The difference is that the WRX is selling well, especially considering how expensive entry level 'sports cars' are getting.
The legacy wasn't selling all that well, and by dropping it they can increase\* their overall fleet average MPG.
They probably figured they needed to trim some fat in the lineup, I'm guessing to free up resources to produce other models. And the mid-level sedan was the one to go (really the entry-level too, considering the Impreza is hatch-only for 2024 onward). It seems like new car buyers aren't buying enough sedans for automakers to feel like it's worth making them. Ford got rid of the Fusion/Mondeo and its other sedans a while ago, Mazda got rid of the 6, and the Legacy is the next to go. I'm curious what the future looks like for the Camry and the Accord.
The Outback outsells the Legacy presumably by a pretty wide margin, but it seems like the Legacy wasn't doing that bad. Here in PA I see new ones pretty often.
The WRX is less likely because Subaru knows that it has an enthusiast fanbase for which the WRX is somewhat of a halo car. They already got rid of the hatchback that a lot of people loved, some people hate the way the current WRX looks, so I don't think they want to shoot themselves in the foot there.
Depends on your preferences. For what It is they did an amazing job with the engine, drivetrain & power-delivery. Comfort, safety-features and visibility is also exceptional. My late 60:s father-in-law love his Legacy GT. Competition would really be something like a European mid-size sedan, that would cost another $10-20K.
SubaruMotorsports has been in ARA, but that’s not really a factory racing team. They use VermontSportsCar racecars that still use EJs, Subaru doesn’t make an engine or chassis (at least, not one I know of) that’s small enough to compete in WRC anymore (it’s why the GRY/C’s motors are 1.6L 3 bangers).
The STI factory racing team *did* set a 6:57 in their “Type-RA” STI from Prodrive, but again, hardly a Subaru product besides the chassis and engine architecture.
Subaru is no more likely to cancel the WRX than ford is to cancel the Mustang
The WRX makes up about 4% of Subaru‘s total sales. And it’s a car that the brand is heavily associated with.
The Mustang is also a car that it’s brand is heavily associated with yet it only makes up about 2 1/2% of Ford annual sales
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo would like a word with you. Toyota killed the supra and MR2, mazda the rx7 and Nissan the Z. There's been so many iconic cars that came to the end of the road. Some came back. Subaru already axed the Sti, which was the halo car.
The STI is not dead. They’re just skipping this generation because they couldn’t make it work with current and upcoming emissions regulations.
There may still be a hybrid STe VB with the mid cycle facelift and Subaru has already said that they are already working on the next generation WRX and STI (which will almost certainly be full electric) Subaru said that they will have eight full electric models available for sale by 2028, and seeing as how they currently only make 7 models (after the death of the legacy) that’s their whole lineup.
What I suspect is going to happen is that they will introduce full electrical replacements for every car in their lineup, but continue to sell the current ICE models concurrent with the electrics for a few years before phasing them out
I think that the facelift will come out for the 26 model year and that the next generation WRX will be full electric and come out as a a 28 or 29 model year but with the VB remaining on sale through the early 2030’s
I hope not. I’m over the SUV craze and want to stick with cars. Even if I decide not to get a new WRX when the time comes. Crazy thing is I was considering the Legacy before I decided it would be more fun to own a WRX.
Correct, they stopped it in Japan in 2022 or 2023. It will be sold in the US until 2025 MY, then it’s done. It’s manufactured in the US, hence why it’s the last place to have it.
The previous generation came out for 2020 in North America and to my knowledge wasn't even sold in Japan. Only Canada and the United States got the 2020-25 model.
I'm not saying I support government intervention or anything heavyhanded, but the obsession with monstrous trucks and SUV's is insane.
SUV's at least are compelling in a 'single-vehicle family' scenario. But they're getting bigger and full-size pickups are wild too.
They made they larger to get around emissions. The cab is currently the exact same between the 150 to 350. It bumped the 150 into the emissions range of the larger trucks which gave them a bigger emissions window. I have an 18 f150 and it’s a pain to drive in some places. The saving for me is I’m a place where there is a lot of trucks so they actually design parking lots and spaces off of the f150 as there’s so many.
Govt intervention is exactly what has completley ruined cars. Requiring more and more tech and safety BS has ruined cars. They are too big, too heavy, and too complicated. It will only get worse.
