All-new 2022 Subaru WRX sedan and wagon arrive in the Philippines

Motor Image Pilipinas has launched the 2022 Subaru WRX in the Philippines. The storied nameplate is available in a sedan form—and perhaps to the delight of many, a wagon. After moving to its own platform and away from the Subaru Impreza, the model brings back the wagon form factor, similar to how the outgoing model shared the same bones with the Levorg. 

Now in its second generation and riding on the Subaru Global Platform, does the WRX still have what it takes to be a formidable all-wheel-drive (AWD) sports saloon/wagon? 

The 2022 WRX gets an all-new design that starts with a pointed grille and slimmer LED headlights. It's something more in line with Subaru's latest models, as seen on the new Forester. Black elements feature throughout the vehicle, including the lip spoiler, sculpted fenders, lower body cladding, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Both versions feature the intercooler hood vent we've come to expect from a WRX.

As one might have predicted, you'll see a difference between the sedan and wagon versions at the side and rear. The sports wagon is slightly longer and narrower, with a D-pillar and a rear tailgate for accessing the cargo area. Its rear lighting setup is also more laid back versus the sedan's aggressive, creased look. All-LED lighting comes standard for both versions, as are power-folding door mirrors.

The WRX's design is, in a word, unconventional. Compared to its similarly-sized rivals like the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf, the WRX adopts a more offbeat look that makes it stand out. Subaru has apparently adjusted the roof and hood shape for aerodynamics, possibly translating to improved fuel economy. The extensive body cladding might also turn some off, although Subaru fans may not mind it.

While the exterior design may leave much to be desired, the interior layout does more to pique our interest. Inside you'll find a driver-centric cabin with plenty of soft-touch material. Red trims and chrome accents adorn the vehicle, with minimal hard plastics mostly limited to the center console and lower door sills.

The star of the show is a massive 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system. It runs on Subaru's Starlink OS and comes standard with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Another big addition is Subaru EyeSight, the brand's suite of driver-assistance technology. It enables advanced active safety features like adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency steering. Lane departure prevention, lane centering control, pre-collision throttle management, and a pre-collision braking system also compose the suite. Rounding out the list of safety tech, you get a manual speed limiter, lead vehicle start alert, and the EyeSight Assist Monitor. Eyesight is available on all but the base model WRX.

On the passive safety side, the WRX comes equipped with six SRS airbags, steering responsive headlights, high beam assist, reverse automatic braking, a rear-view camera, and more.

Both sedan and wagon versions pack a 2.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged flat-four boxer engine with 271 hp at 5,600 RPM and 350 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 5,200 RPM. The sedan is available with a six-speed manual transmission for the base model, while all four other variants come with a Sport Lineartronic CVT with sports shifting control. 

The WRX features an AWD configuration. All but the base model come with Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE), sports shifting control, auto vehicle hold, auto start-stop, and an electronic parking brake. 

A multi-mode vehicle dynamics control system with TRACK mode is exclusive to sedan models, while a more rudimentary control system exists on the wagon versions. Selectable drive modes are available on the top-spec sedan and wagon.

According to Subaru, suggested retail pricing for the all-new 2022 Subaru WRX sedan and wagon are as follows:

• 2022 Subaru WRX Sedan 2.4 MT — P2,508,000
• 2022 Subaru WRX Sedan 2.4 CVT — P2,658,000
• 2022 Subaru WRX Sedan tS 2.4 CVT — P2,808,000 (indent-order)

• 2022 Subaru WRX Wagon 2.4 CVT — P2,558,000
• 2022 Subaru WRX Wagon tS 2.4 CVT — P2,708,000 (indent-order)

Visit our Car Guide on the 2022 Subaru WRX sedan and wagon for the latest specs and pricing information. The AutoDeal platform houses dozens of partner brands and up to 450 of the country’s top-rated dealerships.