Having been a 2015 WRX Limited owner since 2014, I can assure you that the maintenance hasn't been any more expensive than my Outback(s). After some 100,800 km (~62k miles), it has been one of the most reliable and cheapest cars I've had the pleasure of owning. I have yet to change brake rotors on mine! I traded it in for a Solar Orange Pearl Limited, just like the one Alex presents in this video. Got almost $17k US as trade in value!
Why don't they understand this? Why bother with a CVT again and again? Hell, a normal automatic with a torque converter would be far better. Seems stupid, but I guess they know what they're doing.
@@raghav265 Because they don't sell enough WRX's to justify designed and building a dedicated transmission. The rest of their lineup uses the CVT, so they have to use what's already in the parts bin.
@@vroomgc It's not that simple to make a relatively low volume production of a single transmission. You would not get the economies of scale and the transmission would be too cost prohibitive. That's why Honda doesn't offer an automatic in the Civic Si or Type R. At least subaru does for that 15% of buyers.
@@GROGU123 Yes I know that , however if you want to grow you need to take steps to do that. Look at Hyundai and Kia's new lineup and N models. Subaru is just staying afloat and need some new designers too while their at it.
As much as I want to like the new WRX, styling is also very important. You want to love looking at your car. But this is hideous. That cladding cheapens up the ENTIRE look for me.
No spare Save Money>Save Weight is probably more of what they're thinking. I would like one without the heavier sunroof, or some unnecessary electric nannies. Sadly, nearly every stealership is price gouging everything. They'll be an initial "markup" for "market demand" or whatever fluff stealerships decide to tack on. The car shopping experience is such a bad experience. Can't wait for the day dealerships no longer exist. I'm sure there are one of those one off nuances where you have a good experience, but they are few in between.
I feel you. I think Carvana is starting a trend for salesperson-less dealers. My first ever car was an E90 328 that I paid way more than it was worth. Live and learn
Pay a hefty markup at the dealership or pay a similar price for a 2014 WRX.. 😵 I wish there was an option but if you want a WRX; Subaru got your nuts in the blender.
Just ordered a WRB premium with no markup but includes a $1500 “paint protection package”. It’s dealer fluff but almost all dealers add to their cars nowadays.
This is the single worst color to show off the WRX, it makes it look like a Crosstrek. I will give the plastic cladding a half pass, I can see how they would help prevent damage to the body when you're driving down dirt / gravel roads. Also worth noting, the AWD system on the manual WRX is worse than the one on the CVT WRX - the one shown in this video has the viscous center diff, while the CVT WRX has a real planetary gear center diff, which is significantly better than the former. Subaru also reserved the GT trim for the automatic (with Recaros and adaptive dampers and customizable drive mode), which is also a huge let down.
If Subaru sold this with an optional 6/7/8 speed automatic transmission instead of a CVT, they'll probably sell more of those. The ZF 8 speed transmission might work here, since the engine is longitudinally mounted. The way it is now, Subaru is forcing you to get the CVT if you want all the goodies in the WRX. Either that or wait for the STi.
@@damilolaakanni If people buy this and spec the CVT, I feel sorry for them. They're missing out on so much by not getting the manual version. Same thing for the GT86 / BRZ.
The reason a WRX is not something I consider: * CVT in a performance vehicle does not make sense. In an Impreza or Forester it's OK, not in a WRX. I heard the Ascent's CVT, with the same engine, is not reliable. I'd be very concerned with WRX with a CVT, wait at least 3 years to hear it's reliable. * Daily driving stop-and-go traffic with a manual is not fun. So, no option is acceptable.
Clearly you haven't watched F1, CVT was way too good (when done properly) they had to ban it. Bt I do agree that on these "real world" cars, CVT has no right to replace an automatic, let alone a proper manual.
You can Thank Obama and now Biden for increasing gas mileage requirements for car manufacturers- to either push their electric car agenda or make combustion engines more complicated to develop in hope that car makers will drop them soon again for electric.
I’m glad all these people don’t like the WRX; it’ll make getting one in the dealership a lot easier. Good work weeding out the people who don’t really need awd or worry about rust. The sapphire blue looks way better than school bus orange, glad they flagship their worst color.
