Completely forgot to mention that CVT WRXs have a different AWD system from the manual cars - Active All-Wheel Drive that changes torque split depending on driver input. Didn’t notice much of a difference in the real world between the two AWD setups, I’ve found Subaru’s active AWD to work great in the snow etc. on other CVT models I’ve tested. Here’s the best explanation I could find on it, from Subaru: An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively manages power distribution and ensures that the wheels with the best traction receive more power. Power transfer is governed by slippage in the clutch plates. The Transmission Control Module (TCM) controls the multi-plate transfer clutch. Active All-Wheel Drive can adjust the power split in an instant, depending on many input factors. If the front wheels begin to slip, the TCM increases hydraulic pressure on the transfer clutch, reducing slippage of the plates and transferring the power to the rear wheels. As the front wheels regain traction, the TCM reduces pressure on the clutch, increasing slippage of the plates and transferring power to the front. The TCM monitors input from speed sensors on the front and rear drive shafts and also takes input from the throttle position and the transmission. All of these factors cause the TCM to select a software strategy that determines how aggressively it adjusts the power distribution. Active All-Wheel Drive varies the power distribution according to driving conditions. When throttle input signals acceleration, the system responds by transferring more power to the rear wheels to account for rearward weight transfer. When releasing the throttle indicates deceleration, power transfers to the front wheels to enhance braking performance. The system enhances cornering performance as well. When the driver lifts off the throttle and applies the brake to enter a turn, power transfers to the front wheels for greater steering control. As the car exits the turn and accelerates, power transfers to the rear wheels for added traction.
AWD system is Variable Torque Distribution, not same as Multiplate transfer clutch which equipped for Subaru cars except WRX. 45% for front & 55% for rear centre differential with electrically controlled LSD.
"Little greasy out today. We'll be careful." Goes 60mph+ and redlines it on the ramp. Love it. Thank you for doing a CVT video for this car. Looks really good. Seems better than last generations w/ the CVT.
I’m not a manual purist by any means, but at least equip the non-manual model with a traditional torque converter automatic if you don’t want to invest in a DCT. CVTs are fine for cars focused on efficiency but don’t really belong in a car like this
Simple - Subaru doesn't have a conventional automatic transmissions available and off the shelf units (e.g. the ZF 8spd) won't work with Subaru's proprietary AWD setup.
This CVT WRX is designed for family guys who have to pickup their kids from school, buy groceries, drive whole family on a weekend road trip, and yet they still loves the looks of WRX, they love the Subaru's sport tradition, love the boxer engine without breaking their bank account by buying a Porsche, a little fun in their 9-5 daily life. No hate on the cvt though, it's literally demanded in many places outside the US. And car enthusiasts literally have manual option available. Why do people keep complaining for having more options?
This is exactly why I’m considering buying the cvt wrx. I had a 2019 wrx with the manual, and loved every minute of it. My commute has a ton of stop and go traffic, so a manual wasn’t ideal. Also having kids makes you change your priorities. I see it as a w that I can buy a wrx that fits my family’s needs.
I love my SPT VB.I can’t drive manual due to shoulder surgery but I hate the stigma Auto car drivers are put in for liking an “enthusiast” car.I get manuals are funner but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the car either.Subaru knocked it out the park with this “SPT” so kudos to them and bless anyone else out there who doesn’t feel like “getting a wilderness would be better than getting a SPT wrx” kind of a slap in the face.
As much as people wanna hate it, subaru will expand their sales a lot on this having a cvt for the day in and out drivers and enthusiasts can still go manual. The lower trim options with the cvt paired brand new still come out pretty affordable for someone who likes the car but isnt obsessed with tuning it or the gearbox. I know a few neighbors who traded civics and FWD golfs in for these and they arent disappointed at all
I have an Ignition Red Premium SPT! I think its fun with all the different drive modes. I live in Ohio & the remote start has been awesome through the My Subaru App. I also put on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4. I don't think enough people have driven this new WRX. It's a totally new transmission. This is my daily. It's perfect for my wife and I. It's a great car. The Internet Hates the CVT but in the Real Life its fine! Love this channel Topher!
I was under the impression that the only trim where you could change drive modes was the GT Trim. If the other trims with an SPT gives you different modes I am sold.
Every single person I've seen who asks "why would you get a WRX with a CVT?" hates the CVT. Then they drive it and love it. It seems weird, but believe me once you actually drive it, you'd be surprised!
I own one with a CVT if anyone has any questions. Best auto transmission I've used ever (I've only owned mainstream / nonluxury brands, but over 7). I really love this car!!
@@khelgarironfist3301 Fuel consumption isn’t great, I’d say I get 17-21 City depending how I drive, and up to 26-27 on the Highway. Maintenance costs for the CVT I would factor in an additional 1k the life of the car, changing CVT fluid at a dealer will probably run you 300-400 each time. I personally recommend it at 40k/80k but some would argue that’s overkill
@@josephs1701 well good to know. From the specs, it seems like WRX has a bit bigger fuel tank than the regular Impreza. So i'm guessing you get about 500km/310 miles of range or something. Small tanks are annoying tbh.
would you say its a good choice for someone who doesnt wanna drive manual but wants to get the full experience the wrx can offer? do you feel like manual is really worth it?
My MPG (GT) = 28 mpg when it was warm in September-October...and since it suddenly dropped to more reasonable cold her in Wiaconsin = 22.4 mpg. Honestly believe people should never complain about MPG if they never figure out how to get it. Hint: with the GT's adaptive cruise, I can drive nearly anywhere outside city areas with CC on and engaged, disengaging when stopping, then re-engaging. All the buttons are under your thumb. The car stays in its lane, maintains speed, and maintains following distance, but will auto-brake when needed. It is FUN doing this. I returned from Thanksgiving with family today - about 35 miles mixed driving in 35 degree/famous conditions - and used CC the entire drive. The continuous MPG tucked UP another .3, and I'm now about empty. That's phenomenal. I can do so much more with my GT and ride cush soft to sport stiff, choose steering feel, throttle response, set my own customized performance combination...and get better MPG...and except for a 6 speed slipping a clutch hard...I can do it all faster than a 6 speed. Honestly, I can't understand choosing the manual.
