The problem isn’t only that the newest WRX isn’t catching buyers’ attention
The Subaru WRX isn’t flying off dealer lots—in fact, far from it. Through June 2025, only 6,431 units have been sold, representing a steep 30.8% drop from last year. June alone saw just 350 WRXs delivered to customers, a staggering 74% year-over-year decline.
On the surface, it might look like buyers simply aren’t interested in the latest generation of Subaru’s iconic sports sedan. But according to the company, the slump isn’t just due to lukewarm demand. In a statement to CarBuzz, Subaru attributed the WRX’s sales slide to production changes at its Gunma Prefecture plant in Japan.
A spokesperson explained that Subaru has scaled back WRX production to prioritize the high-demand Forester and newly introduced Forester Hybrid. The Forester is currently Subaru’s best-selling model in 2025, with 95,972 units sold so far—and the hybrid version is expected to boost those numbers even further.
Subaru also blamed the WRX’s poor performance on “very low inventory levels,” stating that fewer than 500 units are currently available across its dealer network.
There may be some relief ahead: Subaru plans to move Forester production to its Lafayette, Indiana facility—home to the Ascent, Crosstrek, and Outback. That shift could eventually free up production capacity for the WRX in Japan.
Still, the June numbers only add to the WRX’s tough year. May wasn’t much better, with sales down 71.2% and only 482 units sold—marking a 23.6% year-over-year decline.
Subaru’s overall sales in 2025 have dipped as well, down 10.4% in May and 0.2% in June. Yet, models like the Crosstrek, Forester, and even the BRZ are showing gains—leaving the WRX as one of the few laggards in the lineup.
