There Will Not be a New Subaru WRX STI

• The next time we see an STI, it will probably be electric.

• This feels like the death of the Mitsubishi EVO all over again…

• Is anyone else thinking the 2015-2021 WRX STI will hold its value for a while?

This is a tough pill to swallow for compact sport car enthusiasts and for the passion-filled car community as a whole. The new 2022 Subaru WRX was initially met with a fair amount of criticism but those who’ve driven say it’s good enough to be the new WRX. There was hope that the next STI was going to right the “wrongs” of the WRX and now, that hope is gone.

Subaru states that it “is focused on how our future sports and performance cars should evolve to meet the needs of the changing marketplace and the regulations and requirements for greenhouse gasses (GHG), zero emissions vehicles (ZEV), and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ).” This is why a new WRX STI with an ICE will not be produced.

The good news is that Subaru will not abandon WRX and STI as they “represent the zenith of Subaru’s performance vehicles exemplifying Subaru’s unique DNA and rally heritage.” There’s no damage done to the Japanese automaker’s bottom line by doing this.

All-new 2022 Subaru WRX Priced From $30,995 in Canada

The damage however could come to the brand’s image if they make the wrong move. Sincerely, our concern is that Subaru will “pull a Mitsubishi” and brand an SUV with the STI badge and call it the new “STI.”