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A blue 2022 Subaru WRX, shot in profile at sunset

People Hate the 2022 Subaru WRX Because It Tricks Your Eyes

Recently, there's been some discussion on the internet, as there often is, about a new car. Recently, people were upset about a new car on the internet. That new car is the 2022 Subaru WRX, and I don't think that "big mad" does it enough justice. People hate the plastic cladding on the new 'Rex, and I have figured out why.

Recently, there’s been some discussion on the internet, as there often is, about a new car. Recently, people were upset about a new car on the internet. That new car is the 2022 Subaru WRX, and I don’t think that “big mad” does it enough justice. People hate the plastic cladding on the new ‘Rex, and I have figured out why.

In short, Subaru tricked your eyes into seeing things that aren’t there. It won’t hold up well in person, but when has anyone on the internet waited to see something themselves before blasting an opinion out on Twitter?

There’s a lot of plastic on the 2022 Subaru WRX

A blue 2022 Subaru WRX, shot in profile at sunset
The new 2022 Subaru WRX has plastic cladding that tricks your eyes by making the car look higher | Subaru

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Remember the Ford Mustang Mach E? The one that made everyone mad? The 2022 Subaru WRX is pulling the same trick the Mach E did. The roof of the Mach E looks lower than it actually is because it’s painted black, just like a red door. That black paint on the roof draws your eyes lower onto the painted body lines of the Mach E, thus tricking you into thinking it looks low.

Subaru did the exact same thing, only in reverse. Clearly, the brand wants the 2022 Subaru WRX to lean more into that rally heritage than ever before. Much of their press materials show the ‘Rex off-road sliding around, and rally cars need to be high-up to do that. So, the black cladding was added around the base to make the WRX look higher, and I guess people hate that.

Looks aside, the new WRX is going to be an icon

A silver 2015 Subaru WRX, shot in profile at sunset in a parking lot
Subaru hasn’t said anything about ride height yet, but they sure look the same | Jim Mahoney via Getty Images

Right now, there isn’t a whole lot of specific info about the 2022 Subaru WRX available. All I was able to glean from the press release is that the ride height could be the same, or it could be higher. Per Subie, “A longer suspension stroke increases vehicle stability and lateral grip on uneven surfaces.” That could mean the car is taller, accommodating for the longer suspension stroke.

However, the press release for the new ‘Rex also says a lot about a “low, wide look.” Visually, the distance from the top of the wheel to the arch doesn’t appear to have changed over the last model, but we’re going to have to wait for specifics to be sure. Regardless, the new Subaru WRX will be a legend in no time.

Will there be a 2022 STI?

An orange 2022 Subaru WRX sedan  shot from the front 3/4 at sunset
Let’s hope the 2022 STI brings more rally styling | Subaru

And I say that living in the Subaru capital of the world, Colorado. There’s actually a market premium on Subies here, and it’s been that way for as long as I can remember. I for one am a fan of the new cladding, and hopefully, that rally-inspired rugged design means we get some more fun rally bits on the 2022 STI. You can be sure it’s coming, cladding in tow, but there’s no word on when from Subaru.

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