“This isn’t an STI.”
I reminded myself of this mantra during my week-long experience with Subaru’s 2025 WRX tS. This latest addition to the WRX family claims to be the fastest variant yet, thanks to an STI-tuned suspension and a range of rally-inspired enhancements, including robust Brembo brakes and supportive Recaro bucket seats.
While there’s no denying that the tS trim introduces significant upgrades, its offerings may still feel like a compromise for those seeking the exhilarating performance typical of the STI. As enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the next-generation WRX STI, the tS emerges as a compelling yet unfulfilled intermediary.
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Performance Metrics of the WRX tS
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Defining Features of the WRX tS
The tS—short for “Tuned by STI”—retains the familiar 271-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine but enhances the WRX experience with meticulous improvements to handling, braking, and interior design.
2025 Subaru WRX tS
Elijah Nicholson-Messmer
STI-Tuned Adjustable Suspension
At the heart of the tS is its electronically controlled suspension, upgraded from the WRX GT and refined by STI to meet the demands of this trim. Featuring three adjustable modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—the system effectively mitigates body roll and chassis pitch, resulting in a capable vehicle that handles everything from urban potholes to mountain curves with finesse.
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Tailor-Made Driving Modes
Complementing the adjustable suspension is an advanced Drive Mode Select system that offers five tailored profiles: Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Individual. Borrowed from the GT trim, this feature allows drivers to refine their experience with options for steering feel—ranging from Comfort to Sport—and to toggle between Normal and Sport modes for enhanced throttle response.
High-Performance Brembo Brakes
2025 Subaru WRX tS
Elijah Nicholson-Messmer
Speed necessitates reliable stopping power, and the WRX tS excels in this area with standard Brembo brakes. The enhanced brake package incorporates six-piston calipers at the front and two-piston units at the rear, along with larger pads and cross-drilled rotors—complete with Subaru’s signature gold-painted calipers. This setup ensures impressive pedal feel and fade resistance during adrenaline-pumping track days while maintaining quiet operation in everyday driving conditions.
Premium Recaro Seats and Advanced Digital Dash
Seating is critical in performance cars, and the WRX tS doesn’t disappoint. The front seats feature Recaro bucket designs wrapped in black suede, accented by blue leather and an embossed “WRX tS” logo on the headrests.While the blue accents flirt with a “boy-racer” aesthetic, they also infuse the cabin with a lively personality, setting it apart from the otherwise understated interior. Once settled, drivers will appreciate the new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that goes beyond the essentials, presenting data such as boost levels, real-time fuel efficiency, and navigation directly in the driver’s field of vision.
2025 Subaru WRX tS
Elijah Nicholson-Messmer
Experience Behind the Wheel of the WRX tS
Handling Characteristics
2025 Subaru WRX tS
Elijah Nicholson-Messmer
Designed for real-world driving, the WRX tS impresses with its adaptive suspension, which significantly enhances comfort during prolonged commutes without sacrificing the sharpness expected from a WRX. Responsive steering compliments the experience across modes, though the most natural feel emerges in Sport mode, ideal for spirited drives.
Acoustic Experience
However, the WRX tS does carry an auditory burden; droning exhaust notes permeate the cabin, whether cruising city streets or accelerating on highways. The low-RPM burble gives way to a less favorable whine under heavy throttle, detracting from an otherwise engaging driving experience.
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Acceleration Performance
Bursting to life with short gearing, the tS optimally utilizes its 271 horsepower, delivering immediate low-end torque that translates to brisk acceleration in higher gears. Yet, despite its noteworthy advancements in handling and braking, the engine remains unchanged from other WRX variants, which raises questions about value given the $10,000 premium over the standard model.
2025 Subaru WRX tS
Elijah Nicholson-Messmer
It’s worth noting that the current WRX maintains a power-to-weight ratio comparable to models from a decade or two ago, leaving some to ponder the need for more power in their driving experience.
Competitive Landscape
In a market increasingly populated by formidable contenders like the Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla, and Volkswagen Golf R, the WRX tS finds itself in daunting territory. All three rivals offer superior horsepower, placing the tS at a disadvantage. Subaru’s decision to include an STI-styled start button further underscores the gap in performance expectations against its more robust competitors.
2025 Subaru WRX tS
Elijah Nicholson-Messmer
While Subaru’s commitment to delivering exceptional handling and braking is commendable, the tS’s power deficiency leaves it feeling somewhat uninspired compared to its rivals.
Concluding Thoughts
The Subaru WRX tS undoubtedly excels in many aspects; its handling is sharp, the interior exudes quality, and while it may feel less powerful against some of its peers, it still delivers an enjoyable driving experience. Yet, its most significant hurdle may be a psychological one.
As the longing for an STI continues to resonate among enthusiasts, the tS often becomes the subject of comparisons to a model that hasn’t even materialized. Positioned as the pinnacle of the WRX lineup, the tS shines; yet, as a bridge to the STI, it can feel lacking.
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Source:www.autoblog.com