I have a 2022 subaru wrx premium cvt, and as a european who was grown with manual, i admit, that i love my automatic subaru, fast, responsive, it's perfect, much better than the manual one
Looks like the most responsive cvt I've seen?? What??? Looks pretty sharp, shifts look dct like! I daily a manual but this definitely is mych better than i expected or any cvt for that matter
@@CJBMAGGOT94 CVT shifting is pointless and just for show, but clicking the paddle in this car does correlate with a physical change in the belt of the transmission to change the torque ratio. Still responsive between the paddle and that change
@@adamrozman I highly doubt they would make it do anything transmission wise. I bet its just engine tuning. CVT’s are far to fragile to handle the constant “shifting”.
I've had a crosstrek and forester both with CVT for several years. Had driven Golf R's DSG and the BMW's ZF 8 speed. Got the new WRX SPT / CVT recently and honestly their CVT has come a long way. The simulated shifts in S and S+ modes in auto or manual mode are quick and responsive, very much comparable to DSG but not as violent as the ZF. It's a good handling car with a rigid chassis and good power. My major gripe about the new WRX is the poor fuel economy in city driving...I'm getting 14.5L/100km in "i" mode (Canada)
That's horrible fuel economy lol. I'm getting 6.1L/100km in mixed driving in Belgium from my mx5. Considering Belgium is just basically one big city, i'd say that's pretty good.
lol the CVT is not close to the DSG in the R in any way. How fast the simulated shifts are is meaningless, since they do nothing. And that fuel economy, which is the main reason for using CVT, is awful.
I have a blue 22 GT WRX. The SPT in this car is phenomenal. I agree with everything he says. I drive it in sport mode daily, sport plus when I want to unlock its full power. I’ve had my car since august. Wanna drive even faster? Put it on sport plus manual mode, upshift to 2nd gear and build boost in the mid high rpm’s and FLOOR THAT SUCKER. MUCH BIGGER BOOST IN ACCELERATION.
Honestly, the CVT looks like it "shifts" quicker with the paddles than some TC autos. For a balance of engagement and comfort, it doesn't seem that bad. It looks responsive enough to take to the track and to work the next day.
Yeah when it shifts it is actually slowing the engine down to make you feel like you have a regular auto transmission. Not helping the car at all it’s actually slowing you down
@@ks-bg5uk not saying that the CVT is slower than the manual I’m saying that by taking shifts it is wasting it’s time. Would be even faster if it weren’t trying to act like an automatic transmission
My only thing about this car… 3k more… You get cooled seats DCT heads up display controllable awd system and a engine that can really handle tunes. A golf R makes so much more since imo. Also a lot more power. Forgot to add that.
As someone who has driven auto trucks my whole life and is finally able to buy a sporty car (I needed a truck for work but have a corporate job now) the WRX GT was really appealing. I have bad knees (particularly the left) so daily driving a manual simply isn’t an option for me. I’m really glad to see that the CVT in this car seems like it would still be fun for me, and better than previous iterations. It still cracks me up that so many people shit all over auto/cvt sports cars, particularly the WRX. As if Subaru, a multi-billion dollar international corporation, cares what a few redditors and youtube commenters think. You don’t like it? Fine, don’t buy it then. This trim clearly caters to an older demographic with a little bit of money that wants to have some fun on the way to work, while still having modern assistance systems like lane keep and ACC as standard with the trim level. I would consider something like an Audi S3, but I do a bit of driving on unpaved roads, so seems like a bad call. The only thing that is really putting me off is the uncomfortable Recaro’s. Seems like an odd choice to be standard on the more mature GT trim level. Thanks for the informative video Topher!
I traded in my 2018 legacy for the GT and I didn't want a manual. Knees,Traffic, and no eyes sight was a no go for me. I've had the car for five days now, and I'm happy with it.
I don't want a manual either, and manual snobs are tiresome. The problem is, some of the competition has good autos or DCTs. CVT is the worst possible transmission option for a car like this.
Haha you nailed it. I’m a mom with a 10 year old and a 9 year old, I didn’t wanna drive a mom car anymore so I got this and it’s perfect. My kids love it! I don’t need anything more 😂
Crazy how close this is priced compared to the new Type R now that its own price is revealed. Despite costing so similarly, it's really wild how much the Type R and WRX have diverged in target demographic etc. In the last generation they seemed to be far more directly competing with each other.
@Alex WRX had 60-100 more horsepower than the Si lmao, not competitors and no reviewers would ever suggest that. WRX and Type R were direct competitors.
@Alex But this isn't a standard wrx...it's a GT. The options available make the GT high priced. Weather people think its too much or not doesn't bother Subaru.
@Alex The GT cost the same as the new CTR, both MSRP for $44k. That’s what the OP was getting it. Not sure why you think the Si is direct competitor though. It’s in the class below the WRX with the Jetta GLI, NA Mazda 3, and the super budget KDMs. Maybe could of argued the coupe vs the crappy Gen 1 BRZ. The upcoming Impreza RS would be a Si direct competitor, but the Gen 2 BRZ blows the Si away. WRX was always at least on level with the GTI, Mazda 3 Turbo, and Focus ST. Which I would argue the former are still its direct competitors.
@@DragonKnightX12 People have considered the WRX and Civic SI direct competitors since the WRX’s introduction to the American market. You can find hundreds of major magazine comparisons over the years between the WRX, SI, GTI and various other, less permanent, options like the Focus ST, Cobalt SS etc. The Civic SI is usually down on horsepower yet often wins these comparisons based on other factors; the segment cannot be reduced down to simply horsepower. Most car reviewers (for whatever that’s worth) still prefer the new Civic SI to the new WRX, although both are pretty well loved. That said, the STI and CTR coexisted (in America) so briefly that I’m not sure I’d consider them historically competitive…I can’t speak to how people in Japan viewed them.
I think its just good to have options. With my back issues I can no longer get a manual car, so I really appreciate having the option to get an automatic. You can also turn off all beeping noises in the settings. Honestly really thinking of the getting the Limited WRX with the SPT for the softer seats and not pay so much.
