Drove My Friends New 22 WRX

[th3n4m31zd4n]

Good buddy of mine picked up new 22 WRX a couple days ago. He stopped by yesterday and let me drive it a bit. It was pretty decent overall. At this point, there's a ton of in depth reviews of it on YouTube, so I'll just talk about it from a performance perspective versus a Stinger. Although we didn't get a chance to line them up side by side, we both drove each other's one after the other. The WRX definitely feels like it sits higher up, and the large, tall windows provide make it feel like a really big car. The handling is good though. It's obviously a much lighter car than the Stinger, but I didn't see a night and day difference versus the Stinger. Neither of them are necessarily designed to be a track car, which is quite obvious. Acceleration and braking wise, the Stinger GT quite easily has it beat, as you would suspect. I wonder how it would do versus a 2.5t though. With the 2.4 in the new WRX, the pull is consistent through much more of the RPM range. It doesn't take long to get in the Powerband, and it lasts most of the way through the RPM range. The wrx has a little bit more turbo lag than the 3.3 stinger, but I hear it's better than the previous generation wrx. My only little complaint is the Throttle on the wrx is a bit spongy. It feels like the Stinger in Eco mode to me, which leads me to my next point, which is the new WRX doesn't have any driving mode selector. I'm not sure if the old one did either though. At least in my previous manual scat pack, there was still a sport mode that increased the Throttle response and tightened up the steering a bit. It would be interesting to compare this more to a gt-line, as the price and stats seem nearly on par with each other, at least on paper.

 

[ScottM]

I'm of course biased, but I can't see getting a WRX over a Stinger...just based on looks alone. I know, each to their own... but every time I see a WRX I just can't "see it". Having said that... if I was out of gas, in the middle of the desert with nothing around me, no phone reception, had no signal flares and my feet didn't work...I'd drive one.

 

[Maljey]

Thanks for the thoughts. I would love to see a comparison between the new WRX, and the new 2.5L Stinger GT Line (in AWD). I wonder if the GT Line feels more like a grown up WRX. Kinda how the Legacy GT used to be the grown up WRX, before Subaru made the Legacy much bigger and less sporty.

 

[RedCal]

Good buddy of mine picked up new 22 WRX a couple days ago. He stopped by yesterday and let me drive it a bit. It was pretty decent overall. At this point, there's a ton of in depth reviews of it on YouTube, so I'll just talk about it from a performance perspective versus a Stinger. Although we didn't get a chance to line them up side by side, we both drove each other's one after the other. The WRX definitely feels like it sits higher up, and the large, tall windows provide make it feel like a really big car. The handling is good though. It's obviously a much lighter car than the Stinger, but I didn't see a night and day difference versus the Stinger. Neither of them are necessarily designed to be a track car, which is quite obvious. Acceleration and braking wise, the Stinger GT quite easily has it beat, as you would suspect. I wonder how it would do versus a 2.5t though. With the 2.4 in the new WRX, the pull is consistent through much more of the RPM range. It doesn't take long to get in the Powerband, and it lasts most of the way through the RPM range. The wrx has a little bit more turbo lag than the 3.3 stinger, but I hear it's better than the previous generation wrx. My only little complaint is the Throttle on the wrx is a bit spongy. It feels like the Stinger in Eco mode to me, which leads me to my next point, which is the new WRX doesn't have any driving mode selector. I'm not sure if the old one did either though. At least in my previous manual scat pack, there was still a sport mode that increased the Throttle response and tightened up the steering a bit. It would be interesting to compare this more to a gt-line, as the price and stats seem nearly on par with each other, at least on paper.

How do the plastics around the wheels and back end look in person? the pics I've seen are not flattering

 

[MerlintheMad]

2022 Subaru WRX Review, Pricing, and Specs "Those who opt for the automatic, which can also be controlled via paddle shifters on the steering wheel, can also select from three different drive-mode settings."

I guess that the manual is it's own "drive mode" selector, based on the driver.

... the new WRX doesn't have any driving mode selector.

 

[stoopid]

The WRX and STi were very special once upon a time. Now there's other options for just a bit more money, and many of those other cars are objectively better (looking and performing).

Subaru is milking the few remaining bits of car clout they have remaining, but I saw all this coming many years ago when their commercials stopped talking about the car and branding involved prerequisite "love" and "dogs". The car enthusiast community gives two shits about love, pets, or the planet for that matter. Subaru has been doubling down on the tree hugger demographic for quite some time.

 

[boosted1g]

The WRX and STi were very special once upon a time. Now there's other options for just a bit more money, and many of those other cars are objectively better (looking and performing).

Subaru is milking the few remaining bits of car clout they have remaining, but I saw all this coming many years ago when their commercials stopped talking about the car and branding involved prerequisite "love" and "dogs". The car enthusiast community gives two shits about love, pets, or the planet for that matter. Subaru has been doubling down on the tree hugger demographic for quite some time.

Very true, give them another 5-10 years and they will probably go full out Mitsubishi and rebrand the WRX as another generic crossover.

15 years ago if you had asked me what my "dad" 4 door fun car would be, I would have probably said a WRX STI.

