The sporty Subaru WRX arrived as a fully redesigned model in 2022. The full redesign saw the sedan get an updated design, a more powerful turbocharged engine, a new platform, and a new interior design. After arriving as a fully redesigned model for 2022, we expect the 2023 Subaru WRX to be a carryover model.
Subaru recently announced that to meet the needs of the changing marketplace there are no more plans to produce the WRX STI model on the current generation platform. In other words, there will not be a WRX STI with an internal combustion engine. However, this is not to say that the performance variant will never see the light of day again. Perhaps Subaru will bring it back as an EV in the future.
As a carryover model, the 2023 WRX will have the same overall design as the current model that’s on sale. The WRX wears an aggressive design that starts off with a sharp front end. The sedan features angular headlights and a chiseled front bumper. Quad exhaust outlets, triangular taillights, and a prominent rear bumper are found at the back. The WRX’s wide fenders, body cladding, and massive hood scoop are signs of the sedan’s history in rallying.
The interior of the WRX receives an impressive overhaul for 2022. The sedan has a familial design with Subaru’s other vehicles, featuring a dashboard that’s designed around the vertically oriented touchscreen and a minimalist look with few buttons. With red accents, faux carbon-fiber trim, and a flat-bottom steering wheel, the WRX has a few sporty touches on the inside. As a carryover model, the 2023 WRX should have the same interior design as the 2022 model.
Subaru hasn’t confirmed all of the 2022 WRX’s tech features yet. The most impressive piece of kit is an available 11.6-inch touchscreen that’s vertically oriented. Features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, satellite radio, navigation, and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system are available. All of the 2022 WRX’s tech features will remain the same for the 2023 model year.
Under the hood, the current WRX features a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The engine is rated at 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is available. Every WRX comes with standard all-wheel drive. This powertrain should carry over unchanged for 2023.
2022 Subaru WRX models with the available CVT come with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite as standard. The safety suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency steering, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. WRX sedans with the standard manual transmission miss out on a lot of these features. We don’t expect to see any changes for the 2023 model year.
