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  • The 2022 Subaru WRX improves much with little change
  • Doug DeMuro is impressed by the power delivery of the new model
  • The WRX’s Outback-derived enigne is actually a good thing

This is it, folks. The embargo on the most controversial Subaru in recent memory has finally lifted. Journalists were given the chance to test the new 2022 Subaru WRX this weekend, and Doug DeMuro was among the first to hit the airwaves with his thoughts. We’re not sure why everyone hates the new WRX, and Doug isn’t either. He actually liked it more than he thought.

Subaru uses the Outback’s 2.4L engine

A Rally Blue 2022 Subaru WRX, which swayed Doug DeMuro's opinion, shot from the front 3/4 in the rain
Doug liked the WRX more than anyone thought he would | Subaru

We’ll start with an interesting tidbit from Doug DeMuro’s review of the 2022 Subaru WRX, which also ties nicely into why he liked it so much more than he thought. That tidbit is the WRX’s new engine. It’s a turbocharged 2.4L boxer four, and it’s the same engine found in the 2022 Subaru Outback. Yes, this sports sedan has the heart of a crossover. Thankfully, that’s more a good thing than a bad thing.

Doug touches on it briefly. Shared parts are actually a good thing. Because the 2022 Subaru WRX shares parts with the Outback, it means costs for repair will stay low. Subaru won’t have to special make parts for your big-turbo SEMA build, they’ll just pull them off the shelf labeled “Outback.” DeMuro also enjoyed the way the WRX drove, something we’re looking forward to doing ourselves. In fact, that’s what he liked best about it.

How much will the 2022 WRX cost?

The interior of the new Subaru WRX and 2022 Subaru WRX STI models
The ‘Rex gets a totally new interior | Subaru

The 2022 Subaru WRX builds on an old formula that’s worked well for Subaru. Turbocharged power, a manual transmission, and AWD are key components in the WRX lineup, and they’ve all been built upon for 2022. Obviously, that AWD helped in the rain quite a bit, something Doug makes a point to mention. Turns out, Subaru can still do AWD.

But, there’s still more good news for those who weren’t sure about the WRX. The 2022 Subaru WRX changed Doug Demuro’s mind. Doug says the new ‘Rex feels far more responsive and offers a lot more mid-range punch. Maybe there’s hope for the crossover engine yet. He (and we) weren’t sure about the new model, especially given that power figures stayed almost stagnant at 271 hp and 258 lb-ft. Though pricing hasn’t been announced, we expect the 2022 WRX to run around $30,000.

The 2022 Subaru WRX STI uses the same engine

The Subaru WRX's 2.4L engine
This is the same engine found in the Subaru Outback | Subaru

Despite that Subaru Outback engine being a bit of a sticking point, the new WRX’s interior also improves massively on the old one, in both our opinion and Doug’s. In all likelihood, it’ll be a turned-up version that powers the new WRX STI. DeMuro points out the choice of the interior materials is much nicer, including Alcantara on the seats. Finally, Doug notes that the trunk space is largely unchanged from the old model, and still offers some practicality. In all, the Subaru WRX may yet surprise its critics, and for that, we’re very excited.

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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.