The 2022 Subaru WRX is the latest generation of this all-wheel-drive (AWD) rally-influenced sedan.
Among the more notable changes are its larger turbocharged engine and all-new platform. More rigid than its predecessor, the new platform should improve ride and handling.
For 2022, Subaru also added the top-of-the-line GT trim.
Changes to the exterior are less than revolutionary. There are some new character lines here and there and new thin headlights and fresh taillights.
The overall result is a sedan that looks wider and lower than its predecessor.
A new 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen (on most trims) dominates the dashboard’s center. Accents resembling carbon fiber, a fat, flat-bottomed steering wheel, and red contrast stitching highlight the cabin’s attributes.
We like the WRX for its bang-for-your-performance buck, roomy sedan configuration, standard AWD, and decent mileage.
Anchoring the trim-level lineup is the WRX Base. The Premium, Limited, GT, and STI are stacked up from there.
Power & Fuel Economy
The power source in the 2022 Subaru WRX is an all-new 271-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged flat 4-cylinder engine. AWD is standard.
For all except the GT, a 6-speed manual transmission hustles engine output to the four wheels. Standard in the GT and optional in the other trims is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
A CVT uses pulleys and belts rather than gears to take the most efficient advantage of the engine’s torque. Subaru creates the illusion of shifting gears. It even provides paddle shifters if you want to input when the imaginary shifts occur.
Included with the CVT are three driving modes for tailoring the experience to different tastes.
Opting for the CVT in the base WRX adds $1,890.
According to the EPA, the 2022 Subaru with the manual transmission delivers 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg in combined driving. The numbers for the CVT barely change, at 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway/21 mpg combined.
2022 Subaru WRX Base (starting at $29,105)
The 2022 Subaru WRX Base starts at $29,105.
Standard are 17-inch alloy wheels, auto on-off LED headlights, self-leveling headlights, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Also included are single-zone automatic climate control, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, cloth seating with red stitching, and cruise control.
A 7-inch LCD driver-information display, high-beam assist, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, and remote keyless entry are also standard.
The infotainment system has dual 7-inch touchscreens, a 6-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth. Satellite-radio capability, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are also included.
Other than safety features like stability control and traction control, the WRX with manual transmission provides no driver aids.
To get basic driver aids, you must opt for the CVT. Included with it are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Also included are lane-centering assist, and automatic emergency steering assist.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the base WRX base price brings the total to $30,100. If you put no money down and financed for 60 months at 3% interest, it works out to about $541 per month. See 2022 Subaru WRX Base models for sale
2022 Subaru WRX Base includes:
- AWD – This is Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD. It’s a full-time system that normally splits engine torque 50-50 front to rear. When the wheels on one axle begin to slip, the system shifts more torque to the wheels with grip.
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror – Using photosensors, it recognizes bright headlights closing from behind. It then automatically dims the reflection of those lights.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – These allow your smartphone to interface with your vehicle. Not only can you access the music on your phone, but you can also send messages, receive messages, make calls, and so forth through your vehicle’s media system.
2022 Subaru WRX Premium (starting at $31,605)
The 2022 Subaru WRX Premium starts at $31,605.
To the base trim, Premium adds 18-inch alloy wheels, three-mode heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.
Also included are an 11.6-inch touchscreen, alloy pedal covers, dual USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and LED fog lights.
Keyless entry with push-button start and a rear-seat armrest are also standard.
Options include an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a power moonroof.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the Premium base price totals $32,600. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $586 per month. See 2022 Subaru WRX Premium models for sale
2022 Subaru WRX Premium includes:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control – A set-it-and-forget-it system, it divides the vehicle into left and right regions. It provides separate temperature settings for each region. Once set, it automatically maintains the preset temperatures.
- Keyless entry – If the key fob is on your person, the doors automatically unlock when you touch the door handle. Push-button start is paired with keyless entry.
- All Weather Package – A winter package, it includes three-mode heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.
2022 Subaru WRX Limited (starting at $35,995)
The 2022 Subaru WRX Limited starts at $35,995.
Building on Premium, Limited adds a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
Outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, a power moonroof, adaptive headlights, and Ultrasuede seating with red stitching are also standard, as are blind-spot monitoring, lane-changing assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Other than the CVT, there are no Limited options.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the Limited base price equals $36,990. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to roughly $665 per month. See 2022 Subaru WRX Limited models for sale
2022 Subaru WRX Limited includes:
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat – You can adjust the driver’s seat 10 ways, including power lumbar support.
- Harman Kardon audio system – Providing 11 speakers, this system also includes a 504-watt amplifier.
- Adaptive front lights – These headlights bend in concert with the front wheels to light the way when taking a curve or making a turn.
2022 Subaru WRX GT (starting at $41,895)
The 2022 Subaru WRX GT starts at $41,895.
GT adds the CVT as standard. It also includes Variable Torque Distribution, the driver aids listed above, and reverse automatic emergency braking.
Other GT features are an Ultrasuede dashboard panel, Recaro front seats, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and electronically adjustable ride control.
Once again, Subaru doesn’t provide any options.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the GT base price brings the total to $42,890. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to about $771 per month. See 2022 Subaru WRX GT models for sale
2022 Subaru WRX GT includes:
- Reverse automatic braking – If the driver doesn’t react to audible warnings of approaching objects when in reverse, this system automatically stops the vehicle.
- Driver Aids – These include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
- Recaro front seats – These lightweight seats provide extra side support with added cushion and seat-back bolstering. The driver’s seat is 8-way power-adjustable.
2022 Subaru WRX STI (starting at $43,000 estimated)
Subaru hasn’t released any significant information on the latest version of the WRX STI. It will feature a more powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The current STI powertrain delivers 310 hp.
Also standard on the 2021 STI is a driver-controlled center differential, 19-inch alloy wheels, and an STI gauge package.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the STI base price brings the total to $43,995. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to approximately $791 per month. See 2022 Subaru WRX STI models for sale
