2022 Subaru WRX Premium (6-Speed Manual) - POV First Impressions 

New car!!!

Watched it, excellent insights. I appreciate both cars more because of your review

can you please test drive the cvt?

When will you drive the CVT version WRX?

nah you’re not 😀

agreed. she's a beauty

Nope, I agree as well. Hated the last 15 years of wrx.

This is the best looking one!

The plastic is a smart move protects the paint. I love it.

@@r.v.9005 tune never fixed mine.

i have a crosstrek 6 speed, and although i do like the car the rev hang sucks. it's better then a CVT, i really dont like those things. long term out of warranty repair costs on a CVT, YIKES

@@andrewdonohue1853there's a way to get around the rev hang. I figured it out on my Impreza. Just let off the gas a couple seconds before you push in the clutch and shift.

Good morning bro

@@Unknown-vv1td Good morning to you too!

@@aritruths1452 thanks man, u have a good day bro God bless

You're telling me its 9 am wherever you are? As someone who doesn't travel, its always funny being confronted by timezones in a non-abstract way. In RSA and its 5 in the evening.

There's nothing like watching a guy drive a car on you tube at 6am? i dont get it lol?

I’m getting mine in a nice crystal black silica on Friday, I’m so stoked!

I had to get rid of mine because I couldn’t sit in front of a car seat. We had our daughter’s rear facing car seat behind passenger seat, but we found out we were having our son and I couldn’t fit in front of a front facing car seat so I had to get rid of it. The way the back of the front seats are designed is terrible with the huge angled lump. I miss that car a lot…

Bro!!! Before I read your comment I was just thinking about my 2021 that I sold after owning it for only 4 months. Loved that car so much but could not fit the two car seats , strollers etc . Thinking about maybe getting my kids bus passes and buying this thing again lol

Had it two weeks ago. Hope you feel better

Get well soon mate

same buddy

Downgrade on looks tho it looks like a civic

The only problem i have with the design is rear end. It just looks a little awkward but overall i like the design more than last gens. Thats just my opinion

The exterior really grew on me the only thing is It really looks like it's in dire need of some slightly bigger tires, maybe a tiny 1" lift.

That's why imo I would get the base model with the matte plastics and dual screens instead of the giant glossy iPad.

IAG made this new model look far better than stock, even the rear is manageable. Just a shame you almost need to do it from the factory.

The car is a fugly econo peasant car now. The 04-07 body styles were ever so much sexier than the last decade and a half. Real shame.

In photos the Cladding looks too much, But in person it looks tasteful.

“Stockholm syndrome” lol I believe you, it’s not an ugly car just very rally car. I bet you stop caring about it once you drive it haha. Gotta try one out sometime.

Think the same thing haha. I was like “this is kind of ugly compared to last gen.”

I just don’t like that bumper cover. It looks out of place in a car.

I bet it comes later on.

They're trying to force everyone to the CVT... most people don't even know how to drive a 6-speed anymore😂 and they're lazy😠

It's a valid beef :-)

I wouldn't even mind if they offer a good auto or dct. A cvt of all things 😂 smh

I agree it's an enthusiast car and leave all the good stuff for cvt. Nope not for me.

That's subjective. I think it's more of the gas prices and low mpg on these.

@@docfmf8404 nah man it's the looks for sure

Yeah, this looks super ugly. To me, they definitely ruined these cars. They looked way better 10-20 years ago.

@@eggpod4567 subaru was always weird looking

I probably will never own a WRX ever again but I enjoy my time with it years ago. Looks like Subaru addressed many of the complaints for this model. Get yourself a brass bushing for your shifter. Such a cheap mod and practically transforms the shift feel from that rubbery sensation.

At least it's not as bad as the GTI infotainment with all the haptic feedback junk

the back looks like a 2013 civic

Everything looked good til I saw the back. Like huh? Why?? 🧐

did u get it?

Did you get one? If so do you like it

@@ReyDodo Yessir, its on the way! Can't wait.

