2022 Subaru WRX Official Announcement *Merged*

[WallopingTuba]

Originally Posted by Calamity Jesus

My local dealer has new unsold inventory for the first time in 2 years.. 20 cars, including 1 WRX. I'm curious to test drive one.. but I'd never buy one. The starting MSRP is $8k more than the STI I bought new.

I'm in the same boat, would not buy one, but curious how it drives since a lot of people tend to say its a big improvement.

I was soo close to pulling the trigger on a 21 STi at MSRP even had the wife's permission, but decided to wait for the 22/23 STi

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[Scooby-Doode]

Originally Posted by WallopingTuba

I'm in the same boat, would not buy one, but curious how it drives since a lot of people tend to say its a big improvement.

I was soo close to pulling the trigger on a 21 STi at MSRP even had the wife's permission, but decided to wait for the 22/23 STi

even had the wife's permission
even had the wife's permission
even had the wife's permission
even had the wife's permission
even had the wife's permission

Let that ring in your ears for the next 5 years friend. You have sinned and should be punished.

[WallopingTuba]

Originally Posted by Scooby-Doode

even had the wife's permission
even had the wife's permission
even had the wife's permission
even had the wife's permission
even had the wife's permission

Let that ring in your ears for the next 5 years friend. You have sinned and should be punished.

I know :’( Dobie should be punished

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by WallopingTuba

I know :’( Dobie should be punished

I sold my 2018 STI when we were saving for a house. I assumed I could get a VB STI at some point. WTF ::facepalm::

[heavyD]

Wife's permission is overrated. She usually finds out about one of my new vehicle purchases when I put my current car for sale a few months prior to delivery.

[rallly 4]

Originally Posted by jayt1989

So. speaking as an owner of a 22 WRX GT in Sapphire Blue, I think many people here are dismissing this car based on internet pictures alone.
The car looks very different in person.

This is my 4th WRX and I can tell you, this car is at least as good as or better than the previous generation in all other aspects.

The SPT is actually very good, for a CVT. Especially using the paddle shifters, it mimics a MT pretty well.

While it has the same HP as last gen, the Torque is much more usable and makes the car more fun and peppy, and doesn't have that annoying torque dip and 2k RPMs like the previous one did.

A lot of the criticism I see is based on trying to compare this WRX to the previous STI, which can't be done.

The target demographic is not the enthusiast members on this forum for the WRX. That would have been for the STI.
There are far too few of you who would buy the car to justify them making it for you.
Either people will buy the base model and modify the crap out of it or start with an STI, but nobody is getting a track car out-of-the-box with a WRX.

It's not fair to compare this car to the STI as it was never intended to be one. It's not supposed to be a track car. It's meant to be a sporty sedan that can also be a family car.

I absolutely agree that the unpainted plastic is bad, but it really doesn't look as bad on darker colors.

On my Sapphire blue, the cladding isn't as noticeable in person.
My gut feeling says that when the refresh for this car happens, there will be either a painted option or gloss black like the concept.
My preference would be gloss black.

The car is too new for the aftermarket to develop many parts for it yet, but they are starting to trickle out.

By this time next year, there will probably be a lot more options.

Bottom line is, don't bash this car if you haven't driven one. Give it a chance if you are really serious about owning one.

Too few people from here that would have bought them?

Last time I checked, Subaru sold the same virtually mechanically product to its “too few” customers from 2004-2021 and had no issues selling what they produced.

You bought a CVT WRX. You should have just bought an outback.

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by heavyD

Wife's permission is overrated. She usually finds out about one of my new vehicle purchases when I put my current car for sale a few months prior to delivery.

Maybe he meant "wife and I had a/multiple discussion(s); she was comfortable with the financial expenditure for what is ultimately an emotional purchase"

Some of us are in "50/50" relationships that include open and honest discussions about (relatively) large purchases. For example; if I/she buys some hobby/interest thing for ~$200 no conversation is required, up to ~$500 for something that is desirable to either party is also typically not a concern, but is at least mentioned; once either of us crack that $1,000 barrier it becomes inconsiderate to your partner if you don't discuss it first.
I have a career that I've worked at since before college, admittedly I make significantly more than my wife does, not sure if it's a glass ceiling thing, or that I maxed out in charisma stats (D&D nerd, checking in); but she also has a career she's worked towards since before college, we are both "professionals" (engineering for me, architect for her) we don't have separate accounts, we don't keep anything from each other, she is far more passionate about her work than I am, I am more analytical; the reason I am where I am is due to me developing better connections & generally being more of an extrovert than she is, also, I am willing to move on to a better opportunity more readily than she is.

