In an age/era dominated by numbers and figures, they definitely sold themselves short from a marketing standpoint. Sure "tuners" might under stand the benefit but the general public...notsomuch

Need to drive it first. The 6000 redline is disappointing, but more low end and power across the curve is good. Seems like more of a truck motor though (it did come from the Ascent)

I think its trash. after 20yrs and not even close to an AMG 45s

The turbo has an electronic wastegate which I'm interested to see how it helps boost response. No t thrilled with the plastic bypass valve or the plastic intake manifold. My complaint is the 6k redline! It's a sports sedan not a diesel jetta.

It's seems decently effective, but is incredibly boring. It's meant for Outback and Ascents.and it shows. Make a "Just the Noise" video to troll Subaru 😅

Breaking Bad reboot about to have a new meme vehicle ?

@@henlolneh hahaha Mr. White boutta send it in a '22 WRX. not a bad idea actually.

😂😂😂

Nahh, Pontiac got fucked. They would design pretty decent vehicles, then the accountants at GM would ruin them. Remember the fiero V6 gt? It was actually pretty sick. That is what the fiero was supposed to be FROM THE BEGINNING. The 5th gen camaro was supposed to have a twin turbo 4.2L i6. It got neutered and stuck in the trailblazer.

Looks don't matter when you don't have to worry about paint chips every time you drive on dirt roads

100% agree

It's ridiculous you can adjust dials and buttons by feel without ever having to take your eyes off the road. It's definitely more dangerous

Heated/cooled seats just shouldn't exist in what's labeled as a performance car.

All controls should use buttons and dials. There's no practical exception.

@@paulwade5853 A WRX is a daily driver with some performance chops, not some dedicated track day toy. They'd lose a lot of buyers if it didn't have at least heated seats on higher trims.

Japan only has Cvt wrx no manual

@@brucelee5465 Not exactly difficult for Subaru to put the US WRX drivetrain/manual trans into the wagon body. All the parts exist, nothing requires re-engineering.

Never heard of it until today. That's a seriously cool car. Bummer we don't get it imported here with a manual.

@@stevemartegani americans dont buy wagons

Jesus it's atrocious.

It looks like when you do most of your homework but get lazy and hit up your friend (brz) for the last few answers.

@Taichou Levi 3 hp more may not seem like much, but it’s on 4 lbs less boost. This engine will vastly outperform the ej257 in your STi mod for mod, the fa20 in the previous generation WRX does as well…

The whole thing is just messed up though lol

@@sleeper.simulant7327 Likely so, but that's also thousands of additional dollars and a voided warranty. May not matter in the argument of which platform is better for modifications, but it sure matters for those of us who don't have the time to wrench.

I owned an 07 Subaru and miss how dead ass simple that interior was. Why Subaru thought sticking a TV on the dash was a good idea I'll never know.

The oversized vertical touchscreen with integrated HVAC is the main reason I won't buy this car. I refuse to buy anything without physical HVAC controls.

@@colinsdad1 Because it's what most people expect now-a-days and unfortunately what they want. No idea how, I find it difficult as hell to hit buttons on screen while bouncing down the road, but apparently I'm in the minority.

@@djsone3499 they have a base model which has physical hvac buttons.

@@MrSlowestD16 Maybe it's my age (49) but, all I want are two things in a car- a manual transmission and FOR THE CAR TO STAY THE FUCK OUT OF MY DRIVING!! I don't need it talking to me, "grabbing" the wheel because it thinks I'm out of my lane, or flashing and blasting sounds at me while I'm just driving down the road. I'm in the process of building my Own K Code Mustang with a 1995 Steeda- it has a 306 in it with a... *gasp*.... carburetor!! That way, I can actually tune/work on the fucking thing!

😂😂

Matt did a commendable job of not puking about the entire car. It is such a disappointment. Outgoing car is a cult tuner car. That's what makes this so hard to accept. Subaru ruined it. Hard to believe such a fail could occur and only plausible explanation is there was a sea change in the staff at Subaru. Subaru did improve the engine and the rev hang in this car. The rest is unacceptable.

