2026 Sees the Return of Subaru’s Most Affordable WRX
- Subaru revives the base WRX trim for 2026.
- The starting price for the new base WRX is $33,690, significantly lower than the 2025 WRX Premium.
- Dealerships will begin receiving the 2026 WRX this spring.
Exciting news for performance enthusiasts: the base WRX trim is back for 2026, priced attractively at $33,690. This represents a price drop of over $5,000 compared to the 2025 WRX Premium, making the WRX more accessible than it has been in recent years. Customers can expect these models to hit showrooms in the coming spring months.
Besides a more wallet-friendly price, the base WRX has also been upgraded with additional features. The latest model includes keyless entry with push-button ignition, summer performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension system, and a tire pressure monitoring feature, enhancing the driving experience.
Standard equipment also includes wireless smartphone integration, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth seats, automatic front windows with auto-up/down functionality, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, and LED headlights.
Here’s a quick look at pricing differences between 2025 and 2026 models:
| Model | 2026 Price | 2025 Price | Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| WRX Base | $33,690 | N/A | N/A |
| WRX Premium | $35,190 | $38,920 | -$3,730 |
| WRX Limited | $40,190 | $43,695 | -$3,505 |
| WRX GT | $46,190 | $48,875 | -$2,685 |
| WRX tS | $46,190 | $48,875 | -$2,685 |
| WRX Series.Yellow | $47,190 | N/A | N/A |
One notable addition to the lineup is the WRX Series.Yellow, positioned as the new flagship trim. Sporting a striking Sunrise Yellow paint job, 19-inch black wheels, and black badging, this limited-edition model also features interior black seats with yellow stitching. Performance-wise, it shares upgrades with the WRX tS, which is priced slightly lower at $46,190.
The tS model is equipped with STI-tuned electronic dampers, Brembo braking components, Recaro front seats, and Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires, emphasizing its performance orientation.
Every WRX in the 2026 lineup is powered by Subaru’s turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine, delivering 271 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission remains standard, while the Subaru Performance Transmission (a CVT) is optional on the Limited trim and standard on the GT.
Market Challenges and Production Shifts
In 2025, WRX sales experienced a significant decline, dropping 41.2% compared to previous years. This slump coincided with Subaru discontinuing the base WRX, leading to increased prices and fewer buyers. Only 10,930 WRXs were sold last year. However, these figures only tell part of the story.
Subaru disclosed in mid-2025 that it had intentionally limited WRX production to prioritize the more popular and profitable Forester model. Production of the Forester is expanding in the United States, which has freed up capacity at Subaru’s Gunma factory in Japan, where the WRX is manufactured.
With Forester hybrid production set to begin stateside next spring, Subaru appears ready to ramp up WRX availability by reinstating the base trim.
