Subaru is billing the 2022 WRX as a “ground-up” makeover. At first blush, nonetheless, it might sound extra evolutionary than revolutionary. The brand new design is predicated off the 2017 Viziv idea car — however the general look doesn’t stray removed from the fourth-generation sedan.
Nor does it get any main improve in the case of energy, regardless of some vital revisions to its 2.4-liter Boxer engine.
What ought to actually matter is what Subaru did to reinforce the rally nature of the brand new 2022 WRX. Take it out on some winding roads and it actually shines. The WRX is what you may name a little bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde. It’s a nice automotive for on a regular basis driving, whether or not you reside in snowy or sunny climes. However take it out on some winding roads and prepare to unleash the beast on this sedan.
Overview
At a time when hundreds of thousands of motorists have been migrating to SUVs, the Subaru WRX has maintained a loyal following, and followers are about to get rewarded with an replace that gives upgrades nearly all over the place that issues.
Whereas the brand new exterior design is extra evolutionary than revolutionary, the brand new sport sedan is greater in most dimensions, but it is also lighter — by as a lot as 31 kilos, relying upon the trim degree. And its middle of gravity has been lowered. Whereas the 2022 mannequin will get solely essentially the most modest of will increase by way of energy, that helps improve each efficiency and dealing with.
Whereas it might sound odd that Subaru affords two sport fashions, the WRX fills a distinct segment the sleeker BRZ can’t. It’s as a lot a day-to-day driver as a private rally automotive, and that’s why it stays a viable different to the Japanese model’s intensive line-up of crossover-utility automobiles.
Exterior Design
Switching to Subaru’s new World Platform, the 2022 WRX grows 3 inches longer, with a 1-inch bump to its wheelbase. It’s 2 inches wider than the latest-generation Impreza. However its top dips about 0.3 inches.
This technology is, in the meantime, “totally differentiated” from Impreza, harassed Michael Redic, the Subaru planning supervisor answerable for the 2022 WRX. That covers pody panels together with the roof, trunk, hood and so forth.
What’s stunning is that, regardless of all this, you may not discover a lot distinction from the outgoing sport sedan, at the least not initially. However, in the event you look nearer, you’ll catch the brand new, extra squinty headlights, the brand new “stable hex” grille, the extra aggressive fenders, amongst different revisions.
A lot of what’s modified has a objective. Subaru designers put a premium on aerodynamics, each to enhance efficiency and cut back gas consumption. That features the brand new air curtains addressing drag across the entrance wheels, in addition to the revised rear spoiler. The hood scoop feeding extra air into the engine compartment additionally has been revised.
Inside Design
Till lately, inside design was a weak level for the Subaru model, the automaker’s “cheap-and-cheerful” cabins loaded up with a lot of low-cost plastic. That’s not the case. Even base fashions have adopted extra refined supplies and a extra refined look. That’s readily obvious with the 2022 WRX, its new, 11.6-inch, vertically oriented touchscreen being one of the apparent examples.
A brand new, flat-bottom steering wheel and steel pedals, in the meantime, give the brand new sedan a extra sporty and aggressive look.
The lowered roof doesn’t appear to impinge on inside headroom, although cabin area is down, at the least on paper, ever so barely. The entrance seats have loads of journey, which does reduce into WRX’s modest rear legroom, nonetheless. Then again, the trunk has grown sufficient, Redic famous, to now swallow three units of golf golf equipment.
Even in base trim, the brand new WRX entrance seats are nicely bolstered, one thing desperately wanted if you wish to push it to the bounds of dealing with. The GT trim bundle launching subsequent 12 months will add Recaro sport seats, in addition to a extra expanded line-up of superior security applied sciences.
Powertrain
The excellent news is that the two.4-liter Boxer-4 engine within the 2022 Subaru WRX has gone by plenty of modifications. They’re the stuff gearheads can spend hours speaking about. Suffice it to say this contains adjustments to the turbo and consumption system.
What could disappoint is the truth that the brand new sedan will get solely a 3 horsepower bump, to 271 hp. Torque stays flat, at 258 pound-feet. That mentioned, the torque curve is clearly improved and the slight weight discount additionally helps improve efficiency. For many who actually “want” extra energy, cling tight. I count on to see Subaru unveil the next-generation WRX STI someday in the course of the second half of 2022.
