Is The 2022 Subaru WRX A Worthy Successor?

The 2022 Subaru WRX Features A New 2.4L Turbo Boxer Engine
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Reviewing the 2022 Subaru WRX, an all new, more powerful WRX on Subaru's new global platform & chassis. This video will focus on three questions:
1. What's the new engine like and what are the improvements?
2. What are the changes to the WRX versus the previous generation?
3. Is the new Subaru a worthy successor to the WRX name?
We'll talk engine specifications, transmission options, all-wheel drive systems, curb weights, and what the WRX is like behind the wheel. Throttle, rev-hang, turbo lag, brake feel, steering, and noise/vibration/harshness. Enjoy a first look & drive of the new WRX!
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[@kenhoward3512]

This is the first '22 WRX review I've watched that mentions changes to steering, brakes, the reduction of "rev-hang," the significant reduction of turbo boost, improved throttle response, and that the manual weighs 130 pounds less than the CVT. Thanks. I like that the newer engine, although making virtually the same power as the 2.0T, is lower-stressed and no longer *requires* premium fuel. 'Glad you saved your very brief comment about styling for last - it's purely subjective (I'm bothered by reviewers assuming I value their opinions regarding styling - I can see for myself).

[@markm0000]

It’s a way better car than the older model and the stock engine is pretty much guaranteed to last the life of the car. It also has a ton of headroom and a hot tune can really wake up this car and compete with AWD supercars for a quarter of the price while still jumping off sand dunes. I don’t think another car like this exists.

[@thelol1759]

Yeah but it do be ugly as hell

[@markm0000]

@@thelol1759 It’s missing a big ass wing to match the huge diffuser. That’s why it doesn’t look right. If Subaru gave it a normal looking bumper it wouldn’t be that much different than the BRZ.

[@GTRZE70]

@@markm0000 Obvious sarcasm is obvious.

[@GooseWurkz]

Very well said Ken. Props to jason for this great technical review.

[@ScratchOneIdea]

"The styling... is a subjective measure." Words that are never said about things that look good.

[@JDMJACOB1]

I was waiting for a comment on the styling and this told me everything

[@adam145]

Especially since they have a really good looking Levorg. Just make it go from a wagon to a hatch and it's perfect.

[@gwot]

@@adam145 They're targeting different crowds. The Levorg is a street wagon, the WRX is now more than before a soft off-roading rally inspired car, hence all the plastic on the lower bits and taller ground clearance.

[@27Zangle]

The safe way a journalist can agree with the general public while still remaining on a manufacturer's good side allowing them to be invited back to future press events and launches.

[@gigatron2008]

So true! Let's pray the STi doesn't have all this plastic

[@vitor2650]

Thanks Jason for explaining to us the advantage of the larger engine with minimal increase in HP. While I enjoy the reviews of the other auto reviewers, your reviews are on another level.

[@pleasedontwatchthese9593]

I wonder if they are leaving extra hp on the table for modders to get to but they can't say that for legal reasons to meet emission standerts.

[@markm0000]

@@pleasedontwatchthese9593 I strongly suspect that’s what they want people to do. I imagine there will be a tuner chip available that bumps it up to 300hp and doesn’t affect warranty.

[@markm0000]

@Roberto Vidal Garcia You can buy a STI. I’m not buying one. They’re way overpriced and the ride quality is very bad. I don’t want to destroy my back before I turn 30. Also it’s fun modifying cars to make it exactly how you like it. This car doesn’t need a lot of power it’s lightweight and has a ton of traction. The new WRX 2.4 6MT should be just the right mix of fun, comfortable, and reliable to put +300k miles on it.

[@Inkmice]

@@markm0000 I think his point was that with the larger engine and turned down boost they are clearly dialing back the power on purpose and calling it for "reliability". For Modder's sure it's attractive, for your average consumers it's a little scummy because the hardware is there but is purposely being restricted to lure them towards the pricier STi. Edit: not sure if it was official announced but I think it was speculated that the new STi would be moving away from the EJ platform to this same FA platform which makes it more apparent that they are just purposely restricting the power from a tuning stand point for the extra $$$ on the price tag.

[@markm0000]

@@Inkmice It’s the same formula that made the old Supra so attractive. People knew the cars were reliable and had a ton of tuning potential. They were cheap cars and upgrades were cheap. You could buy a factory Supra Turbo that was nearly $10k extra but almost nobody did. It was cheaper to get a aftermarket turbo and exhaust and it could be easily tuned way faster than a stock Turbo. The base model WRX 2.4 and new 86/FRS 2.4 are the next “Supra” of this era.

[@storskegg]

5th benefit of the larger engine with lower boost: the engine is less stressed, which improves reliability over the engine's lifetime, if the engine is left stock. This obviously won't matter to engine modders.

[@Diesel11769]

Engine left stock? That sounds crazy

[@octaviangeorge5455]

Depends what internals they use. In subaru cases for example, up until now, the ej20 was way more reliable than ej25.

[@JuniorColanzi]

its a Subaru WRX, there's not a single WRX that hasn't been modded out there lmao I can see people buying these things and going instantly to a tuner just to put that boost pressure up to 15 again lmao

[@dkdanis1340]

That's don't mean anything. Higher boost is nothing for strong engine.

[@ZigArrok55]

It's still a Subaru. Which means it's still a boxer engine. Which means that small increase in reliability won't matter once the tuners get ahold of it. Most of them are.... Less than intelligent. It's a shame. I'm a gti guy and I know a thing or two about reliability. Or lack thereof. They'll destroy them. They always do. :(

[@fayizd654]

There is a difference in real power to the wheels and how the torque is delivered. The torque comes on really early. The drivability of the VB is miles better than the VA

[@davidy932]

Best review of this vehicle so far. I love how you objectively break down all the performance variables. Well done 👍

[@EngineeringExplained]

Happy to hear it, thanks David!

[@jeepmanxj]

No it isn't. He totally misrepresents how the AWD systems work. The WRX does NOT transfer power to the wheel with the most traction. it does exactly the opposite as all the diffs are essentially open and the viscous center diffs torque biasing capability is extremely limited. if you lift a tire, without the abs system, that tire will spin and the car will not move.

[@maxboya]

@@jeepmanxj but the car does have ABS. So your “theory” is invalid. Sheeesh. If you don’t like misinterpretation then why are you even bothering with commenting. Reach out to Jason personally and share your incorrect and illogical views. I’m sure he would Love to hear it!

[@jeepmanxj]

@@maxboya Theory suggests there is room to find out new information that could change the result. This isn't a theory. I am entirely correct and his statement is blatantly false. There can not be new information provided that changes that. Thus its a fact. The AWD system is NOT the traction control system. They are distinct and entirely different things.