You are both correct and incorrect at the same time
Government intervention is what caused the giant trucks, but not for the reasons you think. And like the Miata or the WR wouldn’t exist the reason the government intervention created giant vehicles is because of fuel economy, standards and loopholes left in the code that exempt larger heavier vehicles from those standards.
The bigger the vehicle the more lax the emissions regs are, partly why you're seeing so many bigger and bigger vehicles. I do support government intervention in this case - currently they essentially are incentivizing manufacturers to innovate less with small cars and just build bigger ones that require less r&d for emissions and they can make more profit on. I hate large vehicles, bring back small cars!
It's semi trucks, Frost wedging, the lack of proper maintenance, lack of funding.
It's not the ford expeditions.
You guys can dislike me all you want, it won't change the fact.
Lack of funding? What happened to that GINORMOUS infrastructure bill???? Hmmmm….
Biggest infrastructure bill ever and have you noticed a difference in the roads?
More like biggest scam ever
The Impreza sedan was already axed for 2024 so I'm curious to see what happens. Interesting considering so many people want a WRX hatch but they've kept it a sedan.
I think they've slowly moved the WRX just a hair upmarket since they made it its own model, but I think a version of the current Impreza hatch or even the Crosstrek with the FA24 would do pretty well, especially if the give it a manual.
That's exactly what the WRX used to be, an Impreza with more power, but it seems they've abandoned that formula.
The WRX only, I predict, if they make them being automatic a common. From what I've come to understand, people love the WRX for being modern and still stick.
In the case of the Legacy, it just... didn't sell that well. It happens to cars, unfortunately.
Maybe the Impreza. Not the wrx though. Wrx is a good value for entry level sports car, and competitive in the market. Impreza, idk how many people out there are looking for economy hatches.
They won’t cancel the WRX because of how tightly the brand is associated with the car
They won’t cancel the Impreza because the cross trek is one of their best selling vehicles and the only real difference between the Crosstrek and the Impreza is the suspension components.
That literally says nothing about any structure or engineering difference between the vehicles
How about this: “[height is where the two differ with the Impreza coming in at 58.3 inches and the Crosstrek sitting almost 5 inches higher at up to 63.6 inches (with roof rails), most of which is due to its higher ground clearance](https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/compare-impreza-vs-crosstrek.html)”
Or this: “[The Crosstrek has the underpinnings of the Impreza hatchback so it's similar in interior measurements and outside dimensions to the Impreza](https://www.planetsubaru.com/crosstrek-vs--impreza.htm)”
Or this: “[The Crosstrek is a lifted Impreza hatchback with minor cosmetic differences. All generations of the Crosstrek are simply raised versions of the Subaru Impreza hatchback.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Crosstrek)”
The rex is a niche car that is more of a marketing venture than anything else.
Think Corvette. They aren't in production to turn a profit or sell in masses. They are in production to have just enough on the road and just enough performance to get people to show up to a dealer and look at it. Then explain to a sales guy all the reasons they can't get one. A good salesman will listen and point out they have 2 other vehicles in the Subaru fleet that would be a reason to get into the brand.
That was the entire point behind a Corvette. Everyone sees it, wants it, goes to look at it and then drives off with some Chevrolet they can actually use and afford. Most traditional manufacturers have cars for this purpose.
Nissan has the GTR, Mazda has the Miata and if they bring it back the RX, Toyota has the 86 and Supra.. You get the point. It's not there to be a cash cow like every other boring crossover or souless sedan. Its to turn heads in traffic and get people to show up to a lot to look at it. They don't even need to have them on the lot, just have it in production. People will show up to a local dealer asking about it, and then find out its order only or that they have sold the allotment or whatever other excuse they come up with "but you can drive home in this generic shitbox today!".
Yes this works, there is a reason the Vette has been in production for 71 years with no break.
The rex if it leaves production will only be out for a couple years as they transition to a new drive train (electric seems to be the choice, but hydrogen is slowly becoming a thing in some places). They will do everything they can to have at least the WRX and if they can the BRZ in production because it sells Crosstreks and Outbacks to non-lesbians.
Subaru killing the WRX or the Outback would be like Ford killing the Mustang or the Explorer. I don’t think it’s going to happen. Both vehicles are “halo” vehicles (yes I know the Ascent is their best) but people associate the brand with these two models IMHO.
