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The newest iteration of the Subaru Impreza has proven to be quite successful. Thanks to Subaru’s innovative global platform, the model has received numerous upgrades, including an interior that has traditionally been a weak point for the brand, now recognized as one of Wards Ten Best. However, enthusiasts will need to wait a bit longer to see these enhancements make their way to the more performance-focused WRX and STI variants. Subaru Australia’s Managing Director Colin Christie informed Motoring that a new version of the WRX is likely still two and a half to three years away.
This news may come as a letdown for prospective buyers eager to see the updates from the Impreza sooner applied to the WRX. It’s worth noting that the current WRX has been around since the 2015 model year, and the performance-focused WRX and STI are increasingly becoming niche products. Data from GoodCarBadCar.net indicates that their sales in the U.S. have remained stable at about 3,000 units per month since the introduction of this generation. Meanwhile, sales of the Impreza surged past 10,000 units per month as of this past March and continue to rise. While the WRX is still selling, the Impreza is experiencing unprecedented popularity.
Nevertheless, Subaru has not ignored the WRX. Recently, the company unveiled the limited edition WRX STI Type RA, which was showcased alongside the BRZ tS at Boxerfest last week and will also feature at the upcoming Wicked Big Meet this weekend.
However, there are undeniable challenges facing the current WRX and STI when compared to their rivals. The Volkswagen GTI and Ford Focus ST offer greater practicality as hatchbacks, while Subaru opted not to produce a hatchback version of the WRX in this generation. Additionally, the STI is at a 45-horsepower disadvantage compared to the Focus RS, and while the new Impreza boasts an impressive interior, the WRX falls short compared to competitors. Despite these drawbacks, WRX sales appear to remain unaffected. As we look ahead, it will be intriguing to see what Subaru has planned for the next generation of WRX and STI.
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