Subaru WRX STI Marches On As Brand’s Only Performance Model

With the Subaru Forester 2.0XT axed in favor of a trim level called Forester Sport, the WRX and WRX STI are Subaru’s only true performance cars. The BRZ is a sports coupe, but there’s no turbo model at least yet.

The 2018 WRX/STI is still selling well in the U.S. Last month Subaru of America reported the performance model sold 3,028 units which is a 0.7 percent drop compared with last year’s numbers. Year to date, the WRX/STI (-6.5) saw the smallest drop in sales in the Subaru stable. Forester (-10.5), Impreza (-11.5), Legacy (-17.4), and BRZ (-11.5) were also down. Crosstrek (+65.3) and Outback (+3.6) are the only two models up for the year.

STI just celebrated their 30 year anniversary and it looks like there are good things coming for the WRX STI performance sedan. This year, Subaru of America launched the 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA for their 50-year anniversary in the U.S. with more power and higher performance upgrades over the standard model. Only 500 examples were produced and they sold out quickly.

The WRX/STI id due for a remodel, but Subaru undertakes redesigns less frequently for the STI, every six or seven years. The first-generation WRX lasted six years (2002 through 2007) and the second generation went seven years (2008 through 2014). Subaru has not announced when we will we see that model, perhaps as a 2020 or a 2021 model.

Photo credit: Subaru USA