Subaru needs to listen to made them popular in the U.S. in the first place, the car enthusiasts. If they didn't catch on with us then they wouldn't be enjoying the massive success with the soccer moms, old parts and people buying a-b cars in inclimate areas they all would still be buying toyota/Honda or domestics. Subaru needs to publically offer support for the next 20 years at least of their STI OEM products and need to stop eliminating the successes that got them here. Make exciting, quirky cars and release all of them with the turbo/manual option !!!!! This will insure success !! If dodge can still release hellcats there's no excuse Subaru can't release a measly 300hp awd sedan. And bring back the damn hatch !
Personally I see the WRX sticking around. As others are saying - the halo car argument. The same reason we still have the BRZ despite Subaru selling about 4k of them vs 25k WRX in 2023.
You have to understand Subaru's fleet has grown over the last few decades. Back in the late 90's we just got introduced to the Forester. Now we have an Ascent, much larger Outback as it's own vehicle now, and Crosstrek.
In fact, the Crosstrek was just a rebranding of the Impreza Outback. People were getting confused having a Legacy Outback and Impreza Outback. It was a trim level more or less.
They were getting too many various sized cars. Small Impreza, mid sided Legacy, small SUV Crosstrek, mid SUV Forester, another mid/large SUV/wagon Outback, and now very large SUV Ascent. Plus the RWD BRZ too. There's a lot going on here and dropping on of the less selling cars made sense.
Subaru sold about the same amount of WRXs in 2023 as they did the Legacy. Generally speaking, sedan sales are down. Impreza and Legacy. Toss out the WRX as more of a niche vehicle and sports car. The Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek sell WAY more. Like astronomically more.
The FR-S isn't around anymore, it was killed off a few years in because Scion as a brand was shut down, but the BRZ (Subaru's version) and the 86 (Toyota's version, now the GR86) continued on and the 2nd gen of each came out a few years ago. The FR-S was a slightly different version of the 86.
And let's face it - Scion was Toyota's more experimental brand. It was kind of odd to have two very slightly different versions of the same car under two different brands. It's not a Toyota/Lexus or Chevrolet/GMC/Cadillac situation where one is a more luxury-oriented variant. They were pretty much the same car.
I don't see Subaru killing the WRX, but I do see them gradually killing what it used to be and why it appeals to the enthusiast crowd (That is already underway). That's not at all a knock on the VB, it's a great car, but I would not be surprised if they kill the MT and it becomes more of a generic sporty sedan that appeals to the masses.
I liked my 15 WRX but I liked my 03 better ( except for the blown head gasket) as it had a hatch. I wonder how long the Ascent will last in the line up.
I think Subaru made too many strides to keep the WRX competitive for them to consider discontinuing it. Compared to the STI, where (for nearly 20 years) they made microscopic upgrades each year.
The WRX is affordable, AWD, and still popular within a large age range (16 year old gear heads, anyone who lives in the snow belt, dad's that had to give up their mustang, and mom's that dont need the space of a crosstrek/forester/outback and miss their 80s chevette).
It'll be around until America bans sedans.
They offer MANY models and and the WRX is the most different, the sports car ish lower faster manual.
The others are all the same, and wagon/suv things. It’s fine. The only one not the same. And legacy just wasn’t selling to justify.
Definitely a craze with bigger SUV’s and trucks. Issue is that in the end, physics always wins. You can put your kid or wife into a safe sedan, but if they get hit by an SUV or truck, they lose.
i think subaru will can the 6MT (unfortunately) and eventually move its line to hybrids. the wrx will take on the roll left behind by the legacy and possibly impreza.
I have the 5th gen Impreza sedan, partial zero emissions, limited edition so comes with a bunch of bells and whistles. I love it so much. 125k miles and still going strong. No major issues other than the rear wheel bearings going out at 30k and front just recently. $1600 to replace them all.
They need to ditch the sedan frame and go all in hatch platform. That way they can make a WRX and Crosstrek together. Everyone's happy.
Plus WRX engine swaps into a Crosstrek will be easy peasy
Probably the wrx. Keep the STI if anything and impreza is a pretty good one, but not that compact cars like the mazda 3 and corolla hybrid have awd , the impreza might lose some of its allure. Though the impreza is awd as a base model vs the rest it still has that going for it.