[@lewisanth4986]

@@jeepmanxj the vehicle is awd and uses the brakes to send power to the wheels with traction. A cheaper way of doing it while retaining it's purpose. Sure it has no lsd or a locking diff but then again this is the road going version. You're trying to make a simple matter very complicated when it really isn't complicated. While you are not wrong in your own way, your answer isn't right either. If the majority was able to comprehend what jason said then that is the end of that.

[@oloha911]

This has been the best (most objective) review of the wrx I’ve seen. No talk about the controversies or irrelevant subjective topics. Well done.

[@davep8029]

I agree. I'm tired of all the cookie cutter reviews dumped on the embargo date.

[@EngineeringExplained]

I appreciate the kind words! Happy to hear it.

[@Mark-jd1jx]

The newer engines do not have Head gasket issues, the main reason EJ engines even had HG issues was because they used Single layer composite HG and not Multi Layered steel HG. This FA engine does not have Head gaskets issues. People need to get that idea out that all newer Subaru's have head gasket issues.

[@TML34]

Why did they lower boost pressure then?

[@connorsossi5433]

@@TML34 Lowered boost pressure to keep the same HP on a larger engine more than likely, Subaru REALLY doesn't want to upgrade the HP on these cars for whatever reason. I think the STI is going to have an equally disappointing HP upgrade, possibly a higher boost pressure to get there since they share the same engine now, I believe.

[@Hawk7886]

@@TML34 they're not going to make a new engine extremely high strung upon its release. They'll just continue to turn up the boost a few psi every year so they can claim each new year's model has more power than last year, and people will eat it up.

[@TML34]

@@Hawk7886 I know. It’s all about the marketing. I guess I should just be happy they got the BRZ right. 😀

[@builtvisions]

Headgasket issues hasn't been a problem with EJs since the 90s. All turbo EJs have metal headgaskets. Only a few old model Ej engines had that issue and those are now extinct...

[@bmwrules28]

I’ve seen several other reviews by so called “experts” for this model vehicle. This review is by far the most concise, well organized, and eloquently prepared. I had to pause at 4:25 to write this. 👏🏼 keep up the outstanding work! With graphs and PowerPoint slides this was like an undergrad lecture at school again haha. Let’s hope the STI is going to be announced soon. I think Subaru is planning to gauge the market (WRX/STI market I mean) to see where they need to allocate their resources for profit maximization. There are so many global challenges (raw materials/parts/labor/semi conductor shortages etc) hopefully this won’t be delayed till mid 2022.

[@rodshop5897]

Two things I'd like Subaru to make: 1. Bring back the hatchback model. 2. Give a lower engine speed at top gear so that highway cruising is more relaxed.

[@prevailsbear9670]

According to Subaru, they had a certain amount of money to develop the next gen in 2015. They could have allocated a certain amount of money for a hatch and a sedan. They opted to spend all the money on the sedan variant and make it the best car it could be.

[@rodshop5897]

@@prevailsbear9670 Thanks for the insight. I still don't agree with them, but I guess it's better knowing what the reason was.

[@Smaug1]

Prevails Bear: they should’ve put it all toward a hatch and scrapped the sedan. I feel like most people buying this car would prefer a hatch. I know I would. They’re SO much more versatile. Or even a wagon.

[@dontworry1568]

you mean you dont like running 3k rpms on the highway?!?! i dont understand why makers of 4 banger cars don't realize its best to be around 1500-2k on the highway cruising. I had a 2012 chevy sonic 6 speed manual. it was around 1800 rpm at 70 mph. it was great. i got 45mpg in light traffic.

[@rodshop5897]

@@dontworry1568 Sounds like we have similar experiences. I still have a 96 Saturn (kept for sentimental reasons) that runs about 2300 rpm in 5th at 70. Great long-distance driving car!

[@Watermoehlen]

Subaru still hasn’t convinced me to part ways with my 2007 STi. This is definitely an improvement, but not worth getting rid of my 14+ year old garage queen

[@ACCAW11]

2018 Type RA owner here. Kind of hard when you already have the car you wanted to even consider trading in for another. IMO I would only consider a swap to the new STi engine and possibly Transmission if they were a big enough upgrade and were more reliable. I could never get over how terrible this new car looks and its all because of the plastic cladding and fugly rear end. Also I would only trade up. It would have to be another Type RA or a S series for me to make the jump all together.

[@speed23ism]

Totally agree.

[@icee0711]

2017 STI owner here, I was looking forward to this next gen for a potential trade-up. Still holding judgement until they show the STI and I can forgive the fenders but good God that rear end is hideous

[@RadDadisRad]

If the new STI has port and direct injection I’d be game especially if it comes with 400hp. If it’s just direct injection I’m not about it.

[@dgrudier8019]

@@zissou6928 have driving that in the snow

[@korban007]

Looks heavier yet since 2002 it’s been around 3300lbs. Subaru has a good way to pack room in larger looking cars and keep it hovering about this weight.

[@Nordlicht05]

This and I would want to convert it to a single tip exhaust

[@preppen78]

It does look chunky

[@Mewzyc]

All cars get bigger, heavier, or longer overtime in general, for whatever reason.

[@bara555]

@@Mewzyc SaFeTy. And all the electronic extras. They get boring, but more soccer mom-friendly, since young people can't afford new cars anyway.

[@DBeav97]

@@bara555 I bought a 2020 WRX brand new at age 22 back in 2019. I earned it and worked hard for every penny spent on it. But I guess there is some truth to your comment. Not many people my age are spending 30k on a car at 22. Most are living with their parents.

[@travismoak7799]

So much more informative and full of thoughtful perspective than other car reviewers. Thank you for always taking the time to create such high-quality videos, Jason.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Very kind Travis, really appreciate it! Thanks for watching.

[@sixx1095]

I love that you say “what does it mean is:” explaining the words that I had no idea. Engineer explain indeed.

[@austinwolfe7295]

I'm so glad to see the manual outselling the auto/cvt. I despise auto and especially the cvt's. Im so happy that certain auto makers are hearing the people who want to keep the manual alive

[@PabsLives]

Manual outsells the CVT for good reasons. I had a CVT WRX for a minute, and the CVT was just not very good. Nowhere close to the DCT in a VW Golf GTI/R.

[@davongoolsby7803]

The DCT would definitely be a game changer for subaru

[@Henry_Jones]

Only reason it outsells thr cvt is cuz its not in the base trim making it a $3000+ premium.

[@Nordlicht05]

@@davongoolsby7803 yea would be but I would be one of a few people buying a manual if available.

[@JFinns]

Yea as a GTI manual driver it's a shame VW has sandbagged the manual with tall gear ratios and a weak clutch. APR stage 1 puts you above 300hp/300tq and the clutch cannot handle it for long. They almost force the DSG on you even though the manual is clearly more fun and engaging. I love the WRX for this reason and taking a close look at it for my next car.

