5 More Reasons Why You Don’t Want The New Subaru WRX With A CVT
If there are questions if you should buy the all-new 2022 Subaru WRX with a 6-speed manual gearbox or the new Subaru Performance Transmission (CVT) automatic, keep reading. There are five reasons you don't want the WRX with a CVT. Thanks to Engineering Explained for some of the information in this report. Check out the new video here.
1. Better fuel mileage
The 2021 Subaru WRX 6-speed manual gets a two mpg increase in the city and a three mpg improvement highway over the CVT. We expect the same for the next-generation 2022 WRX 6-speed manual and the new Subaru Performance Transmission (CVT).
What is the fuel mileage of the 2022 WRX?
The EPA and Subaru have not released the U.S.-spec 2022 WRX fuel mileage. Subaru Corporation says the new 2022 WRX S4 2.4-liter turbocharged engine gets an estimated 18/30 mpg city/highway and 27 mpg combined mpg. The estimates come from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.
The mileage increase is an improvement from the 2021 WRX 2.0-liter engine that gets an EPA estimated 20/27 city/highway mpg and 23 combined mpg with the 6-speed manual.
2. Lighter
The 2022 WRX with the 6-speed manual will be 130 lbs lighter than CVT-equipped models.
3. Quicker
Because of the weight difference, the 6-speed manual trim levels will be quicker and faster than CVT models.
4. Cheaper
What is the price of the 2022 WRX?
Subaru of America has not announced pricing on the new fifth-generation WRX.
The next-generation WRX will likely get a significant bump in price. The current price of the 2021 WRX is $28,420 with the 6-speed manual, including the destination fee. The Lineartronic CVT costs an extra $1,900. The base model will still be less than $30,000, making it a good performance value. The 2022 Subaru WRX GT with the Performance Transmission (CVT) will cost around $2,000 more than 6-speed manual models.
5. The CVT will be rear-biased
The 2022 Subaru WRX 6-speed manual models have a viscous coupling center differential with a nominal 50/50 torque split between the front and rear wheels. The CVT automatic models have a planetary style center differential and a 45/55 front/rear torque split. The WRX with the CVT will have a rear-biased feel, and the rear wheels will have slightly less grip on loose surfaces.
Did Subaru make any changes to the WRX 6-speed manual?
The 2022 Subaru WRX 6-speed manual gearbox receives new upgrades over the outgoing model. Subaru gave the third, fourth, and fifth gears more aggressive and shorter gearing. Thie result will be quicker shifts and faster responses.
How many WRX CVT models does Subaru sell?
If you don't like the Subaru CVT, you are not alone. Subaru says a whopping 85 percent of WRX sales are 6-speed manual transmission models, and only fifteen percent are for the CVT automatic. We expect the results to be the same for the 2022 WRX GT trim with the new Subaru Performance Transmission (CVT).
When will the new WRX arrive in the U.S.?
The 2022 Subaru WRX should arrive on the first of the year. There could be delays with production because of the ongoing global microchip shortage. Stay tuned.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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