2022 Subaru WRX Official Announcement *Merged*

[Calamity Jesus]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

Generally, if you can afford a WRX, you can afford dedicated all-season or snow tires. If those are outside of your budget, I think you're playing the wrong game.

Affordability isn't a factor when the dealership's sales manager is getting kickbacks for putting you on a 23%APR 70 month loan with your zero-downpayment, $500 trade-in, and $8,000 ADM.

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[porusski]

Originally Posted by kayen

You will be upgrading your tires to the PS5S instead. The PS4S are end of sale.

Really? That’s awesome to hear, I didn’t know those tires are being revamped again

[kayen]

Originally Posted by porusski

Really? That’s awesome to hear, I didn’t know those tires are being revamped again

Yeah Europe already has them and they are releasing this spring in the US.

[mikedotd]

Originally Posted by porusski

https://youtu.be/1-OunUSIFew

Looks like the WRX might be more fun than the Golf R***8230;

Originally Posted by porusski

https://youtu.be/Mpbnfqr1F1M

Been watching this guy for about a decade now.

I watched these today too. Road and Track also picked the MK8 GTI over the Golf R (maybe paywalled): https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews...-with-the-gti/

I ended up trading my MK7 Golf R w/6spd manual for a MK7.5 GTI w/6spd DSG mainly to get a better commuter car in stop and go traffic and I missed having a sunroof as an option in the spring and fall here in New England when the weather is nice. The R had tons of grip, but because of the front-biased AWD system you could never get the back end to step out like my GR WRX STi, at best you could get some rear power transfer that made the car more neutral in corners instead of understeer.

From what I've heard so far on the MK8 Golf R, it's more of the same. Super competent, but still not fun, even with "drift mode" which is still limited to 50% of torque to the rear (although now it can transfer 100% of the 50% total to a single rear wheel). Not to mention the worst infotainment system in the industry.

I'm not in the market for a daily driver right now, but I'd probably pick the WRX (or upcoming STi once the details are released) over a MK8 GTI/Golf R, even with the plastic cladding warts and prolapsed rear bumper. I miss the symmetrical AWD characteristics, and as SavageGeese and AMS Performance found out, the FA24F appears to be notably less stressed than the previous FA20F (or unreliable EJ257 which I'll never own again).

[porusski]

Originally Posted by mikedotd

I watched these today too. Road and Track also picked the MK8 GTI over the Golf R (maybe paywalled): https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews...-with-the-gti/

I ended up trading my MK7 Golf R w/6spd manual for a MK7.5 GTI w/6spd DSG mainly to get a better commuter car in stop and go traffic and I missed having a sunroof as an option in the spring and fall here in New England when the weather is nice. The R had tons of grip, but because of the front-biased AWD system you could never get the back end to step out like my GR WRX STi, at best you could get some rear power transfer that made the car more neutral in corners instead of understeer.

From what I've heard so far on the MK8 Golf R, it's more of the same. Super competent, but still not fun, even with "drift mode" which is still limited to 50% of torque to the rear (although now it can transfer 100% of the 50% total to a single rear wheel). Not to mention the worst infotainment system in the industry.

I'm not in the market for a daily driver right now, but I'd probably pick the WRX (or upcoming STi once the details are released) over a MK8 GTI/Golf R, even with the plastic cladding warts and prolapsed rear bumper. I miss the symmetrical AWD characteristics, and as SavageGeese and AMS Performance found out, the FA24F appears to be notably less stressed than the previous FA20F (or unreliable EJ257 which I'll never own again).

Well said. I appreciate the write-up.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by Russ_G93

Hey guys according to our bulletin at work (Service), the announcement for orders, online config, etc is supposed to happen towards the end of this month. Though I was initially under the impression that it was going to happen during the middle of this month. Either way i'll let all you guys know. Also, sales doesn't know s***. Techs and Serv advisors are always having to do the training way before them.

That's not always the case. Our techs have never been trained before I was since I've been there. Lot's of depends with when who goes to training.