Can't blame the man 🤷‍♂️

@@lukewalker1051 sounds like you didn’t watch the review but ok lol

Wdym?

I was just thinking this and wanted to see if anyone agreed with me in the comments.

I didn’t mind the looks at first but now it looks pretty bland. Almost like a rental car.

I like the way the car looks, and the car has performance potential for days. Leagues beyond previous versions.

That's in a manual trans.. good luck getting those times constantly.

Agree 100%! 👍

It’s so dumb!!

Depends how the cvt is tbh

@@fifteen8850 I don't mind that its offered with a CVT, my issue is the GT trim is CVT only. Thats a huge miss to offer a 6MT on every trim level, excluding the best performing one.

@@fifteen8850 show me 1 cvt that’s engaging.

I had an 2020 sti, got the 2022 , its a lot faster actually than my sti and just so buttery smooth . The suspension is awesome, rides so nice. There is no way all the haters have driven one. I freaking love it.

@@illyack5593 this was my reaction after test driving it as well

The car looks awful

Same, I have owned 2 wrxs and saved up to get this one, subaru just lost a sale.

Plastics will help with longevity in the salt belt, no stone chips in the paint means no rust… I don’t mind the cladding, the rear end is a bit excessive though

@@sleeper.simulant7327 in my opinion the front it rough too. It seems a bit like a crossover and not a sporty sedan

@@ericpetschl8347 the fronts not that bad, looks modern and is fairly clean. Not perfect by any means but looks are subjective

Yeah man. I love my sti and loved my wrx before that. And I long to just let it really rip on gravel but I always hold back because I don't want to tear all the paint off the fenders, which would take about 12 minutes of beautiful, gravel-slinging joy. Yes the cladding on the 22 looks crappy but I have always liked subaru more for their function than their form anyway.

We're starting to flirt with snow (PA) and it's nice having the majority of the slush and salt slapping against that plastic instead of trying to tear the metal apart.

If you’re using this as a rally car you aren’t going to care either way. The cladding or the paint…you aren’t going to care. The main audience for this vehicle are people who will be daily driving this on the street. That cladding is ugly af and needs to be binned.

IRL I've had multiple people say they like the cladding (including every WRX owner who has come over to look at it) and one person who gave the internet review word-for-word (not enough power, it's ugly) while his buddy said "yeah, that's because you can't buy one". My reaction, as an owner, is basically "if I cared what it looked like I wouldn't have bought a WRX". I bought it because I wanted to replace my AWD daily, and I wanted whatever I bought to be quick and fun, which the new one is. What I didn't expect was how much traction the new chassis has. It's the perfect car for where I live in Pennsylvania, driving mostly 25/35 mph backroads with lots of hills and switchbacks, usually in some sort of precipitation.

Yea. Cuz 90% of the people buy who this car take it off road SMH. It's ugly as shit

...keep waking up grasshopper...keep waking up...

I’m not sure, they’ve had a CVT in this thing since the last generation. The cladding almost looks like they’re pushing more of an off-road look lol

@@SuchFinessse most likely trying to get the SUV/CUV drivers to buy the car. Seats that is higher cladding that makes the car look higher.

@@SuchFinessse isnt the cvt different in the gt trim though?

Possible that enthusiasts go for STI and the average WRX buyer is just someone who vapes in new england and won't mind the cladding

@@ABoringTool LOL!!

oxymoron

Sadly, wait to you sit in the 22 GTI's. viva la plastique.

@@gregmcable Dang thats disapointing, I also owned a 2017 gti and was blown away compared to the wrx interior. That said now with the Audi RS3 I am too spoiled.

Has to do with fit and finish, Subarus have always felt on the cheap side compared to the competition. That being said, it’s not enough for me to say no due to the AWD, where I live snow 6+ months of the year isn’t uncommon, AWD really helps

@@ShaanNotShawn RS3 is where it’s at, all you need is basic tune and bolt ons and you can humiliate a lot of cars, while still being comfortable

@@sleeper.simulant7327 oh yeah the wrx is a great car. And what I did like more about it vs the GTI was it had more of a attitude especially with an upgraded exhaust so it was more exciting to drive, and absolutely kills it in the snow. The rs3 is definitely at least twice the price but it has what I liked about both cars and of course more power and 5 cylinder turbo noises.

hood vibration on my Outback Wilderness too

It’s the tires.

