2022 Subaru WRX Premium vs BASE MODEL 

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My car is a 2021, so the specification list might be a little different, but not significantly so. My main criteria was a) I wanted cloth seats and b) no sunroof, so I bought a Base model. The only drawbacks to that were the ugly base model wheels and the lack of foglights. I fixed both those shortcomings with aftermarket 18-inch Enkei wheels and genuine Subaru foglights from the parts department. Car is just right now.

I test drove both the Premium and the Base WRX before I purchased my Base WRX. The difference in the unsprung weight of the 17" wheels vs the 18" wheels could be felt as well as the extra bit of sidewall the smooth things out a bit. I did want fog lights, so I purchased a $300 OEM kit and installed them. Comes with everything you need including the switch. All the wiring is already there. Just plug and play. I didn't notice any difference between the shifters, but I did put a shift stop in mine and I don't notice any issues with shifting. I didn't want a sunroof or the big screen. In fact, I'd have preferred an old school DIN style radio to anything. I have a smartphone that I can use for everything else. The Base speakers are pretty bad, and I upgraded them with some low end factory replacement speakers. I also got the windows tinted as you mentioned. There is a lot of glass in this car which gives great viability, but the sun will cook you. The lack of push button start is really stupid on Subaru's part. They have to manufacture two steering column trims and two dash trims for the car because they wanted to punish the Base buyers. It's really the only thing missing from the Base model that I remotely miss. But I've gotten used to using a key again. Started driving in 1987 and never had push button start on a car until 2014. So it's not something that's a deal breaker. There is one thing Subaru dropped the ball on, and that's the armrest. It's basically useless. Luckily Subaru sells an aftermarket "extended" armrest that I put on and it works great. The other glaring omission is the brakes. They should have at least offered better brakes as an option. The stock brakes are basically what you get on a Crosstrek. They suck...bad. Like really bad. They are fine for daily driving, but if you have any thoughts of doing any sort of performance driving, even on the street, you better get some aftermarket pads and change to DOT4 fluid at a minimum. I also went with aftermarket rotors. The calipers themselves do fine, it's mostly just the pad compound and cheap DOT3 fluid. Come on Subaru...do better! Brakes are SAFETY equipment. Finally, there is the suspension. The CVT equipped only GT model gets adjustable suspension. All other models make do with the same suspension...which is very stiff and very punishing. Some have said they like it, but I found it so stiff that when I hit a bump in the road it would trigger my dash cam to think I'd been in an accident. I put some nice comfort coilovers on the car that give it a MUCH better ride as well as improved handling. The Base model is the best value in a performance sedan on the market. Even after my mods (which also include a tune), I'm still less expensive that the Premium model as I paid $30k for my base model. The premium would have cost me $5000 more. The push button start wasn't worth $5k to me. It's a great "blank canvas" for those folks like me who enjoy personalizing and modding their cars.

Picked up my 2023 for $28750 :) loving it. I own a 2002 bugeye wagon, 09 wrx hatch, totaled a 2017 wrx and i have to say this new chassis and motor drive so wellllll. Apart from appearance subaru knocked it out of the park. Stock for stock i beat my friends 2020 sti in a dig and roll race. The power is so linear all throughout

My brother bought the base model. He preferred the traditional key and didn't want any extras. Though he admits he would have liked the sunroof. I think the base is the one to get if you want to mod the hell out of it and race. The 17" rims will be better with better tires in the dirt. One of the reasons I bought the Forester Wilderness and not the Outback was that I prefer the regular screen with physical controls. Subaru employees and online reviewers had issues with the iPad/Tesla-style screen too.

Love my key and the split screen base model so damn much

I’m about a decade and a half older than the stereotypical WRX driver. Years ago, I fell in love with the STi and my last one was the 2015. As my body falls apart, I can’t shift like I used to and the “I’m a douche” spoiler on the trunk-lid doesn’t fit my lifestyle anymore. This year I decided to “downgrade” to the new WRX with the GT trim, and I am glad I did. The ride is better, the CVT shifts like a champ in the Sport modes, and it’s only a couple 1/10’s of a second slower than my STi.

