Why did Subaru stop making the WRX?
Subaru did not stop producing the WRX itself; they ended the high-performance WRX STI after the 2021 model year, while the standard WRX remains in production.
Current status of the WRX lineup
The WRX name persists as Subaru’s performance‑oriented hatchback/sedan, but the STI badge has been retired. The 2022 WRX introduced a new generation built on the Subaru Global Platform, powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, and offered both manual and automatic transmissions across trims.
What happened to the STI
The WRX STI, the brand’s rally-inspired halo model, was discontinued after the 2021 model year, effectively retiring the STI badge to focus on broader product profitability and future strategy.
- The WRX STI, the brand's high‑performance variant, ended production after 2021 in most markets, ending the STI lineage.
- The standard WRX remains in production, with a 2022+ generation introduced on the Subaru Global Platform and a 2.4L turbo engine.
- Subaru shifted its strategy toward a broader lineup—emphasizing SUVs, crossovers, and electrified platforms—rather than developing a new dedicated STI halo model.
Conclusion: The retirement of the STI marks a strategic relocation of resources and a response to market dynamics, while the WRX name continues to anchor Subaru’s performance-focused offerings.
Why the STI was discontinued: key factors
Several intertwined factors shaped Subaru's decision, reflecting broader industry trends and the company’s long‑term plan.
- Rising development and homologation costs for a next‑generation STI, in the face of a shrinking niche market for high‑performance sedans/hatchbacks.
- Shifting consumer demand toward crossovers and SUVs, reducing the financial justification for a standalone halo car.
- Subaru’s acceleration of electrification and shared platforms, prioritizing efficient architectures and hybrid/electric options over a dedicated internal combustion halo model.
Conclusion: The end of the STI was a business decision aligned with market realities and Subaru’s sustainability/long‑term growth plan, not a sudden cancellation of the WRX concept.
What Subaru has prioritized instead
To maintain performance credibility while adapting to new market realities, Subaru has focused on updating the WRX, expanding its SUV lineup, and pursuing electrified platforms in collaboration with Toyota.
- Keep refining the WRX around the FA24 engine and updated platform, delivering a modern balance of performance and daily usability.
- Grow the core SUV lineup (Outback, Forester, Crosstrek) to meet demand for versatile, capable family vehicles.
- Develop electrified vehicles such as the Solterra and future hybrid/electric variants, leveraging shared platforms with Toyota for efficiency and scale.
Conclusion: Subaru aims to sustain performance branding through measured product evolution while investing in electrification and broader family-oriented models, rather than reviving a standalone STI halo.
What this means for enthusiasts
For fans of the classic STI era, the decision marks the end of a dedicated high‑performance halo model from Subaru. For WRX enthusiasts, the current generation remains the primary avenue for performance, tech, and daily usability, with ongoing updates rather than a return of the STI.
Summary
Subaru did not exit the WRX line entirely; it retired the WRX STI after the 2021 model year. The standard WRX survives in a new generation (2022+), while the company pivots toward electrification and SUVs as its growth engine. As of 2025, there has been no official announcement of a new WRX STI, and Subaru continues to develop the WRX platform alongside its broader product strategy.
