2022 Subaru WRX First Look

[ricochet]

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

20220 Subaru WRX and WRX GT!

We had a chance to check out the new 2022 Subaru WRX and WRX GT. We then hit the track with Scott Speed in both base (6MT) and GT trims.

[Arcanum_STI]

I hope the STI doesnt have that plastic on the wheel arches..

[S7N]

Originally Posted by Arcanum_STI

I hope the STI doesnt have that plastic on the wheel arches..

It's going to be a direct replica just with a wing.

[murrdogg24]

Originally Posted by S7N

It's going to be a direct replica just with a wing.

[RAV]

I think we can hold out hope for the STI to be 350 HP+. The weak link in this WRX is the CVT. To bad they did not offer it in two different tunes like the MK 8 Golf R. It is the opposite there however. The stick version has 280 Ft lbs and the DSG 310.
Iam a little supprised though that the CVT in the Assent can handle 277 ft lbs and tow 5000 lbs. That tow amount puts a lot of stress on that CVT. Maybe the new quick shifting in the WRX causes more torque limitations.

[RAV]

I think we can hold out hope for the STI to be 350 HP+. The weak link in this WRX is the CVT. To bad they did not offer it in two different tunes like the MK 8 Golf R. It is the opposite there however. The stick version has 280 Ft lbs and the DSG 310.
Iam a little supprised though that the CVT in the Assent can handle 277 ft lbs and tow 5000 lbs. That tow amount puts a lot of stress on that CVT. Maybe the new quick shifting in the WRX causes more torque limitations.

[Power6]

I was excited to see this, I had to come over to NASIOC to see what the buzz is. I was thinking of coming back to a Subie next year when I turn in my lease. I miss driving a stick and always hopeful they can give me enough not to need a "premium" car.

So far I'm worried, not about the HP (we wanted 300 dammit!) but it looks like they are gonna force the GT for those who want the luxuries, sounding like those Recaros, possibly the decent stereo and the adaptive dampers (if they prove to be any good) are going to be not available if you want to shift. Too many other options if I will take an automatic, "premium" cars that lease great. That's too bad!

That outback cladding though, itself that might ruin it, don't know if I could get over that for it to be my "Dad car". Oh Subaru what are we going to do with you lol.

I'm really interested in what the rest of y'all think? Especially the old guys like me ;-)

[P.Rico]

Originally Posted by Power6

I was excited to see this, I had to come over to NASIOC to see what the buzz is. I was thinking of coming back to a Subie next year when I turn in my lease. I miss driving a stick and always hopeful they can give me enough not to need a "premium" car.

So far I'm worried, not about the HP (we wanted 300 dammit!) but it looks like they are gonna force the GT for those who want the luxuries, sounding like those Recaros, possibly the decent stereo and the adaptive dampers (if they prove to be any good) are going to be not available if you want to shift. Too many other options if I will take an automatic, "premium" cars that lease great. That's too bad!

That outback cladding though, itself that might ruin it, don't know if I could get over that for it to be my "Dad car". Oh Subaru what are we going to do with you lol.

I'm really interested in what the rest of y'all think? Especially the old guys like me ;-)

This other "old" guy also came over back to NASIOC (from Swedespeed, I see you with your S60 R-Design! ) to check out the feedback. I am also not the largest fan of the cladding, but I've watched a few videos now and it seems to be blending in more as I see it in motion, so it's not terrible. Seems to look better with less bright color than the orange (I like the orange color, but just not how high the black cladding goes up the back...) I think the rear would look better with a lowered suspension, it looks too high off the ground and almost looks like a bumper is missing. At least the overhang is not as bad on the front anymore since the cladding kind of hides how far it extends out, a nice visual trick.

I am also curious about the design choice of the GT being the top trim with exclusive features. I think it will sell alright; the CVT WRX seemed to sell well enough...

Looking for more performance testing numbers and feedback on road manners. Hell I might even just go try one for giggles.

However, yes, too many creature comforts and performance in other sedan and wagon dad cars that will likely keep me from coming back to WRX-land. A V90 or V60 R-Design is likely on the docket once I drive this S60 into the ground.