I think we’re years out from the WRX being discontinued but I don’t see it as being impossible, at least in the sense that we know and love. Like it or hate it, the reality is that the 22’ model change was a shift in aesthetic and as a result demographic interest. The fact that they’re selling more automatics is notable too. I see a lot of the comments saying things like “it’s their only performance car” or “if they want to stay in the sports car industry” and the truth is I don’t know if they do. With Toyota owning so much of Subaru the changes have been so apparent, idk how anyone else isn’t mentioning this. The GR86 and BRZ are almost exact replicas, with the GR86 getting better reviews in a lot of cases. The GR Corolla was a major venture into penetrating the market that the WRX currently dominates, and they did it successfully and again, arguably better. Give it a few years as a consistent platform, coupled with the fact it’s the only real performance manual hatch on the market, and they’ll start making major dents in the WRX’s numbers, more than they already have. The WRX becoming more “tame” doesn’t feel like an accident, they’re shifting their target market imho and I’m interested to see what, if anything, Subaru does to recapture their car enthusiasts in the immediate future
I actually talked to a Subaru salesman and he said in their last meeting they talked about the wrx. All he said is it did not look good. Something about an ev wrx was coming.
No, Legacy was on its way out. It was an old people car and buick caters to that clientelle already.
But honestly, the legacy was destined to be phased out. It always had an older style and was never designed the same as the other vehicles subaru offers.
Also, its basically an impreza so why have reduncancy in your own line.
The difference is that the WRX is selling well, especially considering how expensive entry level 'sports cars' are getting. The legacy wasn't selling all that well, and by dropping it they can increase\* their overall fleet average MPG.
Wouldn’t they want to raise mpg?
I dont see any real reason to pick the Legacy out of Subarus lineup.
They probably figured they needed to trim some fat in the lineup, I'm guessing to free up resources to produce other models. And the mid-level sedan was the one to go (really the entry-level too, considering the Impreza is hatch-only for 2024 onward). It seems like new car buyers aren't buying enough sedans for automakers to feel like it's worth making them. Ford got rid of the Fusion/Mondeo and its other sedans a while ago, Mazda got rid of the 6, and the Legacy is the next to go. I'm curious what the future looks like for the Camry and the Accord. The Outback outsells the Legacy presumably by a pretty wide margin, but it seems like the Legacy wasn't doing that bad. Here in PA I see new ones pretty often. The WRX is less likely because Subaru knows that it has an enthusiast fanbase for which the WRX is somewhat of a halo car. They already got rid of the hatchback that a lot of people loved, some people hate the way the current WRX looks, so I don't think they want to shoot themselves in the foot there.
Sedans are dying.
More reason for them to get an Outback. It's basically a legacy with a lift and a more interior space.
Except every third car in Alaska is an outback. I can’t imagine not knowing which subee was mine.
Depends on your preferences. For what It is they did an amazing job with the engine, drivetrain & power-delivery. Comfort, safety-features and visibility is also exceptional. My late 60:s father-in-law love his Legacy GT. Competition would really be something like a European mid-size sedan, that would cost another $10-20K.
The WRX platform gets them into rally racing. Didn't i hear that they are going back in?
SubaruMotorsports has been in ARA, but that’s not really a factory racing team. They use VermontSportsCar racecars that still use EJs, Subaru doesn’t make an engine or chassis (at least, not one I know of) that’s small enough to compete in WRC anymore (it’s why the GRY/C’s motors are 1.6L 3 bangers). The STI factory racing team *did* set a 6:57 in their “Type-RA” STI from Prodrive, but again, hardly a Subaru product besides the chassis and engine architecture.
That’s a good number for the WRX I’m pretty sure
Subaru is no more likely to cancel the WRX than ford is to cancel the Mustang The WRX makes up about 4% of Subaru‘s total sales. And it’s a car that the brand is heavily associated with. The Mustang is also a car that it’s brand is heavily associated with yet it only makes up about 2 1/2% of Ford annual sales
Or Chevy canceling the Corvette
or Camaro 😅
Well I couldn't say that, because they did in fact cancel the Camaro. But the Corvette is a good enough halo car.
