While the automotive industry constantly introduces new types of vehicles, one segment is an endangered species these days: the sports car. Whether you prefer it as a sedan or coupe, the reality is that it’s rarer than it’s ever been.
The tS version of the WRX launched in 2024, for 2025
Tires and brakes make all the difference with this variant
tS stands for: Tuned by STI
Strengths of the 2025 Subaru WRX tS
- Driving pleasure
- Manual transmission only
- Exceptional braking and grip
Weaknesses of the 2025 Subaru WRX tS
- Recaro seats for long distances
- Not ideal on our roads
- Limited trunk access and space
Consequently, when a model dares to present itself as such, it generates more attention than ever among enthusiasts hungry for this type of offering.
At Subaru, miraculously, we have two of these rare birds: the BRZ coupe and the WRX sedan. The latter, iconic in every way, seems here to stay, even though it draws fewer crowds than in the past, despite offering a higher level of refinement than ever before.
Ironic.
Yes and no. It’s the fate reserved for vehicles that generate more passion. We live in an era where rationality often takes precedence.
And a Subaru WRX tS is anything but rational.
We love that.
Alright, you know which corner of the ring we’re standing in, but what about this tS variant of the WRX, concretely and subjectively? Let’s take a closer look.
Letters That Speak
The letters worn by a sports car always have meaning. For example, WRX stands for World Rally eXperimental, indicating the model is inspired by the World Rally Championship.
For years, we had the WRX STI, an even more extreme version of the model. The letters STI referred to Subaru Tecnica International, the name of Subaru’s motorsports and performance division.
You can see where we’re going with this. A WRX STI was rather extreme, too much for everyday use. Subaru discontinued this variant a few years ago, which didn’t change the daily lives of 99.9% of buyers worldwide, but plunged the 0.1% into a state of depression.
Enthusiasts of the STI approach are still calling for the return of a model bearing those letters, by the way.
Subaru, always listening to its customers, decided to meet them halfway. In fact, what many enthusiasts wanted wasn’t necessarily a more powerful model, but rather a more focused one, especially for track sessions.
This is precisely what the company delivers with this tS (Tuned by STI).
tS: Two Letters That Don’t Change Everything, But…
The letters tS therefore transform the regular WRX. They don’t change everything, but they modify the DNA enough that behind the wheel, the difference is perceptible.
And what has been done to the model?
There are, of course, some aesthetic modifications. Some are for recognition, like red tS logos and 19-inch wheels with a design unique to the variant, while others are related to the model’s performance, like these Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires and these Brembo brake calipers with six pistons up front, we kid you not.
But it’s beyond what’s visible that things get interesting. The Brembo brake calipers, for example, clamp drilled rotors for better braking power, but also offer better wear resistance. And these rotors are larger than those on a regular WRX. Specifically, they’re 340 mm up front, 326 in the rear, 24 mm and 36 mm more, respectively.
Subaru also adjusted the electric power steering and damper resistance levels, primarily to improve efficiency with the 19-inch wheels, whereas regular versions stand on 18-inch tires.
All of this affects driving; I’ll come back to that.
Under the hood
As we mentioned, this tS variant doesn’t offer more power. The engine, therefore, is the same: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. And the seductive element is that only one transmission is available: a six-speed manual. To hell with conventions; Subaru is aiming for purists here, despite the trend toward inclusivity.
And don’t read anything political into that. The trend in the automotive industry is to make every model meet the needs of every customer. In this context, it’s refreshing to see a product like this WRX tS.
Behind the Wheel
The WRX already offers an elevated experience where power is present, as is grip, thanks in part to Subaru’s all-wheel drive, one of the best in the industry. The main difference is these Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires. We’re talking about an ultra-high-performance summer tire, a product whose rubber compound was designed to offer exceptional grip and handling. It features, among other things, very rigid shoulder blocks that allow us to attack corners with confidence. This also makes the steering response even more impressive.
The tires make a huge difference compared to a traditional WRX. The brakes, too, but you fully realize this on a circuit, not in urban driving. Moreover, having had the opportunity to drive this beast on track and spend a week behind the wheel, I can confirm it: the WRX tS is a track car. It remains civilized for daily use, but if you don’t plan to attack circuits, a regular variant will more than satisfy you.
Comfort
What saves the day with this Subaru WRX tS is that we benefit from driving modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport, with custom settings available. In Comfort mode, the ride on our roads is more harmonious, let’s put it that way.
What makes the difference on long trips is the Recaro seats that come with this version. As much as we love them when we are on the track, we curse them on long journeys. Their mission isn’t to offer comfort, but rather support. Furthermore, they offer eight electric adjustments (no lumbar support) rather than ten, as with the other versions of the model.
Critics could blame the tester’s more advanced age to explain the awakening of his sciatic nerve.
No comment.
More seriously, this is something to consider based on what you want to do with this car.
Day to day
For the rest, we adapt well to what this car offers in terms of equipment; it’s complete, as is the case throughout the lineup. The essentials are there, with heated front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, integrated navigation, and an 11-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system; in short, you won’t suffer.
The tS distinction is with the seats, but also in the seat stitching, which is blue rather than red.
And for purists, as is the case with all variants except the GT trim, there’s a hand parking brake, located to the right of the driver’s seat; pure joy.
In terms of safety, the model offers Subaru’s EyeSight suite, which has been available with manual transmission vehicles since last year. It took
some time, as adjustments had to be made. For example, certain features can’t work with specific safety measures, such as reverse emergency braking or a stop-and-go system in heavy traffic. The adjustment was made so that what can work with a manual transmission is now part of the package.
As for fuel consumption, it depends on your driving with a performance car. Official numbers say 12,4 litres for 100 km in city driving, 9,0 litres on the highway, 10,9 litres combined. I maintained an average of 9,2, but mostly drove on the highway.
Price
The tS variant of the WRX sits at the top of the pyramid, after the Sport, Sport-tech, and GT trims.
In 2025, the base variant offered in 2024 disappeared, as is too often the case throughout the industry. The result is that the base price for a WRX is over $40,000 this year, up from just over $33,000 in 2024. At the time of writing, our tS is at $50,463, before all fees (transportation and preparation, dealer fees, etc.).
Things to Watch
Regarding what to watch for with this model, note that the current-generation WRX is showing itself to be more reliable so far. Owners will need to watch for premature clutch wear that has affected some models in the past. Also, the quirks of Subaru’s multimedia system are notable, as is its slow execution; be warned.
For the engine and such, it’s obviously too early, but the initial indications are favorable for the current generation.
Final Word
You will have understood from reading this review that the tS version of the Subaru WRX isn’t for everyone. If you enjoy track time or driving with the knife between your teeth, you’ll love it. Otherwise, a regular WRX will amply sustain you.
That said, the WRX remains a gem and is becoming a rarity throughout the industry. The buyer isn’t making a bad deal here, and resale value will remain excellent.
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Subaru WRX tS | Volkswagen Golf R | Toyota GR Corolla |
| Base Price (MSRP) | 50 463 $ | 51 495 $ | 48 515 $ |
| Engine | 4-cyl. turbo, 2,0 L | 4-cyl. turbo, 2,0 L | 3-cyl. turbo, 1,6 L |
| Horsepower | 271 | 328 | 300 |
| Torque | 258 | 295 | 295 |
| Transmission | Man (6) | Auto (7) DSG | Man (6) - Auto (8) |
| Traction | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| 0-100 km/h | 6,0 sec. | 4,1 sec. | 5,1 sec. |
| Cargo Space | 354 L | 1239 L | 506 L |