I really wanted to like the WRX because of its AWD system, but the interior layout of the Elantra N with its horizontal screen and physical controls is just so much more appealing. I don't think I could live with the vertical tablet style. It's unfortunate, because I've always been a fan of the AWD rally style cars and I always wanted one. I'll probably go with the Elantra and then see if the next generation of WRX (if there is one) goes back to a better interior layout.
I'm a huge Subaru fans of past but Hyundai has been in rallying pretty long as well the past 2 decades. So going with Elantra N is perfectly fine it's a better car designed for the street than this WRX. Imo Subaru has't wowed anybody the last 2 decades. The power and performance has been marginal and we're only waiting for the Civic SI to match the WRX in power which is not a good thing. The Type R already beats the STI on every measurement.
@@Vision33r yep Subaru went downhill once they stopped participating in wrc. I don’t blame anyone choosing a Elantra N. The information just killed it for me. Also the new sti is going to have most of the drivetrain option in that sluggish infotainment as well.
@@NickFindsNick I think that's a great car, Subaru has had the turbo SUV back then with the forester but they keep make it too soft. A big miss, they can easily make an outdoor model and then a street tuned version but the Forester Sport is too soft.
I picked up mine yesterday. Amazing car. I don't mind the plastic fenders at all. The torque is very balanced and the turbo just pulls you throughout the RPM.
@@RLTtizME Subaru will be happy to know you actually like the body cladding and your personal identity is tied to the brand so closely. Merry Christmas
We are trading 2019 Accent Touring with 74,000 miles for WRX Limited . Suppose to be here last week of December. It will be wife's car , I am 67 and she will be 66 in January.. She loves manual transmission and plenty of horsepower. She had a '03 VW Beatle Turbo S , 6 speed , 180 hp . Put 180,000 on it ....
Buying a new car next year and really wanted this car to be it. A 3 hp gain and over the top plastic, I’ll pass. Maybe Subaru will give customers a better STI. For the record there has been a WRX in my driveway since ‘02.
That is really interesting - the only review I have seen that shows there is no spare tire, but space for one. Trust Alex to be thorough! I am not surprised by the summer tires. I live in New England, the area Alex talks about wanting All Season or All Weather tires. On the Subaru I own, I had to immediately replace the summer tires with all weather tires as my wife was complaining the AWD Subaru was worse in the snow than her old FWD Honda. Once I replaced the tires, it was better than that Honda and very manageable.
Great review. Excited to hear you enjoyed the Manual WRX so much. About the pedal placement on the New Civic Si,. I personally find it a big improvement over the previous gen Si, especially for heal-and-toeing. I felt very uncomfortable doing it before. I had to blip the throttle bottom of my heal instead of the side of my foot which makes it far harder especially when I choke up on the wheel for “spirited” driving. Also, the clutch is slightly heavier than it was, to the extent that I can tell where it is when I depress it. It’s not at all heavy, but in the previous gen I could barely feel it, which made it hard for me to work with it. I hope the WRX placement is likewise easy to work with for my size 12 (U.S.A.) feet.
It's so dumb that Lane Centering and Adaptive Cruise control are only on the automatic. Honda offers these features on the Civic with a manual, as a standard feature. They could do ACC down to say 45mph so it doesn't stall in 6th gear.
Yep, Honda makes better marketing decisions than Subaru does. I think I'm going to get a Civic Si, once they are properly available without having to grab my ankles.
Love everything about it except the MPG. When I was a kid my parents had a Citroen GS which was a sharp handling (if underpowered) car with an air-cooled longitudinal boxer engine, and so I have a soft spot for Subaru's layout. Citroen has long since gone "mainstream" so Subaru it probably is if I get another ICE car.
Us canadians will just take all the wrxs then gravel offroad winter driving is what subarus are made for. I for one am happy when i shoot rocks at my wheel arches and rocker panels all of it is plastic no paint chipping no rust. once every few years take the plastic off clean the metal behind and oil it. This is a car that will last forever in a salty winter climate if properly maintained.
I feel like the body cladding is a low key vibe check by Subaru to see if customers will tolerate this being turned into a kind of CUV like a Regal TourX or Honda CrossTour...😑
Outstanding detailed information and commentary... Really the best than all the others i listen to.. appreciate this. Thank you. I like the cladding and all..uniquely Subaru...
