Is the New 2022 Subaru WRX the best compact performance sedan to BUY? 

This was perfectly priced and perfectly timed by Subaru. I picked one up in August, and I couldn't be happier. This car is a perfect street car. Love your videos Raiti

I’ve watched a few reviews on the new WRX, and I have to say its looks are growing on me. Looking forward to seeing one in person next spring.

I love this car so much that I went out and bought one. It is such a comfortable and great looking car. The clutch and gearbox are both easy to use. It’s worth every cent that I paid for it. Fantastic review. I love your enthusiasm 👍😃

Huge improvement from my previous 2011 wrx. More refined and handling has improved dramatically. Great review.

I just saw one in person and I have to say - it's really a looker - for a WRX. And it does look better in person - almost sleek (again, for a WRX). The rear end is great - the hunk of black plastic actually works for me and the cladding over the wheels, again, seemed to work better in person than in photos. Sitting in it all I can say is that it's become a very refined vehicle - and that's a compliment. The dealership wouldn't let me test drive it unless I was ready to sign - which I was not because it was a base model with 17" wheels - but I hope a few more of these get to these shores soon because this looks and feels like the best of all worlds - a sporty, capable, useable, fun yet practical car. I had my mind set on a BRZ - but I've changed it now for the WRX.

I really like the wheel arches for some reason. Makes the car look more rugged or capable.

For all you wondering if it’s a good car. I drove this spec today. It’s a HUGE improvement over the last gen. I absolutely loved it. So much I will be trading in my 15 for it. This review is spot on. The car feels so good, stiff but absorbs larger bumps in the road unlike the last gen which was so bumpy. Plus the engine is strong in all the revs unlike the last gen. After driving it I’m in love with it and I highly recommend you all actually test drive one because you will want it. It feels much better than a golf or type r. 🤙

I’ve learned watching the videos of new cars just doesn’t do the same justice as when you see it in person. Saying that, I didn’t like the look of 22 wrx in video, but in person it’s beautiful looking. Great video joe :)

I actually like how it looks! I might have to check one out in person 👍🏻

This car is growing more on people, it’s way different, feels nice in person and drives amazing, I like it!

To be honest, I’m not minding the fenders as much as the rear bumper. Will try one in person anyways.

I agree with you Joe! They should have at least blued out some of that cladding. Back of the car is still not good looking to me.

I just can't get over that rear bumper. It looks like it's trying to poop out another car.

I am PRO-Analog gauges! One of my gripes is they got rid of the center dash digital gauge. Still cant wait to see one in person 🙂

Such a nice way to start the day. This new WRX looks different but I like it. It has a few zonks but I can deal with them.

I’m impressed how quick my wife’s Ascent is considering the weight. I’m sure the same motor in a smaller sedan is really going to be fun. I don’t care how it looks if it performs and drives great.

Thank God no rev hang!! Nice work cranking these out and always high quality. Also, nice touch with the launch and fly by shots for sounds. Great additions to the videos going forward. Elantra N manual video coming soon?

I think your actual driving review is the best in the business very informative. Thank you!

I have a 2013 wrx and to hear that there is no rev hang is music to my ears. Thank you for doing this video. Keep going brother

Just bought one the other day . Sport tech fully loaded 49,000$ Canadian. Orange 🍊 pearl !!! Was very lucky. Dealership had only received 3 models, and colors . One white pearl, black and orange pearl. If you want to buy one now, it will take 4 to 6 months to acquire one ☝️!! Bought the 6 speed manual . Now I own 2 wrx’s . I have the sport 2015 cvt, and next week, I’m getting my new wrx . Very excited 😆 . Yes, the bumper looks weird, but I’ll get used to it once I drive it everyday.

Just the way you enjoyed the driving says a lot about the car. Can't wait to see what the STI will be.

Always a great idea to buy 2-3 years after release for any new platform

Test drove a 2023 limited today Review was right on What a car Didn’t want the test ride to end Bought a WR Blue Limited Can’t wait to get it Best manual I have ever driven

Thanks for the review Joe!! I test drove the STI because of your great review, and I ended up buying it. Keep up the great work :) you too Lori!!

