The Subaru WRX Keeps Defying the Odds: October Sales More Than Double
If you follow car sales trends, you know family haulers and compact crossovers run the show. Subaru’s latest October numbers back that up on paper: the Crosstrek and Forester led the pack with their best Octobers on record, moving over 16,000 units each. But tucked right underneath the crossover headlines sits the real headline grabber for car fans: the Subaru WRX is having another monster month.
Subaru shifted 1,707 WRX sedans in October 2026. Compared to the 720 units sold in October 2025, that is a jump of 137.1 percent. Year-to-date, WRX volume sits at 13,734 cars—up a clean 55 percent over the 8,859 delivered during the same span last year.
Not a Fluke, but a Sustained Streak
This isn't just one lucky month. As tracked by AutoGuide during the WRX’s summer run, the sport sedan has been putting up wild year-over-year gains for months:
- June 2026: up 252.3% (1,233 units)
- August 2026: up 191.0% (1,778 units)
- September 2026: up 166.1% (1,703 units)
- October 2026: up 137.1% (1,707 units)
In an era where affordable, manual-transmission performance cars are disappearing from dealer lots, the WRX is consistently holding above 1,700 cars a month.
Why the Numbers Are Popping
The turnaround comes down to two practical factors: fixing the sticker shock and unclogging the factories.
- Improved Pricing: For the 2026 model year, Subaru brought back an entry-level base trim priced at $32,495—slashing the barrier to entry by over $5,000 compared to the cheapest 2025 spec. Trims higher up the ladder (Premium, Limited, GT, and tS) also received cuts ranging between $2,700 and $3,700, putting the WRX back within reach of younger enthusiasts and daily drivers.
- Factory Recovery: Mid-2025 supply chain bottlenecks at Subaru’s assembly lines in Japan crushed dealer inventories, meaning last year's baseline was unusually low. With production running smoothly throughout 2026, buyers who actually want one can find one on dealer lots.
Along with its coupe sibling, the BRZ—which rose 30.2% in October to 237 units—Subaru’s fun-car stable is proving there is plenty of life left in three pedals and a turbocharger.
We also chose the Subaru WRX as the winner of our Affordable Performance Car Shootout.
More by AutoGuide.com Staff
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I am one of the buyers of the WRX. My golf clubs fit perfectly across the back of the trunk, the turbo-charging supplies just enough power to make the acceleration interesting, the visibility and seating position are better than most any sports car (except convertibles...which I don't want), and the stock exhaust is GREAT! The car seems alive with the sound exiting the back. I've owned several Subaru in the past, and there are two others in the family. All have been great...but this WRX is my favorite.
This would be on my short list if I was looking for a new car. The all-weather handling of awd and manual transmission with the Subaru reputation for quality make this an easy call. I can't recall any other manufacturer that offers an awd car with manual at this time. I think the M3/M4 are locked into RWD if you want a manual.