If it's not much of an intrusion, what are the aspects that you avoid in a manual to discomfort your back? I recently developed a disc hernia and have been a little afraid to get a sporty manual car. I went to test drive this year's model, and they only had it in CVT, suspension was firm but good enough, but I felt there was something wrong with the brake of that demo car since it was the hardest I've tried. Salesman assured me it was fine but it was nothing compared to the previous generation.
For a “CVT” …. it’s dare i say impressive? The “shifts” are pretty fast even if it’s just a change in ratio of the pulley.. nonetheless for what it is i think it’s great. Still manual tho
VA STI owner here, that is more "mature" (54). I wanted a WRX S4 like they have back home in Japan but they did not have them here, so I bought the STI since I live in the US (Happy with my purchase). However, If I were going this route, I think I would rather get an Outback XT, as you said, more room, more comfort, more luxury, less money and equal performance (couple tenths of a second difference but if you're getting the CVT tenths of a second don't mean that much to you)
Factory ordered a WRX GT a month ago, I'm excited for it even though the CVT is controversial. Appreciate the review since there's not too many on here for the GT
I never understood the hate of CVT but if the person buys a sport car with auto auto transmission then more power to them I guess, I can see why companies are adding them to their lineup, not a lot of people don’t drive manuals anymore
I’m a Civic EX-T owner of 5 years, and have the CVT. I’ve owned 6 manual cars and can row with the best of them. I don’t miss it much. The right engine paired with a well-programmed CVT just works better than most will ever admit. Sure I could use better throttle tip-in, but that’s nothing on the transmission and can be resolved with a tune. No regrets for me.
Test drove this exact model today. (I own a 2018 STI) Think its recieved a bad wrap because people are hoping for a raw high performance AWD. Its not a WRX, what it is, is a really comfortable, quiet, mid range car. The cvt was responsive and a huge improvement over last gen. Super comfy and would make a great daily if u have something fast tucked away. I would not buy this with the hope of modding.
I think one thing you could've talked about was how the cvt can also come with the lower trims so then it only costs 2k more than the manual counter part not 10k.
So weird of them not to offer the nice seats, suspension etc in the manual. Feels like they're punishing the enthusiasts who really want to buy this car, and probably want the manual.
I've driven one of these a few times. It is definitely the best CVT I've ever driven (and maybe the best CVT ever mass produced) - enough to make me take back the eyeball-rolling when I heard that Subaru was calling it an SPT. Having said that, this car still feels like a WRX - which has always felt somewhat like an economy car - so $44k for it is way, way too much. I think Subaru will eventually trickle the adaptive stuff down to less expensive models.
Well if anything, I don't know how to drive manual and don't think I will. WRX has been my dream car and I'm finally going to buy one now that it has the CVT. It's nice for people like me
@@azca. If you have a friend that's willing to teach you, why not try? I got a 22 WRX Limited as my first manual car, and I've been getting around fine with it. It'll be a bit tricky at first, but you'll get used to it faster than you think.
@@noob.168 Yeah totally a valid reason to get the CVT (I just got out of a 4 hour traffic jam in my MT WRX and it sucked). I'm just saying if the only reason why someone is apprehensive about getting a MT WRX is that they don't know how to drive it, the learning process isn't that bad.
That "SPT" looks impressive with the virtual shifts. MT will still be the gem for enthusiasts. If they can somehow apply that SPT to their other big sellers like the Crosstrek and Forester Subaru can be the CVT king
100% agree on the seats. I sat in a GT at the dealer. Way too much bolstering, hard as a rock, and uncomfortable. I’m 5’10”, 165lbs so hardly a big dude. The limited seats are super comfortable.
Im 6"3 240 and I've driven track cars and bikes. This GT reminded me of the track somewhat. Besides I traded in my legacy for it and the seats are the fist stand out, but no schedule long road trips anytime soon
Me and girlfriend have the manual and cvt 2015 and we drive the cvt always in "manual" mode and we suprisingly drive the cvt the most, after 120k miles the cvt and motor still rock solid. For us the only way to drive the cvt are in manual mode and in all the reviews we watch nobody try the "manual" mode like you 😂
To be fair, as far as fake CVT shifts go, this one’s pretty impressive. Doesn’t excuse the lack of a traditional auto or DCT though, but not as awful as expected.
The last passenger car I bought has a manual because the only other option was a CVT. I know that as time goes on, CVT's will get better. But the last thing I need is to overpay for a car (nowadays) and then have to spend $8000 on a new transmission about the time that it's paid off. You can't repair a f'd-up CVT, you have to replace them. So until CVT's reliably have the same average lifespan that a traditional torque converter automatic has, I'll always give them the stink eye.
I’m working part time as a service valet at a Subaru dealer here in Seattle and surprisingly I’ve actually seen a few CVT WRX’s come in. I guess there’s some subset of people, however small, that just like the “vibe” of it without wanting to shift for themselves. Wouldn’t be my personal choice, don’t get me wrong, but I guess Subaru figures better to have some automatic than none at all 🤷♂️
It's my daily driver and I live in a trafficky and manuals are a pain to drive here; fun enough and the eyesight system is life changing.. I'd rather play with a project manual for the track to get my gear rolling fix.
i was literally searching for a vid about the wrx gt a few days ago and was bummed that you didn't have a video on it and now i see this on my home page
I would actually have to thank the Subaru Team for pushing me to purchase and drive a Manual Daily. If the WRX was offered with an Amazing Automatic, the story might be different.
You know, my next car might be a wrx cvt, but after hearing about the upcoming impreza RS, it would be a very close contender. Oh the options are nice for me
I've warmed up to the new WRX quite a bit. I think the play is to hold onto my '21 WRX for a few years and see what they do with the refresh on this. If they can bring the adjustable dampers down to a manual model I'd jump on that in a heartbeat.
Congrats on still holding a what is considered rare now 21 WRX, I want to love the new gen but it's just the back that slaps me. I might just have to look at used STI/WRX until maybe they re model it hopefully.
i love that steering wheel with real matte buttons...i love those clean easy to read analog gauges.... i love that blind spot monitor on the body of rwm instead of mirror iself.... overall interior design despite that tablet.... at least there are buttons for temp and defrost.... i love alcantara seats ( no matter the form, no leather), i dont mind that cvt with fake shifting.... without that it would be a no go.... and all that extrea good subaru stuff as a bonus... i really like this car.