[@c.v.i.5690]

Jason is my favourite person to go to when I want to learn something useful about motor vehicles. The diversity of videos are the best. My car is in great shape because of the variety of information. Great job!

[@siriusbreak2212]

Great breakdown as always! That footnote at the end though. Essentially stating that styling is in the eye of the beholder but simultaneously saying "nope, not touching that topic with a 10 foot pole" 😂🤣😂🤣😂. Brilliant.

[@osielramirez7274]

Great review and it's right on point. I was a newcomer to subaru and I bought the 22 WRX. I couldn't be happier. The steering could feel a bit more rigid but it's quick. Shifter could be better but when has a stock wrx shifter been good? In terms of styling, I love it, except for the back side lol. I got the manual but would totally have considered auto if it was dual clutch, not cvt. Sad the STI got dropped but honestly I wouldn't have been able to afford it. Especially with the cost of living going up. I wanted an AWD car that can go on un-paved roads a bit, handle better in crappy weather, and higher than average herspers for some vroom vrooms. This one checks all the boxes

[@vv247]

Get it tuned, I tried the COBB and was blown away not just by more power but better drivability in stop and go.

[@TheV8Pumpkin]

Jokes aside I truly thought this was a crosstrek review from the thumbnail

[@tylerdowd]

seems like a nice car, just cant get over those terrible fake fender flares. As a total package though, its no question that it's a legitimate upgrade over the 2021!

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Yes because no car company would design a car worse than its predecessor.

[@loganhuwe9458]

ehh in 15 years i think we won’t hate the fender flares when theres no wheel arch rust

[@HRM.H]

@@loganhuwe9458 there are other solutions for rust , fake flares ain't it chief. 😂

[@apocalypse487]

Hopefully the STI won't have those

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@loganhuwe9458 The plastic stick-on fender flares doesn't prevent that. That's dependant on the rust treatment of the body work and chassis and/or the material. Modern cars have far superior rust protection anyway so rust shouldn't be an issue anymore in the future. The black plastic only does one thing. Make the car ugly af.

[@dynodyno6970]

I’m saving up my money for the next sti… Coming from a family that only ever had old used cars I felt so good buying the 2016 wrx back in 2018. Now I’m ready to buy my first car brand new, I want it to be the next gen STI, subie don’t let us down!!

[@NvSrAgE679]

I’m thinking of buying the new STI as my daily. I have a Type R I’m building but thinking up upgrading my daily and the STI will be sick in the winter.

[@markm0000]

I personally don’t want a STI because the ride quality is harsh and I like cloth seats. The base model 6 speed is plenty for me.

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

I guess you have lots of choices when it comes to STIs - syphilis, HPV, chlamydia... Most are harsh though, I agree, but I don't think the speed in which you get it makes much difference

[@markm0000]

@@pastorofmuppets8834 ha ha very funny

[@dynodyno6970]

@@pastorofmuppets8834 literally my fear as I tell my parents my next car will be the next gen STI 🥴

[@TeganCantEven]

Just got my 2023 and I absolutely love it!!!

[@Sigrafix]

That 2.4 boxer seems promising.. if you can safely squeeze 350whp with light mods, it would be sick.. awd, Manual sub 3300lbs with 350whp would be a ton of fun.

[@SarcasticComments23]

Too bad they actually weighed it and it’s well over 3300 :(

[@SarcasticComments23]

@@notfiveo that’s how it’s always been sonny boy.

[@JMPC90]

Casuals: +3 HP over previous. Meh! Tuners: Engine capable of big power. Yes!

[@Questchaun]

Bet it still has weak angled con rods.

[@ChadRazorback]

@@Questchaun I've read the conrods used in the ascent's version of this engine are nearly twice as thick as the ones in the FA20.

[@Questchaun]

@@ChadRazorback let's hope it made its way to this engine.

[@jacob5369]

The new WRX is a prime example of when auto makers have no competition in a market.

[@markm0000]

Mitsubishi needs to get their act together and go after these guys.

[@v8_sami]

@@markm0000 Renault got them them twisted so highly unlikely anything is coming out to take on wrx.

[@arekb5951]

@@v8_sami Renault has nothing to do with what Mitsubishi has become, to this day even in European models Mitsubishi uses their own engines and platforms and is not bound to technology that Renault and Nissan uses. Even Nissan which is a lot closer to Renault than Mitsubishi does a lot of things their way, so it's not like Renault is a party pooper. It's an alliance, not an ownership. Nissan still sells the GT-R and will make the new Z, so if Mitsubishi wanted to make a new Evo no one would stop them.

[@wyliecoyote6910]

@@markm0000 SERIOUSLY

[@aaronhumphrey2009]

Disagree. The Civic SI, VW Golf GTI, Ford Focus ST, MazdaSpeed 3 , Audi A4, BMW M3 & Z3 Coupe..

[@tmcuzzan]

This helped me feel like I made the right choice ordering my 2023 sport tech. Awesome video with great attention to detail without getting to into-the-weeds on any single topic. New subscriber!

[@churchofbrap876]

Just got a 23 base. Very impressive so far and I've owned every generation. 👍

[@JCTiggs1]

How do you find the steering? All the reviews complain about lack of feedback and overall feel. 🤔

[@churchofbrap876]

@@JCTiggs1 I think the steering is fine. KZbinrs have to find something to complain about lol. The handling is what surprised me the most, it's really really good. My biggest complaint would be poor gas mileage and kinda budget looking interior.

[@JCTiggs1]

@@churchofbrap876 Thanks for the reply and feedback! I'm trying to decide between a WRX or spending an extra $10k for 2024 Golf R 🤔

[@churchofbrap876]

@@JCTiggs1 tough call on that one. Golf R is pretty sweet. I bought the base WRX and will do about $5K in mods, wheels, tires, cat back exhaust and a few other things. Will be suweet when I'm done!

[@Anonymint-vj7bt]

The styling is excellent.

[@NEWNATURE777]

Oh in regards to the cladding fenders, Subaru engineers claim that the unpainted fenders fared substantially better in wind tunnel testing as compared to the painted versions. "Just changing the structure from paint to the hexagonal texture has a big improvement on the aerodynamics of the vehicle,"🤔

[@RadDadisRad]

Golf balls

[@Questchaun]

Just what I need when I'm driving around at 55... The plastic fenders are a travesty. Bet the STI has colored panels.

[@NEWNATURE777]

@@Questchaun even Porsche 911 Safari Spied Showing Its Lifted Suspension with cladding fenders...😃

[@Questchaun]

@@NEWNATURE777 such a shame so lazy. Remember the black plastic bumpers of the 90's what a pain.

[@NEWNATURE777]

@@Questchaun yeah, car's manufacturers going retro!!! I rather drive a Pinto 😂

[@garrettjones7837]

I believe the FA20 in forester XT was at 15psi, but the wrx makes 18-20 depending on the weather. When my car was completely stock i would regularly see consistent 18-20lbs with spikes of 21 using an analog boost gauge as well as the reading from the oem sensor.