Subaru should've used these wheel arch claddings for the Subaru Outback, instead they give the Outback (the supposedly rugged SUV/lifted wagon) those tiny round fender claddings.
The setting for this video is fantastic, with green grass and waves crashing in the background. I noticed some other reviewers had the same setting, so I guess Subaru invited them all to an event there. I guess that's kind of a clever way to make the car look nicer.
It's called a Press Junket. The manufacturers fly "journalists" out to desirable locales, feed them excellent food, put them in fancy lodging, feed them the corporate marketing, give them the press embargo date (the earliest date & time they can share their review) and heavily imply that if they don't give a positive review they won't be asked back to the next fancy holiday.. er, I mean, junket.
Thanks for that review Alex. Great function. Form, not so much. Correction: I'm getting more used to the look, particularly in darker colors which tone down the cladding and rear bumper.
I would consider buying one of these if it didn't have a CVT. I can't use a manual because driving 4 different jeeps has given me sore knees from the clutches. I'd take a 6-speed automatic, over an 8, 9, or 10-speed auto. I hope, Subaru fixed their head problems in their engines. When they have problems, there's no half-way. They go all out.
I lived with a 2018 WRX for two years a few things - - - Michigan car insurance on these is bonkers expensive every vehicle (new to 2 years old) I've had to insure was max $150 a month this was $240 a month (30 year old male, no accident or ticket history). I also never got better than 21-22mpg because of my driving style and she takes premium but the absolute worst thing of all was the rev hang between first and second gear. The rev hang really ruined the experience for me, eventually I bought a Cobb aftermarket tuner which everyone said would eliminate the rev hang. It helps but it doesn't completely eliminate it. If you're considering one of these test drive it and if you're having a hard time getting the shifts from 1st into 2nd smooth that's most likely because of the rev hang. After years of driving a manual I almost had to relearn how to shift..I would actually have to think ok WAIT WAIT then let the clutch out when shifting into 2nd.
The 1 to 2 shift was my biggest reason for selling the car. I did almost all bolt ons and was never truelly happy with the driveability. So sad that the shifting feel kills the car
@@extraordinarywolf320 that is tempting. The exterior is growing on me. May have to give it a shot in the future after covid calms down and prices aren't marked up.
I went from a 20 impreza to this in a limited 6 speed. This guys review is spot on. The clutch and pedals. feel as close to perfect as any car ive ever driven. The gear ratios give you plenty of range but breaking it in you are CONSTATNLY shifting to avoid revving past 3k. Android auto is absolute trash Thats really my only gripe about this car. It seems intentionally buggy for apples benefit. If you have the push to start versions you also get the secret pin acess via the trunk button if you wanna get something out and left your keys somewhere or if your doing something like swimming and put your fob to sleep and intentionally lock your keys in the car.
@@Justforfun-ek7eta lot of manufacturers suggest 1k miles keeping it under 4,000 rpm and avoiding stagnant speed like excessive cruise control. Just what I've seen with past few cars.
Hi Alex. I'm so glad you finally got your hands on the new WRX. You are probably the only one that mentioned that the curb weight most likely is higher in this generation. Could you please describe if you actually felt this to be any less toss-able than the previous generation WRX?
I’m sorry, but the only reason to have a talking point about a Subaru WRX, is that they have AWD for its price. And let’s be completely honest, the quality of the car your getting for the price these sell at, is complete junk. I’m not going to buy a WRX just because it has AWD and its similarly priced competitors don’t. AWD isn’t enough of a selling point to me, especially when it’s similarly priced competitors have better usage of interior materials, are more comfortable, and are much faster when modified (meaning you don’t have to rebuild its competitors engines after a simple tune like you have to do on the WRX lol).
@@justinowens2465 yes actually. It is good in the snow, but I also don’t really care how good it is. I’d rather drive RWD in snow because with snow tires, I can still go wherever I need to, and have more fun, as the control is all on me and not on AWD systems. And then having to live with the WRX’s horrific interior and plastic pieces year round for what I paid for the car just doesn’t suit what I want. I’m also one who mods every car I own, and the thought of being scared when my engine will blow up just with a simple tune and downpipe on the WRX, is more than enough for me to go to a different platform.