Subaru interior looks like an airplane cockpit, looks cool and fun to drive Subaru was originally made by a manufacturer called Nakajima Airplane, so the people who designed and built fighter planes at that time made cars, so I think the driver's seat resembles the cockpit of an airplane.
Very good review for showing what SPT has. I understood the recaro and adaptive damper want to have the manual model. I guess that many enthusists going to have coilovers and more aggressive backet seats. So such kind of high trim manual shold be limited share.
If it wasn’t so pricy I’d consider it just wish they still made it with a hatch…. Pizza vino is 🔥 btw. Love the cool spots in southeast Michigan you go to in your videos.
Really comparing apples to cucumbers here but in the Honda CRZ CVT it doesn’t have preset shifts in automatic mode, only when using paddle shifters. Wish they went the sane direction with this.
The real question is: is there lag between drive/reverse? That was the absolute biggest issue I had with my Subaru CVT. Trying to do a 3 point turn or backing out of a spot was enraging when you tap on the gas and nothing happens
It seems like a DCT or a traditional torque converter like the ZF 8-speed would bring the automatic version of this car to a different level. I don't understand how an automaker could put a CVT with an engine like this. The engine deserves better.
I found the Limited too stiff. Does the GT in comfort suspension mode feel luxurious? If so, I may have to wait for Subaru to put the adaptive suspension in a manual trim. Either that, or get an Integra for cheaper, though I prefer the shape & exterior of the WRX.
Two things I believe would make the CVT argument a bit more in favor of it. 1. Add a 1st gear for launch, similar to what Toyota has done do the Corolla transmission. 2. Stop this fake shift nonsense in CVT transmissions. Keep only one mode with fake shift and allowed when using a ‘manual’ mode (shifting with paddles).
Subaru confuses me, I mean why tweak and put the effort into making a CVT feel like an TC auto… when you can just put the automatic transmission in the first place?
i have a 2022 wrx cvt, i just want to let people know that if u want a cvt you can get it in the base model if you dont want to spend 40k+ i got my wrx for 31k msrp it had all the eyesight feature.
See the 6-speed manual video here: 2022 Subaru WRX Premium (6-Speed Manual) - POV Review
th-cam.com/video/4XGofu2EF2M/w-d-xo.html
Completely forgot to mention that CVT WRXs have a different AWD system from the manual cars - Active All-Wheel Drive that changes torque split depending on driver input. Didn’t notice much of a difference in the real world between the two AWD setups, I’ve found Subaru’s active AWD to work great in the snow etc. on other CVT models I’ve tested.
Here’s the best explanation I could find on it, from Subaru:
An electronically managed continuously variable transfer clutch actively manages power distribution and ensures that the wheels with the best traction receive more power. Power transfer is governed by slippage in the clutch plates. The Transmission Control Module (TCM) controls the multi-plate transfer clutch. Active All-Wheel Drive can adjust the power split in an instant, depending on many input factors. If the front wheels begin to slip, the TCM increases hydraulic pressure on the transfer clutch, reducing slippage of the plates and transferring the power to the rear wheels. As the front wheels regain traction, the TCM reduces pressure on the clutch, increasing slippage of the plates and transferring power to the front. The TCM monitors input from speed sensors on the front and rear drive shafts and also takes input from the throttle position and the transmission. All of these factors cause the TCM to select a software strategy that determines how aggressively it adjusts the power distribution. Active All-Wheel Drive varies the power distribution according to driving conditions. When throttle input signals acceleration, the system responds by transferring more power to the rear wheels to account for rearward weight transfer. When releasing the throttle indicates deceleration, power transfers to the front wheels to enhance braking performance. The system enhances cornering performance as well. When the driver lifts off the throttle and applies the brake to enter a turn, power transfers to the front wheels for greater steering control. As the car exits the turn and accelerates, power transfers to the rear wheels for added traction.
@TheTopher what's better choice in ur opinion: wrx cvt or elantra N automatic?
AWD system is Variable Torque Distribution, not same as Multiplate transfer clutch which equipped for Subaru cars except WRX. 45% for front & 55% for rear centre differential with electrically controlled LSD.
how was it driving summer tires at 41 degrees?
"Little greasy out today. We'll be careful."
Goes 60mph+ and redlines it on the ramp. Love it. Thank you for doing a CVT video for this car. Looks really good. Seems better than last generations w/ the CVT.
Subaru things
Next time: snow tires, on wet pavement. Just did a quick turn today on my tires and that was too much fun (no.)
I’m not a manual purist by any means, but at least equip the non-manual model with a traditional torque converter automatic if you don’t want to invest in a DCT. CVTs are fine for cars focused on efficiency but don’t really belong in a car like this
Don't know why Subaru equipped the VA and VB WRX with the "high torque" cvt
I’ve been saying for years that the wrx and forester xt (when they were a thing) would have been great with a dct
Simple - Subaru doesn't have a conventional automatic transmissions available and off the shelf units (e.g. the ZF 8spd) won't work with Subaru's proprietary AWD setup.
@@Trades46 they do. Eaz4 trannies are cheap and plentiful. Subaru have even made a modified version to fit 5 gears. Knock yourself out.
Yea, CVT = Sad Panda in a sport oriented car
This CVT WRX is designed for family guys who have to pickup their kids from school, buy groceries, drive whole family on a weekend road trip, and yet they still loves the looks of WRX, they love the Subaru's sport tradition, love the boxer engine without breaking their bank account by buying a Porsche, a little fun in their 9-5 daily life. No hate on the cvt though, it's literally demanded in many places outside the US. And car enthusiasts literally have manual option available. Why do people keep complaining for having more options?
This is exactly why I’m considering buying the cvt wrx. I had a 2019 wrx with the manual, and loved every minute of it. My commute has a ton of stop and go traffic, so a manual wasn’t ideal. Also having kids makes you change your priorities. I see it as a w that I can buy a wrx that fits my family’s needs.
This episode is like you just wondering around the town of Silent Hill.
