2025 Was Terrible for the WRX
It wasn’t that long ago when we were reporting the low sales of the WRX. In 2025, sales were practically on the floor, possibly calling the future of the sport sedan into doubt. The first three months of 2026 weren’t too great for it, either, continuing the downward sales trend from the previous year.
So, what caused it? Well, all hands were on deck for the redesigned Forester at the time. Inventory shortages also kneecapped sales of the car, so that didn’t help matters at all. But the biggest factor was likely due to the axing of the entry-level model for the 2025 model year. That pushed the base price of the WRX from $32,735 (in 2024) to $36,920, up by over $4,000.
Subaru
Course Correction
Thankfully, Subaru has rectified that by reintroducing the WRX’s entry-level trim. It’s currently priced at $32,495, which is actually less than the 2024 model. Granted, it’s not as low as the base price of the 2022 model at just $30,995, but this is probably the brand’s way of atoning for last year’s shocking price jump.
Not only that, but price cuts were also introduced across the range, with some trims getting over $3,000 slashed off from 2025 prices. On top of that, the car’s value proposition was enhanced by the addition of more standard kit. For instance, the base WRX gets the same 11.6-inch touchscreen as the rest of the lineup, something unavailable in the 2024 model.
Subaru
The Efforts Are Paying Off
If there’s any need for more proof that listening to customers works, the WRX’s sales surge streak is as clear an example as it gets. While the first three months of 2026 started off slowly, to say the car has recovered would be a massive understatement.
The WRX’s sales turnaround began in April, with sales increasing 52.6% from 772 to 1,178 units. After that, May sales skyrocketed from 482 units during the same period in 2025 to 1,195 units, marking a 147.9% increase. If that’s not enough, June 2026 saw a 252.3% boost versus June 2025, from a pitiful 350 units to 1,233 units. If you’ve noticed, sales have incrementally been going up month after month.
In other words, 2025 sales were so dismal that 2026 looks like a banner year for the car. The recent sales surge has also helped the model overcome the initial deficit, with year-on-year sales up 10.5% by the halfway point of 2026. It’s 7,108 versus 6,431 units, and with the way things are going, the WRX could see 20,000 sales by the end of the year.
Subaru
Â