Originally Posted by Russ_G93

From how its looking.. seems like it'll go the way of the BRZ, Certain amount of units will be allocated, Orders will be temporary for a certain time, and then they'll close them to prioritize other models, then come back to it.

BRZ is a low volume car. Ordering stopped because of the mad rush to them. If the same thing happens to the WRX, this site will crash cause it would prove the total opposite to what people want here.

Originally Posted by mcarb002

You can walk away from your order and won’t lose a deposit?
I only ordered a car once which was my 15 STI Launch Edition. If I remember correctly the dealer made me put down a considerable deposit like 1/2K which I’d lose if I walked away afterwords and we agreed on pricing etc before car came for me. Did you do this already as well? Curious as to how that’s working now since all the markups over msrp etc

SOA requires the deposit; but, I don't think they have needed to enforce it for a while. It was to keep fake orders from retailers back when they couldn't keep up with demand. As long as the retailers aren't abusing it, I don't think it's much of an issue. If they keep your deposit, that's just them being asses.

Originally Posted by laufu

...Fun fact for future big screen owners: To turn off the heated or cooled seats quickly, long press (1 second) the button, no need to press it 3 times. ...

This works on the Ascent's hard buttons as well(and the older Outbacks/Legacys).

Originally Posted by Calamity Jesus

The WRX's fuel mileage, sedan-only body style, styling, price, and head unit are all dealbreakers.

Fuel mileage is a bummer to me. With "only" 3hp gain, I would've thought, maybe at least, 2mpg better?

Originally Posted by Russ_G93

It was released today that Subaru is asking all service shops for records of any and all issues in regards to the WRX. Looks like theyre very interested in the quality of the newly released product and will indeed be making changes accordingly. I don't know if the interest is in regards to the powertrain or overall happiness with the released car but in any case it is good news for those of us that were hoping for something different. So if you do experience specific issues, make sure to take photos and relay all necessary info to your local service shops. (In other words dont let any small issue float by).

They do this with all new models. They have dedicated teams to go over them.

[OldBlu]

Originally Posted by porusski

My plan is WRX GT, tune with Delicious Tuning ASAP, and eventually upgrade to Michelin PS4S once the first tires wear out.

Can you (or anyone) explain to me what you find compelling about the WRX GT--especially without any reviews of the SPT even out yet?

It just doesn't seem like a very competitive vehicle to me. I'd love to understand who the buyer is better.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by OldBlu

Can you (or anyone) explain to me what you find compelling about the WRX GT--especially without any reviews of the SPT even out yet?

It just doesn't seem like a very competitive vehicle to me. I'd love to understand who the buyer is better.

I would have a hard time choosing a GT over a stripper Audi S3 for ~$3k more. That ~3k difference makes up for itself pretty quickly considering how much more power the S3 has out of the box, with a warranty that doesn't need to be compromised. Although from my previous experience with Audis, the WRX will corner much harder.

On cloverleaf exit ramps, I could confidently hit 55-58 MPH in my '09 WRX and '20 STI. My '14 S4 with the torque vectoring rear diff and superior AWD system to the S3 started feeling sketchy at ~48 MPH. Maybe it could match the Subarus but I never had the balls to try.

Still though, with ~300 wheel out of the box and a dual clutch, my money would choose the S3. In my opinion, the CVT WRX makes much more sense at the premium trim, and limited trim has me questioning the value proposition a bit. GT trim forget it.

[cbk57]

Originally Posted by OldBlu

Can you (or anyone) explain to me what you find compelling about the WRX GT--especially without any reviews of the SPT even out yet?

It just doesn't seem like a very competitive vehicle to me. I'd love to understand who the buyer is better.

I question whether the GT is going to be competitive in the market, cars that touch in that price range I can think of with all wheel drive, 4 doors and an automatic transmission are as follows*
Audi A3 or A4
BMW 3 series
Genesis G70
Infinity?
Lexus IS
Acura TLX
Mazda 3
Cadillac base model sedan
Mercedes A class sedan
Volkswagen Golf R

My point being, the 4 door automatic transmission sport sedan segment from 40,000 to 50,000 is loaded with great cars. It might be that the GT is possibly the least competitive car in the class as it is stretching a cheaper car to its upper limit.

