Does Subaru Still Miss The Hot STI? Not As Much As Everyone Thought

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The 2023 Subaru WRX has the most significant percentage of increase in sales of any Subaru nameplate this year. Maybe Subaru doesn't miss the STI as much as everyone thought?

Which Subaru model has the most significant percentage of sales increase this year? The 2023 Subaru WRX is the top model, with a year-to-date increase of 174.9 percent over last year.

The sport-tuned WRX is the top-performing model for Subaru of America. The WRX was up again in May. The WRX is also the best-selling compact sports car in America. The Chevrolet Corvette is the only sports car that outsells the WRX, but only by 205 models in the first quarter.


photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

Subaru of America reports they delivered customers 2,771 next-generation 2023 Subaru WRX performance models, up 3.6 percent over last May 2022, when it had 2,674 sales. The WRX is now up 174.9 percent in the first five months of 2023, the most of any Subaru nameplate.

Subaru of America delivered 13,047 WRX performance sedans to customers in 2023, compared with 4,747 in the same period of 2022. If the upward trend continues, Subaru of America is now on pace to sell over 31,000 WRX performance models to U.S. performance customers. And that's without the high-performance WRX STI in the lineup.


photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

What is the price of the 2023 WRX?

The 2023 WRX 6-speed manual trim level starts at $31,625. The WRX with Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) is $33,475, the WRX Premium 6-speed manual is $34,125, the WRX Premium SPT is $36,175, the WRX Limited 6-speed manual is $38,515, WRX Limited SPT is $40,765, and WRX GT is $44,415. Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,020).

What's next for WRX?

Subaru Corporation is preparing to move to a new generation of performance models. The Japanese automaker is not giving up on its performance division and racing partner, Subaru Tecnica International (STI). Subaru will return the WRX STI in an all-new, all-electric performance model called the STe.

Subaru dropped the WRX STI when the next-generation 2022 WRX was launched around the globe last year. As a result, the 2021 WRX STI was the last gas-powered STI, and Subaru began preparations for the all-new electric STI, now to become the STe from Subaru Tecnica electric. You can read the report here.

The sport-tuned Subaru WRX performance sports car was up 174.9 percent in the first five months of 2023 and is Subaru of America's best-performing model in percentage of sales. Maybe Subaru doesn't miss the STI as much as everyone thought.

You Might Also Like: Subaru WRX Finishes the 2023 Nurburgring 24-Hour in 2nd Place - The Full Race Details Here

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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Photo credit: Subaru USA

Submitted by David V. (not verified) on June 16, 2023 - 6:56AM

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The 22/23 WRX's FA24F engine is under-boosted from the factory but has been beefed up internally. A simple intake and exhaust upgrade with a mild tune will boost the horsepower by 50-70 HP. But I don't plan on doing that to my 22 WRX for at least a few years because it's so fun to drive as is.

I have a 2020 Sti. it also has beefed up internals and is under boosted. I've had boost spikes as high as 18 psi, but it usually stays around 15psi. An instake, exhaust, downpipe and an ots cob tune gives it an extra 50 hp. remove the downpipe and you still get 20-30. Problem is, like with all Subaru's, you're gonna blow a head gasket eventually.

Submitted by Anon Admin (not verified) on June 22, 2023 - 2:19PM

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Seems you completely missed what the stats mean. Sure sales are up 174%, but that's exactly because there isn't an STI to buy. If there was an STI than I can guarantee you the sales would be spread out across the two models.