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2021 Subaru WRX and STI, 2022 Subaru WRX, next-generation WRX STI
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By Denis Flierl Oct 4 2021 - 7:29am

Subaru WRX And STI Pull Off A First-Ever - Fans Aren't Waiting For Next-Gen Models

While all Subaru nameplates dropped in sales, the 2021 Subaru WRX and WRX STI stay hot before the next-generation 2022 WRX and STI arrive. Check out what the performance sedans just pulled off.
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Subaru of America just uncovered the 2022 Subaru WRX, and performance customers aren’t waiting for the new model to arrive. While Subaru just announced overall sales dropped 30.0 percent last month, the 2021 WRX and 2021 WRX STI sales for September 2021 increased over the same month in 2020.

All other Subaru nameplates were down in sales last month, and the two performance sports cars were the only carline that was up for the month. Subaru reports 2,449 WRX and STI models were delivered to customers last month compared with 2,040 in September 2020, a 20.1 percent increase.

2021 Subaru WRX and STI, 2022 Subaru WRX, next-generation WRX STI
photo credit: Competition Subaru

And the 2021 sport-tuned WRX and performance-tuned WRX STI are up 37.5 percent for the first nine months of 2021 to lead all Subaru nameplates. The only other two models up year-to-date are the hot Crosstrek (+31.4 percent) and Outback (+15.6 percent).

Initial reactions to the next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX are mixed at best. Performance enthusiasts like the new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine upgrade but aren’t thrilled with the performance sedan’s exterior styling. However, initial reports are better for those who have seen the next-generation 2022 WRX in person.

2021 Subaru WRX and STI, 2022 Subaru WRX, next-generation WRX STI
photo credit: Competition Subaru

As long as Subaru Corporation keeps building the 2021 WRX and STI, performance enthusiasts will keep buying the fourth-generation sport sedans. The 2022 WRX is expected to arrive in early 2022, while the all-new 2023 Subaru WRX STI will be late next year before making its global reveal.

The fifth-generation 2023 WRX STI will also come powered with the FA24 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged Boxer engine. Subaru has been tight-lipped about the performance-tuned by Subaru Tecnica International’s horsepower rating. Reports say the new STI will have close to 400 horsepower, but that is speculation.

Before the 2022 Subaru WRX and 2023 Subaru WRX STI arrive, the outgoing fourth-generation WRX and STI are selling as fast as Subaru retailers can get their hands on them.

Subaru of America could sell more of the outgoing WRX and STI. Supplies are limited because of the global microchip shortages and plant closures in Japan, where the performance sedans are manufactured. Inventory of the performance models will remain tight through the end of the year. If you want a 2021 Subaru WRX or 2021 WRX STI, move quickly.

You Might Also Like: Subaru Just Revealed A Next-Generation WRX S4 STI - New Images With Video

