It has been 4 years for the reason that STI went out of manufacturing, however the Subaru WRX carries on for 2025, now with a brand new tS trim degree – with ‘tS’ standing for ‘Tuned by STI’. The tS badge has been used beforehand on the BRZ sports activities automobiles (and even automobiles just like the Forester in Japan), however that is the primary time consumers have been in a position to get these two letters on a WRX within the US market.
Subaru just isn’t touting the WRX tS as a alternative for the legendary STI, however somewhat a “greatest hits” model of its present sports activities sedan, with options from final yr’s TR (Tuner Prepared) trim and the automatic-only GT. Will the tS trim degree assist deter consumers from extra highly effective rivals just like the Honda Civic Kind R, Toyota GR Corolla, and Volkswagen Golf R? DrivingOnRoad traveled to Napa, California, to seek out out.
What’s New For 2025?
The 2025 WRX lineup principally carries over, although the TR trim has primarily been changed by the brand new tS. This new tS trim builds upon options that have been added final yr with the TR, together with Brembo brakes with six-piston entrance calipers and two-piston rears and Lively Torque Vectoring.
Subaru combines these efficiency upgrades from the TR, and provides the Drive Mode Choose that was beforehand unique to the GT. The Drive Mode Choose contains adaptive dampers, one other characteristic that was locked to the automatic-only GT. These dampers have been tuned by the STI division to be firmer than those within the GT. The tS is now probably the most enthusiast-focused WRX trim that is at the moment obtainable, with upgrades summarized as follows:
- Adaptable dampers with three settings
- Subaru’s first 12.3-inch LCD gauge cluster
- Recaro Ultrasuede entrance seats with blue accents
- Bespoke aesthetics, in and out
- Drive Mode Choose with three settings
- 19-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires
- Excessive-performance Brembo braking with gold-painted calipers
Styling & Inside Adjustments
Little or no has modified on the outside, however the tS does get some small particulars that Subaru fanatics could discover. TR house owners will acknowledge the identical 19-inch satin grey wheels, which are actually paired with gold Brembo brake calipers as a substitute of pink ones. The mirrors, antenna, and lip spoiler are all completed in Crystal Black Silica, and the rear taillights are revised to imitate “volcanic magma.” Lastly, Subaru added a pink WRX badge to the grille and ‘tS’ badging on the rear decklid, and there is a new coloration known as Galaxy Purple Pearl. Don’t fret, World Rally Blue (pictured) continues to be obtainable.
The adjustments are extra distinguished inside, the place the Recaro seats now embrace daring blue leather-based accents that actually assist the cabin pop. There are extra blue accents on the doorways, console, and steering wheel. The Recaro seats are a bit tight, however do a superb job holding occupants throughout spirited driving. An 11.6-inch Starlink infotainment system comes commonplace on the tS, however it’s now paired with an all-new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, the primary of its measurement in a Subaru. The cluster’s graphics may very well be crisper, however it’s simply legible and might present a full-color map, together with Apple CarPlay.
Efficiency: No STI Energy
STI house owners might be dismayed to be taught that the tS tuning remedy doesn’t embrace any adjustments underneath the hood. Which means the two.4-liter turbocharged boxer-four engine produces the identical 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque present in different WRX variants. As earlier than, energy is distributed to Symmetrical all-wheel-drive through a regular six-speed guide transmission on the tS or a Lineartronic repeatedly variable transmission on different trims. This could end in a 0-60 mph dash within the mid-five-second vary.
Gas financial system figures for the 2025 WRX haven’t been launched by the EPA but, however they need to be much like final yr’s numbers, which involves 19/26/22 MPG metropolis/freeway/mixed with the guide or 18/25/21 with the CVT.
Driving Impressions: Combining GT & TR
The WRX tS seeks to take the enhancements from the TR and improve them even additional with bits from the GT. That is now the primary WRX with a guide transmission to get adaptive dampers, and so they have extra damping power than the GT in all three modes. Drivers can select Consolation, Regular, or Sport settings for the suspension, every of which affords decreased pitch (55%) and roll (30%) in comparison with the TR’s non-adaptive springs.
On Napa’s less-then-perfect pavement, we discovered the Consolation setting to be perfect, because the Sport suspension induced the WRX tS to be bouncy and head shaking. Fortunately, Subaru lets house owners customise their automobile with Consolation, Regular, Sport, Sport+, and Particular person drive modes, the latter of which lets them pair the softest suspension setting with every part else set aggressively. Our perfect setup was Energy Unit in Sport, Steering in Sport, EyeSight in Dynamic, and Suspension in Consolation.
Subaru additionally addressed complaints that the TR’s steering was too gentle and uncommunicative. In Consolation, the tS additionally feels easy, although the Sport setting tightens it to extra fulfilling ranges. The steering is properly direct, however nonetheless lacks suggestions to the motive force, which was once an STI trademark.
Monitor Impressions: Driving In Straightforward Mode
Subaru rented Sonoma Raceway so we may additional discover the tS upgrades on the restrict. Right here, the adaptive dampers felt good of their Sport setting, limiting physique pitch and roll to a minimal round Sonoma’s steep elevation adjustments. We wished for a bit extra energy climbing up the monitor’s opening hill, however the WRX nonetheless feels loads fast on the highway. Maybe house owners will tune the boxer-four to provide greater than 12 psi of increase strain. The engine was additionally disappointingly quiet to the purpose the place we banged the rev limiter a number of occasions on-track. A shift gentle within the digital gauge cluster or an aftermarket exhaust could rectify this concern.
The guide transmission has the identical tall shifter with lengthy throws that has grow to be a staple in previous WRX fashions, however we expect the gear adjustments really feel clicky and satisfying. Heel-toe-downshift got here simple, which is necessary as a result of the tS doesn’t have computerized rev matching like a few of its rivals. The Brembo brakes simply convey the automobile down from monitor velocity, and the AWD grip makes it really feel virtually unimaginable to commit a mistake. With a fast journalist behind us on the monitor, we pushed the tS an inch past our restrict and virtually put the automobile off the curbing, however the sensible AWD saved us in spectacular trend. For those who’re a novice seeking to enhance your driving abilities and likewise have the ability to drive your automobile year-round, the WRX stays top-of-the-line choices.
Pricing & Verdict: Not Fairly There
Subaru didn’t have any pricing for the 2025 WRX obtainable for our drive, so it is tough to say precisely how this new tS trim in comparison with final yr’s lineup. The 2024 WRX Base began at $32,735 earlier than vacation spot, and we anticipate that worth to carry, presumably growing barely for 2025. This also needs to maintain true for the Premium and Restricted trims, which began at $34,635 and $39,015, respectively.
The TR, which began at $41,655, is now gone, changed by the tS. Subaru hinted that the MSRP for the tS ought to be near the GT, which was priced at $44,215 in 2024. For that cash, there are different extra highly effective choices, together with the Civic Kind R, Elantra N, GR Corolla, Golf GTI/R. Not all of those rivals supply AWD, which may push consumers in the direction of the WRX, however most are available a hatchback physique fashion, which may consider buying choices. We might possible advocate the WRX tS over an equal GTI, however the Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota nonetheless really feel barely extra exhilarating to drive. Subaru’s adjustments for the tS are an enormous enchancment, however it might take a correct STI to be a world-beater.