If I were buying a new sedan, I would put the WRX at the top of the list of cars I am considering but for me it would be the Premium without sunroof. I am not a WRX buyer at 40,000 and up. To get me into a Subaru product at 40,000.00 I would only consider the STI. At 40,000 or more for a auto trans all wheel drive, I would probably not buy a WRX but would have to think long and hard about some of the other cars i listed.

[cbk57]

Mistaken double post

[KC]

Originally Posted by cbk57

I question whether the GT is going to be competitive in the market, cars that touch in that price range I can think of with all wheel drive, 4 doors and an automatic transmission are as follows*
Audi A3 or A4
BMW 3 series
Genesis G70
Infinity?
Lexus IS
Acura TLX
Mazda 3
Cadillac base model sedan
Mercedes A class sedan
Volkswagen Golf R

My point being, the 4 door automatic transmission sport sedan segment from 40,000 to 50,000 is loaded with great cars. It might be that the GT is possibly the least competitive car in the class as it is stretching a cheaper car to its upper limit.

If I were buying a new sedan, I would put the WRX at the top of the list of cars I am considering but for me it would be the Premium without sunroof. I am not a WRX buyer at 40,000 and up. To get me into a Subaru product at 40,000.00 I would only consider the STI. At 40,000 or more for a auto trans all wheel drive, I would probably not buy a WRX but would have to think long and hard about some of the other cars i listed.

Also Alfa Giulia. And I'm right there with you. The GT has to be really special for it to get accepted for that price. I think the GT is going to be a practical test-bed for the STi (i.e. STi with just WRX engine).

[ultrashin]

Originally Posted by cbk57

I question whether the GT is going to be competitive in the market, cars that touch in that price range I can think of with all wheel drive, 4 doors and an automatic transmission are as follows*
Audi A3 or A4
BMW 3 series
Genesis G70
Infinity?
Lexus IS
Acura TLX
Mazda 3
Cadillac base model sedan
Mercedes A class sedan
Volkswagen Golf R

My point being, the 4 door automatic transmission sport sedan segment from 40,000 to 50,000 is loaded with great cars. It might be that the GT is possibly the least competitive car in the class as it is stretching a cheaper car to its upper limit.

If I were buying a new sedan, I would put the WRX at the top of the list of cars I am considering but for me it would be the Premium without sunroof. I am not a WRX buyer at 40,000 and up. To get me into a Subaru product at 40,000.00 I would only consider the STI. At 40,000 or more for a auto trans all wheel drive, I would probably not buy a WRX but would have to think long and hard about some of the other cars i listed.

The cars that you have listed are close to WRX GT price in base form without any packages. Once you spec the cars with WRX equivalent premium audio system, sports package, etc they become way more expensive. If you compare the premium trim of WRX vs those cars, the comparison will be more reasonable. Golf R is the only one loaded from factory that is close in terms of price ( ~3K MSRP difference, dealer markups may vary).

That being said, the WRX GT is very expensive and not a good value proposition.
Side note: the IS with 6AT AWD is ass and almost as old as EJ motor. It sucks.

[chanomatik]

So basically the WRX GT is the entry-level "luxury" vehicle? You get a car loaded with technology and performance, but without paying for similar features in a vehicle that's already established as luxury since that vehicle would then cost low $50k or so?

[subyski]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

We spent 6 model years begging Subaru to ditch RE-92 all-seasons and this guy is complaining that the car only comes with summer tires. I can't watch anymore.

Originally Posted by porusski

Everyone has their own requests. This guy lives in the snow so I understand. I live in SoCal and want summer tires only haha

The RE-92 weren't even good as being all-seasons and being ridiculously priced.

The point being is this could be an option like how the Si and GTI have them. There's a plethora of high performance all-seasons on the market today that would fit this car's character.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by subyski

The RE-92 weren't even good as being all-seasons and being ridiculously priced.

The point being is this could be an option like how the Si and GTI have them. There's a plethora of high performance all-seasons on the market today that would fit this car's character.