I love my SPT VB.I can’t drive manual due to shoulder surgery but I hate the stigma Auto car drivers are put in for liking an “enthusiast” car.I get manuals are funner but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the car either.Subaru knocked it out the park with this “SPT” so kudos to them and bless anyone else out there who doesn’t feel like “getting a wilderness would be better than getting a SPT wrx” kind of a slap in the face.
As much as people wanna hate it, subaru will expand their sales a lot on this having a cvt for the day in and out drivers and enthusiasts can still go manual. The lower trim options with the cvt paired brand new still come out pretty affordable for someone who likes the car but isnt obsessed with tuning it or the gearbox. I know a few neighbors who traded civics and FWD golfs in for these and they arent disappointed at all
I have an Ignition Red Premium SPT! I think its fun with all the different drive modes. I live in Ohio & the remote start has been awesome through the My Subaru App. I also put on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4. I don't think enough people have driven this new WRX. It's a totally new transmission. This is my daily. It's perfect for my wife and I. It's a great car. The Internet Hates the CVT but in the Real Life its fine! Love this channel Topher!
just give it 40k miles for the cvt to explode
Nah CVT WRX still sucks. Way too expensive for what you get.
I was under the impression that the only trim where you could change drive modes was the GT Trim. If the other trims with an SPT gives you different modes I am sold.
@@lilwank9602 Has a 100,000 mile warranty 😉
Don't listen criticism, my friend.
If you happy what you have, be glad what you have it. Stay positive
Every single person I've seen who asks "why would you get a WRX with a CVT?" hates the CVT. Then they drive it and love it. It seems weird, but believe me once you actually drive it, you'd be surprised!
I own one with a CVT if anyone has any questions. Best auto transmission I've used ever (I've only owned mainstream / nonluxury brands, but over 7). I really love this car!!
Fuel consumption and general maintenance costs?
@@khelgarironfist3301 Fuel consumption isn’t great, I’d say I get 17-21 City depending how I drive, and up to 26-27 on the Highway. Maintenance costs for the CVT I would factor in an additional 1k the life of the car, changing CVT fluid at a dealer will probably run you 300-400 each time. I personally recommend it at 40k/80k but some would argue that’s overkill
@@khelgarironfist3301 general maintenance costs, only 2k miles in so I’m not sure yet! From the handbook, looks about average.
@@josephs1701 well good to know. From the specs, it seems like WRX has a bit bigger fuel tank than the regular Impreza. So i'm guessing you get about 500km/310 miles of range or something. Small tanks are annoying tbh.
would you say its a good choice for someone who doesnt wanna drive manual but wants to get the full experience the wrx can offer? do you feel like manual is really worth it?
I wish the WRX GT came with a 6 speed, I understand their approach trying to make it a "touring car" but man I love those seats.
yea i was hoping u could order the 6spd with those seats as like add on upgrade somthing
My MPG (GT) = 28 mpg when it was warm in September-October...and since it suddenly dropped to more reasonable cold her in Wiaconsin = 22.4 mpg. Honestly believe people should never complain about MPG if they never figure out how to get it. Hint: with the GT's adaptive cruise, I can drive nearly anywhere outside city areas with CC on and engaged, disengaging when stopping, then re-engaging. All the buttons are under your thumb. The car stays in its lane, maintains speed, and maintains following distance, but will auto-brake when needed. It is FUN doing this. I returned from Thanksgiving with family today - about 35 miles mixed driving in 35 degree/famous conditions - and used CC the entire drive. The continuous MPG tucked UP another .3, and I'm now about empty. That's phenomenal. I can do so much more with my GT and ride cush soft to sport stiff, choose steering feel, throttle response, set my own customized performance combination...and get better MPG...and except for a 6 speed slipping a clutch hard...I can do it all faster than a 6 speed. Honestly, I can't understand choosing the manual.
Great share of your experience. Still leaning to the manual but the extr 2 - 3 k for SPT isnt off the table yet.
I have a 2022 subaru wrx premium cvt, and as a european who was grown with manual, i admit, that i love my automatic subaru, fast, responsive, it's perfect, much better than the manual one
Looks like the most responsive cvt I've seen?? What??? Looks pretty sharp, shifts look dct like! I daily a manual but this definitely is mych better than i expected or any cvt for that matter
Its probably the way it is tuned and programmed my guess
Yeah they tuned it to look like it is actually shifting gears now. In reality tho when it fake shifts it is slowing your car down lmao
@@chrisg5101 glad to hear!
Yeah, paddle shift response actually looks pretty decent. Was always curious to know how the CVT in these drove, thanks!
It looks decent because it doesn't actually do anything.
@@CJBMAGGOT94 It actually does force a tiny bit more power out of the engine, but a major tradeoff is more wear on the CVT.
@@CJBMAGGOT94 CVT shifting is pointless and just for show, but clicking the paddle in this car does correlate with a physical change in the belt of the transmission to change the torque ratio. Still responsive between the paddle and that change
Why do you need to shift a CVT? Don't you want max RPM all the time you're full throttle?
@@adamrozman I highly doubt they would make it do anything transmission wise. I bet its just engine tuning. CVT’s are far to fragile to handle the constant “shifting”.
I've had a crosstrek and forester both with CVT for several years. Had driven Golf R's DSG and the BMW's ZF 8 speed. Got the new WRX SPT / CVT recently and honestly their CVT has come a long way. The simulated shifts in S and S+ modes in auto or manual mode are quick and responsive, very much comparable to DSG but not as violent as the ZF. It's a good handling car with a rigid chassis and good power. My major gripe about the new WRX is the poor fuel economy in city driving...I'm getting 14.5L/100km in "i" mode (Canada)
That's horrible fuel economy lol. I'm getting 6.1L/100km in mixed driving in Belgium from my mx5. Considering Belgium is just basically one big city, i'd say that's pretty good.
lol the CVT is not close to the DSG in the R in any way. How fast the simulated shifts are is meaningless, since they do nothing. And that fuel economy, which is the main reason for using CVT, is awful.
This is the best cvt I've ever seen. If manufacturers put this cvt in all their cars and other econoboxes I wouldn't hate them as much
It’s a good cvt but a cvt isn’t good lol
If it fakes shifts, “shifts” early and doesn’t keep at the redline, why not just put in a torque converter and avoid the enthusiast hate??