@@JacesOwnWorld full-time AWD with winter tires gives you best of both worlds btw. AWD also helps applying power even in perfect weather; it's nice to punch the throttle without worrying about wheelspin. That's very easy to do in GTI's (which I've driven 2 of, and spun the fronts in both because they're FWD), but far more difficult to do in full-time AWD vehicles like Subarus and (A4+) Audi's.
@@CrazyWeeMonkey I never said it wasn’t better guy. I said for me personally, I prefer RWD in the snow because I’m in control, not the car. As far as having AWD in the summer, it’s 100% unnecessary. Literally no point to having it in dry weather. As far as the GTI is concerned, yes, the fronts just spin. Only reason I have the GTI is because it’s a really good roll racer, but anything 40mph and below, it just spins, so I don’t even consider doing dig races with it. But speaking for me personally, I get way more giggles out of spinning my front tires and banging off the rev limiter than I ever did driving my buddies AWD STI, other buddies AWD EVO 8, other buddies Golf R, and other buddies Focus RS. To say the least, I’ve driven basically everything AWD sport car wise, even Audi RS and BMW X-drive vehicles. Yes, they grip. No, they aren’t as fun to me. Would I want a WRX/STI for winters? Sure. Who wouldn’t?? But I can’t come to agreement with Subarus grand plan with their entire lineup. Their cars are made so cheaply, but yet they sell for pretty expensive $$, only because they know their buyers like their AWD systems. Their AWD systems are the best in the business, I agree, but damn to hell would I ever want to live with one knowing it’s so cheap, and I won’t be able to kid it like I want unless I drop $15-20k into it just to make 450whp lol So to plain Jane Subaru fanboys, their AWD systems are worth the cost to them. But to me, not worth it because I look at the car as a whole, not just it having AWD.
@@justinowens2465 Here in a snowy part of Canada, most of my family has Subarus with CVT (Impreza, XV, Forrester, and Outback) and honestly the 4MATIC is night and day better. There is zero, and I mean z-e-r-o, perception of power transfer -- it's flawless, with the DCT (wish it were manual). The Subbies get through the snow fine but the slushy CVTs and varying power transfer are really disconnected feeling, almost unpredictable at times. I know the manual Subarus have been AWD than the CVT models, though. But they're also really hard on fuel.. I've averaged over 33 MPG in 30k kms with cold winters and hot summers, getting over 45 mpg on temperate highway trips. New WRX rated at 18 MPG city is comical -- on par with large SUVs and vans!
Great insghts Alex. I always liked the WRX, but I really dislike this new one. Looks ugly and awkward. If I wanted a Crosstrek, I would buy a Crosstrek. A lot of cost cutting seen on this WRX. Hate that you can't get the adaptive suspension with the manual. Performance and CVT should never be in the same sentence together. I think the WRX marketing budget was much larger than the engineering department unfortunately
"Cost cutting" - but that's what makes this such a good performance bargain. Any of the cost cutting measures are aesthetic (eg: no digital display), and generally not performance related. No adaptive suspension on manual models is a miss, I agree. And agreed the styling isn't great (but that's never been the WRX's strong suit). But, in a big way, Subaru was stuck with what makes the WRX work - huge performance and driving dynamics for not much money.
Another great review. Subaru gave Australia the hatch and stiffed us again. They skipped all season tires, but introduced cladding... anyone else confused with the design/marketing choices?
When this is the result of subaru doing what they wanted in design, I think unfortunately it would have been a benefit that they were restrained to looking for like an Impreza
It's minivan/fullsize SUV fuel economy. Completely ruins the point of a sport-compact when it gets the fuel economy of a Jeep Grand Cherokee and is hardly any quicker.
I would happily take some shared component with the Impreza if I meant we got a hatchback. I think many other enthusiasts are with me in this. Also there is no excuse for Subaru not offering an adaptive cruise control with a manual transmission when Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and others do it.
@@ciello___8307 it was available on a BMW 335i Manual (current generation is automatic only) and is currently available on the mustang gt, mazda 3, Honda civic, Toyota corolla hatchback golf gti, golf, and jetta GLI. It's definitely possible
@@ciello___8307 the cruise disengages a you shift but can re-engage once you are in gear. Plus in most freeway scenarios where traffic is going 50 to 76 mph, the top gear is fine without shifting.
I’m actually not against that orange color or the idea of the CVT. I’d probably buy the base manual as the GT will likely be as expensive as a base STI, but I’d definitely like to test drive to compare. Will the Subaru “performance transmission” be available on base or Premium models, or only the GT?