If it helps a bit... So I'll throw it out there that I don't drive stick and this might make my opinion here worthless to you haha. Personally... I bought a White Premium WRX CVT one and it has been the~ best car I've ever had but that's because it fits what I personally looked for and it fits my spirited driving on city roads and highways. CVT imo works better for casual drivers who want fun such as me... otherwise manual is the way to go for hardcore serious drivers as I hear from my car enthusiast friends haha. Anyway~ I also got to test drive an automatic BRZ a while back and imo it comes down to this. In honesty... BRZ was~ more fun. It felt so much lighter and even more responsive... you felt much closer to the road. Handling to me felt more or less the same but WRX has significantly better grip especially when taking tighter turns. BRZ could still hold hard fast turns well but I did feel like it wasn't a firm grip while WRX is so fun on my home from work commute as I have to take windy roads to get to the higher elevation suburb area where I live and have 0 grip or handling concern. Also contrary to people... I liked the piped in engine noise haha. Made me feel like I was playing a video game or something and felt extra cool. Again... I'm a casual spirited driver and am not a car girl type of anything. So why did I get the WRX over it? Personally... it came down to practicality. WRX imo is the best practical yet affordable sports car out there. AWD is needed where I live because of snow and rain... it's a sedan so I can take family and friends on rides... it's still small and easy to maneuver but is bigger enough than the BRZ and that makes me feel safer if an idiot crashes into me. It's still super fast and spec wise is better than the BRZ I believe so I wasn't losing out performance there and the handling felt a lot safer and the grip for sure was there. And as for looks... I'm the few who loves how the new WRX looks but BRZ does slightly win over it imo since it's such a clean sharp yet even cute looking car haha. WRX has a much more aggressive and handsome look while BRZ has a sharp but cute one. But... if it matters to you... car enthusiasts in particular dislike the new WRX look so be wary if you're a part of that community and go to car meets or whatever. For me that doesn't matter but maybe it does to you. In your case... if~ you don't need the AWD and passenger space and cargo... BRZ is definitely really good and fun and it does have better fuel economy. Honestly... try out both if you can. I assume you tried the BRZ already but give the WRX a try if you haven't and then you can really decide for yourself after considering practicality differences. Both are amazing~ cars though and you won't go wrong either way... so it comes down to personal life/driving needs.

If this also helps at all, i got myself a 22 WRX and just like topher says a lot of the time watching this video, its a blast to drive. I was on the fence between a BRZ and a WRX like you, but ultimately it came down to me thinking about the practicality that the WRX has over the BRZ like the seats, AWD, and also a bit more power over the BRZ but im not sure how that translates over for more fun while driving as I never got to drive a 22 BRZ. Totally enjoy my car way more than I ever even thought I would and everything has been amazing so far.

The biggest difference between the two comes down to this imo, BRZ is a rwd architecture and WRX is a fwd architecture with awd as a standard like other Subaru models. Based on this fact alone, BRZ has a longer dash to axle allowing engine and its components to sit further behind the front axle making BRZ to have a better front to back weight distribution near 50:50. This means better balanced car with neutral, flatter handling/cornering capability. Also the boxer 4 sits lower in the BRZ, if i am not mistaken, allowing lower center of gravity and driving position also lower than WRX. Again allowing better driving dynamics. WRX wins in power, practicality/utility. Design/styling is subjective. WRX is also a better of the two as a only car to live with. I also have 23 BRZ on order.

The brz is the better sportscar The wrx is the better daily driver ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O2vvHX_aQx8.html

I have a '21 WRX and a '17 BRZ. Love both cars for what they are BUT the BRZ still puts a smile on my face every time I take it out. You made the right choice

@@hashimrahman51 speak for yourself 😂 I always look back on my 2013 wrx, such a nice car to look at

@Hashim Rahman I love the look of my 2015 sti...

I feel the exact same. Love the sound of my 21 and I think the look is a little more classic but the 22 is really growing on me. Hate the giant screen in the middle tho

Engine still suffers from the same issues as the previous gen. We had a 2019 Ascent that blew up at 39k miles which has the same FA24 engine in it. Rip

@@tdel8613 what exactly blows up?