Yes, options can exist, but really they should be offering an additional winter tire package. No one should have all-seasons.

[samagon]

Originally Posted by subyski

Costs is exactly why Subaru won't develop an AT. They also want to push the CVT/SPT because that's all they know now and implement their safety tech, which doesn't work with a MT.

It's a risk because Subaru sells the most WRX models in North America and most of the WRX sales are MT. The North American WRX demographic is reluctant to see a SPT/CVT as a performance transmission. Weirdly, due to EPA testing choices, they have the SPT/CVT listed with worse mpg than the MT. This impacts overall fleet mpg negatively, especially if they want to push more SPT/CVT sales.

I will theorize that when the STI releases, the GT line WRX will be higher than a base STI.

people who have the money for the GT line, yet want a manual transmission will get the STI. you might not get the adjustable ride settings.

people who want the automatic experience and all the ride enhancements of the plushness the GT line will offer are going to go with the WRX and not worry about the Nth performance gains the STI might offer at a lower/same price.

just my guess. but, the GT line being auto only is quite OK when the STI is released and we can consider all of the various options available of different WRX variants (which the STI is one).

we might even hope that the STI is going to get back to more performance oriented vs the previous gens which seemed to be getting softer.

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

Yes, options can exist, but really they should be offering an additional winter tire package. No one should have all-seasons.

Generally I agree about dedicated winters vs summer tires. Spring of last year I decided to try the Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires right before a cross-country road trip. I got mint condition, stock 2011 WRX Enkei wheels, since I really wanted 17" wheels along with meatier tires (compared to stock 18" size). I kept them for most of the summer until I switched back to my dedicated summer tires for Wicked Big Meet in September and a trip up to New Hampshire around the White Mountains in early October. I think late October I switched back to the Cross Climate 2 tires.

This past winter in New England the weather has been fairly inconsistent. Anywhere from almost zero degrees and up to 60 degrees. Snow storms, squalls, lost of rain. The tires have been fantastic. I took them up to Burlington and Stowe in Vermont during the Christmas weekend, and despite super crappy weather, the car performed magnificently.

I still have dedicated winter tires on my other set of 18" wheels, but I haven't felt super compelled to mount them. If I still lived in Alaska where I knew snow would stay on the ground for 6 months out of the year, I'd 100% just stick with dedicated snow tires. But if it's just a couple of months of winter where snow kind of comes and goes, only now do I appreciate all-season tires.

Just my input and experience. I know everyone else has their preferences, but I've pretty much converted to high-end all-season tires. I forget which model, but my mom purchased a set of the most expensive Michelin all-seasons she could buy a few years ago. She doesn't drive a ton, but her Envoy XL handled snow and ice very well without going into 4WD. Now she drives my Crosstrek that I left up in Alaska, and she enjoys it immensely. I think it has basic all-seasons, probably from Costco.

Of course, if your car doesn't have dynamic driving characteristics, I think all-season tires in general are fine. But if you're gonna go hoon anywhere or drive aggressively at all, having appropriate tires is a must.

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

So basically the WRX GT is the entry-level "luxury" vehicle?

No.

[Pre]

Originally Posted by ultrashin

WRX equivalent premium audio system

Huh? There has never been a premium audio system in a WRX. Subaru may charge you for it, HK may slap their logo on it, but it is not a premium audio system, as in ever.

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

Yes, options can exist, but really they should be offering an additional winter tire package. No one should have all-seasons.

Originally Posted by chanomatik

Of course, if your car doesn't have dynamic driving characteristics, I think all-season tires in general are fine. But if you're gonna go hoon anywhere or drive aggressively at all, having appropriate tires is a must.

For many years I would have vigorously agreed with you both. A wiser me now has a different opinion. All of the years I spent living with noisy, harsh, rapid-wearing summer tires for what? Grip?

Finally gave in, sick of the trash ride quality I'd have after 10,000 miles on popular summer tires (really assumed it was somehow the car, even though alignment always checked out OK) and went with a set of pilot sport AS3+ for my summer wheels a few years back. Why, why, why didn't I do this sooner? If I do have less grip, it's for the better because it makes the limits more manageable. But reality is the limits are still so high as to be truly irresponsible to get near them in public - these are 245/40/18. And they might dry-rot before they wear out at this rate.

