2022 Subaru WRX | Review, Dyno, Reality Check

We review the new 2022 Subaru WRX to discuss the engineering, technical changes and to dyno the car. After much discussion about the looks, we drive the car to see if the experience out shines the negatives. Others to consider are Elantra N, VW GTI and Golf R, Honda Civic Si, and Mazda3 Turbo.

#cars #Subaru #WRX

Check out used and new prices on Autotempest on WRX.

Index:
00:00 Intro
00:29 Interior Impressions
3:19 Mechanical Impressions, Exterior and Aero
6:21 Body and Suspension Changes
10:11 AWD and Transmissions
11:19 Engine Changes and Dynojet Numbers at AMS Performance
15:42 Driving Impressions
22:45 Final Thoughts

[joshuaalan]

The only high-production automotive journalist team brave enough to audio-graph, weigh, and now *_dyno_* every car they get
A+ content upgraded to A+++

[KealeyOnCars]

“In the real world, you don’t drive a spec sheet.” Thank you Jack for one of the best things I have ever heard said in a car review

[MLHunt]

As always your attention and to and explanation of the technical details of the changes Subaru made in this version of the car are unparalleled with regard to other YouTubers. That's the main reason I continue to follow this channel, besides the excellent audio video editing quality. Simply stated, nobody does it better. I'd like to remind all the readers / viewers though that it is impossible for a YT reviewing channel to address issues of long-term reliability. And that is something you really should take into consideration when considering this car or comparing it to other possible buying choices.

[trckster]

Test drove one today. I thought it was immeasurably better than the previous generation in every way lol. I could not believe how much better the shifter and clutch were, unbelievable difference. It looks way way better in person.

[stinkothestooleater]

The plastic on the wheel wells are honestly an INCREDIBLE for someone like me. I live up north, a lot of salt during winter, and almost exclusively dirt roads during the summer. This means the wheel wells get absolutely torn up by rust

[milllllllI]

1:50 Having a really bad center console is arguably the most WRX authentic thing about this car

[highcoldstar]

Always a breath of fresh air, guys. Thank you for giving this little Subie the same attention to detail you'd give something that costs 10x as much.

[steadyboost]

This is the first review of this car that I've seen that attempts objectivity. So many people are hung up on the lack of massive improvement in horsepower and torque numbers. What I've taken from Subaru's statements about the car is that it's a "sum of its parts" car, and I feel like y'all have really taken that into account with this much more delayed review compared to other channels. Great work and looking forward to the eventual STi review!

[JohnLee-hbix]

Former wrx owner, and your point on the “peakyness” of the torque curve is spot on and the main issue that people were trying to correct with after market tunes. (Yet another) Great review!

[stanmarks]

The older I get, the more car vids I see, the more I appreciate the work and expertise presented here.

[qxnexp]

I just love how you guys deliver that dose of reality how every new WRX had its design hate initially. It's very very true.

[kinosgarage]

“Everyone is going to put a stage 10 on this car” 😂🤣😂🤣
It is not the most attractive or ugliest Subaru out there for sure. Thank you guys for a thorough and comprehensive review, as always!

[mrnrfan]

Enthusiasts: “turbo the Crosstrek, I’ll buy that in a heartbeat! And bring back the WRX in a hatch!”

Subaru: “the enthusiasts want a sedan that looks like a Crosstrek but has none of the utility”

Also Subaru: “they think our cars are ugly but we have no competition, tell them to get over it.”

[reaperskeeper]

Just purchased a 23 Wrx Base in ice metallic. The shifter and clutch are awesome. And it looks way better in person

[MarkYager]

I've watched dozens of reviews on this car and this is BY FAR the best. This video is the first one I've seen with all the diagrams and drawings (hexagonal pattern is functional? Who knew?). Well done.

I bought a 2024 WRX Sport Tech 6MT last month and there are a few differences over the 2022. The driver's seat does have lumbar adjustment, the stereo speakers are really good, and the adaptive cruise control (which allows you to shift) is great. It allows you to shift while in cruise mode - crazy.

I find the ride a little hard on the highway and the steering a bit light on the highway. I know the top trim level allows you to adjust the suspension but even allowing us to adjust the steering feel would be nice.

After a couple thousand km, I'm averaging 8L/100km (about 30mpg), which is quite respectable for this car (and similar to our 2024 Crosstrek).

[jeremyjs]

Another opportunity to thank you guys for the honest and even handed approach and for the consistently high quality of content here.

[usmcplu]

I know folks complain about power, and I get it. They're seeing EV's (including pickup trucks) produce insane horsepower and torque figures and push the boundaries of physics regarding acceleration. They're seeing muscle cars continually pump out new trim levels, each bolstering 100+ horsepower gains over previous trims and generations. They're seeing small 3cyl motors have made leaps and bounds putting out incredible HP and torque figures well over 200hp and even over 500hp in some rare (and expensive) instances. But here we are, in 2022 at 271hp, with micro improvements in power over the span of this automobile renaissance.

But keep in mind, 271hp is still probably the highest output in its class. If you want to be more race-oriented, then scrape $25 more a month and get the STi, or build something better for half the price. If 275 hp isn't enough for your needs on the road, then you're probably drag racing Mustangs. If you're doing that, then you're missing the point, but I get it. My unmodified 1995 Honda Civic Si, with 128hp is still plenty for me on backroads. It begs me to modify it, but it's not like there's no room to improve my skills either. In conclusion, there's nearly endless room to improve yourself. 271 horsepower is more than enough for its class. Horsepower doesn't equal fun or skill.

[zabnorg]

Thank goodness you guys reviewed this car. This is the level-headed, reasonable review that washes out all of the internet's fanboy shrieking and gives us what we need to know as potential buyers. Kudos to you for an excellent video and review once again!

[imaldon]

There's no questioning that when it comes to car reviews, Savageese is on a league of their own. Very technically thorough and detailed reviews and they say it just how it is. Mark and Jack are highly competitive professionals and not YouTuber car salespersons. Great job 👍

[vv]

Still loving my 2014 WRX hatchback, 2.5L Turbo, 5spd...Its fabulous. Subaru really dropped the ball dropping the hatchback...I have nowhere to go from here with Subaru. Nice video !!