Then there’s the truth that Subaru is carrying over a handbook transmission — actually no shock since one thing like 85% of present house owners are choosing the short-throw stick.
There may also be a constantly variable transmission — although it received’t be accessible at launch. It’s a fairly good bundle, Subaru engineers letting it simulate step gears underneath laborious acceleration whereas additionally being manually “shifted,” if a driver so prefers. The CVT shall be your solely possibility in the event you go for the GT bundle. Together with the inside options that features, the GT mannequin will get 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels shod in summer time tires.
In fact, all-wheel drive comes customary — although there are two totally different choices accessible.
Security and Know-how
The brand new, 11.6-inch touchscreen, with its Starlink person interface, is the obvious replace to the know-how within the 2022 Subaru WRX. The vertical format permits a motorist to put out a number of totally different capabilities concurrently, although I did discover the display might get cluttered.
Subaru has constructed a stable popularity for its EyeSight suite of superior driver help applied sciences. Relying upon the bundle, the brand new WRX will get the most recent options, together with energetic cruise management and computerized emergency steering which helps steer you out of hurt’s approach at speeds as much as 50 mph.
Different customary gear contains each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The usual audio bundle might be upgraded to a Harman Kardon 11-speaker system particularly tuned for the WRX. It pushes out 576 watts of energy.
Driving Impressions
I spent a full day of driving a few of California’s prettiest and most difficult roads, wending my approach by scenic Sonoma County wine nation, with a cease on the Level Agenda lighthouse in rural Mendocino County.
In most vehicles — and virtually all SUVs — the route would have proved gradual and torturous, with one tight nook after one other. And heavy rain the night time earlier than had swept mud and gravel throughout what was already damaged pavement in the course of the first half of my drive.
However the 2022 WRX dealt with issues like a private rally automotive. Steering was exact, with good on-center really feel and a stable connection to the street. Credit score plenty of adjustments made simply out of sight. The usage of structural adhesives, for one factor, and the mounting of the rear stabilizer bar on the physique, repay by way of a lot improved physique stiffness and lowered physique roll.
True, I ceaselessly needed to drop down a gear or two to remain within the engine’s candy spot, however the sedan’s short-throw shifter made straightforward work of that.
Throughout my occasional freeway runs, the brand new Subaru proved to have the manners of a touring automotive and, I’d count on, it might be straightforward to make use of it because the household’s day by day driver.
And also you’ll discover some stunning variations in how the automotive rides and handles relying upon whether or not you could have the Driver Mode set to Sport or Consolation.
I’m trying ahead to entering into the GT bundle someday early in 2022. Amongst different issues, it comes customary with adaptive dampers, a primary for the WRX.
Wrap Up
On this SUV-crazed setting, some observers anticipated to see Subaru pare again its passenger automotive choices. It’s bucked the development with two sport fashions, each the BRZ and WRX going by main makeovers for 2022.
Of the 2, the brand new WRX is clearly going to have the best attain. It affords rally automotive manners whenever you’re searching for some thrills, however it may well function a household automotive, as nicely, whether or not operating errands or taking an prolonged journey.
Regardless of present market tendencies, I’d be stunned if demand for the little sport sedan doesn’t develop a bit with the launch of the brand new mannequin.
Search for the 2022 Subaru WRX to achieve U.S. showrooms in March — although initially solely with a handbook gearbox. The CVT possibility — together with the top-line GT bundle — will observe a month or two later.
Pricing seemingly received’t be launched till mid to late winter. The present Subaru WRX begins at $27,495 earlier than including in $925 in supply charges. The highest-line Restricted trim begins simply over $32,000.
2022 Subaru WRX — Ceaselessly Requested Questions
How a lot will the 2022 Subaru WRX value?
Pricing received’t be revealed till nearer to the March 2022 on-sale date. However count on some form of bump up from the present $28,720 – which incorporates $925 in supply charges.
Is there going to be a 2022 Subaru WRX STI?
Sure, although the automaker isn’t discussing its plans but. Count on to see it debut someday in the course of the second half of 2022. It is going to definitely convey a bump up in energy from the extra mainstream WRX. And it seemingly will add options just like the adaptive damping solely accessible on the WRX GT Package deal.
Is the Subaru WRX dependable?
We’ll have to attend for patrons to weigh in on the 2022 makeover. The outgoing WRX scored 77 out of 100 on the J.D. Energy reliability scale, which is taken into account common.