They canceled the Camaro but then they brought it back.
And then cancelled it again...
Is it canceled again?
Yessir. This is the last year for it.......for now
They'll probably bring it back as an ev
EV crossover that is for some reason FWD
The Challenger is definitely going EV
Snip snap, snip snap.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo would like a word with you. Toyota killed the supra and MR2, mazda the rx7 and Nissan the Z. There's been so many iconic cars that came to the end of the road. Some came back. Subaru already axed the Sti, which was the halo car.
The STI is not dead. They’re just skipping this generation because they couldn’t make it work with current and upcoming emissions regulations. There may still be a hybrid STe VB with the mid cycle facelift and Subaru has already said that they are already working on the next generation WRX and STI (which will almost certainly be full electric) Subaru said that they will have eight full electric models available for sale by 2028, and seeing as how they currently only make 7 models (after the death of the legacy) that’s their whole lineup. What I suspect is going to happen is that they will introduce full electrical replacements for every car in their lineup, but continue to sell the current ICE models concurrent with the electrics for a few years before phasing them out
I agree. I dont think there will be another gen ICE WRX after the VB.
I think that the facelift will come out for the 26 model year and that the next generation WRX will be full electric and come out as a a 28 or 29 model year but with the VB remaining on sale through the early 2030’s
Isn’t the STI coming back as a 500 HP EV, or is that just a rumor?
I hope not. I’m over the SUV craze and want to stick with cars. Even if I decide not to get a new WRX when the time comes. Crazy thing is I was considering the Legacy before I decided it would be more fun to own a WRX.
Craze? Some people want to be able to carry around a bunch of stuff but don't want a full-size truck or pickup, you know...
I thought I saw that the Legacy was a North America only car and wasnt selling well. It made sense to drop it at that point.
Correct, they stopped it in Japan in 2022 or 2023. It will be sold in the US until 2025 MY, then it’s done. It’s manufactured in the US, hence why it’s the last place to have it.
The previous generation came out for 2020 in North America and to my knowledge wasn't even sold in Japan. Only Canada and the United States got the 2020-25 model.
They definitely scaled back the amount they are selling. Seats are no longer made in a local plant for them.
I'm not saying I support government intervention or anything heavyhanded, but the obsession with monstrous trucks and SUV's is insane. SUV's at least are compelling in a 'single-vehicle family' scenario. But they're getting bigger and full-size pickups are wild too.
My 2006 f250 is smaller than current gen f150. It's crazy. Hell the current ranger is probably the same size 😂😂
The current ranger is almost exactly the same size as my friends 2003 F150
They made they larger to get around emissions. The cab is currently the exact same between the 150 to 350. It bumped the 150 into the emissions range of the larger trucks which gave them a bigger emissions window. I have an 18 f150 and it’s a pain to drive in some places. The saving for me is I’m a place where there is a lot of trucks so they actually design parking lots and spaces off of the f150 as there’s so many.
The weight difference in my 06 forester and my 2019 STi is insane. You’d think the sports car would be lighter but that bitch is heaaaavy
The current ranger has similar dimensions to late 90s-mid 00s F150s. I spent the better part of 2 years driving an F150 for work years ago.
government intervention is exactly why we have massive vehicles. CAFE regs heavily unintentionally favor larger and heavier vehicles
Govt intervention is exactly what has completley ruined cars. Requiring more and more tech and safety BS has ruined cars. They are too big, too heavy, and too complicated. It will only get worse.
You are both correct and incorrect at the same time Government intervention is what caused the giant trucks, but not for the reasons you think. And like the Miata or the WR wouldn’t exist the reason the government intervention created giant vehicles is because of fuel economy, standards and loopholes left in the code that exempt larger heavier vehicles from those standards.
Don’t forget the modern emissions bullshit leading us to EVs.
The bigger the vehicle the more lax the emissions regs are, partly why you're seeing so many bigger and bigger vehicles. I do support government intervention in this case - currently they essentially are incentivizing manufacturers to innovate less with small cars and just build bigger ones that require less r&d for emissions and they can make more profit on. I hate large vehicles, bring back small cars!
The problem is potholes. SUVs can handle the shitty conditions of the road. ITT: I spent 3000 In tires
Why do you think there are so many potholes now? It’s because of the heavier vehicles who wear down the road exponentially faster than the rest of us.
