Subaru is on a roll in 2025. The model is closing in on its highest-ever U.S. gross sales numbers, not seen since 2019. July continued that momentum, with practically each mannequin posting good points—besides one. And it’s not a gradual vendor just like the BRZ or a forgotten trim degree. It’s the WRX, Subaru’s once-beloved rally-bred sport sedan, which simply posted considered one of its worst gross sales months in historical past.
How unhealthy was it? The WRX offered simply 457 items in July. That’s down a surprising 66.6 p.c from the identical time final yr. Much more shocking is the truth that Subaru’s first electrical car, the Solterra, outsold the WRX greater than three to at least one final month. The WRX was as soon as the model’s efficiency halo. Now, it’s being handed by a compact electrical crossover that doesn’t precisely gentle up fanatic boards.
So what’s truly happening right here?
Gross sales of the WRX had been doing wonderful earlier this yr. In actual fact, Q1 regarded promising. The mannequin was up 9.6 p.c year-over-year by the tip of March. However since then, gross sales have fallen off a cliff. April was down 59 p.c. Could dropped 71 p.c. June plunged one other 74 p.c. And July’s 66 p.c dip simply continued the downward spiral.
The reply isn’t solely about client curiosity. Sure, the WRX faces stiff competitors in a shrinking sport sedan market. And sure, Subaru hasn’t given it a large replace since its final redesign. However the larger problem lies behind the scenes—on the manufacturing line.
Each the WRX and the Forester are in-built Japan at Subaru’s Ōta manufacturing facility in Gunma Prefecture. And the all-new Forester, now provided in a hybrid model, is flying off dealership heaps. We just lately reviewed the 2025 Subaru Forester Restricted Hybrid and located it to be a well-rounded, extremely environment friendly choice in Subaru’s lineup. Apparently, patrons agree. Subaru instructed us final month that it solely had 25 days of Forester stock readily available within the U.S. That’s effectively under the model’s goal, in order that they made the financially logical selection—reduce WRX manufacturing to construct extra Foresters.
It is sensible. The Forester appeals to a wider viewers and carries a better revenue margin. The WRX, as thrilling because it nonetheless is for the best driver, simply doesn’t promote in the identical numbers. The excellent news for WRX followers is that this may be short-term. Subaru has confirmed that Forester manufacturing is coming to the model’s Indiana plant—seemingly in early 2026. When that shift occurs, WRX output in Japan might recuperate.
In the meantime, the Solterra is having a second. The EV had its finest month ever in July, with 1,562 gross sales. That’s a 21 p.c improve over final yr. The surge comes simply forward of a revised mannequin with much-needed enhancements, together with a rise in vary from 227 miles to 283 and an enormous soar in horsepower from 216 to 338. Add within the push for patrons to safe the $7,500 federal tax credit score (at present solely out there on leases for the Solterra) earlier than new laws take impact, and the timing is ideal.
That stated, it’s laborious to disregard what this all means for the WRX. As soon as a logo of accessible, rally-inspired driving pleasure, the WRX now finds itself on the backside of Subaru’s lineup when it comes to gross sales—and relevance. It’s nonetheless a succesful, fun-to-drive machine with real-world practicality, however in right this moment’s SUV-first world, even which may not be sufficient to maintain it alive.
Subaru execs are seemingly watching intently. With the game sedan phase shrinking and EV mandates rising, holding the WRX round turns into more durable to justify with out sturdy demand. The subsequent few months will inform us loads. Will manufacturing bounce again as soon as Forester stock stabilizes? Or is that this a gradual fade into the sundown for a beloved efficiency icon?
For now, the WRX continues to be right here. However in 2025, it’s not the one main the ‘cost.’
Read more: 24 Subaru Car Models: Photos, Specs and Engines