New Subaru WRX: Five things we love – and don’t

The sixth-generation Subaru WRX has finally been revealed to the world and is set to arrive Down Under in 2022 with a bigger and more powerful engine, fresh technology and an aggressive new design.

Last weekend’s world debut came after months of teasers and promos from the Japanese car-maker and, now that the covers are officially off, Rex fans are at odds and continue to voice their concerns online – most of which revolve around presentation and performance.

So, has Subaru done enough to maintain the WRX’s cult-like status among buyers and punters for another generation, or is it time for the rally-bred all-wheel drive turbo sedan to hang up the gloves?

Love

Fierce front-end
We’ll go a little deeper on design later, but straight off the bat we reckon Subaru has done a good job with the MY22 Rex’s new face. It’s fresh yet carries over hallmark WRX features like its angular headlights, low-slung fog lights and diagonal design motifs.

There’s also the trademark WRX bonnet scoop, along with wide haunches and sporty side skirts. It could do with a slightly lower stance but, overall, we like it. 

Retains rally cred
In more good news, the latest iteration of Japan’s original rally-car-for-the-road should continue to be exactly that.

Staying true to its roots, the new Rex will come with a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive grip, along with the option of a proper six-speed manual alongside an eight-speed CVT automatic.

Subaru says the upgraded CVT brings 50 per cent faster downshifts and 30 per cent quicker upshifts in manual mode compared to the outgoing box.

More engaging to drive
Furthermore, the next WRX will ride on the same Subaru Global Platform (SGP) that underpins the latest Impreza. Said to be almost 30 per cent more rigid than before, the new body promises big improvements in ride, handling and refinement.

Other updates to the compact sports sedan include a lower centre of gravity, revised Active Torque Vectoring system, upgraded stabiliser bars, fresh suspension geometry and electronically adaptive dampers in top-spec grades for the first time.

New, more spacious cabin
Like the evolutionary exterior design, Subaru hasn’t strayed far from its typical interior layout, which in our opinion is a good thing.

The cabin layout appears just as sporty, practical and user-friendly as before, while a 22mm longer (2672mm) wheelbase should bring more leg room for those in the rear-seat. 

Bigger engine
The new Subaru WRX will come with a larger 2.4-litre turbo boxer engine that will be the biggest in its class, much to the delight of many Rex fans.

As they say… there’s no replacement for displacement. But, read on and you’ll discover that bigger isn’t always better.

Don’t love

Not enough killer-wasps
Swapping out the outgoing model’s 2.0-litre engine for a larger 2.4-litre flat-four, the MY22 Subaru WRX will bring more power – but only a fraction.

With 202kW of power (+5kW) and 350Nm of torque, the new engine outputs fall short of the 213kW/412Nm figures previously expected by many.

The new-gen Rex also brings a larger and more rigid body, making it heavier and therefore unlikely to be quicker than the model it replaces – which, for reference, hits 100km/h in about six seconds.  

Rear-end
All too often, images can be misleading and something that looks not-so-good on screen can actually end up quite attractive in real life, and vice-versa.

Take the controversial new ‘big mouth’ grille seen on the latest BMW M3 and 4 Series, which is polarising and divisive at first but not so outrageous once seen in the metal.

Unfortunately, we don’t think the same can be said for the new WRX’s rear-end, which is clad with chunky black plastics that jut out every which way, so we don’t blame commenters for attacking the Rex’s new rump.

No official ETA
As we’ve reported, the 2022 Subaru WRX was initially due to hit Aussie showrooms this year, before COVID-related delays pushed it back to early 2022.

Now the new Rex is due Down Under in the second quarter of next year – if there are no more production delays due to the global semi-conductor shortage.

Split screen infotainment
Though Subaru Australia is yet to confirm local equipment levels for the new WRX, we’re not keen on the split-screen infotainment display that will be fitted to some overseas models.

In the entry-level US-spec variant, there’s a small touch-screen for multimedia purposes above an even smaller screen underneath for climate control.

Our fingers are crossed that all locally delivered models come equipped with the cool new 11.6-inch portrait-style touch-screen seen in top-spec US variants – even if that ups the pricing, which we’ve no doubt will happen anyway.

The colour palette
Again, we don’t know exactly which paint colours will be offered by Subaru Australia yet, but judging by the press images the WRX’s iconic rally blue hue is off the table.  

Instead, there’s a dark navy blue, a plain old white and a boring metallic grey called Magnetite Gray. The only pop of colour in the new Rex range appears to be the Solar Orange Pearl hero hue, which is similar to the Tangerine Orange first seen on the original Subaru XV compact SUV.

Tell us what you reckon in the comments section below.