History/Overview
The Subaru WRX – one of the auto industry’s most desirable sport compact cars – gets a major makeover for 2022 that sees it edge toward SUV territory, at least in appearance.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
Redesigned model.
Available Trims
Subaru offers the new WRX in base, Sport, and Sport-tech trim levels. All are powered by a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a six-speed manual transmission that can be optioned to a continuously variable automatic (CVT) that the automaker refers to as the Subaru Performance Transmission, or SPT. All WRX models come standard with AWD.
Standard Features
The base WRX trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with automatic high beams, passive keyless entry, heated side mirrors, and a front wiper-de-icer. Inside, you get dual 7.0-inch touchscreens, six-speaker audio, automatic A/C, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated front seats.
Sport adds 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, a sunroof, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, an 11-speaker stereo, Starlink connected-car services, dual-zone A/C, a power driver’s seat, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assist.
Sport-tech brings steering-responsive headlights, navigation, Ultrasuede upholstery, and heated rear seats.
Sport and Sport-tech trims with the automatic transmission also get Subaru’s EyeSight driver safety assist system, which comprises adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic steering, lane keep/centering assist, forward collision mitigation, and reverse automatic braking.
Fuel Economy
Subaru’s fuel consumption estimates for the new WRX are 12.3/9.0 L/100 km (city/highway) with the manual transmission, and 12.7/9.4 L/100 km for automatic models.
Competition
Like its predecessor, the new WRX competes with the Volkswagen Golf R, Mini Cooper JCW, Hyundai Veloster N, and Honda Civic Type R.