[ProZach626]

I can't get over the Crosstrek cladding. Why?...

[oichan]

Originally Posted by ProZach626

I can't get over the Crosstrek cladding. Why?...

Agreed.. looks pretty bulky/clunky/chunky to me. Like a cross/SUV RAV4 more so than a sleek sedan.

Hard pass for me.

[Supraru]

I'll have to drive this new CVT once they come in. I was possibly thinking of buying an Sti but prefer a good auto to manual anymore. My M240's auto is amazing and I'd rather keep that. Not sure an Sti could compete with the power. Like everyone though I'd prefer to pay for a full paint job and the way that rear bumper sticks out is quite honestly the ugliest thing I've seen in a long time on a car.

[Mariano]

Not a fan of the cladding nor all the black plastics in the bumpers. I guess Subaru is trying to have a more mainstream-rugged look with a an off-road appeal rather than keeping their more iconic rally look. I was really hoping for this car to be a return to basics.

[GoFrogs]

aside from outward looks, the biggest hurdle with the new WRX is having buyers choose their passion with three pedals (base model) or cave and get the technology (and other things) in the GT with CVT only, at the sacrifice of passion.

I am one of those people who actually wants to shift my own gears because then I'm actually doing something. I am a part of the process. My latest Playstation is a PS2, so that should tell you something...

There are people out there who want to shift and have luxuries. This manual only base model no gizmos thing is frankly dumb and then Subaru will wonder why the new model isn't selling in the numbers like the previous model did. (See VW's move from Mk4 R32-6spd to Mk5 R32-DSG only for a similar situation).

I want the best for Subaru, but right now, I hope the new BRZ moves more units than the WRX (both trims).

I'm not onboard with the "Vermont backroads" cladding, but that is easier to deal with than the transmission and lack of interior amenities.

Maybe Subaru's plan is to drive more STi sales. Considering that is what they actually race (no factory WRX rally cars, only STi cars), maybe Subaru is going to push those buyer who want technology and want to shift (passion) into the more expensive STi.

[RAV]

In an effort be positive about WRX,we should consider this. In this application the FA24 puts out 5% more horsepower than torque. In the Ascent to produces 7% less HP than torque. This tells us the WRX can deliver more air at higher rpm levels making its tuning potential greater. This WRX only puts out 108 ft lbs per liter, very poor but all due to the torque limitations of the CVT. If this WRX did not have a CVT it would most certainly be 300 HP. A Honda Accord 2.0T puts out 136 Ft lbs per liter on regular. If the FA24 in the WRX put out at those concervative levels it would be putting out 325 ft lbs. I could not disagree more with those that think since the WRX is only 271 HP the STI will only be 320 or so HP. Again, its the CVT and the STI will not have one.This WRX with the stout internals of the FA24 versus the EJ25 will be easy to tune in the 325 range with just an ecu. At its low stock torque levels I sure it only needs regular. Premium alone will give it another 10% more power. Zero to sixty times of a lightly modified WRX will be way better than the current STI since it produces max torque at 2000 rpm and will not bog when y launch it like the STI that does not produce and sizeable levels of torque till 3500.

[murrdogg24]

don't forget the plastic cladding adds +10hp

Originally Posted by RAV

In an effort be positive about WRX,we should consider this. In this application the FA24 puts out 5% more horsepower than torque. In the Ascent to produces 7% less HP than torque. This tells us the WRX can deliver more air at higher rpm levels making its tuning potential greater. This WRX only puts out 108 ft lbs per liter, very poor but all due to the torque limitations of the CVT. If this WRX did not have a CVT it would most certainly be 300 HP. A Honda Accord 2.0T puts out 136 Ft lbs per liter on regular. If the FA24 in the WRX put out at those concervative levels it would be putting out 325 ft lbs. I could not disagree more with those that think since the WRX is only 271 HP the STI will only be 320 or so HP. Again, its the CVT and the STI will not have one.This WRX with the stout internals of the FA24 versus the EJ25 will be easy to tune in the 325 range with just an ecu. At its low stock torque levels I sure it only needs regular. Premium alone will give it another 10% more power. Zero to sixty times of a lightly modified WRX will be way better than the current STI since it produces max torque at 2000 rpm and will not bog when y launch it like the STI that does not produce and sizeable levels of torque till 3500.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by RAV