 

[Dwdrummr1]

Good buddy of mine picked up new 22 WRX a couple days ago. He stopped by yesterday and let me drive it a bit. It was pretty decent overall. At this point, there's a ton of in depth reviews of it on YouTube, so I'll just talk about it from a performance perspective versus a Stinger. Although we didn't get a chance to line them up side by side, we both drove each other's one after the other. The WRX definitely feels like it sits higher up, and the large, tall windows provide make it feel like a really big car. The handling is good though. It's obviously a much lighter car than the Stinger, but I didn't see a night and day difference versus the Stinger. Neither of them are necessarily designed to be a track car, which is quite obvious. Acceleration and braking wise, the Stinger GT quite easily has it beat, as you would suspect. I wonder how it would do versus a 2.5t though. With the 2.4 in the new WRX, the pull is consistent through much more of the RPM range. It doesn't take long to get in the Powerband, and it lasts most of the way through the RPM range. The wrx has a little bit more turbo lag than the 3.3 stinger, but I hear it's better than the previous generation wrx. My only little complaint is the Throttle on the wrx is a bit spongy. It feels like the Stinger in Eco mode to me, which leads me to my next point, which is the new WRX doesn't have any driving mode selector. I'm not sure if the old one did either though. At least in my previous manual scat pack, there was still a sport mode that increased the Throttle response and tightened up the steering a bit. It would be interesting to compare this more to a gt-line, as the price and stats seem nearly on par with each other, at least on paper.

I obviously love my stinger, but I have a hard time believing the Stinger has the WRX beat in the braking department. 60 to 0 times are 124 for the Stinger and 112 for WRX. The car is obviously much lighter.

 

[RM7]

The WRX and STi were very special once upon a time. Now there's other options for just a bit more money, and many of those other cars are objectively better (looking and performing).

Subaru is milking the few remaining bits of car clout they have remaining, but I saw all this coming many years ago when their commercials stopped talking about the car and branding involved prerequisite "love" and "dogs". The car enthusiast community gives two shits about love, pets, or the planet for that matter. Subaru has been doubling down on the tree hugger demographic for quite some time.

This, so much.

 

[vipeboy2000]

I obviously love my stinger, but I have a hard time believing the Stinger has the WRX beat in the braking department. 60 to 0 times are 124 for the Stinger and 112 for WRX. The car is obviously much lighter.

interestingly, they have more similar numbers 70-0 braking distances by test... ~156feet for both.

 

[killinghall]

The new WRX has terrible looking wheel arches that completely ruin the look of the vehicle.

They had one job, and that was to keep it simple, and they failed

 

[G70LEbyAdoom]

The new WRX has terrible looking wheel arches that completely ruin the look of the vehicle.

They had one job, and that was to keep it simple, and they failed

View attachment 70017

failing at everything that people want it to do, It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

 

[ChaneRZ]

It’s so ugly.

 

[5tinger]

The Stinger is a refined sports luxury GT.

The WRX used to be about raw sports.
However this latest one sure does leave a lot to be desired aesthetically.

Subaru are bad these days, I do remember in the early to mid 2000s Subaru was the enthusiasts brand.
Looking at their range today it seems they've done a better job than Lexus at shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[GennyGuy]

I know OP said there's a ton of reviews, but this is a good one for anyone looking and I think drives the point home. Hard to understand the point of the WRX even right now.

The Elantra N is a great car. But if the WRX can't handle our little brother/cousin, it shouldn't even look this way.

 

[boosted1g]

While that WRX is not an STI version, this is still embarrassing to what the WRX line once was.
It now looks uglier than a lower trim honda civic, terrible handling, and can't even compete with the lowest performance oriented Hyundai.
This new gen WRX is not even competition compared to cars like the Civic R or Focus RS.

 

[General_Vodka]

The new Toyota GR Corolla is a better wrx, change my mind

 

[Deleted member 11966]

The new Toyota GR Corolla is a better wrx, change my mind

Until just last month I was saying I will never buy a toyota but after seeing the GR Corolla and now the manual version of the Supra, I think I've changed my mind. I wished of owning an STI as a kid, now, I can only imagine being disappointed by engine issues (in stock form) in the first 20k miles of ownership.

And about the looks, Subaru is known of designing a beauty for one gen and then a horrible next gen. Not surprised anymore.

 

[Maljey]

While that WRX is not an STI version, this is still embarrassing to what the WRX line once was.
It now looks uglier than a lower trim honda civic, terrible handling, and can't even compete with the lowest performance oriented Hyundai.
This new gen WRX is not even competition compared to cars like the Civic R or Focus RS.

Eh small correction--the Elantra N is the highest performance Hyundai currently. It's actually more of a competitor to the STi, even thought it has a little less hp. It's more hardcore than the WRX.

The WRX is more of a Civic Si, Focus ST, Elantra N-Line, etc competitor. The STi was always the competitor to Civic R and Focus RS.

With that being said, the aftermarket is will need to come to the rescue now that we know Subaru isn't making a new STi. I'd be very surprised if this new WRX engine doesn't get big gains from a tune, given its larger displacement.

For my money I'd still take the Elantra N. Hell, I'd take the Kona N as well, just because of how ridiculoues it is. I would love to see someone do a test between the WRX and Kona N.

 

[Maljey]

The new Toyota GR Corolla is a better wrx, change my mind

The GR Corrolla isn't gonna be a WRX competitor though. Its a STi competitor (even though the STi is no more). Its likely gonna cost even more than an STi as well. The markups will be ridiculous.