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Subaru Brings Back Its Affordable Manual Sports Sedan with Even Better Value

The brand’s base WRX returns for 2026 as one of the few remaining cheap six-speed options fit for driving enthusiasts.

Close-up of a blue car's front grille with a Subaru logo and water droplets on the surface.Subaru
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By Gray Van Dyke

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In case you missed it, the WRX had a slow go of things last year, as Subaru reported a 41.2 percent decline in sales over the course of 2025. Granted, the automaker shifted production in favor of boosting Forester inventory, but the fact that the all-electric Solterra’s numbers weren’t far behind was pretty telling of the sedan’s situation.

All the more so because Subaru had discontinued the base trim for last year, so the starting MSRP proved markedly more expensive. Given that little has changed since this generation’s debut, it made for a much tougher sell.

Blue Subaru WRX sedan driving on a sunlit road with blurred trees in the background.
The WRX will span six distinct trim options in 2026, offering far more choices for prospective buyers.
Subaru

Thankfully, things are set to change for 2026. As part of its annual model year updates, Subaru focused on value, dropping prices and bringing back the most affordable entry-level trim.

The base makes a triumphant return

In practice, this means that the base WRX is set to start from $33,690 after delivery — more than $5,000 less than the MSRP for the 2025 Premium. As if that wasn’t enough, the trim is priced slightly less than it was when the generation debuted, also bringing additional standard features.

Black leather manual gear shift knob with silver top and red stitching on black leather car interior.
The base model brings more standard features at a lower price point — and still with a manual as standard.
Subaru

So, along with conveniences like keyless entry, push-button star and 60/40 folding rear seats, Subaru has fitted the base WRX with tech like LED headlights, an 11.6-inch multimedia display and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Moreover, the entry-level WRX now benefits from a set of new 18-inch alloy wheels to complement the summer performance tires, sport-tuned suspension, the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and the 271-horsepower 2.4-liter boxer engine sitting under the hood.

Manual fans will be especially pleased to know that the sports sedan will be sticking with a 6-speed row-your-own gearbox. In fact, it’s a standard feature across the entire Subaru WRX range except for the GT.

Red Subaru WRX sedan with black wheels parked on asphalt with a gray Subaru WRX sedan in the background near rocky hills.
Subaru has discounted prices throughout the WRX range.
Subaru

In any event, while the return of the base model brings the most bang for your buck, that’s not to say that the other trim levels are lacking in their savings compared to last year.

Subaru didn’t forget about the rest

Quite the contrary, in fact. Subaru has slashed the MSRP for pretty much all of its WRX trims for 2026. 

Purple Subaru WRX sedan with quad exhaust pipes parked on a rural road under trees.
Even the top-spec WRX tS goes a little lighter on your wallet this year.
Subaru

At some $3,755 off, the Premium is the most heavily discounted, but the Limited is also down by anywhere from $3,155 to $3,755, and even the top of the line GT and tS models are a little lighter on your wallet, both $2,710 cheaper. 

Beyond the savings across the board, the 2026 model year bolsters the WRX range through the debut of Subaru’s new Series.Yellow option, resulting in a total of six different individual trims.

Interior of a yellow car showing black leather seats with yellow stitching and a touchscreen dashboard.
The limited-edition Series.Yellow brings bright details inside to complement the sunny paint.
Subaru

Previously announced alongside an equally bright BRZ, this special edition sees the sports sedan shod in the brand’s hallmark Sunrise Yellow paint. Subaru has used the color sparingly throughout its catalog, typically on legends like the WRX STI S207.

Between its tS suspension and performance upgrades, its matte 19-inch wheels and its unique interior details, the Series.Yellow sits atop the WRX lineup. At $47,190, it’s a far sight more expensive than the base, but it also comes as part of an extremely limited production run.

Yellow Subaru WRX driving on a race track with blue and white curbs under a clear sky.
Subaru has expanded the WRX line to include both more approachable and more collectible trim levels.
Subaru

Pricing and availability

As previously mentioned, the 2026 Subaru WRX base will retail from $33,690 including delivery. Set to hit dealers this spring, you can head to the Subaru website to learn more in the meantime.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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