The Subaru WRX is making a dramatic sales comeback in 2026, with August deliveries rising 191% from a year earlier and the AWD sports sedan outselling Subaru’s three electric vehicles combined as well as the Impreza.
WRX Sales Rebound After Sharp 2025 Decline
In 2025, sales of Subaru’s AWD rally sedan fell sharply. After hovering near 30,000 units annually for much of the previous decade, WRX sales dropped to just 10,930 vehicles. In July, its lowest month, sales fell to only 350 cars.
The picture has changed significantly in 2026. During August, Subaru dealers moved 1,778 WRX models, representing a 191% increase compared with the same month last year.
The August result is part of a broader recovery. Through the first eight months of 2026, Subaru WRX sales are nearly equal to the model’s total sales for all of 2025, with four months still remaining in the year.
Even the WRX’s weakest month this year was considerably stronger than its lows in 2025. Subaru sold more than 1,000 WRX models in February, when sales declined across nearly every other model and the company blamed winter storms.
Subaru WRX Outsells All Three EVs Combined
The WRX is no longer near the bottom of Subaru’s sales rankings. In August, the combined sales of the Solterra, Trailseeker, and Uncharted — Subaru’s three EVs — totaled 1,765 vehicles.
That put the WRX ahead of the three electric models combined by 13 vehicles.
Perhaps even more notable was the WRX’s performance against the Impreza. Subaru sold 1,556 examples of its affordable AWD hatchback in August, down 41% from the same month last year.
For the first eight months of 2026, Impreza sales were down 43% compared with the same period in 2025.
Price and Availability Help Drive WRX Recovery
The sharp difference between WRX sales in 2025 and 2026 appears tied to price and availability rather than demand. A look at dealers across the country last year showed limited inventory, leaving few cars available for customers to purchase.
The shortage was connected to the launch of the new Forester. Subaru shifted production at its Ōta plant toward the hot-selling SUV, reducing WRX production as it worked to supply dealers with more Forester models.
Subaru is now building Foresters at its Indiana plant, with hybrid production beginning in February. That allowed the company to resume building more WRX models and improve availability for buyers.
Lower Prices and the Return of the Base Trim
Subaru also brought back the Base trim after previously cutting it during the supply shortages. The entry-level WRX starts at $32,495, compared with $35,750 for the Premium model before destination charges of $1,170.
The company also reduced the Premium model’s price to $33,995 and cut $1,135 from the price of the Limited model.
Impreza Sales Decline Remains Unexplained
While the reasons behind the WRX rebound appear linked to improved production, availability and pricing, the decline in Impreza sales remains unclear. An inquiry was made to Subaru seeking more information.
Inventory availability could also be a factor. A search of dealer inventories showed roughly 10 Crosstreks available for every Impreza on dealer lots.
The strong turnaround gives the Subaru WRX a markedly different position from a year ago, with sales accelerating in 2026 and the sports sedan now outperforming several other models in Subaru’s lineup.
