Thanks for pointing out these
Thanks for pointing out these facts. Hard to argue with the owner's manual.
I'd say perhaps nobody asked for more ground clearance in the WRX, but if it has more ground clearance AND a lower center of gravity, imagine the improvement to handling with a mild drop. To me it's more like a turbocharged Crosstrek. I'd actually lift it another half inch, mount slightly taller all terrain tires, and take it off road.