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: Competition Subaru

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Comments

NMK wrote on October 4, 2021 - 9:57pm
I personally am waiting for the new one. The looks grew on me quickly. The interior is waaay better than the current cars. Not to mention the FA20 doesnt hold very much power. The old EJ motor is unreliable in too many ways to list. The FA24 is a huge upgrade for this car. Even though the power numbers dont look great on paper it has already been proven that this engine is super over built. Im pretty confident that the power stated by subaru is also on 87 octane fuel as well, just like in the outback and ascent.
Rude wrote on October 5, 2021 - 11:56am
The last ones ugly the new ones ugly bring back the wagon
Kelly wrote on October 6, 2021 - 8:05am
I am with you on the looks. They have continued to grow on me and I am also planning to buy one as soon as preorder opens. I didn't think about the 87 octane being an advantage here but it makes sense. The interior upgrades and FA24 engine are what I'm most excited about.
Rand Rall wrote on October 5, 2021 - 11:55pm
Subaru royally efffeeeed up the design and reveal of their nextgen wrx/sti. I havent heard form ANY current subaru owners who like the design. A hatchbackless crosstrek is a borderline reetahded design that no one was asking for. And the premier colors are red and orange? Maybe we'll get some jack o lantern cladding with every preorder. With those colors, it's assured that we'll also get special edition in gold and the outback green. In this announcement, subru has decided to buy the cow and the farm it was resting on. I won;t be surprised next year when Subaru's "all new" Wrx STI hatch is a sedan ascent with a wang and 263 horses. Subaru is dangerously out of touch for the future of the brand. >>Their focus on the Evoltus with no charging network and 1 hybrid might have been a huge mistake that contributed to ruining the wrx by putting the same people who design their non turbo's on the project. >Had Toyota copy pasted the new Supra using the Camry's shell... that would be just as foolhardy and maybe there would be sabotage to blame.
Burt wrote on October 7, 2021 - 1:41pm
I own a 2017 WRX. I like the new design. Love the new gold color. I am in the market for the new STI, once it actually comes out. The looks are not as important as the amount of fun that car probably on the street. I am only Stage 1 with Big Air, and look forward to doing that with the bigger motor.
大阪 wrote on October 6, 2021 - 5:21am
It's.. well, you know when you have a flagship sports sedan and a crossover SUV, right? and, you take some of the sports sedan out and put in some of the crossover SUV you get, ah.. well, you get less sports sedan and some more crossover SUV, lol. For someone wanting what the car was, this isn't what you want anymore I guess. It's taking a new road and I suspect it's got less time for the track and more time for picking up the kids from soccer.
Aaron wrote on October 6, 2021 - 1:42pm
It's a little obvious why the 2021 sales have picked up. With the lackluster 2022 WRX power combined with hideous styling and cheap plastic cladding everywhere (don't get me started on the disgusting design of the rear end), of course people are rushing to get the 2021s while they still can. Then they went and put their terrible new infotainment system in it, too, where nearly everything is controlled by that giant, laggy, glare prone screen. I've sold Subaru recently and my customers almost all unanimously hate the new infotainment system. It's just not well thought out and functions quite poorly in comparison to other brands. Quite frankly I think we're all going to be extremely disappointed with the 2023 STi as well. All these unfounded reports of 400hp are going to leave people extremely unhappy when they only end up giving us 315 or 320. I think they lost a lot of potential customers after the debacle that is the new WRX. I was really looking forward to getting another STi when the 2023 is available, but now I'm severely doubting Subaru and may end up joining the people trying to get a 2021 while they're still available. Awful job, Subaru.
Paul wrote on October 8, 2021 - 10:09pm
Loved my 2015 WRX. Great grip, good performance and generally a good all car. Was waiting for the new model which kept getting delayed and eventually decided to buy a Stinger GT. Couldn't be happier. They style, finish and power is superb. If only they made the prototype vizviz instead of this car.
NMK wrote on October 8, 2021 - 10:49pm
I keep looking at stingers as well. I like almost everything about it. I just cant daily with an automatic transmission. Good, affordable manuals are getting hard to come by. I will most likely be getting the next gen STI. If it gets here soon enough that is.
Paul wrote on October 9, 2021 - 9:38am
Been driving manual cars for over 20 years. Trust me, you'll get use to the auto. With traffic getting more and more congested, Auto is so much better.
NMK wrote on October 9, 2021 - 7:36pm
My wife has a mustang GT with an auto. Our family car is a taurus SHO with the twin turbo V6 AWD and auto trans. I drive them on occasion. Even though both of them are way faster than my current daily driver work car, I just don't have as much fun or engagement driving them. I commute 75 miles round trip and live in an urban neighborhood. Never once have I been so overwhelmed driving that I wished I was not driving manual. That combined with the fact that I do have 2 other cars at my disposal if for some reason I really needed an auto, I have options. I am not willing to make a daily driver out of one though.
Sean wrote on November 10, 2021 - 10:17pm
Auto is never better.