[@EngineeringExplained]

I was thinking I’d seen it read higher on drives. But the spec sheet says 15.9 so that’s what I quoted. For what it’s worth, the car I drove (in this video) peaked at 12.1 psi as the highest reading.

[@eyetvideos467]

@@EngineeringExplained it’s 16lbs but can overboost 4lbs in certain conditions. You’ll only see overboost at lower rpm’s, once the engine opens up it doesn’t hold it.

[@MachuPichuu]

That's interesting they removed the overboost. It would sometimes get carried away and boost higher then it was supposed to. I wonder if the power numbers on the FA20 took the overboost into account. I think that was mostly due to the garbage boost control. The controller in the 2022 is supposed to be much improved.

[@carlos_zamora]

@@EngineeringExplained My ‘20 WRX has a peak of 21.5 psi with no modifications. The extra boost was definitely nice.

[@LM-jz9vh]

@@carlos_zamora Same with my 2021 WRX.

[@crumsnatcher778]

Jason, great job at pointing out why the new 2.4 engine is better despite having almost the same power. I have to agree with Vitor, your reviews are on another (higher) level. You must be an engineer. Keep up the great work its much appreciated!

[@pleasedontwatchthese9593]

In the motorcycle world there has been a thing where they leave a lot of extra power for modders to get to because they can't do that and meet emission standards. I wonder if subaru is doing the same.

[@engrishsheep]

"You must be an engineer." Isn't that in his channel's name??

[@Hawk7886]

@@pleasedontwatchthese9593 they don't do it intentionally, it's just a happy coincidence. Subaru's engines are already pretty close to the limit - you need some fairly extensive mods to support pushing reliable power

[@naldovaz9157]

l am loving my 2023 WRX 6 speed. 2.4 and chassis is better as expected, styling not bad , cladding protects the body

[@enginerd9465]

People also need to consider the increase in reliability due to the lower turbo pressure and reduced chance of Low Speed Pre Ignition. The bigger bore size lets the same amount of pressure to push harder during the power stroke. Opens up some really great possibilities from a tunability standpoint!

[@ryangorman8508]

I’d consider getting an engine swap to my 13 sti before getting this car. Just on what you said alone. Would even upgrade as a whole but to me it’s just ugly af.

[@theaterlightman89]

I just wish the back end didn't look like a civic

[@ravrav4523]

Jason is the best and explains the details so well.

[@paulmarsdensr1095]

This is the best video breakdown I have seen so far on the new 2022 WRX. I own a base model WRX 2017. I want the new STI so I'm in a sweet spot. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your family brother.

[@stevedesantolo6794]

I appreciate the relatively objective evaluation. The fact that I cannot even fathom affording a $30K vehicle doesn't stop be from being addicted to watching well done videos of those who choose to share good AND BAD evaluation data. Thanks, Jason, well done IMHO

[@onewheelup912]

If u make 40k a year u can afford it

[@venurabulathsinhala5078]

Thing is online when I saw this I didn’t like the looks but when I saw this in person it looks good in a good color tho

[@kyrosmike]

Legacy spec B was last Subaru I ever owned, nothing since then has made me want one, and the power has been the same whole time.

[@kickinrocks6055]

That's a classic. And I'm not telling you what to like. But the handling of the '15 plus Rex and sti is far above. The chassis made that big of a difference. You can 3 wheel up some driveways. And the turn in and more neutral feel of the newer sti is pretty dam good. Even compared to an older legacy or sti with coils. IMO.

[@nascentwings]

What are you driving now?

[@Hawk7886]

@@kickinrocks6055 they still understeer like dogs if you push them hard. They need some suspension mods right out the door but with just a few upgrades they become pretty fun for such a heavy beast

[@maximus9401]

I have a 2021 WRX. I'm not the least bit enticed to upgrade to this new one. The looks inside and out have a lot to do with it. And even though under the skin, there's a completely different car and a lot of changes made, it doesn't seem to translate to a worthy upgrade. That new BRZ though, that is something that I really want to check out

[@Questchaun]

Agreed the new brz looks really good.

[@apt62]

New wrx interior looks really good

[@ericMT]

Nothing wrong with the 21 WRX. Great car.

[@LoveMyZJ]

Same, when the lease is up on my '21 Crosstrek I will DEFINETLY be checking out the new BRZ. I had a '13 and I'm a big fan of all of the improvements that were made.

[@Hawk7886]

It's too bad the BRZ is required to stay underpowered so it doesn't cannibalize sales of the WRX.

[@AltJonny]

Y’all need to look at the bright side. This is the sleeper car you’ve wanted all along. Looks like a Crosstrek, drives better than previous gen WRX. 😜

[@Eric-ut5ld]

I'd like to hear more about how the 2022 can handle 87 octane? I've been trying to find out about but no one seems to talk about it.

[@GreyGamingGG]

If I was going to upgrade from the current gen I would definitely wait til we see a mid-cycle refresh. I really like all the improvements, especially the new platform., but maybe a little different styling + any other advantages that come with a refresh would then make it worth it. My buddies 18" premium and my 16" premium are very different things.

[@jbone_malone]

Very wise advice

[@nathanhosier7100]

Are the 16 and 18 that different?

[@GreyGamingGG]

@@nathanhosier7100 interior wise, yes. The refresh models have a much better head unit and stereo, and you get recaro seats with the sport package. Bit quieter on road noise in my experience too.

[@e.c.r4231]

John Cena looking at this comment saying "are you sure about that?"

[@HI-pi1er]

Mid cycle refresh ? So 2023 ?

[@RadDadisRad]

I have a 2019 Impreza and a 2021 Ascent. The CVTs are different. The linear mapping in the base Impreza is so much better than the simulated gearing in the Ascent.

[@EricGoebelbecker]

I got rid of my 2016 Impreza after a year because of the CVT. Sloppy, slow, buzzy. Hard to consider ever driving a Subaru again.

[@raoufhakam5936]

my 2016 Outback also does the "simulated gear shift" specially at slow speed moving from a stop (simulating AT/MT 1st to 2nd shift), it drives me nuts. as if the car is programmed to drop RPM on purpose making you lose torque for a second or two when you need it most

[@kenhoward3512]

@@raoufhakam5936 The CVT might be simulating the effect of small, internal gears, but the shifts are not simulated: there are actual, pre-set, physical gear ratio shifts, designed into the system because most people who actually enjoy driving hate CVTs. I'd guess shift programming and engine management have improved since 2016.

[@ranran2218]

I have a 2019 wrx with a manual transmission and my wife has a 2021 forester and the cvt in it and I hate it. Subaru definitely does not make a good cvt. Even the spt or subaru performance transmission I have little hope for because it is a cvt.

