A wealth of firsts for the rally-bred legend.
The 2022 Subaru WRX has arrived, introducing a brand-new fifth generation with a wealth of firsts and updates.
Let's start under the hood scoop. Making the go is a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine producing 271 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. For those keeping score at home, that's only a 3-horsepower gain compared to the 268-horsepower 2.0-liter cradled by the 2021 Subaru WRX, but the extra displacement is said to fatten up the torque curve.
The 2.4-liter engine connects to either a six-speed manual transmission, or an available automatic Subaru Performance Transmission, the latter of which offers crisper upshifts and downshifts compared to auto boxes of the past, as well as adaptive shift control. Both transmissions feed the requisite Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with Active Torque Vectoring technology.
Under the skin, the 2022 Subaru WRX rides on the Subaru Global Platform, another first for the nameplate. This is the same platform that underpins every other vehicle in the Subaru lineup, save the BRZ coupe developed in partnership with Toyota. The new bones are said to deliver a 28-percent increase in torsional rigidity and 75-percent increase in suspension mounting point rigidity. Dual-pinion electric power steering makes it turn, while Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires make it stick.
Outside, the 2022 Subaru WRX struts with a new look featuring LED lighting and an integrated rear spoiler. Either 17-inch or 18-inch alloys are found in the corners.
Drivers get to grips with a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, while a Subaru Starlink 11.6-inch center information display handles infotainment duties. The 2022 Subaru WRX also comes with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which may help those who need convincing that this is indeed a family sedan.
The 2022 Subaru WRX is now offered in a new GT trim level, which gets the automatic transmission as standard, plus equally new electronically controlled dampers with multiple drive modes for Comfort, Normal, or Sport driving.
Look for the 2022 Subaru WRX to arrive in dealers early next year.
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