Performance Subaru WRX STI; the return of the rally king.

Acceleration = it's how fast velocity is changing. 

Torque = The greater the force and the farther it's applied from the center of rotation, the greater the torque. 

These simple terms define the energetic thrill I get from the Subaru WRX

By Tony C. Lesesne

The automotive world, much like life, is full of anticipation. We wait for that next great chapter, that next thrilling twist. For a generation of enthusiasts, that waiting game has centered on the fifth-generation Subaru WRX STI—a mythical beast of asphalt and dirt, promising the return of the rally king. But as we continue to hold our breath, Subaru has offered a stylish and compelling consolation prize, a car that proves you don't need the crown to rule the road: the 2025 Subaru WRX tS.

For those of us who came of age in the 90s and early 2000s, the name WRX isn't just a badge; it's a legend. The letters themselves stand for "World Rally Experimental," a nameplate born from Subaru's ferocious assault on the World Rally Championship. Painted in an iconic blue with vibrant gold wheels, cars like the Impreza WRX, piloted by legends such as the late Colin McRae, became synonymous with championship glory, securing three consecutive WRC manufacturers' championships from 1995 to 1997.

I've been a fan of the WRX from the start. I was introduced to this amazing machine by fellow Subaru race enthusiasts. When Subaru's Dominick Infante invited us to take a closer look, the bells began to ring. The sweet sounds of that engine, supported by the great handling, fun performance and more, This was a car that didn't just compete—it dominated, proving that a humble sedan with symmetrical all-wheel drive and a charismatic "boxer" engine could conquer the most brutal terrain on the planet. That very DNA, that spirit of unadulterated, rally-bred performance, lives on in every car to bear the WRX name.

The tS wears its heritage on its sleeve, a sleek and sexy machine with a racing spirit. I couldn't help but circle the car before I even got in. The black mirror caps, shark-fin antenna, and subtle lip spoiler hint at its performance capabilities, but it's the hood scoop that truly steals the show. It's an aggressive, purposeful feature that screams performance, a functional piece of design that sends cool air to the intercooler and gives the car a muscular, predatory stance. It's a look that promises speed, even when the car is standing still.

And the inside more than delivers on that promise. As soon as I slid into the bright blue-accented Recaro seats, I felt the lineage was clear. "Ah, so this is what a hug feels like from a rally car," I thought, as the body-hugging bolsters wrapped around me. The seats are a firm and supportive embrace, a constant reminder that this car is built to be driven hard. The interior design, with its pops of bright blue, mirrors the car’s vibrant personality.

The STI logos on the start button and gauges make you feel like you're in an actual STI. It’s not just a car; it’s a cockpit. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is a piece of tech that blends form and function perfectly. In Normal mode, it's a straightforward speedometer and tachometer, but with a flick of a button, it transforms into a crisp navigation display, or a detailed breakdown of the car's vitals. It’s this blend of rally heritage and modern tech that makes the tS so compelling.

My adventure with the tS began not on a rally stage, but on the sun-drenched streets of Miami. Leaving the vibrant energy of South Beach, the WRX tS was a revelation. With the adaptive dampers in "Comfort" mode, it gracefully absorbed the bumps and imperfections of the city’s streets, a world away from the jarring stiffness you might expect. The six-speed manual transmission, a refreshing choice over the GT's CVT, was a joy to work, and the short gearing meant I was constantly engaged, rowing through the gears like a virtuoso conductor.

The car flowed with the city's pulse, a blur of motion against a backdrop of art deco architecture and palm trees. It was here, in the urban jungle, that I felt the car’s surprising dual personality—a calm and collected daily driver with a fierce heart.

But a car with rally DNA craves open road, and the tS felt most alive on the scenic route north to Fort Lauderdale. On the highway, I finally had a chance to let the 271-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four breathe. While it might not keep up with some of its higher-horsepower rivals like the Civic Type R or Golf R in a drag race—our tests confirmed it takes 5.6 seconds to hit 60 mph—its true magic lies in the way it handles. The ride was sublime, with the "Sport" setting offering a firm yet controlled feel that kept the car planted as I pushed it a bit more on the winding highway on-ramps.

The real stars of the show, however, are the gold-painted Brembo brakes, borrowed from the WRX TR. They are simply phenomenal. While our testing from a panic-stop didn’t show a huge advantage over the standard WRX, their true worth was revealed during repeated, spirited driving. The pedal feel remained firm and responsive, inspiring incredible confidence. There was no fade, no wavering, just solid, dependable stopping power that allowed me to drive deeper and with more conviction.

My journey ended with the best part: a trip to the beach. With windows down and the sea breeze in the air, the WRX tS cruised effortlessly, its performance a constant, reassuring presence. Its all-wheel-drive system, the very heart of its rally heritage, felt sure-footed even on damp roads near the coast.

Here is a general breakdown of how the WRX tS

ranks against its competition

The Subaru WRX tS competes in a very strong and popular segment of sport compact cars. Its primary rivals include the Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla,

Hyundai Elantra N, and Volkswagen Golf R.

Value

 With a starting price that is often similar to or even higher than its rivals, the WRX tS's value proposition is a point of debate. While it offers a great set of features, some enthusiasts feel that the lack of a significant power bump over the base WRX and a higher price tag make it a less compelling option compared to the more powerful and track-focused competition.

Performance and Power

 The WRX tS, with 271 horsepower, is often seen as a step below its top-tier rivals in terms of raw power. The Civic Type R, GR Corolla, and Golf R all offer over 300 horsepower, giving them a clear advantage in straight-line acceleration and track times. The Hyundai Elantra N, while having similar horsepower to the WRX, is also praised for its performance.

Handling and Drivetrain

The WRX tS stands out with its standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, which provides exceptional grip and all-weather capability—a key advantage over front-wheel-drive competitors like the Civic Type R and Elantra N. The tS's upgraded STI-tuned adaptive dampers are a major selling point, offering a more refined and adaptable ride than previous WRX models.

The WRX tS is often praised for its balance of performance and practicality. It's a comfortable daily driver with a usable back seat and a spacious trunk, making it a more versatile option than the hatchback-only GR Corolla. The adaptive dampers also allow for a more forgiving ride in Comfort mode.

The Deal

At $46,875, the same as the GT model, the WRX tS feels like the more compelling choice for the enthusiast. You get all the performance hardware—the fantastic Brembos and the tuned adaptive dampers—without being shackled to an automatic transmission. This car is a celebration of the essence of the WRX, a vehicle that doesn’t forget its roots while confidently carving out its own path. It’s a sophisticated and fun spin on a timeless classic, and it proves that even if you’re waiting for the next great thing, the present can be pretty magnificent on its own.