Subaru WRX vs STI - 3 Reasons Why The WRX Is Better

Should I buy the WRX or the STI? Is 2015 Subaru WRX STI better than the standard WRX? The 2015 STI features a 2.5L boxer four producing 305 HP while the 2015 WRX has a more modern 2.0L producing 268 HP and peak torque at a low 2,000 RPM. The WRX is also lighter and achieves better fuel economy, all the while almost identically as fast as the STI. The STI offers additional limited slip diffs, a driver controlled center differential, larger brakes, tighter steering, and a more rigid chassis. Which is best?

Related Videos:

Please feel free to rate, comment, and subscribe!

And don't forget to check out my other pages:

To help create more videos, check out my Patreon page!

NEW VIDEO EVERY WEDNESDAY!

[ValdrVideo]

4 years ago I saw this video and knew I was going to own a WRX someday. Got an '18 WRX 50th Anni one month ago, and I've never been happier. Thank you Engineering Explained, for always providing such good info. This isn't to say I like WRX more than STI, I love them both for their own uses! I just know that the WRX was the better car for me (and my bank account!)

[Bonesx]

I could not agree more referring specifically to the 2015/16 models

STI= Track and or heavy tuning
WRX = Daily and mild tuning

[chinchillaman]

I keep watching this over and over, picking up my '17 WRX in 2 weeks!

[gkfujiwaraesquibel]

WRX is already great!

-Fuel effecient (as opposed to the STI)
-Less laggy
-Also a good daily car.

[SSstyles]

after 3 years of reading thinking and searching, I finally got a 2016 WRX last night, . This video definitely helped influence and confirm my thoughts. Thanks for the original content

[TeaRexTheMighty]

I'd be happy by just affording a Subaru Impreza..

[Kusanagi]

Last week I went to a local Subaru dealer fully intending to buy a new STI. I have previously owned a 2003 WRX that I liked very much...until it met an all-to-early demise at the hands of about 30' of highway barrier. (Simple accident, no antisocial behavior involved.)

In the interim I have owned a 2002 Honda S2000 and a 2005 Crossfire SRT6 Roadster, both great, if hard edged, road cars. I decided upon the STI because I wanted more doors and trunk space while still retaining a high FTD (Fun-To-Drive) coefficient.

Being on good terms with the dealer, and being an Old Fart (us grey haired types seem less threatening when we test their pricey performance vehicles) I was able to take an STI for a nice long test drive on varying road surfaces. It was pretty much what I expected, a no-compromise technological wonder of a modern performance car. Lots of power. Razor sharp handling. Superb braking. No disappointments.

Just for grins I asked to take a 2016 WRX out to get a feel for differences. I noticed pretty quickly that I was having more fun driving the WRX. I didn't need to keep an eagle eye on the power band, and even though the suspension was multiple notches softer than the STI, body roll was minuscule and the car stuck like glue. The only let down was the brakes. The STI binders had the kind of stopping power and easy modulation that I had become used to in my previous cars (especially the SRT6, with its Xtra-Large-Pizza size discs). I think the WRX brakes are fine for the general public, but are a bit of a weak point on an otherwise amazing car in its current state.

The final result is that I surprised myself by buying a Black 2016 WRX Premium. If I were going to be attending regular track days?...the STI would get the nod without a doubt. But I got racing out of my system years ago (hemorrhaging money for years on end is a cure for most of us). I suspect that many potential STI buyers will make the same decision, if they are honest with themselves.

Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love the STI and am glad it exists. I just don't love it enough to buy it as a daily driver when the base WRX is so...darn...good. I am almost certain that there is a brake system upgrade in my future, however. ;-)

[briansmobile]

I like my WRX because I don't like a lot of noise while driving.  You know, screaming, whining, and that dang burn from fingernails in my flesh.  You get far less complaining from my spouse about ride quality and general harshness in the WRX.

[BLZKNG]

Bought a ‘16 sti recently, and I look forward to driving it every morning.

[es]

I wont be taking it to the track, but I still want the STI. I want the rumble, I want the better brakes, tuning and the driver controlled centre differential.

[johnnyr]

Great review! You really swayed my decision in getting the STI. Here I sat thinking I wanted the STI just for the extra HP and torque but I didn't know there was such a large difference in weight and peak torque. The only point that raised concern with getting the WRX is the fact that it's already running high boost levels and high compression ratios because I was planning on tuning it

[criteriumgoat]

the STI is 8 grand more than the WRX?

If I spend 8 Grand more on my WRX, it'd be faster than the STI lol.

[jimmyb]

Nice review! I used to sell Subarus, and I told my customers the same thing. The clutch is also more sensitive in the STI, for obvious reasons, which is a disadvantage in peak traffic/slow driving conditions.

[madduck]

Really appreciate your WRX reviews. You are partially to blame for my purchase of a '15 WRX Sedan recently. Already started mods, dig it immensely! Thanks Jason

[FlyaWhiteGuy]

Someone should put together a "Hello everyone, and welcome" compilation video.

[sushanthr]

This is the kind of review that separates your channel from the rest. Very relevant and interesting. Would love to watch some comparison videos such as WRX v/s GTI, R v/s STI etc.

[trevorwray]

My stock 2015 STI with 100k mi warranty is exactly what I wanted. I have no desire to modify my daily driver so I wanted the top performer. The much nicer suspension, drivetrain, brakes, wheels and tires, and more power checks all the boxes for me. All I wanted was a really fun hoon machine. At the end of the day I probably would have been just as happy with the WRX, but thats not what I wanted.

[TheTomatenfritz]

Oh man, I guess you are the first American to ever tell how important fuel economy is! THANK YOU!!! Usually, you guys never look to the other side of the atlantic where gas has the double or even triple price! You deserve a new subscriber!

[merpasakiejingu]

Despite having grown up with two mechanics in my family, I am not tech savvy when it comes to the guts of a car, even though I consider myself a car person. I have friends who are true car people and they can talk about engines and exhausts and transmissions all day and I still have a very poor grasp on what they are talking about. I really appreciate the very clear and detailed breakdown of differences between these two cars and the pros and cons of each. Also, even as us an unsavvy car person, I can still appreciate the beauty that is the WRX/STI. This is my dream car. Thank you for this video. You just made me love it even more :)

[SugarBombStudios]

Just traded in my 2014 Veloster for a 2017 WRX. Wow, what an amazing difference in low end torque. 1st and 2nd gear are ridiculously responsive. The torque reduces significantly with each gear past 3rd, but like this video states, this car is amazing on the street with wicked acceleration off a dead start.