2022 Subaru WRX Spy Shots via Car and Driver

[TylerLieberman]

I think that “performance hierarchy” stuff is just a bunch of baseless bs people were spouting off on the forums.

The fact is that if they did everything to add a turbo, it would be a mid 30k car and have to compete with an entirely different segment, which (going back to 2013) included cars like the Evo, Golf R, Focus RS, 370Z, V6 muscle cars, and so on.

More cars have come since then and are near that price range, including the CTR, Veloster N, and others; but I think the segment isn’t quite as competitive. And 25k-30k is more doable for some people than 35-40k.

So I agree on #2, but I’ll disagree with #1.

[Sasquachulator]

I wonder if the demand for an STI has declined over the years.

I still see lots of WRX around but the big wing version? not so much.

And perhaps the cost of an STI isnt worth it over a WRX anymore.

Plus the STI has always used the EJ25 and maybe it was finally time to put that motor to rest.

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

I wonder if the demand for an STI has declined over the years.

I still see lots of WRX around but the big wing version? not so much.

And perhaps the cost of an STI isnt worth it over a WRX anymore.

Plus the STI has always used the EJ25 and maybe it was finally time to put that motor to rest.

The STI was definitely worth the extra… if you planned on using it. If you’re just gonna hard park at local meets and go A to B daily, then the WRX was the better car.

But that’s just the opinion of one cuck I guess

[PulsarBeeerz]

Brand hierarchy is a real thing. They literally line up the vehicles from least to most capable.

22 GR86 1/4mi 13.9-14 ~$29000
22 GR Supra 2.0 13.3 ~44,000
22 GR Supra 3.0 1/4 12.1 ~$52,000

Also see the entire Porsche range or BRZ, WRX, and WRX STi for the last 8 years.

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Where are you finding BRZs that go "considerably" faster than WRX?
The officially rated 0 to 60 is still .5 slower than a WRX.

It has a better power to weight ratio. I'm talking about on track performance. As to the street, unless the WRX driver is gonna do a full throttle clutch dump they'll be slower there too.

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

I think that “performance hierarchy” stuff is just a bunch of baseless bs people were spouting off on the forums.

The fact is that if they did everything to add a turbo, it would be a mid 30k car and have to compete with an entirely different segment, which (going back to 2013) included cars like the Evo, Golf R, Focus RS, 370Z, V6 muscle cars, and so on.

More cars have come since then and are near that price range, including the CTR, Veloster N, and others; but I think the segment isn’t quite as competitive. And 25k-30k is more doable for some people than 35-40k.

So I agree on #2, but I’ll disagree with #1.

I agree with you as well, that it was "made up". But it was a favored talking point on here so I brought it up.

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

The STI was definitely worth the extra… if you planned on using it. If you’re just gonna hard park at local meets and go A to B daily, then the WRX was the better car.

But that’s just the opinion of one cuck I guess

After having three STi's I fully agree, well worth the price of admission. When I drive 'em the boost gauge is up in the double digits. The wife on the other hand puts it in "I" drive and toddles along like the gramma she is. The boost tattletale usually is rarely over 7 maybe 8 psi.
She is coming to terms with her new Crosstrek. I have noticed she is starting to use the "S" drive more when driving it.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

I wonder if the demand for an STI has declined over the years.

I still see lots of WRX around but the big wing version? not so much.

And perhaps the cost of an STI isnt worth it over a WRX anymore.

Plus the STI has always used the EJ25 and maybe it was finally time to put that motor to rest.

It could have. Jason put out an Engineering Explained video saying to get the WRX over the STI unless you are taking it to the track or rally racing. The inferior WRX AWD is good enough for a daily and big brakes just aren’t needed unless. The STI is superior and a great value for the price, but again, only if a person uses it. The downside is the STIs motor being a low compression motor for fuel economy where a tune on the WRX gets STI power. The fact that Subaru has been out of the WRC since 2008 really shows a departure from marketing the STI as the ultimate rally car for the street. It definitely lost some of its mystique for anyone buying for what the car represents and is just looking old for those buyers who tend to know what they are buying.

https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=2696527

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Where are you finding BRZs that go "considerably" faster than WRX?
The officially rated 0 to 60 is still .5 slower than a WRX.

Most comparisons put the 86 and WRX head-to-head in the canyons with the lighter 86 carrying more momentum than the heavier, yet more powerful WRX. The WRX would probably be slower now with the GR86 getting that bump in power. Maybe a rolling race would be the same once the GR86 had some RPMs and the WRX didn’t have the AWD advantage off the line.

[WolfpackS2k]

^^I don't think we needed Engineering Explained to tell us the regular WRX is better for people that don't ever plan to track their vehicle.

[Dirty Harry]

I really hope Subaru Australia does this.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/new-su...-of-execution/

[Kiske]

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

I really hope Subaru Australia does this.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/new-su...-of-execution/

I could see them slapping the tS moniker on it if it isn't more than an minor upgrade.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by Kiske

I could see them slapping the tS moniker on it if it isn't more than an minor upgrade.

Good news is, there’s a precedence for this where the local 2007 WRX tS had 10 more kw than the regular WRX. We’re a bit slack down here with emissions regulations, we’re only on Euro V, which may allow for a locally tuned version.

[Jordanwolf]

People still consider buying a WRX?

The car sucks for everything besides being a winter beater. Driving one feels like driving a brick on wheels.

[ROFL it's Waffle]

I've seen pictures of this model and the plastic fenders look stupid. I've seen this car in orange with the gray plastic fenders in person and I have a mixed opinion. This car has evolved from an iconic rally car, to a simplified turbocharged grocery queen. I don't know whether to think "cool, kinda..." or "man, I feel sorry for that guy/gal." I haven't driven this new platform, but owned a 2017. Hopefully it's more fun than it is to look at.