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  • The Subaru Outback donates its engine to the WRX
  • Subaru made tweaks to the engine to improve response
  • The 2022 Subaru WRX will cost roughly $30,000

Put down your torches and pitchforks. Today, ladies and gentlemen, we’re going to talk about the crossover engine that’s in the brand new 2022 Subaru WRX. Yes, Subaru put a filthy SUV motor in our beloved (albeit controversial) WRX. But really, that’s a good thing. We’ll explain, we promise. Don’t go flying off the handle with all the new WRX hate just yet.

The Subaru WRX uses an Outback engine to hit 60 in 6 seconds

A red Subaru Outback crossover shot from the front 3/4
The 2022 Subaru Outback shares an engine with the WRX | Subaru

I’ll do my best to assuage some of the anger you may be feeling right now. Obviously, the new 2022 Subaru WRX is a good thing. It’s got AWD, a manual transmission, and for the first time, adaptive dampers (only for the GT model). A host of small changes make the new ‘Rex more than the sum of its parts, and that includes the engine. Power numbers have barely changed from the outgoing 2014-2021 WRX.

This 2.4L Subaru Outback engine makes 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That’s barely three more horsepower than last year’s model. However, Subaru reports it makes it in a much more efficient manner, but more on that in a bit. The 2022 Subaru WRX shares an engine with the Ford-killing Subaru Outback because it needs to. Not a lot of money gets spent making these niche performance cars, so parts sharing was a necessity. Plus, we know the Outback to be a stout and reliable compact SUV.

Is the Subaru Outback engine reliable?

The 2.4l engine found in both the Subaru WRX and the Subaru Outback
This is a crossover engine | Subaru

Consumer Reports rates the 2022 Subaru Outback with a 3/5 in the reliability category. However, it’s important to note that none of that imperfect rating is due to the engine. So, if we’re to put it in more simple terms, the Outback’s (and the WRX’s engine), earn a solid 5/5 reliability score. Save all those Subaru WRX reliability head gasket jokes for another day.

So, we know the motor to be strong. But what about the 2022 Subaru WRX’s performance? Won’t the filthy crossover engine be worse? Actually, no. Subaru says the new engine gets a broader torque curve and critically, a redesigned wastegate to help mitigate much-hated turbo lag and improve throttle response. Moreover, that hated rev-hang on the 1-2 gear change is now nonexistent. Still unsure about the Subaru Outback engine?

How much will the 2022 Subaru WRX cost?

A rally blue 2022 Subaru WRX AWD sedan shot on a rainy day
The 2022 WRX is a killer cheap AWD sedan | Subaru

Clearly, the WRX’s engine has already proved its mettle. In the video above, Doug DeMuro says the controversial new sedan has changed his mind. If that’s not enough proof, we’re not sure what is. So, how much for all this AWD crossover-engine goodness? We don’t know yet. Subaru has yet to release pricing on the new ‘Rex, but we estimate around $30,000 to help it stay competitive with the Honda Civic Si. Sign us up.

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Chase Bierenkoven

Chase Bierenkoven has been obsessed with cars his whole life and now finds joy in sharing what he’s learned from his own daily drivers. Chase earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a focus on legal studies from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and quickly became an automotive journalist. When he isn’t writing, Chase is either driving his passion project, a 2004 BMW M3 in Carbon Schwartz Metallic, or playing around Colorado’s terrain, mainly mountain biking and skiing.