@@po.russki Dunlop did develop those tires for that car but, Dunlop made some clear performance vs compliance compromises with the GT600A. I'm almost certain if you put a Goodyear, Yokohama o Michelin on there the ride quality would improve.

Also I got a CVT and it’s great. It feels like I’m driving a luxury sports Sudan and it’s the base model!

I have a soft pedal in my XT too! I dont mind it as I have the Brembo's now and the soft pedal gives me a LOT of modulation, but still with big braking if I dig in

I think they've been using the same master cylinder since forever.

that is an interesting point - my wife's '16 Crosstrek is the same way, spongey brake pedal with limited feed back. My '18 WRX is not like that, but sounds like maybe the new '22 is... apparently yet another issue not to like about the new '22.

My 2011 Outback 3.6r is the same. Brand new brakes, not the most confidence inspiring. Granted I don’t race it, just feels weird. My Mazda Speed6 has insanely good brakes in comparison

It's due to the firewall flexing. You need a master cylinder brace. Several companies make them for about $100 and takes about 30 minutes to install.

They did that when the wrx was redesigned in ‘08- people complained it was wayy too soft so they revised it in 2011

Why not a GR Yaris?

@@andreashabeck1155 not sold in the US

@@sirskorge I mean, the only market I know of where both are sold is Japan, and both are around 4 million yen (for an rz yaris and a base wrx s4)

@@TheMacroGravity i live in argentina and we have both cars too, most of european countries, australia and NZ have them too

@@TheFranpito it seems mexico has both, and the price for a mid spec wrx is the same as a base spec gr yaris. It looks like Europe dropped the wrx in 2018. Either way, the point was that the price different isn't big enough to warrant the "wrx owners can't afford a gr yaris" comment

Its a much stronger engine. Much better power delivery. I still wouldn't push it too much.

I would be curious if it wasn't for the fact that the Corolla has not been a well made car since the AE86 (in terms of anything other than an A-B car). It's been better each year, sure... but in an appliance non-enthusiast way. I'm sure the engine will be fine, but no doubt the interior / functions / feel will be second rate standard Toyota sedan/hatch. I have been yet to drive a modern Toyota that feels like a car I would ever want to drive more than once... the power is there.. but they feel super disconnected. (not including the Supra here). GR Yaris gets good reviews, but after checking one out, I was not impressed in any way, when considering the price.

If I remember right, the 2022 has more ground clearance than the outgoing model. Same AWD system as the Crosstrek so you're good there. BUT, the WRX comes with summer tires.

Make sure you have real snow tires installed, makes a MAJOR difference

Lived in Montana when owned 2018 WRX. This car was great on snow w winter tires. Sure same w this gen, but now love w FL

Some cars are worth it from the inside, regardless of how hideous they are from the outside.

I was going to get one in gray to hide the plastic, but I saw a red one in person and loved it. Subarus are ugly, and this one is no different, I love that.

Smaller interior, not as focused on sportiness. But a better daily driver indeed, yes on all other points you raised.

Internal combustion is going to die in our lifetime and ur trying to convince people to buy autos? 😵‍💫🤧🤧🤧

@@itgoes3284 Why not? I have to drive in stop and go rush hour traffic everyday weekday for work, but I also want to have a touch of power when I need/want it.

@@SomethingSeemsOff in 10 or so years there will be no new manuals so its a "enjoy it while you can" kinda deals

@@SomethingSeemsOff You make it sound like the clutch pedal in a wrx is like a dodge viper

Right!!! It's like they turned into early 2000's General Motors

what exactly are u looking for?

They’re trying to make it an SUV. I guarantee you the next generation will be one.

@@papa_pt something that doesn't look hideous from pretty much every angle

@@Vurlo I wouldn't pair hideous and dull/boring together which u going with?