Take that as you will, but I couldn't stand being married to a woman that wasn't driven in some way, unless she was okay with one or two other women/men being involved in our relationship; I need to be challenged in a relationship, I don't want/need subservience; but if that's your bag, so be it. Not saying that it is, but clearly your dynamic is less modern.

Originally Posted by rallly 4

Too few people from here that would have bought them?

Last time I checked, Subaru sold the same virtually mechanically product to its “too few” customers from 2004-2021 and had no issues selling what they produced.
You bought a CVT WRX. You should have just bought an outback.

Hey, he should have bought an Outback if he cared about 0-60 quarter mile times; the practicality is just a bonus (unless you had a WRX wagon, then the practicality is what you expect, but if you had a WRX wagon you also expect some performance, so... yeah). I test drove an STi before I bought my IS350, as well as a WRX; I can't understand why anyone would buy a WRX or STi over a similarly priced vehicle that is significantly better in nearly every aspect (only aspect here being missing a third pedal).

Let's be honest, Subaru came out swinging in the US in the early 00's and has been resting on their laurels ever since their main competitor (Mitsu) backed out of the competition; honestly with the STi they've been resting on their laurels since 2004. Most people are "brand loyalist" even if they don't think they are, the "What I have is better than or as good as what else is out there" mentality is real, and honestly, it appears that most people are unwilling to make a shift to a new/different manu.

I understand that I am in the minority; I have very limited brand loyalty, but admit that I have some; I will always have a soft spot for the Mustang (not the mach-e, that's a CUV with a bunch of marketing attached to it), even in it's current bloated iteration, it's still following the formula V8+mt+rwd. I started in a 66 and have sampled every iteration up to the current (save the Mustang II). I can quantify that however; if the Camaro wasn't such a nightmare to drive (it's just all the blind spots now, and yes, I've drive almost every generation of it; ~01 LS was peak enjoyment, not peak performance) I'd be more interested in it; it's a better performer than the mustang, it generally always has been, but for my use case (daily, or more recently weekend driver) it's the wrong choice, and that was the case for most people. THAT is the reason the WRX/STi outlasted the Evo; the Evo was better in every measurable metric, but the WRX/STi were better cars. This is what we're seeing now, except that the WRX was pitted against the STi, and the STi lost.

[Straight6]

Originally Posted by jayt1989

So. speaking as an owner of a 22 WRX GT in Sapphire Blue, I think many people here are dismissing this car based on internet pictures alone.
The car looks very different in person.

This is my 4th WRX and I can tell you, this car is at least as good as or better than the previous generation in all other aspects.

The SPT is actually very good, for a CVT. Especially using the paddle shifters, it mimics a MT pretty well.

While it has the same HP as last gen, the Torque is much more usable and makes the car more fun and peppy, and doesn't have that annoying torque dip and 2k RPMs like the previous one did.

A lot of the criticism I see is based on trying to compare this WRX to the previous STI, which can't be done.

The target demographic is not the enthusiast members on this forum for the WRX. That would have been for the STI.
There are far too few of you who would buy the car to justify them making it for you.
Either people will buy the base model and modify the crap out of it or start with an STI, but nobody is getting a track car out-of-the-box with a WRX.

It's not fair to compare this car to the STI as it was never intended to be one. It's not supposed to be a track car. It's meant to be a sporty sedan that can also be a family car.

I absolutely agree that the unpainted plastic is bad, but it really doesn't look as bad on darker colors.

On my Sapphire blue, the cladding isn't as noticeable in person.
My gut feeling says that when the refresh for this car happens, there will be either a painted option or gloss black like the concept.
My preference would be gloss black.

The car is too new for the aftermarket to develop many parts for it yet, but they are starting to trickle out.

By this time next year, there will probably be a lot more options.

Bottom line is, don't bash this car if you haven't driven one. Give it a chance if you are really serious about owning one.

Yeap, it is an all around fantastic car and a big improvement over that previous gen. You have to take this thread with a grain of salt. Tons of misinformation and trolling here from people that never even sat in this car. TheTopher video is great. Ignore the trolls and enjoy the car!

