2022 Subaru WRX Pricing Indicates AWD Fun Is Not Getting Any Cheaper

With the 2022 Subaru WRX, the fifth generation of the iconic rally racer, soon going on sale, it has a lot to live up to. Regardless of how fans feel about the latest WRX, buying one is now more expensive. Pricing starts at $30,100 for a six-speed manual base model, while the WRX GT—the step before hopping into the STI—starts at $42,890 with a transmission that Subaru refuses to call a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) but is totally a CVT. On the GT, the Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT, or CVT), being the only option. Let's see how the new WRX lineup's pricing compares to last year's and other affordable enthusiast models.

2022 vs. 2021, Price Showdown

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When you compare the prices of the new WRX to the 2021 version, you might wonder where the extra money is going. The entry-level 2021 WRX with the six-speed transmission cost $28,420; the new 2022 WRX is $30,100. The only feature additions are the keyless push-button start, dual 7.0-inch touchscreens (the upper unit controlling your typical entertainment, navigation, and rear view camera while the bottom is for HVAC and vehicle settings), and a larger 2.4-liter engine versus the old 2.0-liter (albeit with only mild power gains).

That price difference of $1,680 seems rather steep with those being the only upgrades between the base models. However, if you hate rowing your own gears, you now have the option for the SPT/CVT for an extra $1,850, bringing the MSRP up to $31,950. It also gives you some "manual" control with a pair of flappy paddles behind the steering wheel for choosing among several pre-set ratios.

The Price Hikes Continue As You Hike Up the Lineup

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These 2022 price increases continue for the rest of the WRX line up. For example, the next step up for the WRX is the Premium trim. With the six-speed manual it is now $980 more than last year's equivalent, at $32,600. That premium (no pun intended) is based on the 2022's addition of LED fog lights, rear spoiler, dual automatic climate control, two USB ports in the rear center console, and the 11.6-inch "tablet style" Starlink display that replaces the dual 7.0-inch displays. The Premium already sounds like a better deal than the base version, when comparing year-over-year feature changes.

The glitzier Limited now costs $36,990, $3,970 more than last year. After your eyes stop watering from looking at that, brace yourself for the lack of true upgrades. The only new bits you'll get over what was available last year are front and rear seats in Ultrasuede trim, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, power moonroof, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and voice-activated navigation powered by TomTom on the 11.6-inch display. Don't worry, you'll get three years of free map updates with that price, too.

Stepping Up Trims And CVTs

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In 2021, the step up from Limited to Premium was only $1,400. But for 2022 that gap expands to $4,390. Ouch. Keep in mind that those prices are just for the six-speed manual versions; where adding the CVT last year cost $1,900 for both the Premium and Limited, now doing so tacks on $2,050 for the Premium and $2,250 for the Limited.

The GT

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While the next-generation WRX STI—the WRX's more powerful, harder-core sibling—hasn't been announced yet, there is one more trim for the WRX in 2022: the GT, and it's new for 2022. While the GT lacks a 2021 equivalent to compare it to, looking at its $42,890 price you could be forgiven for thinking it's some kind of STI replacement. Why? You could have bought a 2021 WRX STI Limited with a wing or a spoiler for the same cash and had $20 to spare (and more power, etc. ). The 2021 STI without the aero was $38,170 and even if you opted for the Recaro front seats, it was still $2,470 cheaper than the 2022 GT. We wonder how much the new STI will cost...

Anyway, the only advantages the GT holds over the old STI are that it comes standard with Recaro front seats and electronically adjustable dampers. However, the GT comes without the STI's stouter 2.5-liter turbo flat-four engine, Brembo six-piston front brake calipers, or STI-branded 19-inch wheels.

2022 WRX vs. Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ

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We'll start by looking at the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 twins. Both start at just under $30,000, with the BRZ at $28,990 and the GR86 at $29,150 with six speed manuals. This makes the BRZ $1,110 cheaper and the GR86 and $950 cheaper than the base WRX, though you're only getting two driven wheels instead of four, two fewer doors, and one fewer perch for a passenger (there is no middle seat in the sports cars' tiny rear quarters). Stepping up to their only other trims, the Limited for the BRZ and the Premium for the GR86 puts you just over $30,000 at $31,325 for the GR86 Premium and $31,490 for the BRZ Limited. While these are both more expensive than the base WRX, looking at it from a trim-for-trim comparison the BRZ Limited is $5,500 cheaper and the GR86 Premium is $5,665 cheaper than the WRX Limited.

2022 WRX vs. Honda Civic Si, Golf GTI and R

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You could buy a 2022 Honda Civic Si ($28,315) and come away with $1,785 in your pocket instead of grabbing a WRX, or use $200 of that savings and go with the 2022 Honda Civic Si HPT ($28,515) and enjoy its grippier summer tires. While you lose 71 hp and driven rear wheels, you do get far better fuel mileage, a limited slip (front) differential, physical HVAC controls over the Subie's touchscreen controls, a power moonroof, and a Bose audio system.

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For a more European alternative, the Volkswagen Golf GTI rings in at $30,935. That's $835 more and 30 hp less than the base WRX, but you do LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon Premium Sound, four USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electronically adjustable dampers, and a limited slip front differential that can also lock under straight line acceleration. To get anything close to that sort of equipment, you'd need to get the WRX Premium and spend $1,665 more.

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Heck, even spending $1,750 over the price of the WRX GT, you can get the Golf with AWD, via the Golf R, and get an extra 44 hp with either a manual transmission or VW's DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission along with front seats in Nappa leather, a 12-way driver's seat, ambient interior lighting in 30 colors, Drift mode, a heated leather steering wheel, full LED lighting (not just the headlights and fog lights) and a panoramic sunroof. In both VWs, however, you'll contend with infuriatingly stubborn touch-sensitive controls across the dashboard; they look sleek, but are a pain to use.

So?

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When just looking at the price difference between the new WRX and the old, remember: Most new cars get pricier when redesigned. Whether the upcharge is worth it to you depends on how you dig the new Subaru WRX. We can only say that if AWD is a must for your $30,000-ish sporty car, then the Subaru really your only choice, even if cheaper two-wheel-drive alternatives exist.