@@davidlake611 my thoughts exactly. I still wouldn't buy this because I know it's a cvt and I'd probably have to leave it in sport mode all the time
@@WreckFatal agreed. Cvts are still terrible don't get me wrong. Manuals are way superior
Actually impressive how fast it shifts ratios. Looks like it has gears.
CVT is awesome...on a snowmobile.
I have a blue 22 GT WRX. The SPT in this car is phenomenal. I agree with everything he says. I drive it in sport mode daily, sport plus when I want to unlock its full power. I’ve had my car since august. Wanna drive even faster? Put it on sport plus manual mode, upshift to 2nd gear and build boost in the mid high rpm’s and FLOOR THAT SUCKER. MUCH BIGGER BOOST IN ACCELERATION.
Honestly, the CVT looks like it "shifts" quicker with the paddles than some TC autos. For a balance of engagement and comfort, it doesn't seem that bad. It looks responsive enough to take to the track and to work the next day.
It’s quicker because it literally isn’t doing anything other than making the owner feel better about buying a sports car with a CVT.
Yeah when it shifts it is actually slowing the engine down to make you feel like you have a regular auto transmission. Not helping the car at all it’s actually slowing you down
@@WreckFatal The numbers say other wise. The GT is actually faster than the manual from 0-60.
@@ks-bg5uk not saying that the CVT is slower than the manual I’m saying that by taking shifts it is wasting it’s time. Would be even faster if it weren’t trying to act like an automatic transmission
@@WreckFatal The manual has proven to lose track time during shifts. The CVT is actually faster than the manual in short distances like a 0-60 time.
Absolutely love the CVT and would recommend it to anyone!
My only thing about this car… 3k more… You get cooled seats DCT heads up display controllable awd system and a engine that can really handle tunes. A golf R makes so much more since imo. Also a lot more power. Forgot to add that.
As someone who has driven auto trucks my whole life and is finally able to buy a sporty car (I needed a truck for work but have a corporate job now) the WRX GT was really appealing. I have bad knees (particularly the left) so daily driving a manual simply isn’t an option for me. I’m really glad to see that the CVT in this car seems like it would still be fun for me, and better than previous iterations.
It still cracks me up that so many people shit all over auto/cvt sports cars, particularly the WRX. As if Subaru, a multi-billion dollar international corporation, cares what a few redditors and youtube commenters think. You don’t like it? Fine, don’t buy it then. This trim clearly caters to an older demographic with a little bit of money that wants to have some fun on the way to work, while still having modern assistance systems like lane keep and ACC as standard with the trim level. I would consider something like an Audi S3, but I do a bit of driving on unpaved roads, so seems like a bad call.
The only thing that is really putting me off is the uncomfortable Recaro’s. Seems like an odd choice to be standard on the more mature GT trim level.
Thanks for the informative video Topher!
I traded in my 2018 legacy for the GT and I didn't want a manual. Knees,Traffic, and no eyes sight was a no go for me. I've had the car for five days now, and I'm happy with it.
I don't want a manual either, and manual snobs are tiresome.
The problem is, some of the competition has good autos or DCTs. CVT is the worst possible transmission option for a car like this.
Haha you nailed it. I’m a mom with a 10 year old and a 9 year old, I didn’t wanna drive a mom car anymore so I got this and it’s perfect. My kids love it! I don’t need anything more 😂
Crazy how close this is priced compared to the new Type R now that its own price is revealed. Despite costing so similarly, it's really wild how much the Type R and WRX have diverged in target demographic etc. In the last generation they seemed to be far more directly competing with each other.
@Alex WRX had 60-100 more horsepower than the Si lmao, not competitors and no reviewers would ever suggest that. WRX and Type R were direct competitors.
They are still competition, it's just that this one is priced for idiots.
@Alex But this isn't a standard wrx...it's a GT. The options available make the GT high priced. Weather people think its too much or not doesn't bother Subaru.
@Alex The GT cost the same as the new CTR, both MSRP for $44k. That’s what the OP was getting it.
Not sure why you think the Si is direct competitor though. It’s in the class below the WRX with the Jetta GLI, NA Mazda 3, and the super budget KDMs. Maybe could of argued the coupe vs the crappy Gen 1 BRZ. The upcoming Impreza RS would be a Si direct competitor, but the Gen 2 BRZ blows the Si away.
WRX was always at least on level with the GTI, Mazda 3 Turbo, and Focus ST.
Which I would argue the former are still its direct competitors.
@@DragonKnightX12 People have considered the WRX and Civic SI direct competitors since the WRX’s introduction to the American market. You can find hundreds of major magazine comparisons over the years between the WRX, SI, GTI and various other, less permanent, options like the Focus ST, Cobalt SS etc. The Civic SI is usually down on horsepower yet often wins these comparisons based on other factors; the segment cannot be reduced down to simply horsepower. Most car reviewers (for whatever that’s worth) still prefer the new Civic SI to the new WRX, although both are pretty well loved.
That said, the STI and CTR coexisted (in America) so briefly that I’m not sure I’d consider them historically competitive…I can’t speak to how people in Japan viewed them.
I think its just good to have options. With my back issues I can no longer get a manual car, so I really appreciate having the option to get an automatic. You can also turn off all beeping noises in the settings. Honestly really thinking of the getting the Limited WRX with the SPT for the softer seats and not pay so much.
If it's not much of an intrusion, what are the aspects that you avoid in a manual to discomfort your back?
I recently developed a disc hernia and have been a little afraid to get a sporty manual car. I went to test drive this year's model, and they only had it in CVT, suspension was firm but good enough, but I felt there was something wrong with the brake of that demo car since it was the hardest I've tried. Salesman assured me it was fine but it was nothing compared to the previous generation.
