A 4,000-mile search for greatness in our long-term 2022 Subaru WRX Limited.
Brandon LimWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographer
The Subaru WRX is at a crossroads. Long a sport-compact heavyweight, in a MotorTrendcomparison test last year against the likes of the Hyundai Elantra N, Honda Civic Si, and others, the new-generation WRX couldn’t match up to some of the more versatile competition. With a Subaru WRX Limited test car in the MotorTrend long-term test fleet, I wanted to see if the special magic of earlier WRXs could be found in the latest version. So I spent more than 4,000 miles in the car with one goal: Find out where the WRX shines. With the breadth of terrain, driving roads, and variable weather California provides, it was the perfect opportunity to learn a lot about the car.
Escape from L.A.
To arrive at any great driving road in Southern California, you must first endure mind-numbing rush-hour traffic. An important test of any good daily driver is how it fares against the tortuous stop-and-go commutes to and from work. The 2022 Subaru WRX Limited ‘s six-speed manual’s light shift throws and well-damped clutch pedal make for quick and easy first-to-neutral and back-to-first shifts without exerting much energy. While I prefer crisp, notchy shifts in a manual, the WRX’s less-direct gearbox didn’t wear me out as quickly as I expected. At first, I was opposed to the damped feedback the manual transmission provided, but after a week of commuting, it quickly grew on me as it faded into the background of daily driving.
The Backroads
Toss the WRX into a corner and you’re greeted with a lively companion eager to eat up any twist or turn you throw at it. From tight, damp roads in the Redwoods to the fast canyons of Angeles Crest Highway, I found the driving experience to be the same: predictable, composed handling that lets you carry speed and confidence into a corner. Although spirited driving at times can feel slightly one-dimensional with the Subaru’s fixed 50/50 power split, that didn’t stop me wanting to take every twisty detour I could find on my road trip. The majority of my mileage was spent exploring backroads and finding excuses to take the long way through.
Powering the WRX
The Subaru WRX’s engine output has never been extreme, and I feared our long-termer’s 271-hp 2.4-liter turbo flat-four wouldn’t be enough to enjoy in the canyons, but I was wrong. With the equal-length headers working to boost midrange torque, I discovered that its 271 hp paired with the 6-speed manual is plenty stout.
Off Roads
Carrying the same energy from backroad driving onto gravel roads, I was left wishing the 2022 Subaru WRX Limited had the old WRX STI’s driver-controlled center-differential AWD system. While the new manual WRX’s 50/50 power split will keep you planted on gravel, it does not allow much loose tail wagging when you get on the power. (CVT-equipped WRX’s feature a variable torque split).
While my rally dreams were somewhat muted, you can, however, cheat a little: Simply give the WRX a little Scandinavian flick paired with some lift-off oversteer for some exaggerated rotation before the AWD quickly pulls you straight again. Flogging a WRX down a fire road will always be entertaining regardless of how far you can kick the tail out, and it reminds you the fun doesn’t end when the asphalt does.
Rain or Shine
Spoiled by countless consecutive days of sunshine in Southern California, I also took advantage of the abnormal rainstorms that hit the region to test the car’s wet handling characteristics on some of my favorite canyon roads. This time, I was thankful for that 50/50 power split; the WRX remained dynamically stable, translating the same level of confidence onto wet surfaces. Never once did it lose grip, and the predictable control delivered a calm driving experience through the wettest of weather.
Jack of All Trades
In the end, I realized I had a flawed approach previously when I tried to discover the WRX’s one strength over the competition. Yes, there are cars that outclass the WRX in each individual task. A DSG VW Golf GTI is easier in traffic, a Hyundai Elantra N is more animated in corners, and a Toyota GR Corolla is more playful in loose gravel. However, the WRX blends much of what makes its competitors great into one cohesive package.
Our Subaru WRX Can Do It All
After logging almost 5,000 miles without fatigue, I finally came to appreciate our long-term 2022 Subaru WRX Limited. This car can do it all; it’s sharp enough to enjoy a spirited drive but soft enough around the edges to be livable every day. Having owned an Impreza WRX wagon throughout high-school and college, this new one feels like a faithful successor to my beloved old car. For those who need a sport compact that truly does everything, the WRX remains tough to beat.
For More On Our Long-Term 2022 Subaru WRX Limited:
MotorTrend’s 2022 Subaru WRX Limited Specifications
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MotorTrend’s 2022 Subaru WRX Limited |
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SERVICE LIFE |
9 months/8,152 miles |
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BASE/AS TESTED PRICE |
$37,490/$37,754 |
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OPTIONS |
Cargo Tray ($132), All-Weather Floor Liners ($132) |
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EPA CTY/HWY/CMB FUEL ECON; CMB RANGE |
19/26/22 mpg; 397 miles |
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AVERAGE FUEL ECON |
21.0 mpg |
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ENERGY COST PER MILE |
$0.24 |
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MAINTENANCE AND WEAR |
$297.46 (2x oil change, tire rotation; cabin air-filter replacement) |
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DAMAGE |
$0 |
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DAYS OUT OF SERVICE/WITHOUT LOANER |
0/0 |
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DELIGHTS |
That it still exists/stays true to its roots |
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ANNOYANCES |
Fixed 50/50 front/rear AWD torque split; the lack of a station wagon. |
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RECALLS |
None |
2022 Subaru WRX Side View
2022 Subaru WRX Wheels