I don't need a new wrx but I like this model. Subaru did a great job. The rear looks strange but still looks good. The wrx is in its own league like the Crosstrek and Outback.

Ohhhhhhhhhh Raiti, you are very very clever. Guys, notice how this WRX Looks SOOO MUCH better than the others before it? Raiti parked it in the grass to give your eyes the illusion of it being lower to the ground so its easier to visualize it lowered to the ground with some custom 20" deep dish BBS wheels. Maybe some BBS LM's with Gold/Diamond Silver painted center, diamond-cut rim, clear protective top coat. Drop it right to the top of the fenderwell and flush it up. Everything from Location, to time-of-day was purpose driven to help you see this car for what it is, but just with make-up on this time. Thank you Raiti, that actually really helps my imagination.

The first day of Christmas break and Joe and Lori post early.🤩 two videos too!! No school and this makes for an early Christmas 😂

After the new BMW grills, these wheel arches is an eye candy. Great car, great review.

2 videos at once thanks for the good morning information on cars

I’m a fan of everything about this car except for the rear end and those fender flares. May just upgrade to a VA or hope the GRB comes down in price a little.

Looks great! And it seems you were driving in my home Sierra foothills! Familiar trees, roads and terrain

Picked up a limited in that rally blue! this review was one of the reasons to test drive it.

I’m sure it’s going to be light years more reliable than the GTI. Subaru sweats the details, VW’s cuts cost in the most obvious areas. IE interior materials and getting rid of buttons. I want one to supplement my Crosstrek Sport. Great review! 😀

I'm not really convinced that driving impression and " excitement" was genuine impression. Compare this to elantra N and looks like a generation and a half older.

Okay, I'm liking this. So, what you're saying is, that Subaru made an 'old man's' WRX; longer, lower, wider, with a more user-friendly rev band. No, this isn't a criticism, as I want one... (oops,an old man is liking this lol). Lori, great camera work, as usual. Thanks for all you do! Love your driving impressions, Joe. You really need access to better twisty roads back home.

Joe your review is like story telling. I am here with 🍿9 am in the morning.

As always, great review and presentation Rati. I will always be a WRX guy at heart. I use to have the 16 model yr. Now I own a 17' crosstrek, with big plans for it.

The 2022 WRX STI will be the one to look out for. One car magazine in Japan suggests 400 hp, along with a smaller black rear spoiler; others suggest 345-350 hp; we'll see. 🙂 I'll be sticking with my 208!

I have the Australian version of the top of the line. Here it is called the TS. Comes with the auto and adaptive electronic damping as standard. All I can say is that at 77 years of age, it is a complete car with capacity for family, and lots of good feelings while driving. My 23 y/o grandson who has significant intellectual disabilities loves the car. So I can say I bought the car because I liked it’s looks, plus the power under the pedal. Have owned a lot of cars over the years but this is one of the best!

Suburu is the quiet guy that no one agrees with, but will still forever love for what it is in the end. Edit: someone please call for a redesign lmao

I love your commentary, its actually informative and fun with real good examples, actually hype the car so much I want to get it now. Thx on explaining the aerodynamics actually didn't know nothing on the car at al.

I’m getting my 2022 premium in 2 weeks in red, very excited I think personally it looks great and I really like this review cause you present it in a cars sale man way but you actually know more about cars than just the manufacturer spec sheet so everything feels and really is more genuine than most reviews

Wish Subaru did not do the CVT. I get that they have manual transmission on some models but a DCT or even a regular automatic would be more sporty

I've had my 22 for a month now. Only thing I don't like about it so much is the mpg lol

Subaru should make it an option to add addaptive dampers on the premium model. But I see why they only have it available in the GT/automatic model. The rear needs re-designing or an after market bumper and extras.

This is a controversial statement, but, I think, the way Subaru implemented the plastic cladding to go around the car and as wheel arches and rear bumper, as if it's "part" of the car is... so clever. It sculpts the bottom like a Super Car and acts as both form and function. Also, as an AWD sport sedan, the car will most likely be very useful in places with lots of snow. And, where road salt are used. The plastic bottom part of this car will protect this car from rust! Can't wait to see this car in person and I think it will even be better. I do have one worry though and it has nothing to do with aesthetics. It's the low 6000rpm redline.... not sure how that translate to real life driving experience. But, it does seem low....