@@papa_pt The engine.

@@tdel8613 ya I got that what part failed

@@papa_pt guessing its either a rod or head gaskets

I got one and I don't regret it

Fender flares, hood scoop. Looks like a typical wrx to me.

It's that rear bumper that destroys the visual of this car for me. There must be a solution! Color match paint isn't enough, the bumper has to be redesigned.

@@eric9249 not like you'd buy it anyway.

Maybe, maybe not. If you want AWD with a manual transmission there aren't many options out there. I'd prefer the GR Corolla but what's that MSRP going to look like!?!? WRX may undercut it by many thousands.

@@eric9249 WRX will undercut the grc by 5 figures.

Same

By far the best thing about the new WRX. And frustrating at the same time because why wasn’t this sorted out years ago?! It’s so good to drive now.

I have an Si right now and I'm really thinking of trading it in for a WRX and the rev hang being gone in this newer one has almost got me decided on actually doing it. I freaking hated the rev hang in the Si.

cause it's a SUBARU !

I had a wrb peanut eye, and even though now I drive german cars that costs 3~4 times more, Subbie was the best I had.

Right! Just sand and paint match the flares/part of the bumper and it honestly looks quite good.

STi is dead

@@papa_pt Only temporarily.. the name is going to continue on, with the new hybrid.. which is why I'm curious to see what they do with the name.

Not unless they do a mid cycle refresh and change the rear bumper to color matched.

I just couldn't pull the trigger due to those touch controls plus I want the awd. Rather have a tablet with physical controls than all touch, it's obnoxious no matter how could it performs.

@@mr.typical3169 Other than volume and temperature, and the GTI has temperature and volume buttons, too, I’m not sure in truth that the WRX with that large tablet has any more buttons and knobs to control the infotainment system. It’s quite touch-oriented too, though at least the climate control is always showing. In truth, neither is ideal. At least not compared to say the Elantra N or Civic SI/Acura Integra. But again, I have gotten used to it on the GTI and have no problem with it. Plus the digital dash is really awesome compared to the static analog dash of the WRX. But of course, to each their own!

I was crosshopping the same cars, plus the Kona N and the Civic SI. I ended up in the GTI S 6MT. It truly is the everyday hero - great balance of practicality, power, handling and mpg (and a bonus that it gets the reported performance numbers on 87 octane). The touchscreen is annoying at first but you can get used to it after a day of ownership.

@@surferbone82 each their own, more physical controls and AWD. Plus they hold value more than any other brand

@@mr.typical3169 I've owned two WRXs and a VA STI so am familiar with subies, but AWD is not necessary here in socal where I live. I've gotten used to the infotainment on the GTI and its fine. The mpg on the new WRX is 19/26 on 91, and the GTI is 24/34 on 87 (I got 42 mpg hwy today). The STI sounded better, and steering feedback and shift linkage was superior to the GTI, but the GTI is a better sporty daily in pretty much every other aspect.

2022 is better in every way but those plastic fenders. Someone at Subaru needs to get fired. The black side skirts actually look good but the fenders and bumpers give it such a cheap look.

Then again the WRX has always been cheap.

Agreed. The VB is a vast improvement to last gen in almost every way.

I get the feeling the side cladding that "improves aerodynamics" is really just marketing talk/damage control for trying not to admit that they F'd up bad. I don't mind the cheaper interior and WRX's have never been an attractive car, but that doesn't mean they need to be ugly. At least with current Elantra N front end and entire last generation Civic Type R, WRX is not alone in the awkward ugly club.

@@EvolutionIX219 Except for visually, the fuel economy, package options (only CVT with the best options) and terrible infotainment screens, and at the expense of the STI. It does seem like a car that would be fun for rallycross though, and visually it fits that bill.

Savagegeese did a great video between those cars and the golf gti. Check their video out if you haven't as it's what you are looking for.

But the Si is full of rev hang, no heated seats, popup screen, looks boring..