The assessment of the Subaru WRX STI and wish list for the next model show off the upbeat approach to life. Subaru had the opportunity to demonstrate once again that its vehicles provide excellent performance for the money. Despite never being the quickest vehicle on the track, the WRX did provide an exhilarating driving experience, which is almost more important to most customers. The expectations for the future 2022 improvements were somewhat unfounded. Subaru now looks to be barely keeping up with its direct and indirect front-wheel drive rivals, changing certain characteristics while losing others that made it distinctive.

The Assessment of the 2022 Subaru WRX

The performance and lap time of the Subaru WRX is still very strong, but due to the personal ideas of what a Subaru WRX should be, they fall short of people’s expectations. Read on to find out more about the performance of the Subaru WRX’s features.

Engine

Despite the 400cc increase in capacity, the power boost from the 2.0-liter to the 2.4-liter turbocharged “Boxer” engine is quite small at 5kW. The engine generates 350Nm of torque and 202kW of power. As this is the same basic engine utilised in the non-turbocharged BRZ Coupe

It was amazing how well the Subaru BRZ used its rpm range, but the WRX did not have the same impact. A racing driver should be able to feel where an engine is most at ease, but it didn’t feel like it was there. Every time I thought I was in the sweet zone of the rev range, I would unintentionally floor the throttle and reach the rpm limit, so I had to predict when to shift.

While bigger gears may aid, they would also impair performance. It was smooth and easy to drive but rather angular and aggressive. The new WRX improves upon the previous generation in this area, albeit you must purposefully under-drive it to get the most out of it. We are all a sucker for a nice torque curve. This engine’s untapped potential keeps it from competing on par with its competitors.

Brake

Although the brake pedal felt good, and was easy to modulate and control the release as the car entered the bend, it didn’t have the same stopping force as the previous Subaru WRX STI model.

The pedal started to run a little long on the third and fourth circuits, which caused some difficulty. It didn’t significantly affect lap times but didn’t give much confidence.

Chassis

The Subaru WRX’s enhanced chassis is the most obvious upgrade. Both the stiffness and feeling of solidity have grown. The track’s understeering issue has been resolved, and there have been a few instances when the rear end has given way during slippery bends. The chassis on the track finally outperformed the suspension for the first time in a very long time. The chassis could respond well to support further.

After such a manoeuvre, previous-generation cars would exhibit greater understeer, which, if the driver waited long enough, would be followed by significant oversteer. With this car, you won’t have to work as hard to achieve a smooth entry or exit, nor will you have to be as delicate with the throttle. Maybe Subaru did take note of prior reviews.

Two recommendations to “totally transform this car” included optimising the front suspension geometry and modifying the rear stabiliser bar to provide more support when cornering. These changes were put into practice. Subaru may raise the bar for performance with this chassis in comparison to their previous one.

Transmission and Differential Systems

The six-speed manual gearbox from the previous generation represents a little improvement. The transmission seemed more precise than the one in the most recent Subaru BRZ, but I never had any problem shifting, which was not often the case in the past on a track.

In essence, there is no issue, and if allowed to extend farther, the engine may simply return to its torque range. Beyond this rpm, there can be a dramatic decrease in engine power and torque, making it impossible to rev the engine any higher.

This configuration looks less excellent than the BRZ, whose engine and transmission seemed to be in rhythm. The all-wheel-drive system, which does not include limited-slip differentials up front and out back, is made up of the viscous-coupling centre differential and a 50/50 torque split. The front and rear axles’ search for grip as they exit slower curves makes the latter criteria stand out the most. When you’re pushing hard, your movements become irregular since there’s no way to control the wheels’ torque or speed but with your foot.

Suspension

The suspension on the Subaru WRX has always been a respectable compromise, but this was the first time I had faith in the chassis to handle more aggressive tuning on the racetrack.

It can easily jump over kerbs and offers good cushioning across uneven terrain. However, the chassis’ precision didn’t result in better performance since it needed more rebound control to bind it to the faster corners.

In Summary

Compared to some of their previous models, like the BRZ, the Subaru WRX did not generate the same excitement. On the other hand, it is one of the positive aspects of the situation. The WRX stands out from the competition because its unique characteristics set it apart from other versions. The biggest noticeable improvement is probably the upgraded chassis.