For a “CVT” …. it’s dare i say impressive? The “shifts” are pretty fast even if it’s just a change in ratio of the pulley.. nonetheless for what it is i think it’s great. Still manual tho
7:00 of course the fusion is changing lines to the right with his left turn signal on 😂
VA STI owner here, that is more "mature" (54). I wanted a WRX S4 like they have back home in Japan but they did not have them here, so I bought the STI since I live in the US (Happy with my purchase). However, If I were going this route, I think I would rather get an Outback XT, as you said, more room, more comfort, more luxury, less money and equal performance (couple tenths of a second difference but if you're getting the CVT tenths of a second don't mean that much to you)
Love the interior especially that steering wheel
Factory ordered a WRX GT a month ago, I'm excited for it even though the CVT is controversial. Appreciate the review since there's not too many on here for the GT
I placed an order back in march. Arrived August. 10000% happy with this car. You’ll love it!!
@@cav1991 Actually picked it up 2 days ago, absolutely love it so far. No regrets at all
@@initialgm YAYY!! Welcome to the 22 WRX FAM 🤙🏽🤘🏽
@@cav1991 appreciate it bro!🙏
A dual clutch auto would be great. Though not sure it would be worth it to them for just one trim line of one model.
So for an extra
I never understood the hate of CVT but if the person buys a sport car with auto auto transmission then more power to them I guess, I can see why companies are adding them to their lineup, not a lot of people don’t drive manuals anymore
I’m a Civic EX-T owner of 5 years, and have the CVT. I’ve owned 6 manual cars and can row with the best of them. I don’t miss it much. The right engine paired with a well-programmed CVT just works better than most will ever admit. Sure I could use better throttle tip-in, but that’s nothing on the transmission and can be resolved with a tune. No regrets for me.
Test drove this exact model today. (I own a 2018 STI)
Think its recieved a bad wrap because people are hoping for a raw high performance AWD.
Its not a WRX, what it is, is a really comfortable, quiet, mid range car. The cvt was responsive and a huge improvement over last gen. Super comfy and would make a great daily if u have something fast tucked away.
I would not buy this with the hope of modding.
Haven't seen it in person, but that black clading around the wheels makes it look like it was built in the late 90's
Hated it at first, now I love it since it won’t get paint chips on gravel roads. Looks overall are growing on me as well
He keeps saying $43,000, but the OTD is just a hair under $46,000. Totally worth it IMO.
I think one thing you could've talked about was how the cvt can also come with the lower trims so then it only costs 2k more than the manual counter part not 10k.
The fact that they lock so many enthusiast options behind the CVT just makes no sense…
Mans out here in silent hill test driving cars
So weird of them not to offer the nice seats, suspension etc in the manual. Feels like they're punishing the enthusiasts who really want to buy this car, and probably want the manual.
They do offer nice seats in the Limited manual cars.
You can have nice seats In the other trims ,but nit the Recaros 😂
Though it’s a CVT, the engine actually sounds pretty good
I've driven one of these a few times. It is definitely the best CVT I've ever driven (and maybe the best CVT ever mass produced) - enough to make me take back the eyeball-rolling when I heard that Subaru was calling it an SPT. Having said that, this car still feels like a WRX - which has always felt somewhat like an economy car - so $44k for it is way, way too much. I think Subaru will eventually trickle the adaptive stuff down to less expensive models.
Well if anything, I don't know how to drive manual and don't think I will. WRX has been my dream car and I'm finally going to buy one now that it has the CVT. It's nice for people like me
@@azca. If you have a friend that's willing to teach you, why not try? I got a 22 WRX Limited as my first manual car, and I've been getting around fine with it. It'll be a bit tricky at first, but you'll get used to it faster than you think.
I commute un traffic jams 2-3 hrs a day. No thanks. Why wrx then? Cuz we can only afford 1 car and still want a fun one for weekends
@@noob.168 Yeah totally a valid reason to get the CVT (I just got out of a 4 hour traffic jam in my MT WRX and it sucked). I'm just saying if the only reason why someone is apprehensive about getting a MT WRX is that they don't know how to drive it, the learning process isn't that bad.
This is what the Integra CVT should be like
That "SPT" looks impressive with the virtual shifts. MT will still be the gem for enthusiasts. If they can somehow apply that SPT to their other big sellers like the Crosstrek and Forester Subaru can be the CVT king
100% agree on the seats. I sat in a GT at the dealer. Way too much bolstering, hard as a rock, and uncomfortable. I’m 5’10”, 165lbs so hardly a big dude. The limited seats are super comfortable.
Im 6"3 240 and I've driven track cars and bikes. This GT reminded me of the track somewhat. Besides I traded in my legacy for it and the seats are the fist stand out, but no schedule long road trips anytime soon
Was about to buy 22wrx but last minute changed mind to a new legacy xt. Still has the 2.4t but more space and comfort. I’m happy with it.
Me and girlfriend have the manual and cvt 2015 and we drive the cvt always in "manual" mode and we suprisingly drive the cvt the most, after 120k miles the cvt and motor still rock solid. For us the only way to drive the cvt are in manual mode and in all the reviews we watch nobody try the "manual" mode like you 😂
Over 40k idk why anyone would get this over a Golf R or GR corolla assuming MSRP
CVT in this car is better than any Nissan or hybrid CVT. Game changer! I hope to see this trans in other Subarus.
I hope to see CVTs go extinct
@@WreckFatal They aren't going away, so this is better than what they currently offer.
To be fair, as far as fake CVT shifts go, this one’s pretty impressive. Doesn’t excuse the lack of a traditional auto or DCT though, but not as awful as expected.
All this needed was a true DCT or ZF 8speed like in BMW's
YES! Finally a nice and beautiful CVT on a WRX! I'm so super-pumped for this, I can't even express my joy! 😀😀😀👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
😂
The last passenger car I bought has a manual because the only other option was a CVT. I know that as time goes on, CVT's will get better. But the last thing I need is to overpay for a car (nowadays) and then have to spend $8000 on a new transmission about the time that it's paid off. You can't repair a f'd-up CVT, you have to replace them. So until CVT's reliably have the same average lifespan that a traditional torque converter automatic has, I'll always give them the stink eye.
This TH-cam update godly
I’m working part time as a service valet at a Subaru dealer here in Seattle and surprisingly I’ve actually seen a few CVT WRX’s come in. I guess there’s some subset of people, however small, that just like the “vibe” of it without wanting to shift for themselves. Wouldn’t be my personal choice, don’t get me wrong, but I guess Subaru figures better to have some automatic than none at all 🤷♂️
It's my daily driver and I live in a trafficky and manuals are a pain to drive here; fun enough and the eyesight system is life changing.. I'd rather play with a project manual for the track to get my gear rolling fix.