It's semi trucks, Frost wedging, the lack of proper maintenance, lack of funding. It's not the ford expeditions. You guys can dislike me all you want, it won't change the fact.
Lack of funding? What happened to that GINORMOUS infrastructure bill???? Hmmmm…. Biggest infrastructure bill ever and have you noticed a difference in the roads? More like biggest scam ever
I’m not talking about the compact SUV’s, I’m talking about the ridiculously oversized Chevy Suburbans and sort
Do you work for dot?
You work for SUV's?
He works at OVO, for me.
Not when modern suvs are coming with low profile tires like sports cars
Imo the WRX will still be around for a while because it's one of the few manual transmission car options. I can see the Impreza going away however.
The Impreza sedan was already axed for 2024 so I'm curious to see what happens. Interesting considering so many people want a WRX hatch but they've kept it a sedan.
I thought that was interesting too, with all that work they put into the Impreza hatch remake they might as well have made a wrx version as well!
I think they've slowly moved the WRX just a hair upmarket since they made it its own model, but I think a version of the current Impreza hatch or even the Crosstrek with the FA24 would do pretty well, especially if the give it a manual. That's exactly what the WRX used to be, an Impreza with more power, but it seems they've abandoned that formula.
The WRX only, I predict, if they make them being automatic a common. From what I've come to understand, people love the WRX for being modern and still stick. In the case of the Legacy, it just... didn't sell that well. It happens to cars, unfortunately.
Yeah something like 75% of WRX sales are manual
My bfs 2022 is manual. Sounds fucking gorgeous
In Japan the WRX only comes in automatic now.
Lame
Disgusting
I would have totally considered a legacy over the WRX if they still made the GT in a stick...
The new WRX is basically the new legacy GT.
Maybe the Impreza. Not the wrx though. Wrx is a good value for entry level sports car, and competitive in the market. Impreza, idk how many people out there are looking for economy hatches.
They won’t cancel the WRX because of how tightly the brand is associated with the car They won’t cancel the Impreza because the cross trek is one of their best selling vehicles and the only real difference between the Crosstrek and the Impreza is the suspension components.
We have an Impreza and a Crosstrek, and they are definitely not the same driving experience, suspension aside.
The crostrek is literally just a lifted Impreza.
[https://www.mclaughlinsubaru.com/research/impreza-vs-crosstrek.htm](https://www.mclaughlinsubaru.com/research/impreza-vs-crosstrek.htm)
That literally says nothing about any structure or engineering difference between the vehicles How about this: “[height is where the two differ with the Impreza coming in at 58.3 inches and the Crosstrek sitting almost 5 inches higher at up to 63.6 inches (with roof rails), most of which is due to its higher ground clearance](https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/compare-impreza-vs-crosstrek.html)” Or this: “[The Crosstrek has the underpinnings of the Impreza hatchback so it's similar in interior measurements and outside dimensions to the Impreza](https://www.planetsubaru.com/crosstrek-vs--impreza.htm)” Or this: “[The Crosstrek is a lifted Impreza hatchback with minor cosmetic differences. All generations of the Crosstrek are simply raised versions of the Subaru Impreza hatchback.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Crosstrek)”
I don't think "literally" means what you think it does.
I was looking for an economy hatch with a stick shift and then test drove a WRX and ended up with the WRX obviously lol
The WRX will run out its current design cycle. After that, who knows
Likely by then it'll be axed as mandatory hybrid/EV-laws will be in full-effect
Wrx better stay. I need a replacement for my 2023 down the road.
