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It seems like only yesterday that Subaru released the 2022 Subaru WRX. Now, the brand has given us more clues about the highly-anticipated 2022 Subaru WRX STI in the form of a trim level. Weird, I know. However, we’ve seen this kind of thing before, like with the Chinese market Honda Integra.

Now, it’s all anyone can do but wonder how much of this new Japanese-only WRX S4 STI will make it stateside onto the new 2022 STI. Given the Japanese tradition of never giving Americans their cool cars, it may not be much.

This might be the 2022 Subaru WRX STI

The front grille of the orange 2022 Subaru WRX STI S4
The new WRX bears an STI badge now | Subaru via YouTube

This little dance is actually one consumers have seen before. Effectively what we’re looking at is the “luxe” Subaru WRX. Per Car and Driver, the last generation model was effectively an automatic transmission model designed to sit in between the full-on STI and the current base WRX. However, that doesn’t mean the model in the teaser isn’t helping consumers learn more about the new STI.

We’ll start with the numbers. The 2022 Subaru WRX STI will most certainly make more than this, but at least now that’s been confirmed. The Japanese-only S4 version will have a 2.4-liter motor just like the one in the US-spec ‘Rex, making 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Given how overbuilt Subaru motors are, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a 300+ hp WRX STI later this year.

How much will the 2022 STI cost?

A blue Subaru WRX STI on a podium at an auto show shot from the front 3/4.
The 2022 Subaru WRX STI builds on the old one | Marco Destefanis via Getty Images

Of course, that all comes at a price. Unfortunately, that’s also where things get a little less clear. Subaru hasn’t said anything about pricing, for the U.S. or Japan, but given the new equipment (and some STI upgrades and styling cues) buyers can expect the 2022 Subaru WRX STI to come in around $40,000 or so, with the WRX being priced below that at around $30,000.

Regrettably, there’s not a whole lot going on in the looks department for the Japanese WRX S4. It looks a lot like a base 2022 Subaru WRX, with the obvious addition of the STI badge. Think of this like the GT-Line Kia Stinger. Some of the looks, some of the power, and some of the price. This is just a teaser, and it’s possible some changes just aren’t visible throughout the video above.

The new STI promises to continue the legacy

A white 2022 Subaru WRX shot from the front 3/4 on a racetrack
The new Subaru WRX | Subaru

Regardless of how things look for the WRX lineup, the whole shebang has a lot to put on its shoulders. An entire generation of car enthusiasts grew up with the last generation WRX, after all. The WRX name is one of the most famous in automotive history, and that’s a lot to live up to when you’ve been winning rally races with the best of them.

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MotorBiscuit Writer - Sedans & Coupes

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.