Noticed when you entered the car that the pedals are different

Auto start costs money, a key does not.

base seems better for me. keyless entry+push to start is how modern cars are being stolen.

I like how you strategically didn't show their price for the base (almost $36k) 😂 - That salesman fired off like 15 different brands they sell. Typical large conglomerate rip-off dealer.

Dealership told me 630 with 1500 down on premium and base 385 with 2600 down. 250 difference a month is insane on the calculator on premium with 1500 down says 514 where is the extra 116 a month coming from

I prefer the base model having the key instead of push button start

Is the audio system the same in the base as in the premium?

You missed heated seats the base doesn't have them

So the mirror on the base is a self dimming mirror with a compass and a garage door opener. It's an accessory. I have it on my premium, and it's actually way better.

im glad they retained the key version .....

I would get one if they made a wagon version wrx premium.

It's still a $30,000 car. It's just ridiculous to not have keyless starting on that base model

That center piece should have the texture of the wheel arches

I went base model which saved me $4k for mods. Only thing I hate is the keyed ignition!

What’s the difference between the a premium and limited?

Picked up my Base '22 for $30,460, which for this market I feel like is a good bang for your buck. Ordered the Subaru fog light kit for $300, as the car needs fogs. Another difference on Base is the trunk has no physical release button on it. Only way to open trunk is with the key remote or cabin button. Keep the videos coming. I'm enjoying watching what you're doing with your VB. 👍

The base is lighter ? Should win in a roll race?

Considering the base model. Is there aftermarket’s radios for this model?

This video says it was made 4 months ago, I was at a Subaru dealer about a month ago and the WRX cost a lot more in New Jersey than the prices mentioned here, I saw one in that Pumpkin color that was 42k

The base also doesn’t get the wind deflector on the roof by the antenna

Why don’t you review the differences before you make a video. Thanks anyways.

That’s funny, pointing out the window switches but talking about mirrors & turning the car off so you don’t run out of battery 😂 Your mind is going 100mph…

*Run out of battery*?

What kind of wheels are you running and are you on stock suspension? Car looks good

I got a premium for $35k after the additional moon roof + audio package and delivery. I didn’t think that was too bad

Premium also has Homelink garage opener under the mirror. Some comes with optional sunroof and upgraded audio. Did you lower your car? What springs, and lowered by how much?

i got the 22 premium with sapphire blue and the sti shifter and the sti mufflers and its awesome! the mufflers are a $1200 option though but i didnt want to screw up my warranty

I live like 10 min from that dealership.

I was going to do the Base, but couldn’t do that key lol, bad enough I gave up electric seats!

I have a 23 red limited brz that I put 7000miles on....looking to just go base wrx 6mt should be almost a straight trade. You get a chance to drive a brz? Curious on how much more cumbersome the new wrx is than the brz and the difference in shifter feel. Thanks

That's funny I have a base model with fog lights and the same mirror you do and it also came with the spoiler lol the only thing I don't have the seats and the radio

What are the addon options for the base?

Is there any difference in ride quality with the smaller tires and wheels of the base model?

I’ve seen a few review wrx reviews why do the clusters lights flicker?

45? My base and every other comes with 40 side wall. The dunlops are very good stock. Oops also almost 300lbs less weight is always a plus. Good old standard key is better $ later down the road. Oh you did miss something, you didn't take it into a turn. The 17s out shine the 18 mush. Go kart 4lyfe

What color is that base?

Are the only standard differences between the premium and limited that the limited has alacantara seats???

$35,849 sheesh!

brothe a question the sound of music that the car brings is good or not?

Does the premium have the leather insert bit on dash or hard plastic? (On passenger side)

Does yours make a ticking sound after it's been ran and drove awhile. Almost sounds like a quite diesel? Also noticed what could possibly be a belt noise. I've had it in for oil change and fog light repair at dealer and nothing was said, so I'm not sure if its normal sound or if it was even making the sound when I had it in there.