Subaru: No WRX Hatch For U.S. Market

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

For those who want a Subaru WRX or WRX STi, but prefer the utility of the previous hatchback over the current sedan offerings, they should start breathing again, as Subaru will not be bringing such a beast to the United States after all.

Motor Trend reports that last month, WRX project manager Masuo Takatsu informed Motoring.com.au that Subaru “ received strong interest from the US” for a hatchback variant, citing the 50 percent uptake by the U.S. market for the previous hatch. The statement came as a surprise to Subaru of America, who weren’t expecting anything more than the sedans:

We do not know about, nor do we have, any plans for a WRX hatch. Takatsu San is the product general manager of the WRX, but this is not something he has discussed with us.

One exchange between Subaru of America and Subaru of Japan later gave the final word: No WRX hatch will be forthcoming to the U.S. market, citing cost issues against producing both sedan and hatchback models.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • FJ60LandCruiser FJ60LandCruiser on Apr 23, 2014

    Living here in the heart of Subaru Country, Commierado, I see more hatchback WRX and STi variants than sedans. It was the last hard core sports car that could be still used as a family, grocery, and stuff hauler on the weekends. I should know, because I own one. Subaru are dumbasses for not bringing the hatch over to the US. The sedan is just a cramped Civic with 4WD and a crazy turbo engine. No one wants that.

  • Wmba Wmba on Apr 23, 2014

    Yeah, yeah, yeah. Same old complaint of the huge horde of six speed hatch/wagon purchasers. I'd never consider anything but the sedan myself. And the two WRXs and the STI that my dealer had as an original allocation were sold in two days. They made deals with two of the buyers to keep them in the showroom because of snow and the pure summer tires the cars come with (more snow tomorrow, you need 10C or 50 F to safely drive pure summer tires), so I got to sit in them at least. They're waiting for more, and so am I. Compared to my 08 LGT, the interior is total crap, the cloth seats not particularly well-shaped, the rears are awful - it's like trying to sit on a balloon. No blinkers in side mirrors, no puddle lights, a headliner from the chocolate box tray material, etc., etc. In fact identical to the cheapo Impreza sitting alongside, despite magazine protestations to the contrary. So it had better drive really, really well. Subaru should make a bespoke interior for the car and add some sound deadening. Up the price so there is some pride of ownership, but they're deaf on that too. An extra two grand wouldn't stop purchasers. But their other cars are just as bad interiorwise. I never buy first year anyway, so we'll see how quality/reliability and sales are over the next year or two.

    • Power6 Power6 on Apr 23, 2014

      You're spoiled by they LGT...Subaru has said that 05-09 Legacy was too expensive to produce, they went too upmarket, couldn't unload them. Even the subsequent Legacy got cheaper and they sell more of them so there you go. Subaru is not interested in going upmarket. Wait for whatever FA motor Subaru is cooking up to replace the old EJ for this new STI, they say 16 or 17 it should happen, it should be the best STI ever.

  • Power6 Power6 on Apr 23, 2014

    Subaru of America is very careful about not spoiling current sales by the promise of future product. There were "no plans" in 2008 to have a Sedan STI and along came 2011...there is no talk about when the old EJ motor goes away in the new STI even though it is pretty much inevitable. So even if this is coming, and some guy in the know in Japan says something, SOA is all over it with respect to selling current product. The case is pretty good though, they say about half of WRX sales are hatchback. We'll see how many of those will settle for the sedan or hold out for another hatch.

  • LALoser LALoser on May 24, 2014

    I just purchased a new '15 WRX today. Tried the STI, but for me, not worth the extra coin.

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