I don't doubt the improvements in driveability and I'm ok with the styling. I just can't handle the wide cladding on it. And the rear looks like it's half sheet metal/half plastic! No thanks! This WRX probably has more cladding on it than the Outback. That's pretty bad. The Civic Si is starting to look better and better to me.
I also would prefer an all season tire as an option on this. And on things like the golf R model. Summer tires are just not a good option for me. I would have to buy a second set of wheels.
The sweet spot for the WRX is the base model. At $30k it's a performance steal. If you are buying a car to enjoy driving, the fact that the base model has none of the nannies, old school key, old school "rip it" hand brake...it gives you a more analog experience. Fantastic car for the money. If you want all the tech trickery, the WRX begins to lose its value quickly versus the competition.
I feel like people forget that WRX stands for World Rally Cross… so to me the plastic trim and more rugged look make sense. I like it. Then again I’m the guy that takes his Outback off roading on the weekends. Maybe they could offer a “street” version that has body colored panels and such. Could be the STI?
killer exterior, literally, as it kills the vibe for most of us. this is not something you would expect from 2022 car. the amount of plastic for performance car makes no sense. one might think that this is because of off-road angle but then you see that there is no spare tire and it comes with summer tires… when it comes to the interior and the amount of modern features wrx is also miles away from rivals. i would rather buy a used golf r or stinger because they offer so much more. i waited and wanted this car so much and now i see that i won’t be able to enjoy it 😕.
I don’t know a single person who actually off-roads their WRX or STI. It’s all just a “selling point” for buyers, thinking they’re buying a rally car, when it’s far from being a rally car. I’d rather lift a Outback and put bigger tires on it, and off-road that, instead of a WRX/STI.
3 time owner, Ive ripped them to the point Im exhausted at this point lol. The performance has gotten worse since 2015…a 5k clutch drop produced about 5.6 0-60…it will be fun, a good car…but its losing its performance value and frankly they didn’t really improve ride, stick shift feel, and power so it will be once again the slowest feeling quick car out there with polarizing looks. I await the results of the Integra Type-S…I hope it has AWD, stick, and Type-R power. The previous gen type R will spank this new WRX at the track…Subaru dropped the ball big time, if and thats a BIG IF…the Sti has 400HP, I doubt it…there is no reason the WRX couldn’t have 300HP out the gate. My money is the STI will have about 350 HP
I think that's why this WRX has only 3 more hp than the last gen, the STI will get probably 330 to 350hp you are correct. But in the other hand you should be able to extract more hp fairly easy with the 2.4 now
@@extraordinarywolf320 …and with limited options, my complaints fall unto a black hole lol. I will wait to see if they fix the rear bumper and it gives me time to see if Acura makes the Integra Type-s a awd civic type r
When I heard the totally-not-Impreza WRX came with a CVT, I was so shocked I dropped my vape pen into the puddle of oil leaking out of the head gasket. Subaru is in a tight race with Acura for the title of the lamest and most disappointing Japanese “sports” car.
I think it's a nice car but kind of disappointed about no Sti version and STi going electric...were not ready for everyone to own an electric vehicle. I love the sound of a combustion engine and exhaust!!
While Toyota has purchased Subaru approximately 35% it has STRONG reliability and in some cases the same parts....Overall it looks great especially with the lowered front hood scoop and its widened length too:) MPG though would have thought 34 MPG!
While Subaru's choice to keep the black plastic cladding unpainted is debatable, it's unlikely they chose to do so to save money. More likely it's an intentional styling decision to break up the visual bulk from the profile. It would have been less costly just to engineer the body and fender stampings all the way to the wheel well edge and use basic inner well lining. Then they wouldn't have to bother engineering 3D plastic cladding, working out the logistics of said cladding with a supplier, and bear the associated costs. The VW ID4 does the same. Cowboy Bebop Ending Theme guitar ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-f6M-oWsRE9Q.html Gundam RE0096 guitar ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cUexh8SjZMY.html King of Fighters XV Krizalid's boss stage theme ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Hp7THmIQiXk.html
I don’t mind it. People have this idea that cars should look the same, with a preference toward bland and boring. While the WRX still looks subdued, I think it look pretty good