They should of kept the Smaller HUD screen at the center with all the cool stuff still there while keeping the entertainment and nav on the main screen.

I can honestly say that I love my 2022. No regrets on my part.

The black plastic fender flairs makes me want to get this thing lose on a dirt road. Maybe that's the intention given the Subaru rally heritage. The overall value I see in a WRX is that you're getting European level performance and Japanese reliability. Seems like if Porsche made a 4 door to compete with an Audi S4, they'd have something similar to this. The reliability reputation is mirrored in the used market. They seriously hold value.

Another good one from you! Local dealer says orders can be put in, in Jan with deliveries in March. Hope to see you with a driving video with the GT trim soon. Congrats on being the first! I've been searching 22 WRX every morning just to see if there is any new info out there on timeframe and pricing lol

First mod would be the unequal length headers and exhaust... I do appreciate the large screen infotainment instead of the tacked on tablet style..as always great video and props to Laurie for making it happen 👊😎

The new wrx is lying about it's Hp at 271. AMS performance dyno it at 246 whp so that's 298 hp crank then. So it is close to 300 hp then. The only difference between the usdm version and jdm version is torque. 🇺🇸 get 258 lb-ft and Japan gets the full 277 lb-ft of torque. The old 2013 Wrx stock whp was about 220- 224 whp so at the crank was around 266-271 hp .

No doubt this is going to reach a much wider audience with the CVT in the GT trim and the move towards having styling that looks like its designed for the current year. I'm glad that I got my 2021 STI a week ago before they went away, but two friends are already trying to preorder the WRX after the hype. Still not the best styling but damn does it look like the drivability seems top notch.

Still not liking the black cladding, comes off as a crossover

Just ordered my limited, be a couple months! cant wait!

Thats what the wrx is all about, fun, awd traction, twisty roads, and MT. They even updated the engine and tranny to have no rev hang and the better interior. Looks like the performance upgrades out do the looks of the car. 2022 wrx keeping what makes a wrx great. Great video!!!

I'm really liking it. I'll be interested to see what the final road test numbers will be comparing the manual to the SPT in the 0-60 and quarter mile as well as the difference in mpg. I really love driving manuals,but if the automatic performance is significantly better I might have to consider it. The other comparison I'd love to see is between the WRX and the Mazda 3 Turbo AWD. I'm not sure why most people don't consider the two similar. They are both AWD turbo charged compact sedans with fairly close power numbers. The Mazda actually has a lot more torque, but the turbo is unfortunately only available with an automatic.

Waiting to see how the STi version will look like…..

Unpopular opinion, I think it actually looks pretty good. The front end looks great and the side view is pretty decent too. The blue and black colors are the way to go.

Thank you for talking about Rev hang, you are the only reviewer that mentioned it. That was my biggest peeve with the previous versions

I really wanted to like this....I really did...I can't get past that interior display. Looks out of place aing with some of the design choices. I have a feeling even with rev hang ...previous Gen wrxs will hold value well. Strange Subaru took this route for a rally car....awesome review as always!!!

Great review! I really like the flat black unpainted fender flares. It gives it a rugged rally look and no worries about rock chips or someone door ding the fenders.

I was really hoping they would do more for this car. I’ve never been so disappointed

The rev and launch is what I came here for and you did not disappoint. 👌🏻

The guy who designed the classic of the late 90s, must be wondering how it could have gone so wrong, so quickly. Blob eye, hatchback and now this. At least the oil filter is easily accessible, so there is your positive ending

It looks better the longer you own it. Great job with the CVT. Fun, safe and easy to drive. All weather capable. Excellent visibility. Definitely the most practical fun car I’ve ever owned.

Just bought a black one. 2000 off a 2022. In this mkt, had to pull trigger. Driving is fun again!

Im jealous of the better performance but I still cant get over the looks except for when its in black or gray. Ill see how I feel in a few years once theres more colour match options available.

the 22 WRX has maybe the biggest fake rear diffusor in the World, man what are the designer thinking to do that ?

I’m impressed. But also I think they could give it a better designed. The tail light is the same as the BRZ/GR 86

Fingers crossed for body colored plastic on the Sti

Water Temp: Norm. Well, sure glad they provided that detailed info!

