2022 Subaru WRX
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.4L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 19 / 25 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 419 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $30,206–$38,153 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2022 Subaru WRX is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.5/10, while Technology at 7.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.7/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.5/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $30,206–$38,153, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru WRX sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. At 7.4/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 4 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2022 Subaru WRX will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sports should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2022 Subaru WRX ranks #176 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 45% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $30,206 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 34%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$11,415 ($2,283/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2019 Subaru WRX scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2022's 7.6 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $33,099 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $33,099 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $32,135 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $31,170 | Read review → |
| 2022 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $30,206 | |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $29,242 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $28,278 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $27,314 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $26,350 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $25,386 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.2/10 | $24,422 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $23,458 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Equipment / Other / Owners/service/other manual 23/01/2023 · 23V016000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 WRX vehicles equipped with the "Eyesight" feature. The owner's manual may contain incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function. As such, these vehicles… |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2022 Subaru WRX that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2022 Subaru WRX's reliability 7.7/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.6/10 overall, ranking #176 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 45% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2022 Subaru WRX starts at $30,206 and ranges up to $38,153 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest WRX years we've rated are 2015 (7.1/10), 2016 (7.2/10), 2019 (7.3/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.8/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
The documented issues for the 2022 Subaru WRX are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Equipment (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.