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They're not just there to make everyone mad online.

There have been a lot of mixed responses to the fifth-generation Subaru WRX's design. Those who can't seem to stomach it mostly appear to take issue with the new-for-2022 unpainted black plastic fender flares at all four corners. Subaru claims there's a good reason for the styling choice.

Road & Track readers have taken to our comments section to call the new unpainted flares "wretched" and "hideous," and one commenter said the "Citroën Cactus comes to mind." Not exactly high praise.

At the media launch for the 2022 WRX in California last week, Subaru product manager Michael Redic gave some insight into the design of the wheel wells on the new car.

"This surface has a hexagonal aerodynamic shape, kind of like a golf ball," he said. "It's functional. It's designed to help improve airflow."

According to Subaru, when engineers tested the textured flares against painted versions in the wind tunnel, the raw plastic was significantly better at keeping air flowing smoothly around the car.

"Just changing the structure from paint to the hexagonal texture has a big improvement on the aerodynamics of the vehicle," Redic said. With a smooth, painted flare, the air "starts to peel off the shape further back, and you have much more turbulence toward the back," Redic said. The texturized plastic is even used in some spots underneath the car, where its aerodynamic characteristics are helpful.

That's not the only aero trick visible on the new WRX. The front fender vents "allow us to evacuate the air from the wheel well," Redic said, explaining that this feature "reduces pressure, pulls the air away from the body to have less turbulence... so the vehicle stays very slippery."

The shape of the rear fender flares accomplishes the same goal, Redic said.

Does this change how you feel about the plastic cladding on the new WRX? Let us know in the comments below.