2022 Subaru WRX Official Announcement *Merged*

[heavyD]

The issue with the base is that Subaru scrapped the climate control switches to save money so they have to leave a screen to control climate even on the base. Would have been more ideal to keep the one infotainment screen, added physical temperature controls below, and leave a cubby bin for storage below the climate control controls. I think the main reason it looks as cheap as it does is the bezel that looks like one of those cheap Metra dash kits you use for aftermarket deck installs. I don't love piano black plastic but the bezel wouldn't have looked as cheap if it was piano black plastic.

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[dwf137]

It looks so cheap because they clearly didn't care. They could have done so many different things, but they didn't.

I'm half convinced that they want WRX sales to tank so they can justify dropping it from the lineup.

[b4wantab]

I don't think so. Profitability has been tanking +40% since 2018. SOA does not report profitability anymore, just Subaru as a whole. 2018 on had massive recalls which hurt the bottom-line. Covid just sucker-punched everyone, so that hasn't helped. Subaru chose to ramp up marketing to combat quality problems. What you are seeing today was designed 2-3 years ago. Engineers have not called the shots at FHI/Subaru for many years now. Subaru is all about the cheapest part possible. There is so much money spent on marketing, which here is America you sometime have no choice, that there doesn't seem to be any left over for a properly vetted product.

The other part of that is just plain intellectual incest. Some people are too busy patting themselves and each other on the back to know what is happening. Not saying it easy to get more diverse focus groups but, it seems SOA just talks amongst themselves.

That is a nasty infotainment system.

Peace,

Greg

[ProZach626]

I talked a boat load of crap on the WRX, and in its current form, I won't buy it. But, it seems like a lot of automotive journalists really like the new WRX. There are negative reviews out there, but the majority of them seem positive.

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

I expect Civic SI to outsell everything else in the segment

That's a pretty safe bet. I've been considering looking at the 22 SI as a replacement for my STI. It's supposedly a blast to drive and the gas mileage is great. The SI doesn't take itself too seriously, and as always, it's really not trying to go toe-to-toe with the competition. It falls into a niche category and Honda doesn't chase numbers with the SI.

It's also a pretty handsome car, but I'm having a hard time envisioning taking that kind of a step back. It doesn't even have heated seats. If I ever purchase one, the piped in sound is going to have to be disabled immediately. It's terrible.

[Pre]

Originally Posted by heavyD

The issue with the base is that Subaru scrapped the climate control switches to save money so they have to leave a screen to control climate even on the base. Would have been more ideal to keep the one infotainment screen, added physical temperature controls below, and leave a cubby bin for storage below the climate control controls. I think the main reason it looks as cheap as it does is the bezel that looks like one of those cheap Metra dash kits you use for aftermarket deck installs. I don't love piano black plastic but the bezel wouldn't have looked as cheap if it was piano black plastic.

What would have been better is just a double din unit and the same old plastic controls for climate the VA had. A complicated screen is not cheaper than some dollar or two dollar plastic parts. That **** costs nothing. The big screen is marketing, not cost. “Oh it has a massive screen like a Tesla! I’m buying this!” Nothing but pure marketing.

I have a Metra kit for my truck and it doesn’t look any different than factory. You can’t even tell.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by ProZach626

[...]It's also a pretty handsome car, but I'm having a hard time envisioning taking that kind of a step back. It doesn't even have heated seats. [...]

If I were to buy (or lease?) a Si or an Elantra N, I'd still keep my '19 Golf R regardless.
Both Si and Elantra N appeal to me because they are sporty and yet sill have tons of rear legroom to haul people (same with VW's GLI, btw).

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[SoDealer]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

Looking at the AWD turbo manual compact sedan segment. Segment of 1. So yeah, participation trophy.

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

Once production issues are straighten out, Honda should be able to manufacture a boatload of SI; it's also the least expensive of the bunch and that helps a lot right now.
Hyundai seems to only allocate 1 or 2 Elantra N per dealerships; Subaru dealerships have more WRX units on hand at the moment (but Elantra N has been on sale for a bit longer).
Not sure what's up with VW; Golf R is nearly unobtainium and GTI is priced too high, IMO.
So, if I were to guess and take a bet, in the SF Bay Area, I expect Civic SI to outsell everything else in the segment, then it might be a toss up between Elantra N and WRX, then GTI last.

WRX has outsold the SI and GTI for years.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by SoDealer

WRX has outsold the SI and GTI for years.

There is a first time for everything :-) I just don't think WRX is compelling enough this time around; especially with gas nearing $7 a gallon in most places around here.

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