It’s always fun to have a Subaru, and especially fun to have a WRX, especially one with a stick shift! At least for a day or two. As always, I love the Subaru safety system, and their all-wheel drive system, but for those who think I am totally biased toward all Subarus, you’ll be pleased to know this is not one I’d own myself. Oh, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and if you are into hot hatches, it’s great, but it is just not MY thing.
So, I spent time behind the wheel of a new package, the 2025 Subaru WRX tS, a model made for driving enthusiasts. This is as close to a STi as we’ve seen since 2021 and it replaces the previous TR variant and brings a host of Tuned by STI enhancements to the WRX for the first time in its history. It features STI-tuned suspension, brakes, and other performance upgrades.
I rave about the Eyesight system on the Car Pro Show, and if you are not familiar with it, EyeSight monitors traffic movement from two cameras mounted high on the windshield. It optimizes cruise control, and if you stray out of your lane it will center the vehicle back into the lane. The pre-collision braking feature can even apply full braking force in emergency situations. It works incredibly well, but many automatic emergency braking systems just slow you down to minimize the impact. I am thrilled Subaru put it on the WRX at no cost a few years back, this is a car that really needed it given how you’ll likely drive it.
I also love Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive system which continually keeps the power to all four wheels, ensuring outstanding grip in snow, rain, or rough terrain. In this car, it enhances performance by keeping the speedster firmly planted while under heavy acceleration.
The 2025 WRX comes in four trim levels, including the new tS, which is the top of the line. You can step down to GT, the Limited, and finally the Premium. While they are all four different, they do share the same Boxer engine with the same horsepower.
The enthusiast-focused tS offers meaningful performance upgrades. It’s the first WRX to feature electronically adjustable STI-tuned dampers with Comfort, Normal, and Sport modes that adapt in real time to road and driving conditions. Stopping power is significantly enhanced with gold-painted Brembo brakes—six-piston calipers up front and two-piston in the rear—paired with larger rotors and meaty Bridgestone Potenza S007 summer tires mounted on 19-inch wheels. Subaru also adds a Drive Mode Select system that lets drivers tailor throttle response, steering weight, and damper settings with presets and a customizable Individual mode. These performance upgrades make the tS the sharpest-handling, most driver-focused WRX currently offered.
Exterior
The exterior looks are terrific in this World Rally Blue Pearl paint, and there is cladding on the sides which I am not usually a fan of, but it works on the WRX.
There is LED lighting in front, and I particularly like the big hood scoop-which is needed since the intercooler sits on top of the engine. Finishing out the rear is a not-too-large color-matched spoiler and quad exhaust. You cannot get a sunroof on this model.
Performance
Under the hood is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged Boxer engine, that provides 271-horses, and in a compact car, it feels like a lot more. It also puts out 258 pound-feet of torque. The tS only comes with a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission that will carry you from 0-to-60 in 5.3 seconds, and this performance car tops out at 145-miles per hour.
Interior
The interior is nicely done and the tS is equipped with heavily bolstered Recaro Performance Design front seats, offering increased support for performance driving. performance-design Recaro front seats that strike a careful balance between daily comfort and track-ready support.
Wrapped in black Ultrasuede, these seats are trimmed with bold blue accents that appear on the bolsters, headrests, and even the floor mats—adding some personality and flair throughout the cabin. The headrests also feature the WRX tS”logo embossed for that extra touch of exclusivity. On the functionality side, the driver’s seat is 8-way power adjustable, while the passenger seat is manually adjusted (4-way).
The 2025 Subaru WRX tS ditches traditional analog dials, and in a WRX first, there is a fully-digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster that gives the cockpit a much more modern feel. The high-resolution screen can be configured in different layouts, whether you want a classic tach and speedometer, performance data like boost pressure and tire info, or even full-screen navigation with turn-by-turn guidance. It’s sharp, clear, and easy to read at a glance, though some purists may miss the charm of old-school gauges. I actually really like the new setup, it’s a big step forward in usability and tech, bringing the WRX in line with rivals that already lean heavily on digital displays.
The tS comes standard with an 11.6-inch vertically oriented infotainment touchscreen that serves as the controls for nearly all vehicle functions, and it’s a busy screen! The system integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, provides easy access to navigation, audio, Bluetooth, and vehicle settings, and also controls the dual-zone climate system.
Large, clear graphics and a tablet-like layout make it straightforward to use, and YEA, physical knobs for volume and tuning keep common tasks simple. From adjusting drive modes to managing media, phone connectivity, and climate preferences, the screen consolidates everything in one place, giving the cabin a clean, modern look.
If you are not familiar with Starlink, it is Subaru’s connected services platform that adds features like emergency assistance, automatic collision notification, remote start and climate control through a smartphone app, plus access to things like navigation, roadside help, and vehicle health reports. It’s designed to keep drivers connected, safe, and in control whether they’re inside the car or away from it. Some of the features require a subscription after an initial free period.
Back seat leg and head and room are really large. I wish there were A/C vents in the back, but there are at least USB-C ports and an armrest back there. The trunk area is plentiful with 12.5-cubic feet of storage and some storage underneath.
Standard Features
Important standard features include: Starlink Multimedia system, the 11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AM/FM/HD radio, SiriusXM audio and Travel Link, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, voice-activated controls, navigation powered by TomTom with what3words support, as well as NFC (near field communications) capabilities and over-the-air updates—plus a rearview camera, heated seats, and a premium 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system for immersive sound.
Safety
On the safety front, you get Eyesight, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot detection with lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, and a rearview camera.
MPG
Fuel economy is OK for a little speed rocket at 19 in town, and 26 on the highway for a 22 MPG rating combined.
Ride and Drive
Look, just because the WRX tS is not my jam, don’t let me detract from the fact that this is a powerful, highly engineered car that has terrific driving characteristics. Behind the wheel, the WRX tS feels sharp and planted, with steering that’s quick to respond and a suspension that can adapt to whatever the road throws at it.
The STI-tuned dampers give you the flexibility to dial-in comfort for the commute or firm things up for spirited driving, and the big Brembo brakes deliver strong, confidence-inspiring stopping power. Grip from the Bridgestone summer tires is excellent, keeping the car composed through corners, and the standard manual transmission adds an engaging, old-school feel that fits the WRX’s character. The 271-horsepower turbo engine is lively and well-matched to the chassis, making the tS an enjoyable balance of everyday usability and on-the-track fun. I do wish it had a little more sound from the exhaust.
MSRP
I did not get a Monroney with this vehicle, but building it online, it appears MSRP is roughly $39,000 which is OK for a performance car that is so unique and there are not a lot of cars to compare it to.
Verdict
If you don’t want to shift gears, but want the thrilling exhilaration of a WRX tS, look at the TR.
2025 Subaru WRX tS
- What I Liked Most: Performance, safety, the all-wheel system, and acceleration.
- What I would change: Make it sound as great as it performs.
- MSRP: Base Price $37,750/Total MSRP approximately $39,000 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: 19 city/26 highway/22 overall.
- Official Color: World Rally Blue Pearl.
- Odometer reading when tested: 7,800 miles.
- Weight: 3,430 pounds.
- Spare tire: Tire repair kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 183.8” long/71.9” wide/57.8” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.6 gallons with the filler on the passenger side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2025 WRX tS in a few words: This is a wonderfully engineered car with superb handling, and is a ton of fun to drive.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance, 5-year/60,000-mile power train warranty, 2-years/24,000 miles of free maintenance.
- Final Assembly Location: Ota, Gunma, Japan.
- Manufacturer's website: Subaru
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