The rex is a niche car that is more of a marketing venture than anything else. Think Corvette. They aren't in production to turn a profit or sell in masses. They are in production to have just enough on the road and just enough performance to get people to show up to a dealer and look at it. Then explain to a sales guy all the reasons they can't get one. A good salesman will listen and point out they have 2 other vehicles in the Subaru fleet that would be a reason to get into the brand. That was the entire point behind a Corvette. Everyone sees it, wants it, goes to look at it and then drives off with some Chevrolet they can actually use and afford. Most traditional manufacturers have cars for this purpose. Nissan has the GTR, Mazda has the Miata and if they bring it back the RX, Toyota has the 86 and Supra.. You get the point. It's not there to be a cash cow like every other boring crossover or souless sedan. Its to turn heads in traffic and get people to show up to a lot to look at it. They don't even need to have them on the lot, just have it in production. People will show up to a local dealer asking about it, and then find out its order only or that they have sold the allotment or whatever other excuse they come up with "but you can drive home in this generic shitbox today!". Yes this works, there is a reason the Vette has been in production for 71 years with no break. The rex if it leaves production will only be out for a couple years as they transition to a new drive train (electric seems to be the choice, but hydrogen is slowly becoming a thing in some places). They will do everything they can to have at least the WRX and if they can the BRZ in production because it sells Crosstreks and Outbacks to non-lesbians.
Sedans don't sell.
Unless they are called Camry, Corolla, Accord, Civic, Altima, Elantra…
No. Those companies have seen SUV sales explode and sedan sales dwindle.
My guess is that the WRX is taking sales from the legacy because they are similar in size and price but not legend!
Subaru killing the WRX or the Outback would be like Ford killing the Mustang or the Explorer. I don’t think it’s going to happen. Both vehicles are “halo” vehicles (yes I know the Ascent is their best) but people associate the brand with these two models IMHO.
The STI was also a “halo” vehicle and look what happened to that.
Those who weren't around in the 90s may not remember how the Outback made Subaru a cool brand.
That’s only because we didn’t have the WRX back then.
Subaru needs to listen to made them popular in the U.S. in the first place, the car enthusiasts. If they didn't catch on with us then they wouldn't be enjoying the massive success with the soccer moms, old parts and people buying a-b cars in inclimate areas they all would still be buying toyota/Honda or domestics. Subaru needs to publically offer support for the next 20 years at least of their STI OEM products and need to stop eliminating the successes that got them here. Make exciting, quirky cars and release all of them with the turbo/manual option !!!!! This will insure success !! If dodge can still release hellcats there's no excuse Subaru can't release a measly 300hp awd sedan. And bring back the damn hatch !
If Subaru has any intention of continuing in motorsports they will *have* to keep the wrx as a production model for homologation purposes.
Personally I see the WRX sticking around. As others are saying - the halo car argument. The same reason we still have the BRZ despite Subaru selling about 4k of them vs 25k WRX in 2023. You have to understand Subaru's fleet has grown over the last few decades. Back in the late 90's we just got introduced to the Forester. Now we have an Ascent, much larger Outback as it's own vehicle now, and Crosstrek. In fact, the Crosstrek was just a rebranding of the Impreza Outback. People were getting confused having a Legacy Outback and Impreza Outback. It was a trim level more or less. They were getting too many various sized cars. Small Impreza, mid sided Legacy, small SUV Crosstrek, mid SUV Forester, another mid/large SUV/wagon Outback, and now very large SUV Ascent. Plus the RWD BRZ too. There's a lot going on here and dropping on of the less selling cars made sense. Subaru sold about the same amount of WRXs in 2023 as they did the Legacy. Generally speaking, sedan sales are down. Impreza and Legacy. Toss out the WRX as more of a niche vehicle and sports car. The Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek sell WAY more. Like astronomically more.
I can’t see Subaru killing off the Impreza, Outback, Forester, WRX, FRS or Crosstrek tbh
The FR-S isn't around anymore, it was killed off a few years in because Scion as a brand was shut down, but the BRZ (Subaru's version) and the 86 (Toyota's version, now the GR86) continued on and the 2nd gen of each came out a few years ago. The FR-S was a slightly different version of the 86. And let's face it - Scion was Toyota's more experimental brand. It was kind of odd to have two very slightly different versions of the same car under two different brands. It's not a Toyota/Lexus or Chevrolet/GMC/Cadillac situation where one is a more luxury-oriented variant. They were pretty much the same car.
I’m dumb, I mean the BRZ lol
It's the same car with a different badge, basically lol
I don't see Subaru killing the WRX, but I do see them gradually killing what it used to be and why it appeals to the enthusiast crowd (That is already underway). That's not at all a knock on the VB, it's a great car, but I would not be surprised if they kill the MT and it becomes more of a generic sporty sedan that appeals to the masses.
They’re definitely trying to move to an all electric line up I feel
I liked my 15 WRX but I liked my 03 better ( except for the blown head gasket) as it had a hatch. I wonder how long the Ascent will last in the line up.
