Subaru Says a Mere 17% of WRX Buyers Choose the Automatic

There are, admittedly, more than the average share of automotive stereotypes about Subaru WRX owners — and, to be honest, some of them are true. We here at Road & Track are willing to overlook them, however — because if nothing else, WRX buyers are manual transmission devotees.

According to Subaru, it's has been a fruitful year for manual transmission enthusiasts, with the brand reporting an 83% take rate for the six-speed stick WRX for 2024 model year vehicles has been confirmed by our sister publication Car and Driver. That means only 17% of WRX buyers have opted for the continuously variable transmission. (The Subaru BRZ shares a high manual take rate with the WRX; the small sports car saw a stick shift adoption rate of 79% in 2023.)

The WRX tops the Car and Driver list of manual take rates, with the second highest take rate occupied by the 992.1-generation Porsche 911 GT3 Touring at 75%. (For comparison, non-touring GT3 customers had a manual transmission take rate of 46%.) Other notable sports cars with high manual transmission take rates include the Toyota GR86 (40%) and the Mazda Miata (60%). BMW had a 50% take rate on the M2 in 2023 while the Toyota Supra held a stick shift adoption rate of 43 %, according to Motor1. Mini also boasts a serious manual transmission take rate, with JCW models coming in at 51% and the softer Cooper S managing a 22% rate.

In the case of Subaru's WRX, the other transmission option isn't exactly performance-forward to the degree many buyers might expect. Our review of the manual transmission WRX levies fair criticisms of its style, interior packaging, and brakes, but we have always appreciated its manual transmission. Subaru CVTs, on the other hand, have been the subject of indifference at best. Add in the fact that it requires an upcharge of $1350, it seems only wrong to choose the two-pedal option in the WRX.

Plus, the WRX offers a quality manual transmission in an age where even models like the Volkswagen GTI are shedding their third pedal. It's not particularly surprising to us to see such enthusiasm for the stick shift from sporty Subaru buyers, but the statistical confirmation is reassuring.

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