What is your point, move along

You account for 1% of wrx owners, where the other 99% will spend it stanced out in a mall parking lot blowing vap clouds.

@@2jsanc681 rip. People forget the world rally in WRX 😂

As a '14 WRX Hatch Owner this solidifies I made the right decision. :P

@@ianduckett9135 lol I would've if I could've

As a '15 WRX sedan Owner this solidifies I made the right decision :P

My 2021 WRX is getting delivered on Thursday. I feel like I made a good choice.

@@jesmcalli it's the last of the real analog cars man congrats 🎉

Used S3 or golf R would do it if cost of upkeep isn’t as much of an issue. Their transmissions blow a cvt out the water lol

Mazda 3 Turbo!

@@deet4895 I never even thought to look at Mazda! I just looked at their website and ya that Mazda 3 turbo looks awesome! I can’t believe I never thought of looking at them. The hatch and the sedan both look really nice, especially for a top trim turbo for around $33k.

@@Cr125stin Yeah unfortunately alot of people forget or ignore Mazda, but they make really good reliable cars.

I thought I clicked the wrong video

I'm right there with you. Is the new engine n chassis worth trading up? I think the new brz and gr86 definitely did a better job in justifying a trade in this gen

@@jaybosher6144 100% agree. I would trade my FR-S in a heartbeat. I can't decide if I should be upset I didn't hold out for the new WRX or be totally good with it

@@ravagerracing306 idk about you but if you'd want to sell it there's dealers falling over themselves trying to buy this gen wrx. Gotten offers for almost what I paid for it including tax. Problem is trying to get a new car without getting ripped off lol. Msrp is considered a good deal in today's market

@@jaybosher6144 that's a really fair point. I hadn't even thought about what I might end up paying for the new one

@@ravagerracing306 it'd dealer dependent as some charge msrp and some add on. Best way I've seen to get msrp is to order one vs getting one off the lot. Its all backwards now lol.

accessport doesn't even add 10% more hp. You need atleast a downpipe and exhaust for a noticeable bump even then it's not fast

The Golf R will be faster but break sooner and cost of ownership will be much higher.

I think the Savagegeese channel mentioned that the Si is to the Canadian market what the Sport Touring trim is to the American market, so it gets all the extra features. I’m really frustrated by it though. They didn’t even bother to make those things options, and for those of us that live in northern states with lots of snow and cold winters, it almost seems like they didn’t think Americans get real cold or snow. It’s a little insulting.

It's only at no extra cost from an american perspective converting from USD to CAD. The catch is, salaries are similar in both countries and do not account for currency exchange rates, so converting and saying it's cheaper is a bit misleading, since it damages the pockets of the buyer the same in both. The Canadian Si is actually quite expensive. Truth be told, id rather have the cheaper 29k american one, MSRP for the Si in Canada is 35k, no fees, no taxes. All in, your about 41k... for an Si... For 41k, I can get an Elantra N all in at that price, and I'm only a few thousand away from Golf R territory. As much as the Canadian features seem nice, would you really buy a 41k Si that makes just 200hp?

But no manual transmission, so the Mazda can kiss my butt

That makes no sense at all.

@@Chilicharger665 Yes, when WangChung doesn't understand something, that's because it makes no sense at all. Otherwise, WangChung might have to learn something, and we can't have that.

92-98

Exactly! I will take it a step further and say that old Subarus are ugly, I think that's part of the appeal.

"right level of evolution" .. Mitsubishi has joined...

Why? The new platform is much stiffer than the last one- matts complaint was not about how it handled. Sure the suspension could be revised bu thats not the platform’s problem

The factory STI exhaust isn't a cat-back. It's just mufflers.

They do have a (CVT Only) Wagon alongside it, atleast in the Australian Market, it also doesnt have the cladding which is very odd.

@@laynesuhr Between that and the GT model, they really seem to be pushing that CVT.

WRX hatchback would be an easy buy, miss that car. The new WRX got too big for a sporty sedan.

The hatchback version of this would be the Crosstrek.

@@doodooswirl i have driven a Crosstrek. It's no WRX. I imagine a determined modder could make it into one.