Of course I might have been choosing the wrong summer tires, but that's my anecdotal experience after 20 years. Assuming no track duty, the tradeoff of all other properties for summer tire grip are not worth it, even when completely ignoring cold weather performance as a factor.

[ultrashin]

Originally Posted by Pre

Huh? There has never been a premium audio system in a WRX. Subaru may charge you for it, HK may slap their logo on it, but it is not a premium audio system, as in ever.

When I say "premium" audio system, I am referring to upgraded HK audio system that you have to pay additional for vs Subaru base audio system. Every car manufacturers do that.
My point was that comparing prices of trim with fully loaded option vs base trim is not fair. Some people want paying additional amenities, others don't mind bare minimum for cheaper price.

[Straight6]

Originally Posted by ntg44

I would have a hard time choosing a GT over a stripper Audi S3 for ~$3k more. That ~3k difference makes up for itself pretty quickly considering how much more power the S3 has out of the box, with a warranty that doesn't need to be compromised. Although from my previous experience with Audis, the WRX will corner much harder.

On cloverleaf exit ramps, I could confidently hit 55-58 MPH in my '09 WRX and '20 STI. My '14 S4 with the torque vectoring rear diff and superior AWD system to the S3 started feeling sketchy at ~48 MPH. Maybe it could match the Subarus but I never had the balls to try.

Still though, with ~300 wheel out of the box and a dual clutch, my money would choose the S3. In my opinion, the CVT WRX makes much more sense at the premium trim, and limited trim has me questioning the value proposition a bit. GT trim forget it.

Agreed, premium trim with 6 speed sounds like the best bang for the buck but I would still like to try this new SPT transmission.

[4S-TURBO]

Originally Posted by Straight6

Agreed, premium trim with 6 speed sounds like the best bang for the buck but I would still like to try this new SPT transmission.

Yeah, at least they offered it on the base trim for this gen. I'm gonna check it out too.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by OldBlu

Can you (or anyone) explain to me what you find compelling about the WRX GT--especially without any reviews of the SPT even out yet?

It just doesn't seem like a very competitive vehicle to me. I'd love to understand who the buyer is better.

This simply comes down to....do you like CVT or no. First time I drove the DIT with HTCVT in the FXT, I was happy. Fast forward a year when the WRX was introduced with the HTCVT, I was sold.



KNOWING the limitations of it, I would have probably, at least, put a cooler on it. Life didn't let me get one and now I'll be getting a new DD this year, and will either get the STI when it comes; or, if it doesn't impress me enough, I'll have a GT on order. All the things I liked about the HTCVT drive......Improved? Yes, please.


If the STI finally comes with an auto like they said the were working on(no timeline), that's what I'll get. If it doesn't, I'm fine with that.



And just a bit of background, from the cars I learned to drive on to all the cars I've owned, I have owned a MT uninterrupted. And now that I have my little Sambar fire truck that is MT, I'll pretty much have always owned them. I just don't "have" to have one. I don't have "that" much enthusiast in me. My enthusiasm is just being behind the wheel. Don't care how many pedals there are.

[KC]

Originally Posted by samagon

I will theorize that when the STI releases, the GT line WRX will be higher than a base STI.

people who have the money for the GT line, yet want a manual transmission will get the STI. you might not get the adjustable ride settings.

people who want the automatic experience and all the ride enhancements of the plushness the GT line will offer are going to go with the WRX and not worry about the Nth performance gains the STI might offer at a lower/same price.

just my guess. but, the GT line being auto only is quite OK when the STI is released and we can consider all of the various options available of different WRX variants (which the STI is one).

we might even hope that the STI is going to get back to more performance oriented vs the previous gens which seemed to be getting softer.

I just cannot see the value of an expensive $43k+ WRX (with Delivery being higher here in New England)... with that generally pedestrian hard seated Subaru interior.