The Affordable WRX Makes a Return

Subaru quietly dropped the base WRX for 2025, saying most buyers skipped it for higher trims. On paper, that move made sense. But it also pushed the WRX further from its roots as an affordable, accessible sports sedan.

For 2026, Subaru is reversing course. The base WRX is back, now starting under $33,000, and it keeps the same standard features buyers expect from higher trims. Subaru also cut prices across the lineup without stripping out equipment. At the other end, there’s a new limited-run WRX Series.Yellow – built for enthusiasts who want something that stands out, both in looks and attitude.

What the Price Cuts Look Like

The real headline is the price gap between 2025 and 2026. Subaru didn’t just bring back the base model – it reset the whole lineup by cutting prices up to nearly $4,000. Yes, that includes the STI-tuned WRX tS.

Here’s how the new 2026 MSRPs stack up against last year’s, not counting the $1,195 destination charge (in most states):

Interestingly, Subaru touted that the current pricing is in line with how the WRX was priced over two decades ago. Adjusted for inflation, Subaru said the 2026 WRX costs about the same as the original 2002 model that put the car on the map in the US – but now you get way more tech, safety, and comfort.

WRX Series.Yellow and the Bigger Picture

At the top of the lineup sits the WRX Series.Yellow, limited to just 350 units. First shown last year with the BRZ Series.Yellow, it’s based on the tS, but gets a bold Sunrise Yellow paint job, matte black wheels, and yellow interior accents. Under the skin, it’s the same as the tS with STI-tuned dampers and Brembo brakes, so the real difference is in the look and collectibility, not extra performance.

Subaru cutting prices across its entire lineup is no coincidence. WRX sales dropped 41.2 percent in 2025, down to just 10,930 units compared to 18,587 units sold the year prior. Subaru didn’t say the price cuts are a direct response, but it’s hard to see it any other way. By lowering the entry point and boosting each trim’s value, Subaru is obviously trying to win back buyers to choose its “rally-inspired sports sedan.” Whether it works is another question, but at least the company’s listening to the market again.

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