2025 Subaru WRX tS First Drive Review: Living Up To The STI?

The 2025 #subaru #wrx tS is a new trim level, which adds the adaptive suspension from the GT to the previous TR model. Does this tuned by #STI model recapture the old STI magic?
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[housepianist]

I think too many people misunderstand what “tuned by STi” actually mean. They seem to think it should mean an actual engine upgrade (to 300hp) with all its supporting parts. When a manufacturer “tunes” up a performance vehicle, it can mean anything. People were also complaining about manufacturer’s “tuned” versions of the BRZ, as an example, saying that it should have had the WRX engine put in it.

Being “tuned” doesn’t always mean more power.

[HashTheGrappler]

guess ill be holding on to my 2018 STI for a long time

[richierich]

why you say the TR has been released last year lol ? its a 2024 model its been released this year in fact

[russellparr]

Actually, in baseline dyno tests the VB WRX comes out at or just below baseline dyno power readings of the previous gen STI so it's not really much of a power issue. In addition, the engine produces more/better power with fewer mods than the previous gen STI. It's basically just missing the DCCD six speed. Give us that in the TS, and it's a better STI, neglecting the polarizing cladding. The TS will likely be my next car when my son takes my '05 WRX to swap into his 2.5RS.

[TheIndulgers]

8:47 Absolutely correct, even if it came from factory with +300hp. Putting recaros and brembos on the car does not make a WRX an STI. The diffs and transmission make all the difference.

[Nick-hzkl]

White would look so good with the blue interior.

[zergilli]

Interior looks cool. I'd try to buy one used a year later. I wouldn't pay $40k+.

[shiloh]

They should have went with the color matching fender flaring, side skirts and rear lip. What the hell does tuned by STI actually mean? They could easily bumped up HP/TRQ numbers to 300, dropped in the 6 speed VA chassis manual shift with the DCCD and LSD. Why Subaru won't hook up the USDM is anyone's guess.

[danny]

I wanted to like the GR Corolla but ended up not really caring for it even compared to just the 22 wrx Limited. Think I’d go with the tS probably over anything else that exists out there currently. But would obviously be wishing an STI still gets released at some point.

[marblestudios]

What about in areas where we get snow?

[Cats_Are_Scary]

Subaru needs to add the blue carpet to this tS WRX.

[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.

[royaltyallen]

VB WRX are cool but that 6K rpm redline is a joke

[andrewoxner]

GR Carolla? If I wanted a bonfire I would just go into my backyard and invites some friends over. Noone wants a surprise fire on the highway.

[Chowchow-vw]

What regulations and emissions is preventing subie to make a sti

[raymondhachmishvili]

The TR is a better Value, without the adaptive suspension nonsense

[ianholmquist]

This car costs about 6k more than my 2021 sti... and has nothing that makes a sti good except the big brakes. Seems like the biggest ripoff of the modern age to me. Fools still bought them though

[BrayZap]

These cars are getting hilarious. Every year they come out with some new more expensive "trim" that has yet to improve engine performance. Meanwhile a 2018 Mustang Ecoboost is still blowing all these cars out of the water from interior, to exterior, to performance and it came out 5+ years ago. Just get an Ecoboost and be better for cheaper