2025 Subaru WRX tS – First Drive: Street and Track

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS... is it a Tuned By STI placeholder until we finally get an evolution, or is it a properly entertaining sports sedan? I'm here to say that this is one fun machine packing a solid gearbox, excellent adaptive dampers, and massive brakes.
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#Subaru #WRX #Hooniverse

[getbetterdrunky]

The cost to value just doesn’t compute. Better value out there.

[danny]

It's tough man. I know even as just a WRX it's a better overall car than previous STI’s with more potential from aftermarket. But it's still not as "special" as having the STI. I think l'd still prefer buying a used STI for the LSDs and transmission. But I would take it over the GR Corolla though but only cause I prefer Subarus more niche vibe over Toyotas more walmart vibe as brands. And if your just a WRX person and don’t need an STI trim this is a spectacular car for you over anything else

[Kiss__Kiss]

While I wouldn't trade our 2020 STI for one, I do like the White with Blue interior color combo. Thanks for another solid review, Jeff.

[mv]

I was thinking the same thing too and you then said it. I was saddened to see Bridgestone tyres.

[CarStory]

Me and my 2019 STI are going to grow old together.

[TrellvisThomas]

Thanks for this Brother.
Is it possible, this will be the last factory petrol WRX, with a solid platform to build upon? With all that this one comes with all you need (if you want) is more power. Subaru has done everything else for you…I am leaning way hard on this for me 🤔

[ricardoarevalo]

Me and my 20 STI are bound for a long time

[ak]

I like it. Current WRX gets too much hate. Buy the base and mod it the way you want or buy this TS and have a lot of the work done for you. They supposedly take a tune VERY well so you can make your own STI.

[gothops]

The power figures on these are so laughable. How is a 20 year old STi faster and making more power than a modern “STi”? Like seriously they can’t give a WRX 300hp anymore? Subaru has become deathly allergic to putting HP in their cars and it’s a tragedy

[KK-ttui]

Im ok with the base or premium. I’m not seeing the justification for the price they’re asking for.

[AGuyJustDriving]

45k for this? Nope. Sorry, love subies but no shot Im paying premium pricing for one without DCCD and under 320 HP/300TQ.

[charged]

What is the sound heard while on track going through the corners? I heard it a bunch during the Scott Speed lap and then when you cut back to Jeff on the track. It’s not the rumble strips. Traction control? The tires making a weird sound?

The pricing of this gen WRX just doesn’t work for me. If I am shopping in the $45k range the GR Corolla is where I am looking. In the $35k range the Elantra N is more appealing or I would be looking at a lightly used 21 Sti (which is probably faster around a track than this TS). The updates to this new model just aren’t interesting enough for the prices they are asking.

[Michael-]

Ughh what were they thinking with that blue interior? That alone is going to turn away a lot of buyers.

[nikitaratkevich]

Have you asked for a better exterier? We have colored more elements in black and now white cars are looking fine. Oh, yes, we colored interior in blue, so you forget about ugly exterior and focus on interior. No need for gratitude. Your STI department

[zionm]

Why can't Subaru add 300+HP to that engine from factory? Do their engineers lack the prowes to design an engine that can hit emission targets and power?

[multiclassical]

It’s pretty, but if you want an STI then why get this? Does it really offer anything that you can’t upgrade on the base WRX for less? This car is for people who don’t know what they’re doing.

[dishonestpanda-]

This wasnt tuned by STI . Load of crap. They slapped the GT dampers on a TR and called it a ts. The only thing they did different is the gold calipers Same as the tr. The recaro seats are same as the TR but blue. Majority of people wil buy coilovers. This trim is a joke. Buy yourself a TR before its gone and save some money.

[raymondhachmishvili]

The TR is a more honest version, if not THE BEST, WRX version excluding the STI/
this TS looks like an overdo, exaggerated version, with stuff drivers don't really need or care.
the TR was spot on, subaru managed to ruin the WRX with all those crappy addons
the TR should have stayed as a permanent trim, and the GT should be axed

[scottanders]

It’s a GT with blue interior, lol. Subaru is one car company that doesn’t listen to its customers and keeps rehashing the same stuff over and over.

[antoinelee-thomas]

If the WRX tS ends up at $45, 000, this trim will be DOA once it arrives on showroom floors and dealership lots.

You got the mid-cycle refresh Elantra N for $10, 000 less and more performance.

You got the GR Corolla while smaller in size gives you more performance, but you gotta be careful you don't go over 85 MPH and the car catches fire.

You got the MK8.5 Golf R, but you can no longer get a manual transmission in the refreshed Golf R.

There is no Jetta GLR/GRI (no R version of the Jetta).

You got the FL5 Civic Type R, but you still can't find one at MSRP without additional dealer markup.

Lastly, you got the Integra Type S while it is more in price, you get the most performance and niceties for your money.

$45, 000 was the VA gen WRX STI Limited money. Subaru will have to give in when they see the VB WRX tS still not being what the community asks for. Their last hope is bringing the WRX STI back. They don't have no choice if they want a next gen WRX to exist in the direction they want to go with it being hybrid or electric or both, but right now it's not the time for either of those right now.

Subaru needs to take a risk and get the STI team back to enhance the FA24 or spend the money and go to Porsche and get the 2.5 Flat Four Boxer Engine that was in the Porsche 718 Boxster and use that engine for a VB WRX STI. It made 350hp and 309lb-ft of tq. That would/will be more than enough performance punch for a VB gen WRX STI.