Subaru WRX manual getting big safety upgrade

Right now, there’s a big difference in standard safety equipment between manual and automatic versions of the Subaru WRX. That’s about to change.

“Next model year for WRX will be 2024, with final spec currently in discussion – at least, that’s what we’re aiming for,” said Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read.

“And like the BRZ, the manual WRX will also get EyeSight, which is already in the WRX CVT variant. It’s not finalised, but again, that’s what we’re working towards.”

The company announced earlier this year it had developed a version of its EyeSight safety suite for vehicles with manual transmissions, with the BRZ manual the first model to receive it before the end of 2023.

To date manual transmission-equipped Subaru BRZ and WRX models have missed out on the stereo camera technology offered in automatic models.

The new suite for manual vehicles includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and lead vehicle start alert.

Manual models already come standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert but miss out on the aforementioned features, along with other tech like lane-keep assist with lane centring.

Subaru first introduced its EyeSight driver assist system in Japan in 2008, with Australia first receiving it on range-topping Liberty and Outback models in 2012.

It has since trickled down to every Subaru model available in Australia, apart from the manual-equipped BRZ and WRX variants.

MORE: Everything Subaru WRX