SUBARU

2026 Subaru WRX

The WRX is one of two performance models remaining in Subaru's lineup, and the only one that offers the brand's signature all-wheel drive. It boasts plenty of power from its turbocharged flat-four and is still available with a manual transmission, but the available continuously variable automatic takes some of the immediacy and driver involvement from the experience. There's still fun to be had, though, and today's WRX strikes a nice balance between juvenile and adult tendencies, with lots of creature comforts to go along with its agile handling.

The tS trim, new last year, brings back some of the sharpness that we miss from previous WRX models. It includes bigger Brembo brakes, upsized wheels and tires, specially tuned adaptive dampers, more supportive seats, and a variety of drive modes that let you dial up your desired level of playfulness. The tS's brakes give it all the stopping power you need for track-day events.

Nobody expected the price of a modern performance car to move backward especially not one that built its reputation on rally stages and late night highway pulls so when Subaru quietly reopened the door to an affordable WRX it forced a simple question how did this happen now

For the twenty twenty six model year Subaru brings back the base WRX trim resetting the entry point to thirty three thousand six hundred ninety dollars and undoing a pricing decision that pushed many buyers away just one year earlier The move immediately reshapes the WRX lineup and gives enthusiasts a way back into a brand new turbocharged all wheel drive sport sedan without stretching into premium territory The new WRX is scheduled to arrive at dealerships this spring.

What makes this return more interesting is that the base WRX is not a stripped shell designed only to hit a price target Instead Subaru quietly added features that buyers had been missing Keyless entry with push button start is now included along with summer performance tires a sport tuned suspension a tire pressure monitoring system and modern safety essentials that no longer feel optional.

Inside the WRX balances everyday usability with driver focused details Wireless phone connectivity a rear view camera dual zone climate control cloth seating a leather wrapped steering wheel automatic up and down front windows a tilt and telescoping steering column and LED headlights all come standard This is a car that works on a commute but still feels purpose built when the road opens up.

The WRX looks a lot like other contemporary Subaru models inside, except that it’s dressed up with carbon-fiber-like accents, red contrast stitching, and a thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel. WRX tS upgrades include deeply pocketed, eight-way, black synthetic suede Recaro bucket seats, plus blue cabin accents and WRX tS logos.

Performance upgrades on the Series Yellow mirror what is found on the WRX tS which costs forty six thousand one hundred ninety dollars for twenty twenty six That model includes STI tuned electronically controlled dampers Brembo brakes Recaro front seats and Bridgestone Potenza S zero zero seven tires These versions push the WRX closer to track ready territory while maintaining daily drivability.

All WRX models use the same powertrain consisting of a turbocharged 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® flat-four engine rated at 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It’s accompanied by all-wheel drive and a standard six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission, the latter offered as an option on the Premium and Limited and standard on the GT.

In Comparison: Across multiple instrumented tests of Toyota's all-wheel-drive GR Corolla, the hot hatch (with the manual transmission) ripped a best 60-mph time of 4.4 seconds.

The EPA hasn’t released any fuel-economy information for the 2026 WRX yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 18-19 mpg city, 25-26 mpg highway, and 21-22 mpg combined. For more information about the WRX's fuel economy.

Depending upon the model, the WRX wears 18- or 19-inch summer tires. The tS improves on the outgoing TR with a reworked suspension that includes adaptive dampers and more powerful Brembo brakes with larger rotors. The brake upgrade offers better resistance to fading, something we confirmed when we drove the tS on a racetrack at our 2025 Lightning Lap event. Other tS updates include black trim for the side mirrors, antenna, and rear spoiler. It’s offset by gold brake calipers and 19-inch satin gray wheels.

Standard Safety Features: forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control

Optional Safety Features: blind-spot monitoring, reverse automated emergency braking

For information about the WRX's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Every twenty twenty six WRX is powered by Subaru’s turbocharged two point four liter boxer engine producing two hundred seventy one horsepower A six speed manual transmission remains standard reinforcing the WRX identity while the Subaru Performance Transmission continuously variable option is available on the Limited trim and standard on the GT

The timing of this reset is not accidental WRX sales dropped forty one point two percent in twenty twenty five the same year Subaru removed the base trim and raised prices across the board Total sales fell to just ten thousand nine hundred thirty units a sharp contrast to earlier years But those numbers only tell part of the story.

Subaru previously confirmed that WRX production had been intentionally limited to prioritize the far more popular and profitable Forester With Forester production expanding in the United States capacity has opened back up at the Gunma Japan factory where the WRX is built That shift created the opportunity to bring the WRX back to its roots.

Subaru of America, Inc. announced pricing today on the 2026 WRX, including the return of a base WRX and new limited-production WRX Series.Yellow trim levels. The 2026 Subaru WRX lineup offers exceptional performance throughout the model range, beginning with its 271-horsepower, 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® engine and legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The 2026 Subaru WRX will arrive at retailers in spring with a starting price of $32,495 MSRP. Compared to the 2002 Subaru WRX, which set the standard for sport compact sedans, the new 2026 WRX has nearly the same price, adjusted for inflation, yet it includes far more equipment and features.  

by Autonews