When the current-generation Subaru WRX dropped in 2022, there were three things missing. An "S", a "T", and an "I".
The WRX STI was the ultimate performance Subaru from 2014 until 2021. And then, when the new WRX came, Subaru cleared its corporate throat, faced the faithful and announced in a press release that this generation's WRX would not be STI-ized.
The next WRX, expected to be electric, will be the next time we see a WRX STI, and we're expecting that to be 2028.
In the third year of this generation, Subaru clearly sensed the need to keep the revs of the fanbase's hearts up, so for 2025, it is giving us the WRX tS.
There is no additional oomph under the hood---it's still the turbocharged 2.4-liter BOXER four making 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard and the only available transmission. Zero to 60 remains 5.5 seconds, but your track times might improve with a tS rather than a standard WRX.
Subaru Technical International, while not ready to go full-STI, adds electronically controlled adaptive dampers with drive mode select settings, and high-performance Brembo brakes front and rear. While those aren't go-fast parts, they are components that can make it possible for you to brake later, or handle turns more confidently, and thus get around the track quicker.
On winding mountain roads, the tS feels like it has more bite than the standard WRX.
The base price for the 2025 Subaru WRX tS is $45,705 (not including destination). 19-inch alloy wheels, 245/35 R19 93Y Bridgestone Potenza S007 summer performance tires, the aforementioned Brembo braking system and adaptive dampers, Recaro performance design seats in black Ultrasuede with blue leather bolsters, an eight-way power driver's seat, three-mode heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, an Ultrasuede-wrapped dash panel, blue leather door trim panels and armrests, steering-responsive LED headlights, LED fog lights, an 11-speaker, 504-watt Harman Kardon audio system all get added to the standard WRX bill of fare.
The interior bits may be cosmetic, but they're good cosmetic. I especially like the blue leather. And the Recaro seats are world-class. Just quite possibly the best seats for enthusiastic driving.
$46,875 with destination is a chunk of change, but the 2025 Subaru WRX tS is a really nice package that improves on the base WRX, and would not be a bad way to spend the next three years until the return of the STI.