In an effort be positive about WRX,we should consider this. In this application the FA24 puts out 5% more horsepower than torque. In the Ascent to produces 7% less HP than torque. This tells us the WRX can deliver more air at higher rpm levels making its tuning potential greater. This WRX only puts out 108 ft lbs per liter, very poor but all due to the torque limitations of the CVT. If this WRX did not have a CVT it would most certainly be 300 HP. A Honda Accord 2.0T puts out 136 Ft lbs per liter on regular. If the FA24 in the WRX put out at those concervative levels it would be putting out 325 ft lbs. I could not disagree more with those that think since the WRX is only 271 HP the STI will only be 320 or so HP. Again, its the CVT and the STI will not have one.This WRX with the stout internals of the FA24 versus the EJ25 will be easy to tune in the 325 range with just an ecu. At its low stock torque levels I sure it only needs regular. Premium alone will give it another 10% more power. Zero to sixty times of a lightly modified WRX will be way better than the current STI since it produces max torque at 2000 rpm and will not bog when y launch it like the STI that does not produce and sizeable levels of torque till 3500.

If Subaru could deliver an engine on par with a modern Honda, they wouldn’t be Subaru. The engine management system on the CTR is so sophisticated that tuners don’t even need to offer an alternate tune in 91 octane gas. The ECU handles the correction automatically.

[RAV]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

If Subaru could deliver an engine on par with a modern Honda, they wouldn’t be Subaru. The engine management system on the CTR is so sophisticated that tuners don’t even need to offer an alternate tune in 91 octane gas. The ECU handles the correction automatically.

The JDM STI's put out up to 380 HP out of a 2 liter, far in excess of what Honda has ever done in a car. Your comment has zero basis in fact.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by RAV

The JDM STI's put out up to 380 HP out of a 2 liter, far in excess of what Honda has ever done in a car. Your comment has zero basis in fact.

What Honda and Subaru do or don't do in a country we don't live in has zero value to this conversation. Back in reality, the CTR has a much more sophisticated engine management system. That fact that nobody has sued Honda over that engine self destructing speaks for itself.

[basyager]

nobody in japan is buying these in 6 speed. they're all cvt. 300hp va wrx s4? CVT. i guess what im saying is its a different era and we were lucky to get the 6 speed option

[cbk57]

Originally Posted by basyager

nobody in japan is buying these in 6 speed. they're all cvt. 300hp va wrx s4? CVT. i guess what im saying is its a different era and we were lucky to get the 6 speed option

I suspect the WRX is dead in the U.S. when the manual goes away. The vast majority of WRX buyers expect a manual, it is also one of the few things that distinguishes the WRX from lots of other sporty sedans on the market. All wheel drive is pretty common now, so the WRX main distinguishing attributes are affordable all wheel drive, sport sedan with a manual. Otherwise you can buy something that does everything else it does better.

Next time I buy a car, I might even swallow my dislike for the cosmetics and consider it. Next go around for me I probably will shop three cars, BRZ or toyota Counterpart, Corolla GR or WRX.

[FaithSarim]

Originally Posted by basyager

nobody in japan is buying these in 6 speed. they're all cvt. 300hp va wrx s4? CVT. i guess what im saying is its a different era and we were lucky to get the 6 speed option Towing Leander

I am also thinking the same way. Unlike before the 6-speed option does not yet exist.

[anthonyscotte23]

This is a really great blog and community. Love how everyone is chipping in. Thanks from mt vernon washer repair

[kenconley123]

Any thing new about this model? Thanks - Steel Roof Hamilton

[Harry56]

I love cars and my friends at Handyman near me are collecting Subaru brand cars.