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What Subaru Doesn’t Want You To Know About The WRX

The Subaru WRX is on a downward slide, and it's getting worse. Check out its performance in February. Where does the WRX go from here?
2024 Subaru WRX

No one likes to be the bearer of bad news. But Subaru of America (SOA) won't tell you this about the WRX performance sedan, so I will. I cover all Subaru models, and I would rather tell you how well the WRX is doing in sales performance—that sales are better than ever. But that's not the case. 

The WRX has been on a downward slide for eight consecutive months. This is a significant trend that seems to be getting worse. I have listed the numbers here back to July 2023. The last time WRX had an increase was June 2023. 

2024 Subaru WRX with an owner

The WRX has decreased for eight consecutive months. 

  1. February 2024 -46.3%
  2. January 2024 -41.6%
  3. December 2023 -37.1%
  4. November 2023 -37.3%
  5. October 2023 -14.7%
  6. September 2023 -2.7%
  7. August 2023 -27.2%
  8. July 2023 -25.1%

Subaru of America reports that the WRX sold 1,395 performance sports cars in February, compared with 2,598 models sold in February 2023. The WRX performance sedan decreased the most of any model in SOA's lineup, 44.2 percent, for the first two months of 2024.

The WRX is not the only Subaru model that saw sales decrease in February. The Ascent, BRZ, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, and Solterra also saw declines in sales. 

What's next for the WRX?

The 2024 Subaru WRX performance sports car will arrive at U.S. retailers this spring with a new TR trim level.

What is the price of the 2024 WRX?

The 2024 WRX has five trim levels: Base, Premium, WRX TR, Limited, and GT. Here is the new pricing with increases and a model guide. 

The 2024 WRX 6-speed manual trim level starts at $33,855. The WRX Premium 6-speed manual is $35,755, The WRX Premium with Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) is $37,105, the WRX Limited 6-speed manual is $40,135, the WRX Limited SPT is $41,685, the all-new WRX TR 6-speed manual is $42,775, and WRX GT SPT is $45,335. Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,120).

2024 Subaru WRX TR on the trackMY TAKE

I think these things are important for performance enthusiasts to know. 

1. Will the new 2024 Subaru WRX TR be enough to revive interest in the WRX sports car? In my opinion, no. It will help, but the WRX needs more.

2. The WRX needs a hatchback body style. A Hot WRX hatch would get performance fans excited again about the sports car. Sales will take off if Subaru Corporation brings a new hot WRX hatch. 

3. Subaru Corporation dropped the WRX STI too soon. I understand why Subaru axed the STI. Here is Subaru's explanation. 

Subaru said, "As the automotive marketplace continues to move towards electrification, Subaru is focused on how our future sports and performance cars should evolve to meet the needs of the changing marketplace and the regulations and requirements for greenhouse gasses (GHG), zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV), and corporate average fuel economy (CAFE)."

4. A new STI is coming, but not until 2027. Subaru customers will likely see an accelerated plan with its performance division STI (Subaru Tecnica International) and bring a new hybrid or all-electric Subaru WRX STe in late 2026 as a 2027 model year. Stay tuned.

This is the latest information regarding the Subaru WRX and STI. I'll keep you updated with any new information.

Until then, visit torquenews.com/subaru regularly and bookmark the page for my latest updates.

Your Turn

What about you? Will you be buying the 2024 WRX? Let us know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru WRX story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

My Must-Read Top Picks

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Subaru USA

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Comments

Michael (not verified)    March 12, 2024 - 4:32PM

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The new models are ugly IMO. The plastic fender trim is terrible. Performance is meh. My 2020 Premium with Performance pkg at least looks nicer to my eyes. I have 15800 miles on ot since new and had to have the clutch replaced 300 miles ago. Luckily the dealer covered it. About ready to get rid of it.

Vy (not verified)    March 14, 2024 - 6:27PM

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Subaru dropped the ball with the WRX as time went on, in fact, shot themselves in the foot...and it's crazy how they don't see it. What a waste of R&D, or lack there of actually. A plethora of designers and engineers need to be fired, or the one in charge of it all needs to be fired. Currently, and for a while now, it has no decent advantages over it's competitors. Back in the day in the 2000's, the WRX was arguably the price to performance leader. The first '04-05 STi was incredible, now the STI doesn't even exist and what the WRX has now become is an abomination to the badge and it's rally heritage. Do better Subaru.