Automotive News: We test drive the 2025 Subaru WRX tS

The Subaru WRX has long been a beacon for driving enthusiasts, a rally-bred machine that delivers performance and all-wheel drive capability in a practical, four-door package.

For the 2025 model year, Subaru has introduced a new top-tier trim, the WRX tS, which stands for “Tuned by STI.”

This new model offers upgrades in performance-oriented features without the wild styling or full-blown engine modifications that defined the now-discontinued WRX STI. Enthusiasts will miss the STI model but for now, the tS will be the most aggressive version of the WRX.

Subaru managers said that very few buyers have selected the base WRX model in the past while nearly half tend to select the Premium version. So for 2025, the entry-level version will be the Premium version, followed by the Limited, GT and tS. Fortunately, all WRX models come standard with a 6 speed manual transmission, except for the GT.

The Philosophy and Positioning of the WRX tS

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS is not a revival of the WRX STI. Instead, it represents Subaru’s new approach to high-performance, offering a more refined and usable package. The tS takes the core elements of the WRX such as its turbocharged boxer engine and AWD and enhances them with STI components. This creates a vehicle that is more engaging and capable on a track or a twisty backroad than a standard WRX, but not as raw as the old STI.

The tS also marks a significant strategic shift for Subaru. With the demise of the EJ series engine and the STI model, the company has focused on maximizing the potential of the current VA generation WRX platform while adhering to modern emissions and efficiency standards.

Performance and Chassis Upgrades

At the heart of the 2025 WRX tS is the same 2.4-liter turbocharged engine found in the rest of the lineup. It produces 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. While some enthusiasts may lament the lack of a power bump, the focus of the tS is not on straight-line speed but on handling and braking prowess.

The most significant upgrade to the tS is its suspension. It inherits the electronically controlled dampers from the WRX GT, but with unique STI tuning. These dampers allow the driver to adjust the suspension feel through a variety of drive mode settings, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and a customizable Individual mode. This versatility is a major selling point of the tS model. The tS’s suspension setup is said to be slightly stiffer than the GT’s across all settings, providing better body control during spirited driving.

The tS comes equipped with a Brembo 6-piston front and 2-piston rear caliper brakes in signature gold, including larger pads and rotors. The system combines enhanced stopping power and fade resistance with great pedal feel. The tS comes equipped with standard 245/35 R19 Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires wrapping 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a satin gray finish.

The result is surprisingly good. We found the tS to possess very good road holding with sharp steering and very good feel through the chassis and the steering. There is the typical AWD understeer at the limit, but it has been minimized, and the grip levels, thanks to the sticky Bridgestone tires, are very high. Just as promised, while the car is a blast to drive on a twisty road, it is comfortable to drive on your way to work on typical streets with bad pavements and potholes.

While the handling makes the car fun to drive on the twisty roads, the relative lack of power is a bit of a disappointment. The car feels quick, and the boost comes in very quickly but the car lacks the top-end punch that a performance car should have. The tS owners that want more will probably look to the aftermarket for more power.

Exterior and Interior Design

The WRX tS maintains the aggressive look with a prominent hood scoop and quad exhaust outlets remain as visual cues to its performance nature. A key distinction for the tS is the absence of a sunroof, a feature that saves weight and slightly lowers the car’s center of gravity.

The interior of the tS is where some money has been spent with performance-focused Recaro front seats. These seats, with their prominent bolsters and Ultrasuede upholstery with contrasting blue accents and stitching, provide excellent support and comfort, holding the driver firmly in place during aggressive maneuvers. The blue trim extends to the door panels and other parts of the cabin, which makes the Subaru feel more expensive.

One of the most notable technology upgrades is the new, fully digital 12.3-inch LCD gauge cluster. This is a first for the WRX and replaces the traditional analog dials. The customizable display can be configured to show a classic tachometer and speedometer layout, performance data like boost pressure, or a full-screen navigation map.

Conclusion

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS is a well-engineered and fun sports sedan that is affordable and can easily be your daily driver. The base price for the WRX Premium is now $35,750 while the tS starts out at $45,705. That price puts the tS against some serious competition, but I think it is the only car with AWD and manual transmission still available in the US.

Specifications

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine, a six-speed manual transmission, and performance enhancements tuned by Subaru’s motorsports division, Subaru Tecnica International (STI). It is available exclusively with a manual transmission, a key differentiator from the automatic-only WRX GT trim.

Performance and chassis

• Engine: The 2.4-liter turbocharged horizontally-opposed “BOXER” four-cylinder engine produces 271 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 5,200 rpm.
• Transmission and drivetrain: A six-speed manual transmission and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Active Torque Vectoring are standard.
• Suspension: The tS features STI-tuned electronically adjustable dampers, a first for any WRX. Drivers can select from Comfort, Normal, and Sport modes via the Drive Mode Select system. The suspension also includes stiffer springs and a retuned steering rack.
• Brakes: The high-performance Brembo braking system includes gold-painted, six-piston calipers in the front and two-piston calipers in the rear, along with larger pads and vented, cross-drilled rotors.
• Wheels and tires: Standard equipment includes satin gray 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S007 high-performance summer tires.
• Instrument cluster: For the 2025 model, the tS trim receives a new 12.3-inch configurable, full digital LCD gauge cluster.
• Infotainment: The cabin features an 11.6-inch high-resolution SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia touchscreen. It comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Seats: The tS features Recaro Performance Design front seats with Ultrasuede and blue accents. The driver’s seat is 8-way power-adjustable, while the passenger’s seat is 4-way manual.
• Drive modes: Drive Mode Select controls the vehicle’s driving dynamics, with preset modes (Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+) and a customizable Individual mode.
• Sunroof: To reduce weight and increase performance, the tS does not include a power moonroof.

Safety and driver assistance

• Safety suite: The tS includes Subaru’s EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which is standard across all WRX trim levels for 2025.
• Included features: Standard EyeSight® functions include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking.
• Distraction mitigation: A new feature for 2025 is the DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System.

Exterior and dimensions

• Distinctive look: The tS features exclusive black exterior accents on the mirrors, antenna, and rear spoiler, which contrast with the gold Brembo brake calipers.
• Body style: The 2025 WRX tS is a five-passenger, four-door sedan.
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 183.8 inches
  • Width: 71.9 inches
  • Height: 57.8 inches
  • Wheelbase: 105.2 inches
• Weight: The curb weight is approximately 3,430 pounds.