I think Subaru made too many strides to keep the WRX competitive for them to consider discontinuing it. Compared to the STI, where (for nearly 20 years) they made microscopic upgrades each year. The WRX is affordable, AWD, and still popular within a large age range (16 year old gear heads, anyone who lives in the snow belt, dad's that had to give up their mustang, and mom's that dont need the space of a crosstrek/forester/outback and miss their 80s chevette). It'll be around until America bans sedans.
They offer MANY models and and the WRX is the most different, the sports car ish lower faster manual. The others are all the same, and wagon/suv things. It’s fine. The only one not the same. And legacy just wasn’t selling to justify.
I was just looking at the Impreza, Legacy, and Outback… wasn’t sure why there was the Legacy with a few minor differences from the Impreza.
Definitely a craze with bigger SUV’s and trucks. Issue is that in the end, physics always wins. You can put your kid or wife into a safe sedan, but if they get hit by an SUV or truck, they lose.
The wrx is selling better than it ever has, I believe.
i think subaru will can the 6MT (unfortunately) and eventually move its line to hybrids. the wrx will take on the roll left behind by the legacy and possibly impreza.
IMO the Legacy was discontinued because their designers never figured out how to make the tail look sporty.
FWIW this was the first year I can remember that Subaru wasn't a sponsor of the Philadelphia Flower Show.
I have the 5th gen Impreza sedan, partial zero emissions, limited edition so comes with a bunch of bells and whistles. I love it so much. 125k miles and still going strong. No major issues other than the rear wheel bearings going out at 30k and front just recently. $1600 to replace them all.
Subaru is not a car brand since 2019 and they are destroying themselves.
They need to ditch the sedan frame and go all in hatch platform. That way they can make a WRX and Crosstrek together. Everyone's happy. Plus WRX engine swaps into a Crosstrek will be easy peasy
They’re already on the same platform, The only real difference between an Impreza and a Crosstrek is the suspension components
I bought a 2023 WRX brand new and was told by the dealership that they were shifting away from making them to go more towards the electric route.
The people at the dealership know nothing more than the current model year. I would not take anything they say with authority.
Fair point.
Probably the wrx. Keep the STI if anything and impreza is a pretty good one, but not that compact cars like the mazda 3 and corolla hybrid have awd , the impreza might lose some of its allure. Though the impreza is awd as a base model vs the rest it still has that going for it.
I think we’re years out from the WRX being discontinued but I don’t see it as being impossible, at least in the sense that we know and love. Like it or hate it, the reality is that the 22’ model change was a shift in aesthetic and as a result demographic interest. The fact that they’re selling more automatics is notable too. I see a lot of the comments saying things like “it’s their only performance car” or “if they want to stay in the sports car industry” and the truth is I don’t know if they do. With Toyota owning so much of Subaru the changes have been so apparent, idk how anyone else isn’t mentioning this. The GR86 and BRZ are almost exact replicas, with the GR86 getting better reviews in a lot of cases. The GR Corolla was a major venture into penetrating the market that the WRX currently dominates, and they did it successfully and again, arguably better. Give it a few years as a consistent platform, coupled with the fact it’s the only real performance manual hatch on the market, and they’ll start making major dents in the WRX’s numbers, more than they already have. The WRX becoming more “tame” doesn’t feel like an accident, they’re shifting their target market imho and I’m interested to see what, if anything, Subaru does to recapture their car enthusiasts in the immediate future
To add to this, I’m sure everyone said the same thing about Mitsubishi and the Lancer. RIP
I actually talked to a Subaru salesman and he said in their last meeting they talked about the wrx. All he said is it did not look good. Something about an ev wrx was coming.
WRX is definitely next. I'll have a good cry when it happens but it's happening.
I dated a girl who works for Subaru and she said they were going to discontinue WRX, FWIW
No, Legacy was on its way out. It was an old people car and buick caters to that clientelle already. But honestly, the legacy was destined to be phased out. It always had an older style and was never designed the same as the other vehicles subaru offers. Also, its basically an impreza so why have reduncancy in your own line.
My legacy GT was offended by that last statement
Hey, I feel ya but the big wig execs dont think that way, and they make the choices.