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It’s Time For The Subaru WRX Sedan To Ride Off Into The Sunset

Subaru Canada has an interesting image on social media. The 2024 Subaru WRX is riding off into the sunset. Here's why I think it's an idea that has reached its time.

Is it time for the 2024 Subaru WRX sedan to be put to rest? Put to rest permanently. There's an interesting image of the Subaru WRX riding off into the sunset from Subaru, Canada. I would say it could be a good idea now, but before I explain why, here is what Subaru had in mind.  

The WRX riding off into the sunset is not what Subaru Canada had in mind when it posted the image on its Facebook page. It was meant to celebrate sunsets. Subaru Canada says, "We want to see your sunset pics to celebrate the sun. Share your #SubarusAndSunsets photos in the comments!"

Subaru WRX hatch on the beach

What Are The WRX Trends Now?

I've written extensively about why Subaru needs to bring back the WRX hatchback. I recently wrote about its dismal sales, which have been on a downward slide for nine consecutive months. Now, after the April sales report from Subaru of America, WRX sales have decreased ten months in a row. That's significant. 

Subaru of America reports that the WRX sold 1,886 performance sports cars in April, compared with 2,667 models in April 2023. The WRX performance sedan decreased 29.3 percent in April, and for the first four months of 2024, the WRX dropped 38.8 percent, the most of any Subaru model. 

The WRX Has Decreased Ten Consecutive Months. 

  1. April 2024 -29.3%
  2. March 2024 -38.9%
  3. February 2024 -46.3%
  4. January 2024 -41.6%
  5. December 2023 -37.1%
  6. November 2023 -37.3%
  7. October 2023 -14.7%
  8. September 2023 -2.7%
  9. August 2023 -27.2%
  10. July 2023 -25.1%

Ok, So What Does The WRX Need?

Let's review where the WRX has been. Subaru performance enthusiasts remember when it was the Impreza WRX. Subaru dropped the Impreza name from WRX in 2015, which was a good move for Subaru. The same year, the Japanese automaker dropped the WRX hatchback. I would say that was not a good decision. 

The current WRX is underperforming, as the sales numbers validate. So, something needs to change. I'm not advocating for Subaru to drop the WRX like they did the Legacy sedan. I am saying that Subaru Corporation needs to drop the sedan and bring back the WRX hatchback. 

Subaru dropped the Impreza sedan from the lineup and went with a hatchback-only on all trim levels. They need to do the same with the WRX. 

Giving the WRX a hatchback body style would create a buzz around the performance car that would last for years. A hot WRX hatch would increase sales and provide the WRX with new life. 

The WRX Sedan Is Old 

The hatch offers more utility, and it's sportier than the sedan. Sedans are out as more buyers choose the crossovers and hatch models. But the WRX is still in the dark ages with a sedan body style.

It's precisely what Subaru of America needs to ask Subaru Corporate for—an all-new 2025 WRX hatchback body style. Subaru needs to drop the WRX sedan. 

IT'S YOUR TURN

What about you? Would you like to see Subaru Corporation bring back the WRX hatch? Should the Japanese automaker drop the WRX sedan? Click on the red Add new comment below and let us know what you think.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru WRX story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News and Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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photo credit: Subaru

Automotive News
Performance Vehicles
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Comments

Gilbert Bandry (not verified)    May 8, 2024 - 8:12AM

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Well, yes, bring back a hatchback STI! I have bought 19 Subarus since 1996, including 3 WRXs, 2 STIs a multitude of Imprezas and 2 Legacys, including the 2.5 GT. It is sad that Subaru has gone astray. This has led me (again, for the first time since 1996) to buy a 2024 VW Golf R 6-speed and waiting on a Toyota Corolla GR! Sad.
Please, Subaru, bring back the STI! I would buy one so long as it is a gasoline powered manual transmission.

Richard Hoffman (not verified)    May 8, 2024 - 5:30PM

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Right there with you. I have owned, driven and loved my 2008 STi for 16 years, and now that 16 winters of northern New England road salt have finally done their worst, I wish I could get another just like it. But the closest I could find, here and now, is the GR Corolla, so that's what I bought last week. It's good, and as close as I can get. As I told the Subaru dealer, I would have bought a new hatchback STi in a heartbeat if I could, but the WRX sedan isn't an adequate substitute. Full marks to Toyota for doing what Subaru wouldn't, and making a driver's car that's an AWD manual hot hatch. Now to stick some lift springs in that GR.

Steve West (not verified)    May 8, 2024 - 6:35PM

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A hatchback isn't the solution. The problem is they completely botched this wrx: it lacks everything that endeared real drivers to the old wrx, with no boost in performance. They totally missed their target audience: drivers who don't care if they spill their coffee, as long as their ride feels more like a rally car than a Legacy.

Toren Orzeck (not verified)    May 8, 2024 - 7:30PM

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The WRX needs help and so does Subaru overall.
The sedan is dead in America, so i agree the hot hatch would have been smarter. The also should leverage the STI and or WRX banding on there other cars. Imagine a Crosstrek STI..

The beauty of a Subaru is its all wheel drive, high ground clearance and incredible value, but value does not mean lagging so far behind. Its ergonomics are crap. We have a '24 Limited and its short center console arm rest is poorly positioned, the seats are better, sort of but the seat part is too short,. the lumbar should be on the passenger seat as well, the steering wheel is terrible- its a simple round cross section shape feels toy like., The steering wheel should be heated on the limited and wilderness or be an option. The crappy orange perforations in the leather interior tells you it's not leather , it looks cheap,. There should be rear vents at the back of the center console the user interface on the big 11,6 screen is terribly dated looking. (tihis can be updated via an over the air update) and Subaru should do it. The chrome liug nuts are gross as well, go black I'm also not getting the mpg the car is supposed to get.. .