[@alexbeau348]

@@EricGoebelbecker Is it possible to swap A-lina auto gearbox on 2016?

[@cnorton1us]

I got a chuckle out of the "since this is a sports car, everyone wants to know about the fuel economy" line 😁 I'm surprised the manual is rated higher than the CVT, since in the very few cars that offer both (including the Crosstrek), it's usually the other way around. I bought a '21 Crosstrek with the stick, which is rated 29mpg on the highway (I think the CVT was 33), but I'm actually getting 32-33 in mixed driving, and without really trying for economy. I'm glad the looming all-electric future isn't ruining the possibility of fun, dinosaur-powered cars like this coming out the next few years.

[@Namesakes.unit-x-10sq10]

In Eu (especially norway) we wont get any new fossil powered cars anymore... Im considering moving now🤣

[@EasyMoneySG]

its because they aren't implementing the CVT correctly. 7:03 downshift rev matching shouldn't be a thing with a cvt. there should be no "shifting" with a cvt.

[@XanderYTV]

Which engine do you have? I have the 2.0L in my Impreza and I am definitely getting lower than 30mpg with a CVT lol

[@imoffendedthatyouareoffended]

i disagree, i traded my 2020 that i had for 3 years to upgrade to the 2023. after one test drive i was sold. the 15-21 motor really felt awful. even after modding it and fixing all the issues from rev hang to power, i just kept feeling like it lacked sorely, especially in the higher rpms. the only thing i miss from my 2020 is the steering rack. but the new ones growing on me.

[@tomrakusan1179]

Yes - MUCH better car. Had a ‘16, now a ‘23. Night and day.

[@davidc-l9174]

I wonder what the manual take rate would be if the WRX offered a good automatic, like a DCT, instead of a totally uninspiring CVT.

[@JSchaefer93]

@Kerim Temel 2nd that, zf8 is an awesome trans

[@aaron40cavalier]

The tr690 in the wrx isn't a bad transmission the programming could be better. If they get rid of the simulated shifts and just hold it at max power it would be better. He wasn't describing the "center diff" correctly though it's actually a 49/51 split with a transfer clutch instead of a center differential. Long story short it's a good trans that just has heavy moving parts making it not as willing to spin up as quickly as other transmissions

[@thetechlibrarian]

@@JSchaefer93 yeah that zf 8 speed is really something else. I drove a 330 that had that trans and It was perfect

[@johnhoo6707]

There is nothing inherently “uninspiring” about a CVT. They can be designed to fit a purpose. Unfortunately the public perception of CVTs is horrible, because no one has really tried to design for driving response.

[@JSchaefer93]

@@thetechlibrarian I went from a 2015 wrx (cvt) to a 2018 M550i so of course it felt awesome to me lol

[@kingjaf]

The mpg difference could just come down to the +.5in ride height

[@chrisgulbranson5867]

Great review. I've watched a bunch on this car, and this is one of the better ones. You seem much more knowledgeable about wrx's in general.

[@islandon22]

I sold these cars. The 2.0 Boxer was known to be pretty bullet proof based on what my Subie mechanics said at meetings. They weren't too impressed with the 2.5L. But this is a 2.4L. We'll find out soon how good it is. I would stay away for two years.

[@dannytse8767]

If the new WRX engine is already being used in the Outback and the Ascent, wouldn't you already have 2 years of data on the engine?

[@eyetvideos467]

@@dannytse8767 not turbo data as far as I know.

[@RCXDerp]

@@eyetvideos467 You think the ascent isn't turbo? That would be dangerously slow.

[@eyetvideos467]

@@RCXDerp hahahaha I guess you’re right the ascent is pretty large

[@jongould2935]

@@eyetvideos467 The Ascent has been turbo since its inception. The Outback has the XT and Wilderness versions, both of which are turbo. So yes, there is a couple of years of turbo data for the 2.4L.

[@gregoryh9442]

Awesome review! And I’ll say finally seeing the ‘22 in person changed my mind about the looks. It does show way better in person.

[@KnifeFiend]

Have a manual 2016 Ive had since new. Too say these FA cars are solid platforms would be an understatement for the price to performance.

[@cdbig9er]

Yes sir. I still have my 2016 that I bought new also..... Seeing this 2022, I'll be keeping my 2016 for a lot longer.

[@FADWC]

Feel like I learned more about this car from this video then all the others I have watched combined. Thanks for the great content!

[@pez7031]

I bought my 2010 WRX new and still love it. Has less than 35k miles- a five speed that gets me over 60 MPH in 2nd gear and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. This 2022 model has nothing on my 2010.

[@Danger_mouse]

Jason, thanks for sharing the video. 7:50 That take-up rate of manual vs CVT should be an indication of how much people hate CVTs 🙂👍 They have had durability issues and feel horrible to drive, hard to convince people otherwise now.

[@themadmallard]

especially when they don't have a clear understanding of who makes these CVTs for different cars.

[@buckdesystem4562]

The 15% who bought the CVT bought the wrong model of car.

[@CaptainCreampie69]

I’d hardly put the SI and WRX as competitors. AWD vs FWD, Civic has a much smaller engine as well. If you want to try comparing it to the Civic Type R, that might be a bit more fair. Just because they cost the same doesn’t say much. Fit and finish on a Honda is superior to a Subaru as is the reliability and longevity of all the parts. I do like the look of the WRX more and it is a better sporty car, but you pay for it in less gas mileage and a stiffer ride. If it’s me and I have to pick between the two, the Civic SI is the one to get.

[@SteremyJeele]

It's about their comparable place in the market, not so much about comparable specs/performance. The WRX competes with the SI and GTI because it is placed ~30k, where the STI competed with the Type R and Golf R as they are all priced ~40k. Performance-wise, I completely agree though. A 200hp FWD car doesn't really stack up to 270hp AWD. Maybe one day Honda will expand their performance line to include some AWD hatchbacks or a return to the S2000.

