- The STI Sport trim will be dropped from the WRX lineup in Japan.
- Orders for the current Levorg and Layback will end on April 13.
- Sales may end earlier than scheduled if existing production slots fill.
Subaru is quietly reshuffling its Japanese lineup, confirming that the WRX sedan, as well as the mechanically related Levorg and Layback wagons, are nearing the end of their current model year production cycles. However, while the nameplates are expected to return in one way or another, the WRX’s STI Sport trim appears to be discontinued for good.
According to information from the official website, Subaru will stop accepting orders for the Levorg and the Layback on April 13, and for the WRX sedan on May 18.
More: Subaru Says STI Is “Not Dead”, But Its Boxer May Be
The automaker urged prospective buyers to contact Japanese dealers for more details, noting that sales might end sooner than the target dates if the available production slots are filled, meaning the WRX, Levorg, and Layback will remain available while stock lasts.
The End Of The STI Sport
The WRX S4 STI Sport is the flagship trim of the VBH generation in the Japanese market, equivalent to the WRX tS in North America. While it was never intended to be a successor to the discontinued WRX STI, it still came with STI-tuned dampers and the signature STI badges.
More: WRX Gets A Throwback AWD Club Spec Evo Edition, But What You Care About Didn’t Change
The swan song for the performance sedan will be the WRX STI Sport♯ edition, unveiled at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon with a six-speed manual transmission and various chassis upgrades. As reported by local outlet Creative Trend, the special WRX will be formally launched on April 9, with a limited production of 600 units available through a lottery system.
Subaru WRX Sport R-Black limited STI Performance Edition and WRX STI Sport♯
The 2026 lineup also includes the Subaru WRX Sport R-Black limited STI Performance Edition with a Sunrise Yellow color option, matte black 18-inch wheels, and a large rear wing, although the latter is exclusively available with the CVT.
All variants of the JDM-spec WRX are powered by the same turbo 2.4-liter boxer engine producing 271 hp (202 kW / 275 PS). The only exception was the limited-production WRX STI S210 from last year that produced a punchier 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS).
While the STI Sport trim won’t return for 2027, Subaru is expected to unveil an updated version of the WRX sedan. Hopefully, the refreshed lineup will include some sort of STI magic.
What’s In Store For The Levorg?
Subaru Levorg
While Subaru is ready to wave goodbye to the current Levorg and Layback wagons, recent spy shots of a camouflaged prototype have sparked speculation about what comes next.
The prototype, which appears to be based on the Layback crossover wagon, was spotted without the signature hood scoop that has defined Subaru’s turbocharged models for decades. This could indicate the presence of a self-charging hybrid powertrain with a naturally-aspirated engine, similar to the setup in the Forester and Crosstrek.
The electrified unit will reportedly replace the aging turbocharged 1.8-liter engine of the current model, with the more powerful turbo 2.4-liter engine potentially remaining available.
More: Subaru Asks Drivers If They Still Crave A Stick-Shift SUV
At the moment, it is not clear if the updated Levorg will receive significant styling and interior upgrades to go with the revised powertrain lineup. Earlier reports suggested Subaru might label the model as a new generation, although it sounds more like a facelift.
The original Levorg was introduced in 2014, followed by the current second-generation model in 2020 and the more adventurous Levorg Layback bodystyle in 2023.
Subaru Levorg Layback