[chanomatik]

So how are you enjoying your 2022 WRX GT, Straight6?

Sent from my SM-F926U using Tapatalk

[4S-TURBO]

Take the free advice, Chano. Ignore the trolls.

[rallly 4]

Originally Posted by Straight6

Yeap, it is an all around fantastic car and a big improvement over that previous gen. You have to take this thread with a grain of salt. Tons of misinformation and trolling here from people that never even sat in this car. TheTopher video is great. Ignore the trolls and enjoy the car!

Straight6 your back! Gonna tell me how many Subaru products you’ve owned in your lifetime? This is like the 4th time I’ve asked and you go running

[SCRAPPYDO]

Originally Posted by Straight6

Yeap, it is an all around fantastic car and a big improvement over that previous gen. You have to take this thread with a grain of salt. Tons of misinformation and trolling here from people that never even sat in this car. TheTopher video is great. Ignore the trolls and enjoy the car!

Big

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

[IS300]

Originally Posted by jayt1989

So. speaking as an owner of a 22 WRX GT in Sapphire Blue, I think many people here are dismissing this car based on internet pictures alone.
The car looks very different in person.

This is my 4th WRX and I can tell you, this car is at least as good as or better than the previous generation in all other aspects.

The SPT is actually very good, for a CVT. Especially using the paddle shifters, it mimics a MT pretty well.

While it has the same HP as last gen, the Torque is much more usable and makes the car more fun and peppy, and doesn't have that annoying torque dip and 2k RPMs like the previous one did.

A lot of the criticism I see is based on trying to compare this WRX to the previous STI, which can't be done.

The target demographic is not the enthusiast members on this forum for the WRX. That would have been for the STI.
There are far too few of you who would buy the car to justify them making it for you.
Either people will buy the base model and modify the crap out of it or start with an STI, but nobody is getting a track car out-of-the-box with a WRX.

It's not fair to compare this car to the STI as it was never intended to be one. It's not supposed to be a track car. It's meant to be a sporty sedan that can also be a family car.

I absolutely agree that the unpainted plastic is bad, but it really doesn't look as bad on darker colors.

On my Sapphire blue, the cladding isn't as noticeable in person.
My gut feeling says that when the refresh for this car happens, there will be either a painted option or gloss black like the concept.
My preference would be gloss black.

The car is too new for the aftermarket to develop many parts for it yet, but they are starting to trickle out.

By this time next year, there will probably be a lot more options.

Bottom line is, don't bash this car if you haven't driven one. Give it a chance if you are really serious about owning one.

I have a 2022 WRX Sapphire Blue base model on order that is arriving next month. Regarding the WRX wheel cladding, my Crosstrek has similar cladding and I never gave it any thought. My focus on all my cars is how it drives.

My 2002 WRX also was ridiculed for it's appearance, but that didn't bother me either. I had that car for 17 years and it drove great.
Some things never change.

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by IS300

I have a 2022 WRX Sapphire Blue base model on order that is arriving next month. Regarding the WRX wheel cladding, my Crosstrek has similar cladding and I never gave it any thought. My focus on all my cars is how how it drives.

My 2002 WRX also was ridiculed for it's appearance, but that didn't bother me either. I had that car for 17 years and it drove great.
Some things never change.

Bugeye was pug ugly. It had quirky charm, and at the time it was an unbelievable performer.

Crosstrek is an SUV. It should have cladding. It is meant to look rugged, at the expense of aerodynamics.

VB cladding is just wrong. In every way for a WRX.

[4S-TURBO]

It was Porsche ugly!

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by 4S-TURBO

Take the free advice, Chano. Ignore the trolls.

I actually took everyone off my ignore list. I need to feel something again.

Sent from my SM-F926U using Tapatalk

[Straight6]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

I actually took everyone off my ignore list. I need to feel something again.

Sent from my SM-F926U using Tapatalk

I never understood the ignore function on forums. If you don't like the post you don't have to respond. Everyone can have an opinion, it is OK not to like it.

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Straight6

I never understood the ignore function on forums. If you don't like the post you don't have to respond. Everyone can have an opinion, it is OK not to like it.

Actually it's not about inability to withhold a response so much as the headache that results from reading the same thing from the same posters ad nauseum. More ignored posts means less time scrolling through posts in general.