[@jasonmoyer]

I've owned mine for 2 days now, 100 or so miles of mostly PA mountain driving, and my god it is so good. They need to put together a factory brake upgrade option, because while they're effective when you really dig in, they do not inspire confidence or feel appropriate for how quick the car is. Otherwise, wow, I'm impressed with it so far. Yeah, it feels like an economy sedan with an amazing powertrain, because that's still what it is. I'm not a fan of the feel of the electric steering, but it's very responsive and surprisingly quick around center. The stock summer Dunlops are trash, I drove them for a day before grabbing A/S 4's which massively improved the ride quality and road feel. I drive a lot of tight, wooded backroads and the suspension and engine tuning are phenomenal. It feels like it holds something back when launching from a stop, probably to keep 1st gear from exploding, but once you hit 2K in 2nd gear it feels like a rocketship. The acceleration in basically any gear from low RPM's is pretty impressive for a Rex. No issues in traffic with the clutch or torque response. Intake/exhaust aren't going to wake your neighbors up, but it still makes nice boxer sounds and you can feel the rumble in your seat. I can only assume everyone saying they're hitting the redline and don't realize it are deaf because it's still louder than a typical economy 4-banger (it's louder than my SX-4 hatch was when it had a broken weld just before the muffler, and that thing sounds like it's going to blow up above 4k as it is). Shifting from 2nd/3rd I get a nice subtle popoff woosh. Rev hang is basically nonexistent, I had completely forgotten it used to be an issue until I rewatched some reviews comparing it to the last model. Styling is subjective, but the Subie kids I've shown it to seem to like it. I could take or leave the infotainment, I may end up driving around with the screen switched off most of the time and the climate control set to full auto since you can still manually switch on the defrosters and adjust the interior temp. Not a fan of tons of electronics, but being able to log in and see my car's health telemetry/maintenance data from my web browser or phone is a game changer for someone like me who is super paranoid about the condition of his cars. Seats in the Premium are surprisingly good, comfortable with solid bolstering. I dunno how they managed to fit so much interior space into it, I'm still getting used to how it feels like a bigger car than it actually is. Parked next to a co-worker's Lancer, I realized they're almost exactly the same size, and that's not a car I would consider large. Visibility is amazing except for the rear because of the headrests/rear body line, thinnest A pillars I've seen on a new car. With the seats down I was able to easily stuff my old tires in the trunk with room for at least 2 more had I stacked them in the rear seating area. It's good. I wanted a new daily that put a smile on my face driving to work, and it does that. Maybe I'll feel differently if I ever get to test drive a GR Corolla (god knows I won't be able to buy one), but it's good. It's what it needs to be, in my opinion, even if it means disappointing the street racer bros. I know everyone wants more power, but it's properly quick in the tight twisty stuff and still fast enough when I get to open it up that I feel like I'm endangering my driving privilege just by being in it. If the new drivetrain/chassis shares the reliability of the rest of their fleet, I think this is a severely underrated all-season performance car. I'm looking forward to seeing some snow this winter.

[@patewing5808]

Good info I got the car couple days ago and I am impressed . Brake upgrade would be amazing

[@truckinguy92]

If you learn how to let the engine do some of your breaking for you, the mediocre brakes could be more of a nonissue. I used to live in Centre County and miss Wykoff Run Rd up in Cameron County/Quehanna area of PA. You want a fun twisty road to ride on, look it up.

[@jasonmoyer]

@@truckinguy92 Thanks for the suggestion, next time I'm up that way I'll have to check that road out. The thing with the brakes I'm finding is that they feel weak, but they really aren't, at least on the street (on a track I'd want different fluid/pads, but that's the case with every car). I think part of the problem is that in newer cars the resistance tends to build up almost as soon as you touch the pedal, where you need to get deep into the travel to get the same resistance on the WRX.

[@cmbiker]

How do the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 improve ride quality and feel? I just picked up a 2023 base model last week and find the harsh ride a bit tiring at times. I knew what I was getting into from test drives, but anything to soften the harshness would be nice. Also, I find the steering to be a bit twitchy at high speeds 70mph +. I wonder if this Michelin tires would help with that as well.

[@jasonmoyer]

@@cmbiker It's been so long since I've driven on the OEM Dunlops that it's a hard question to answer. One thing I do remember is that they lose grip more progressively, the Michelins seem to give more warning before a tire starts sliding and are easy to get back under control. As far as ride quality goes, the car still makes me hate it if I'm cruising around at 25-35mph, but it seems like the faster you go the better the ride gets.

[@Raevenswood]

As someone that usually buys older cars and works on them myself I can see another benefit of this generation of WRX for people like me in the future. Once these start getting 5-10 years old and hitting the used market there will be a ton of places to pull parts for these engines because the same engines are being used in other Subaru models.

[@tonyr1615]

Jason knocks it out of the park again. Great in-depth review w/ points others aren't even mentioning.

[@jza80_mkiv]

I like the styling, it is more of an offroad look. Which means it is less likely to end up being a stancy boi at local car meets.

[@johnk1532]

I don't think there has ever been a newly introduced model of Subaru, that wasn't met with criticism about how they look. At the end of the day though they've all grown on us and we appreciate the great engineering that goes into them. And the best part is that you don't have to sell body parts to afford them.

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

Saying something has grown on me means it's crap, you just get used to how crap it is

[@stevensasuga5462]

Exactly. Would you want your gf or wife’s looks to grow on you? Hell no. Just like a car it needs to be love at first sight.

[@johnk1532]

@@stevensasuga5462 so it's all about looks for you. Substance doesn't matter to you. I can see you making a bunch of divorce lawyers very very rich some day.

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

@@johnk1532 difference between buying something as ugly as sin - and then saying "it's growing on me" - and buying something that's good and good looking.

[@danielmiller6983]

Video does this car no justice. In person it actually looks pretty sharp

[@kiviech6214]

I have one that's red it's the best I wish people would stop bitching about it it dose look sharp

[@keiths314]

I actually love the new styling. It’s unique and handsome..

[@adamtorres5010]

I love the way you explain everything like its a conversation. Very unbiased. Great video as always

[@DoubleOSevan]

Subjective comments on styling aside, I think they've set up the platform well for the upcoming STI. I still feel like Subaru is sandbagging the new WRX, but for those looking for a fun daily sports sedan it's a pretty compelling package.

[@nemesis9410]

Yeah uhhh… about that…

[@kclamer]

I think longevity is a positive as well. A larger engine with lower boost will survive longer than a smaller displacement engine with higher boost, even at the same power output. I had a 2002 bug eye Impreza and that style just stuck with me as my favorite. Subaru hasnt made anything that has caught my eye since then.

[@somanymods]

I think the ej205 has better reliability than the ej255/ej257.

[@Kawasaki225]

Thats big daddy toyota for you

[@ey_bud1620]

As an owner of a '21 WRX, I can't say that I'm interested in the new one. However, if the new STI ends up producing 400hp like the rumors say it might, then we can talk..

[@rfinelli001]

Amen

[@tytusszymczak5999]

I initially had hope about the 400hp, but after they revealed this wrx there's not a single chance it'll even be close. Subaru showed they're not interested in upping the ante when there's no competitors, and no one in the sti segment is even close to 400. At this point I'd be happy with 350, I would really hope they won't do less than that...

[@InfoumusMOBB]

The de-tuned the 2.4 to make the same numbers to the WRX. I wouldnt count on 400hp sti. Lol. It will more then likely be little bit more hp(310-320) with way more trq then older STis (320-340trq). If it doesn’t make gobs of trq with this new 2.4 the sti will be going the way of the EVO.

