the WRX in every scenario. This mess is the impact of Toyota imposing their will on Subaru....sucks.
Weird, I see a quite a lot…
Weird, I see a quite a lot of military guys and dads driving them. Pretty sure they have more testosterone than your soyboy self. :)
I have a 2020 STI. I 100%…
I have a 2020 STI. I 100% would never buy the latest WRX based on looks alone. It's just ugly. Too much plastic. It looks cheap, and like everyone says, a crosstrek. I really want to see what they do with the next STI. I would hope they don't ruin it by jumping head into EV. No one is buying EVs. Especially not sport cars! I personally wouldn't mind seeing a 400hp+ Hybrid. There's no reason they can't do that. Get the range and fuel economy of a small displacement, but the power and emissions of an EV. This is how Subaru should pursue the future. The world isn't ready for EVs and EVs aren't ready for the world. Give them another 20 years or so. But right now, all manufacturers should be looking into hybrids.
Personally, I love it. It…
Personally, I love it. It may be under tuned, but I don't want the WRX to be a street car. It's a rally car. I enjoy the way it handles the very curvy roads near me, and it's a joy to slam through the gears.
I owned a WRX ago. I test…
I owned a WRX ago. I test drove a 2023 recently and was left confused. It was more comfortable inside, but the power was meh. It felt like a tamed down sedan and not at all like a sports car.
The current gen WRX is ugly…
The current gen WRX is ugly. Subaru is saying they do not want the market of tuner friendly cars. Torque news is writing an article for the old Subaru fan boys. Subaru and specifically SOA doesn't want to be associated with that image. That's why AUS gets a wing and we do not. SOA is making a statement that's obvious with this car and the STe, and that statement is to remove itself the image of the old WRX/STI tunner friendly car. They want to grow up and want you too. I hate this direction.
1) They made it ugly…
1) They made it ugly. Literally nobody thinks the car looks good.
2) The "performance" sucks. For a car claiming to be a sport sedan, it doesnt live up to the name. The WRX gets its ass whooped by most average sedans on the market.
3) No STI.... Nuff said
4) They ruined the TR. They did the EXACT OPPOSITE of what the TR used to be and made it way too expensive and added crappy upgrades rather than stripping it down.
What is there to like?
I bought a BRZ instead…
I bought a BRZ instead. Lightweight simpler. I certainly don't want hybrids or EVs. More engagement not less.