I agree with other comments. At least add a DCT... The one in the i30ns is phenomenal!!
agreed
i was literally searching for a vid about the wrx gt a few days ago and was bummed that you didn't have a video on it and now i see this on my home page
This car over BMW 3 series and Merc C class anyday.
I always found it weird how Subaru said the automatic is based on the golf but there were 0 review units with the automatic when TH-camrs got them 💀
I have a 2021 WRX Limited CVT and the only way to drive it is in sport or sport + in manual mode with the paddle shifters.
I would actually have to thank the Subaru Team for pushing me to purchase and drive a Manual Daily.
If the WRX was offered with an Amazing Automatic, the story might be different.
You know, my next car might be a wrx cvt, but after hearing about the upcoming impreza RS, it would be a very close contender. Oh the options are nice for me
Was watching these in my car with my Air pods pro. Spatial audio had me tripping out cause it sounded so real
I've warmed up to the new WRX quite a bit. I think the play is to hold onto my '21 WRX for a few years and see what they do with the refresh on this. If they can bring the adjustable dampers down to a manual model I'd jump on that in a heartbeat.
Congrats on still holding a what is considered rare now 21 WRX, I want to love the new gen but it's just the back that slaps me. I might just have to look at used STI/WRX until maybe they re model it hopefully.
i love that steering wheel with real matte buttons...i love those clean easy to read analog gauges.... i love that blind spot monitor on the body of rwm instead of mirror iself.... overall interior design despite that tablet.... at least there are buttons for temp and defrost.... i love alcantara seats ( no matter the form, no leather), i dont mind that cvt with fake shifting.... without that it would be a no go.... and all that extrea good subaru stuff as a bonus... i really like this car.
They totally reinvented the 2022 Subaru WRX
That shoes clap tho XD
Just drove one two days ago. It was impressive and i almost bought it. Just not right financially right now, nothing about the car.
This transmission is pretty good! Just test drove one
Subaru interior looks like an airplane cockpit, looks cool and fun to drive
Subaru was originally made by a manufacturer called Nakajima Airplane, so the people who designed and built fighter planes at that time made cars, so I think the driver's seat resembles the cockpit of an airplane.
Nice SPT WRX !!!
NICE "Fake DCT" Response and...PERFORMANCE!!
Very good review for showing what SPT has. I understood the recaro and adaptive damper want to have the manual model. I guess that many enthusists going to have coilovers and more aggressive backet seats. So such kind of high trim manual shold be limited share.
They should put a DCT in a WRX. Would be pretty competitive.
Not offering adaptive dampers on the stick shift was a mistake in my opinion. I would’ve gone up a trim level if that had been available lol
Subaru should have given us the option to add the recaro seats to the limited trim.
Subaru gave everything to build a Amazing new WRX and thats the result of it.
Got the limited one with manual transmission few weeks ago and im happy with it
man new car with CVT whine already lol gotta love it
If it wasn’t so pricy I’d consider it just wish they still made it with a hatch…. Pizza vino is 🔥 btw. Love the cool spots in southeast Michigan you go to in your videos.
12:19 Edit: A pull is always my first curiosity before I can enjoy more relaxed content :D
that's a big ol' auto stick in the middle. I thought the days of those would be over by now, lol
Really comparing apples to cucumbers here but in the Honda CRZ CVT it doesn’t have preset shifts in automatic mode, only when using paddle shifters.
Wish they went the sane direction with this.
I like the fact that the cvt has the auto blip Rev match when you downshift.
I don’t understand why people like driving manual if automatic is faster
I say if you want a WRX its got to be a manual hands down
The real question is: is there lag between drive/reverse?
That was the absolute biggest issue I had with my Subaru CVT. Trying to do a 3 point turn or backing out of a spot was enraging when you tap on the gas and nothing happens
It seems like a DCT or a traditional torque converter like the ZF 8-speed would bring the automatic version of this car to a different level. I don't understand how an automaker could put a CVT with an engine like this. The engine deserves better.
A CVT in a WRX is an absolute insult.
I found the Limited too stiff. Does the GT in comfort suspension mode feel luxurious? If so, I may have to wait for Subaru to put the adaptive suspension in a manual trim. Either that, or get an Integra for cheaper, though I prefer the shape & exterior of the WRX.
Looks nice. I'm trying to convince my fiance to get the new wrx.
Cvt is such a deal breaker. Mazda 3 GT is the choice. Cvt is not bad but definitely not suit for a type of car that is designed for enthusiasts.
Two things I believe would make the CVT argument a bit more in favor of it. 1. Add a 1st gear for launch, similar to what Toyota has done do the Corolla transmission. 2. Stop this fake shift nonsense in CVT transmissions. Keep only one mode with fake shift and allowed when using a ‘manual’ mode (shifting with paddles).
That's how the original Subaru CVTs were, but then they added fake shifts probably to appease people used to traditional autos
It would have made perfect sense to bring the Levorg here with the same powertrain combo.
I love that this review boils down to "Should be manual."
At 42k, this car is a tough sell over a Golf R with their better DCT option, AWD, arguably more reliable motor and power, etc.
$42K.. Subaru trippin ballz.. Gone are the days for performance you could get in a base STi for $36K!
I bought my base 2015 STI brand new for $33k out the door. Still have it and LOVE it. Best and most enjoyable car I've ever owned.
Listen for someone who’s 5”5 I seriously love Subarus. There’s something about their drivability at moderate speeds that gets me saving for one 🥸
Subaru confuses me, I mean why tweak and put the effort into making a CVT feel like an TC auto… when you can just put the automatic transmission in the first place?
It's cheaper
Thanks Topher, I'll still pass on the WRX. Sticking (and still waiting) for my GR86. lol.
i have a 2022 wrx cvt, i just want to let people know that if u want a cvt you can get it in the base model if you dont want to spend 40k+ i got my wrx for 31k msrp it had all the eyesight feature.