New 2022 Subaru WRX debuts in South Africa

If you’re a performance sedan fan, you will be happy to know the new Subaru WRX has arrived in SA. The fifth-generation WRX offers a perfect blend of pace, luxury, and refinement, boasting more power, better handling and performance, a new safety suite, and more tech. Subaru has opened the order books, and it’s priced from R759,000. (Price correct at time of publication.)

The new WRX ditches the previous 2.0-litre mill for a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four churning out 202 kW (up 5 kW) at 5,600 r/min and 350 Nm (peak torque remains the same as the 2021 WRX) available from 2,000 rpm to 5,200 rpm.

The engine pairs with a symmetrical all-wheel drive either through an improved six-speed manual transmission or the brand new “Subaru Performance Transmission”, including the Sport Lineartronic gearbox, Variable Torque Distribution, and Sports Shifting Control. Drivers can also use the CVT through paddle shifters.

The new 2022 Subaru WRX is more fun to drive than its predecessor, whether you choose manual or automatic. The manual gearbox comes with improved gear ratios to deliver a more refined shifting experience. On the other hand, the Performance transmission renders up to 30 percent quicker upshifts in 2nd to 3rd gear, and 50 per cent swifter downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear.

The 2022 Subaru WRX features updated styling with plastic cladding used all through the lower end. We can see new compact LED headlamps and a wide bonnet on the front, as well as a new taillight design and a boot-mounted spoiler at the rear. The wheels are available in 17- and 18-inch alloy designs.

The interior feels upscale and modern thanks to the 11.6-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, keyless entry, push-button start, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated seats (on the front), and a reversing camera.

The auto WRX model comes with extra equipment such as Si Drive (with three pre-established modes), five driving modes, adaptive dampers, an electric parking brake, a memory function for the driver's seat, and rear automatic emergency braking.

Subaru has made its name by offering the best-in-class safety and driver assistance features. The 2022 WRX ups the ante for its competitors with the standard fourth-generation EyeSight Driver Assist system, including improved functionality and an all-new collision avoidance system.

The safety suite encompasses pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lead-vehicle start alert, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, lane sway warning, and emergency lane keep assist. Additionally, there are a total of eight airbags and high beam assist for the automatic headlamps.

The Subaru WRX is priced at R759,000, and this includes a five-year/150,000-kilometre warranty and a three-year/75,000-kilometre maintenance plan.

When it comes to buying a new car, especially a high-performance car, it pays to do some research before making a final decision. Good research starts online, right here on the MotorHappy blog. Check out our Reviews section to find out more about the latest cars to arrive in SA.

Please note the imagery supplied in this blog was taken off www.topauto.co.za