The problem is not the…
The problem is not the hatchback, a hatchback version would 100% bring them a boost in sales yes but the issue is subaru didn't want to listen to their customers who hated the new model. The issue is Subaru dropping the STI and not offering an actual performance increase on the wrx, why would a performance minded enthusiast drop 30k in this economy for a 271 hp sedan when there are so many other better performing options for around the same price. The issue is that subaru lost their soul, their racing spirit! but I would dare to go even deeper into the issue and also attribute guilt to what was at the beginning a blessing for subaru but now a nail in the coffin in the long run, and that is the loss of their rival the mitsubishi evolution. Think about it, without the evo the wrx has lost its way, before it was evo vs wrx now its wrx vs what? If you bought a wrx in the past it was because you wanted one of the two street rally cars and would spend the rest of your ownership fighting over which one was better. It was a segment within a segment, so what if there are 460 hp mustangs or 300 hp civic type Rs, you didnt buy a wrx to compete with that, you bought a wrx to compete with the evo within your own bubble. I think subaru needs to do just 3 things: Give the customers a better performing car or let them build one themselves by having engines with stronger internals from factory, think about it, every subaru guy would spend an extra 3k over msrp if the engine came with forged pistons and Hbeam rods from factory. Second, do bring back the hatchback and third, for the love of god give us a manual, gas burning STI!