Sent from my SM-F926U using Tapatalk

[Straight6]

So I guess use the ignore function. You do you.

[chanomatik]

Agreed on all points.

I hope you realize that NOBODY wants the WRX to fail. It's just that a lot of us recognize that the WRX could be better. Instead, Subaru settled on "good enough" while exploiting the advantages of their SGP and selling the WRX as exclusively "all-new".

Sent from my SM-F926U using Tapatalk

[Scooby-Doode]

Originally Posted by rallly 4

Straight6 your back! Gonna tell me how many Subaru products you’ve owned in your lifetime? This is like the 4th time I’ve asked and you go running

Yep. SOA asked him/her to take a break and find the elusive 2022 WRX, err I mean 2023 WRX.

[STI Orenji]

This is getting hot again

[samagon]

Originally Posted by Straight6

I never understood the ignore function on forums. If you don't like the post you don't have to respond. Everyone can have an opinion, it is OK not to like it.

The same explosive diarrhea over and over and over again gets boring.

I respect an opposing position, but when it's a broken record of the same things, what's the point?

Anyway, I only have one person on ignore, I'll probably take them off at some point, but not today.

[Calamity Jesus]

TheTopher drives the WRX GT:

2022 Subaru WRX GT (CVT) - POV Driving Impressions - YouTube

2022 Subaru WRX GT (CVT) - POV Driving Impressions - YouTube

(binaural audio.. wear your headphones/earbuds)

tl;dw:

3:08: Poopoos the Recaros "Not really worth the extra money, in my opinion: for the Recaros. They look cool.. but that's about it."

5:00: In 'Normal Mode' the transmission keeps the revs under 2000rpm.. where the exhaust drones. Pop it into 'Sport Mode' to raise the revs enough to stop the droning.. and then it starts doing fake gear shifting.

5:45: 'Sport+ Mode' doesn't even get a comment. Upshifts at ~5,500rpm..

5:55: "Oh! This also has adaptive suspension.. which. is. fantastic. It's really, really good. Which, again, would be fantastic if we could get that with the manual car."

6:35: "I hate to admit it.. but this CVT is actually really good. It's probably the best CVT that I've driven from Subaru in recent years." Some caveats there.. but he goes on to explain that it's well matched to the engine.

7:10: More praise for the adaptive suspension. Very comfortable in 'Comfort mode', nice increase in stiffness without being overly harsh in sportier modes.

7:40: CVT feels good because it's tuned as much as possible to emulate a traditional torque converter automatic.

8:00: "We do have a 'Manual mode'.. for all the manual shifting fun we could ever desire." (heavy sarcasm)

8:07: "No more physical handbrake. We just get this parking brake button down here. That takes a bit of the fun away from the WRX, in my opinion. Half the enjoyment of this car is doing handbrake turns in the winter. You're missing out on a long-standing tradition right there."

... some comments about Eyesight being pretty good.. but annoyingly beepy.

10:30: praise for the feel and precision of the dual pinion steering rack.

10:40: brakes feel about the same as the WRX Premium (MT).. ie: poor

10:45: "Really.. for an extra ten grand? I dunno, guys. I don't think the value is here."

More praise for the CVT being well tuned.. for a CVT.

11:20: "I just don't know if I can stomach the idea of a CVT in a WRX. I feel like if you want an automatic with this engine, and this type of car, you should probably just go for an Outback Wilderness or something."

12:20: Standing start launch in Sport+.
12:27: Hits 60mph.

15:00: "To sum things up, and to be fair: if you absolutely can't get a manual transmission.. you won't have it.. this CVT is actually pretty good. Is it a replacement for the manual? No. Should you get the manual instead.. if you can drive manual and you want that enthusiast driving experience? One-hundred percent, YES: Buy the manual. The features here, in this GT, aren't worth the price premium over what you don't get in the manual car. You're missing out on a lot of the driving experience here."

15:50: "As a package, I do really love this new Subaru WRX. They really knocked it out of the park here. Looks are a bit controversial, but I don't mind them.. I've gotten used to them, and this car just drives so well, that I still think it's one of the best options on the market for enthusiasts these days."

[Straight6]

The verdict is in, Subaru knocked this car out of the park.

EDIT: I forgot the banana emoji