My god the back is hideous. Thought I could deal with the cladding but the rear is just awful. Think I’ll go with a GLI

Awwwww snap!!!! Subaru out here bringing all the business with this revised WRX!!! Not sold on the exterior but performance is where it shines!!! I thought you gonna peel right outa that meadow for a sec there!!! Great review as usual Joe and Lori!!!

I only wish that the rear bumper was more of a performance diffuser instead of looking bulgy and solid in the middle. Also looks like they moved the ecu to the driver side opening up the back left corner for installing an AOS, very nice! I hope this new one does well so that i may purchase the 2024 model.

Subaru use to be badass. King of the rallyworld. Cool sounding boxer engine back in the day. Manual transmission. The recipe was perfect. Nowadays cars are losing their mojo.

Nice review of a car I definitely like better than I thought I would when it was first revealed. But one thing I still don’t get, as you mentioned, is the packaging. If 85% if buyers take the manual, why withhold some of the most desirable features from them? Is that the chip shortage or just a bad decision? Hopefully Subaru can update that sooner than later.

I have to admit, the car is growing on me. Besides the cladding which is hideous, I’m sure the aftermarket will solve that problem. The engine has a bigger displacement and it’s only boosting at 12 PSI I believe, so any modifications will do this engine some justice. I guess it’s time for me to start saving my pennies.

The sales are way down. I would expect a minor refresh next year. Its 2008 all over again.

Thanks to you and Lori, I've narrowed my choices to the WRX or the GR Corolla for my next new auto. Thank you.

This car is rated at 19 mpg city 25 mpg highway. You might as well buy an Sti with numbers like that. Personally I think the car is horrendous inside and out.

Is their a turbo gauge or rev matching ?

I was going to get a WRS but the dealership dint want to work whit me so I wend to the vw dealer got me gti love it

Hey Joe….I just saw this car in person. Did you notice how wide the gaps are in this car? Front fender to front door and trunk gaps are huge. Noticeably wider than my 2018 wrx. You can actually see the power window hose in the front door fender gap! Looks like poor build quality with huge gaps imo.

I’m upset that everyone is slowly starting to like this car. Don’t let Subaru think this is ok, it looks terrible with all that plastic, you shouldn’t have to go get your car paint matched after you buy it.

2022 Pontiac Aztek

Great review, I can’t wait for the STI. I currently own a 2019 STI and love it, for the record the looks is growing on me

Colin McRae still getting love in 2021 love it!!! What a legend!

Let's get it 🔥💎

I like the new design but I’m not loving all that flat black cladding even if it has effective coefficient.

I have no idea whether it's a better performance sedan. I haven't even seen one in person yet. You tell us, Joe! You're the reviewer.

I legit love the look of this and cant wait to see what the STI will be and since I am happy with the BRZ and my wife doesnt drive stick I will probably be getting the GT model.

Joe loved the video, much respect to you and your team. When it comes to the WRX, the car is under powered as most Subaru's are. The design is terrible. I pray the STI design is drastically different than WRX. The impression I get from the WRX is a tamed corner cut of the STI.

Hopefully Subaru can salvage this gen with the STI. This WRX is still hideous. It looks like it's lifted. The back bumper is really GOD AWFUL. That center infotainment screen is TERRIBLE looking, so hideous, smaller horizontal wouldve been better choice, instead we have the Jitterbug phone of infotainment systems in a car. The car sounds like a blower fan from a central air home HVAC system. 6100 Redline with minimal power increases and the gearing masking the performance. Considering who knows how long cars like this will continue to be around, having a miss like this for a generation stings. Imagine if the WRX were to go out like this... And that price... far, FAR too expensive for a base considering how that things infotainment looks even WORSE than this one. Overpriced. Starting to push these cars out of the intended segment.

I feel like a child designed the infotainment area lol.

Bought one yesterday

I am a Subaru guy but I think the Elantra N blows away everyone in that segment now if it is truly priced at 33K

I can't wait to test drive this the sti and the gr corolla.

Back again for this 2nd video! And the front end does really look pretty damn good!

love raitis rides, makes a Toyota Prius review fun to watch :P 😂😂😂