Subaru officially reintroduces the base version of the WRX to the 2026 lineup in North America. This move significantly lowers the entry price for joining the WRX owners’ club, with the new sports sedan starting at $33,690 – a full $5,230 less than the 2025 WRX Premium, and $3,230 below the initial price of this version at launch. The more affordable WRX is expected to hit dealerships by spring.
The base version is notably richer in equipment. The standard package now includes keyless entry with an engine start button, sport tires, a sport suspension, tire pressure monitoring system, rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel, steering column with tilt and telescopic adjustment, and LED headlights.
Alongside the return of the base version, Subaru has reduced prices for other WRX modifications. The WRX Premium in 2026 is priced at $35,190, which is $3,730 cheaper than last year’s model. The WRX Limited has dropped $3,505 to $40,190. WRX GT and WRX tS versions are now evaluated at $46,190, which is $2,685 less than before.
Introducing the WRX Series.Yellow
This year, the limited edition WRX Series.Yellow takes the top spot in the lineup. Starting at $47,190, the car features a striking Sunrise Yellow body color, black 19-inch wheels, and dark badges, with black seats and yellow stitching inside. In terms of suspension and tuning, this version is akin to the WRX tS.
All 2026 Subaru WRX versions are equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine delivering 271 horsepower. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual. Subaru Performance Transmission, the brand’s proprietary CVT, is available for the Limited version and comes standard on WRX GT.
The return of the base WRX corresponds with a significant sales drop in 2025: total sales in the U.S. fell by 41.2%, with only 10,930 vehicles sold. This coincided with the discontinuation of the base trim and rising prices. According to Subaru, the decline was not only due to cost but also the limitation of WRX production in favor of the more in-demand and profitable Forester. The company is now expanding Forester production in the U.S., freeing up capacity at the Japanese plant where the WRX is assembled.
Recent trends indicate a modest resurgence in Subaru sales, with January 2026 showing a slight uptick, likely influenced by the refreshed WRX lineup. Consumer feedback has been mostly positive, praising the value for money due to the enhanced standard features.
There’s no notable change in automotive industry regulations affecting Subaru’s present operations. However, the advancements in the 2026 WRX model include improvements in aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, offering a more balanced and dynamic driving experience.