[@EOCA]

The ‘20 WRX is my sixth Subaru. Thus far, it has never made sense to me to upgrade to the STI when I trade in a WRX lease because they’ve been Close Enough for the last few leases. I am really hoping the unimpressive numbers on this next gen WRX are leaving room for the 400hp STI we’ve all been dreaming about in every generation after the ‘04 Blobeye. I am so nervous that the factory will let us down by not delivering an impressive improvement. Keep in mind that there was a 300-horsepower WRX STi in 2004. Imagine any piece of technology that has improved less in that time. How can the factory not give their loyal customers an exciting STi upgrade to aspire to? They have to do this for us, right? I can’t remember the last time I was this hopeful, yet nervous that I was about to be let down.

[@iaf010]

Sounds like a car MADE for aftermarket tuners and performance junkies. Great value for below $30K

[@timm.6391]

Bone stock with e85 and a tune and that engine puts down some serious increase.

[@markwhitaker3673]

Thank you for the best review out there with emphasis on the oily bits. As a 2020 WRX owner with the 6spd in WRB, I wanted to know how the car drives in comparison to mine and would an upgrade be worthwhile- you have answered that question for me. Looks are subjective and I dont need the visual assessment that all the other reviews deem necessary. I usually keep my cars for many years so i think I will be more interested with what happens to the STI and consider an upgrade when the time comes-thanks.

[@YasumotoUS]

Great review with the details that matter. The styling is subjective for sure, but it still says WRX in its form. That center screen OTOH.... I have used that in the Outback and what a PITA for touch based adjustments of HVAC as compared to the '15 - '21 WRX / STI with that nifty split screen and wonderfully large control dials. The wide-spread implementation of software and touch-screen based features which require an eyes-off-the-road glance with every single use is a huge safety hazard, especially since most versions of the WRX do not have Eye Sight and automatic braking. I daily a '20 STI and greatly appreciate the physical controls. Please bring them back in some form, Subaru. Screens are not always the right answer.

[@jordanrutherford1766]

Id love to see what comes out for aftermarket fender flares! I do like the plastic fenders for rust protection more so for cold places with road salt.

[@JeremyHansenblue2kid3]

They also use the golf ball aero pattern so less drag and more air directed to cool the brakes rather than the air "breaking" you

[@v8_sami]

If you live in a colder climate the infotainment should be your major concern. I have driven 230k on my 15 legacy without all the plastic flares and all. Very little rust on underbody nothing on the panels at all.

[@JMNTN]

@@JeremyHansenblue2kid3 yea, bet that makes a world of difference

[@dixbeflopin]

Guaranteed they paint them for the sti, doesn’t bother me cuz I’ll just trade my sti in, but come on just give the people what they want Subaru

[@joseeduardo4327]

@@v8_sami 6yrs is still pretty new. Give it time lmao

[@CHARLESBROWN-sq9fk]

No car is perfect.This car sure comes close!!!!!!!!It's all about the driving experience,and this car delivers much beyond the big 3.The big 3 will never understand.Theres more to a sports sedan than a space shuttle engine!!! If you drive a Subaru,you will buy a subaru!!!! That's so true.I love my 2023.Its one of the few cars I have owned that I look forward to driving.The WRX is what a car should be.Sure, it's not perfect,however,it's perfect for me !!!

[@StinkySundae]

I almost went with the new WRX but after test driving Elantra N, I fell in love. My N will come in 5 more days!

[@dacei]

What changed your mind? Not much effort from Subaru, bad mpg ?

[@Henry_Jones]

I hate small turbo engines. Theyre always laggy. Test drove an accord 1.5t cvt. It was always turbo lagging if you wernt in sport mode cuz the cvt wanted to hold the rpms as low as possible. I got a used v6 accord instead.

[@RPotter95]

That was probably more of a problem with the CVT instead of the turbo.

[@ValentinArzola]

The great thing about Subaru is the manual transmission option. It is a totally different vehicle in manual. Gives you more torque to start with you can even feel the difference in Crosstrek Manual vs CVT. Try the manual you will enjoy it more. If you don't know how to drive manual learn. It is a different driving experience.

[@ALMX5DP]

Drive in sport mode if you want response then.. That's why they make modern vehicles with different modes, to suite everyone's driving styles and preferences.

[@Henry_Jones]

@@ValentinArzola oh I have had manuals, the mt is what made me a huge honda fan. Times change though and I have to have an automatic now.

[@Henry_Jones]

@@ALMX5DP sport mode is just holding low gear. Good for power when you need it but annoying and inneficent when youre driving at a consistant speed.

[@brianfox340]

"Subaru Performance Transmission" is a CVT that's heavier and slower. This company is going downhill. Thank you for breaking down a lot of the details that actually matter like gearing changes and steering mechanics changes. You really have the best reviews.

[@joshm340]

Yeah, manual vs CVT is a no-brainer

[@brianfox340]

@@joshm340 I agree completely, but putting the word "performance" in the name of the strictly worse transmission is another level of out-of-touch.

[@prex345]

Nobody wants CVT in a performance car.

[@ALMX5DP]

Williams Formula 1 did.

[@AB-jk7tw]

Great new car, reliable, incredible to drive, comfortable and quality built in Japan.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

I have a 2020 Outback Onyx with that same engine. It makes an astonishing amount of power.

[@Hawk7886]

As an owner of a current gen WRX, thanks Subaru, I'm not even remotely interested in upgrading to this abomination when mine is old. The horrible styling combined with the dumpster fire that is touchscreen HVAC controls... What the hell, guys? This car was highly anticipated and getting a slam dunk was cake on paper: Make it look good, upgrade the engine, improve NVH, and improve the quality of the materials used on the interior. The fact that they messed up EVERYTHING is not only massively disappointing, it's borderline impressive.

[@RLTtizME]

Mom always said change was very hard for you. That gets worse as you get older sweetie. It will be alright.

[@Gazoline19]

Thank you for touching upon the super critical details like the rev hang issue, the throttle tuning, and updated gearing. Fantastic objective review.

[@hahaadventures4838]

and now 1 year later the 2.4 WRX is making 400hp 400tq at the wheels with a cai, exhaust and tune 😱

[@truckinguy92]

Way to destroy your warranty! I’m just not willing to do that.

[@hahaadventures4838]

@@truckinguy92 it’s ALL about how you drive it. You thrash on a tuned car and the clutch and trans will die. Drive responsible and it’ll last just as long as a stock configuration

[@truckinguy92]

@@hahaadventures4838 then why bother spending $1,000’s modding it, if you’re just going to drive it normal? Let’s face it people aren’t modding these things, to not beat the 💩 out of them.

[@truckinguy92]

@@hahaadventures4838 also it still doesn’t change the fact that if something happens you’re on the hook because warranty is voided.

