Subaru has announced a significant price reduction for the entire lineup of WRX sports sedans for the 2026 model year. This step is a response to a sharp drop in sales of the model. The return of a base trim and a special limited series have also been announced.
Context of the Decision
Subaru WRX sales fell by 41.2 percent last year, to just 10,930 units, marking the model’s worst performance in history. The automaker decided to combat the decline by introducing a new affordable option, with a starting price of $32,495.
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This price is $5,255 lower than last year’s model, although the destination fee has increased from $1,170 to $1,195. The base trim, simply called WRX, receives LED headlights, a dual exhaust system, and 18-inch alloy wheels with summer high-performance tires.
Base Version Equipment
The interior features leather-wrapped steering wheel and an 11.6-inch multimedia system with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Also present are cloth seats with red contrast stitching and dual-zone automatic climate control. The model has aluminum-coated pedals, keyless access, an engine start button, and carbon fiber-look trim.
The EyeSight driver assist system is standard equipment and provides adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and emergency braking. The model also has a high-beam assist, lane departure/sway warning, and pre-collision emergency braking.
Improvements in Higher Trims
The next level is the WRX Premium trim, starting at $33,995. This is $3,755 cheaper than last year’s Premium version.
The upgrades from the base model are noteworthy, as Premium adds LED fog lights, a rear spoiler, heated wipers and exterior mirrors. Buyers will also get higher-quality cloth seats, heated front seats, and illuminated rear USB charging ports.
These are complemented by door panels with leather-look trim and additional safety equipment. The latter includes rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot detection with lane keep assist.
The WRX Limited trim now costs $38,995, which is a saving of up to $3,685 compared to last year when opting for the optional automatic transmission. It received steering-responsive LED headlights, a sunroof, and body-colored mirrors with integrated turn signals.
The interior has become noticeably more luxurious, as it is equipped with Ultrasuede seats with contrasting red bolsters. The model also received a 10-way power driver’s seat, WRX logos on the headrests, satellite navigation, and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.
Top and Special Versions
The automatic WRX GT version starts at $44,995, which is $2,710 less than last year’s model. It is distinguished by the presence of Recaro Performance Design front seats upholstered in black Ultrasuede. They are complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a sport suspension with electronically adjustable damping control.
Buyers looking for an even sportier model can opt for the WRX tS at $44,995. It costs $2,710 less than last year’s model and has 19-inch wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires. They are supported by a Brembo braking system, and the model also has electronically adjustable dampers tuned by STI engineers.
The interior received Recaro front seats with blue bolsters and “WRX tS” embossing on the headrests. Designers also added blue accents and special floor mats.
Limited Yellow Series
The new addition is the WRX Series.Yellow at $45,995. It is based on the WRX tS and is limited to 350 units.
As the name implies, the car has a Sunrise Yellow exterior, which contrasts with matte-black 19-inch alloy wheels. They are complemented by black emblems, as well as an updated interior that has yellow contrast stitching and matching yellow accents.
Regardless of the chosen trim, all models are equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine producing 271 hp (202 kW) and 258 lb-ft (349 Nm) of torque. It can be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive is also standard.
2026 Subaru WRX Model Year Pricing
Here is how the pricing structure looks for the different trims:
- WRX (6MT): $32,495
- WRX Premium (6MT): $33,995
- WRX Limited (6MT): $38,995
- WRX Limited (SPT): $39,995
- WRX GT (SPT): $44,995
- WRX tS (6MT): $44,995
- WRX Series.Yellow (6MT): $45,995
Prices do not include a destination fee of $1,195 ($1,345 in Alaska).
The introduction of the new base model along with the overall price reduction is a direct and logical response from Subaru to market challenges. This strategy could make the iconic sports sedan significantly more accessible to a new wave of enthusiasts who may have previously postponed a purchase due to cost. The retention of all-wheel drive and the powerful engine across all versions underscores that the brand is not compromising on the key characteristics that made the WRX famous. The success of this initiative will be interesting to observe, as it tests the balance between affordability and sporting heritage in the modern automotive world.