[@Mr05sti]

Nothing compares to a stock 07 sti.... hands down the best year... 👌

[@Namesakes.unit-x-10sq10]

And the 05 widetrack blobeye (EU edition) hawkeye driveline/suspension with an Ej207 and blob front👌

[@mrsubaru5367]

I love mine,got it for me,if people don't like the way it looks that's fine with me bc i love it😁😍

[@mikegbabcock]

The styling is great. You can actually rip down a dirt road now, or through a season of salty ski resort mountain passes, and not worry about the paint or rust. If you don’t like that, you’re probably a GTI or a Si person anyway. Nice to see the WRX return to something closer to its intended purpose.

[@tbas8741]

Great review like always. One thing tho while mentioning the peak boost is fine, thats only helpful if they are the same size turbo with same flow rates. Eg, old WRX. TD05 Turbo @ 10psi makes much more power than TD04 @ 18psi (as the 05 is bigger flows more CFM and dont heat the charge air as much = more power with less boost) 2.5L @ 10psi is running "more" boost than a 2.0L @ 15psi.

[@md0015]

Cool bro, but how many car seats can you get in it? I think that's the primary concern of potential WRX buyers in 2022.

[@michealbell142]

Agreed

[@loganhuwe9458]

true. we need the return of the wagon

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

3

[@dreday2751]

The Diono RXT car seats pretty much can fit 3 across in a lot of vehicles. Had 2 in my 18 and center seat was still usable.

[@cg.4836]

I’ve been waiting 6 years for Subaru to bring a WRX/STI hatch back to the North American market. I was hopeful that 22 would finally be the year. But between the cheap plastic cladding, and the lack of a hatch... I’ll be moving on.

[@716Flat4]

there is no excuse not to use 91 or 93 on these engines. Using 87/89 will only increase the wear on the engine while losing you performance and risking failures...for a few cents on the gallon...just get the 93...91 if you dont have 93....and never 87 or 89. At the end of the day, I think there are 2 big takeaways from the previous to new generation. Power is the same, but the way it uses it isnt. The gearing and power useage of the new generation is far superior and there is no shortage of videos online showing the new VB shitting on the VA. The second big takeaway is that the new platform not only uses existing power better, but is far more capable of more power than the previous gen. It seems the engine is no longer the limiting component and instead, people are often breaking axels and gearboxes before they break their engines...that means we actually have a completely new upgrade path to explore and follow than previous generation. It is a welcome change and the next couple years are going to be glorious for development.

[@SuzukiKid400]

I’ve run 87 in my 2022 for 15,000 miles. Great power and no issues. I commute and stay out of the boost. I ran 91 for a while and didn’t notice any mileage benefit. Run whatever fuel works better for you!!

[@716Flat4]

@@SuzukiKid400 This data has been logged already. Running 87 increases knock and hence, increases wear and tear on the engine significantly. They will run on 87, and not noticing a difference is not the same as there not being one.

[@BadPhD777]

The take rate of the automatic would probably be higher if they offered a dual clutch.

[@filipprucnal]

Yup No-one wants a glorified moped transmission. Big surprise

[@lepermessiyah5823]

They are one of rarer new sports cars to have a manual so I think they sell to a lot of people who wouldn't otherwise get a wrx. The styling for instance isn't exactly as good as it used to be

[@farnarkleboy]

The failure rate on DCT's is pretty high on Haldex awd systems and would probably be more so on Subaru's straight mechanical system. I think they know their market pretty well and don't mind so much if you go and buy a VW/Audi . Its a headache they don't want.

[@uskeeze2131]

It sucks they went in the direction to make it look like a normal “sport” Sedan. I still think the 2015-2021 WRX stock has that look that turns heads on the roads. But I guess they got to appeal to everyone for the business with the sacrifice of looking less special.

[@xil3ntkha0s]

Here’s hoping they made it ugly on purpose so the STi looks better. But then again they could just slap a big wang and BBK on the STi and call it a day.

[@ryanschafran7906]

A lot of people think the kiosk ended at 2014. I had a 14 wrb hatch and have not wanted a newer model since. I hate the way they look.

[@muneirovalibas6194]

Car looks way better in darker tones, especially dark grey. The rear end however is pretty nasty and not easy to deal with. Otherwise it has great lines.

[@Altavilla22Mike]

As an experienced tuner, who owned a few WRXs and everything every of sports cars (FWD, RWD, AWD, NA, single turbo, twin turbo, 4 cyl, 6 cyl, 8cyl) and has tuned nearly every one of them. Seeing the larger engine displacement and lower boost with what looks like the same turbocharger which is capable of 20psi and beyond with a few simple bolt ons, this WRX will be able to put down 350++ HP/TQ to the wheels for about $1000 or less.. A tune and a drop in KnN filter should do the trick.

[@walterbryan1798]

Full-time all-wheel-drive is really interesting. Usually cars are front wheel drive with the rear wheels kicking in now and then.

[@willblake72]

I think this would be the best looking WRX in a while if not for those wheel arches and gap.

[@Blackdawn80]

The gap is an easy fix. The arches can be color matched by any reputable body shop. I'd consider keeping them with say a white WRX and black or bronze wheels with a good set of aftermarket lowering springs or better yet an adjustable coil-over setup.

[@ArtemLokhovitskiy]

Yeah... But what about rear bumper? That ugly mf is hard to fix on a budget

[@CavCat]

Lmao, that is an ugly rear end. I much prefer my limited 2018

[@RCXDerp]

I think those look great tbh great for destroying a snowy road

[@markbielawski]

Thanks for this review. It was very informative, as usual. I just wanted to make a quick mention of what was said at 5:54 "...you're able to get away with a *lower quality* gasoline as far as the octane rating..." As you know and have explained in the past, octane rating has nothing to do with quality, but rather with the ability to resist detonation depending on the engine's compression. I'm afraid this kind of statement will continue to propagate the myth of octane/quality. A given fuel manufacturer uses the same additives in various grades of fuel. The price differences between octanes comes from the refining process (more refining for higher octanes equals more expensive). "Quality" may differ from one brand to the next because of the additives given to their fuels. Otherwise, a well composed review. 👍 I wish I had room in my garage for a new WRX. Merry Christmas! 🎅

[@ethereous]

"The price differences between octanes comes from the refining process (more refining for higher octanes equals more expensive). " That, by nature, increases "quality". Stop being so pretentious.

[@ltkwok]

Great Comparisons between engines. Love the nerdiness of it. How about electric motors? Why do some cars get 4 miles per Kwh and some only get 2? Would love to understand electric motor tech.

[@methos-ey9nf]

A lot has to do with the weight, aerodynamics, total drivetrain efficiency (parasitic losses to cooling systems etc). I'm sure there's more but those make up some of the differences.

[@captainplanet43]

regen?

[@anmcclo9731]

i like how the black grill opens, up more air flow on this, 2022 Subaru Impreza WRX model

[@odinson7429]

As someone who lives in the snowy north, a downside I see with the plastic cladding, no matter if you like the look or not, is that it gives more places for moisture, dirt and salt to collect, which will lead to more rust issues.