2025 Subaru WRX tS - Re- Tuned, Newly Driven Review

PLEIADES PERFORMANCE COMPACT DE-DISTILLED: At a time when digitizing homogenizes what is experienced, the analog formula for tactile and sensory impressions has become a rarity. When the current model of Subaru WRX VB performance sport compact sedan appeared in 2022, it was feared that the wild and wooly proto rally road scorcher would be distilled to align with the rest of the brand's active outdoor environmentalist lineup.

For one it was clear from the get-go that this generation would not spring a WRC Group N homologated WRX STI version. While remaining faithful to its predecessors abandonment of the Impreza hatchback layout, the fifth generation WRX committed further heresy, sprouting some garish body cladding, visually tying it to a more campground optimized Outback station wagon.

Countering a generally declining interest in the performance sport compact segment, Fuji Heavy Industries introduced a performance tire, big brake kit "Tuner Ready" model for 2024, acknowledging a power boost was merely an aftermarket tune away.

While power remains unchanged, the 2025 Subaru WRX tS replaces the TR, as a more road course capable car.

2022 Subaru WRX - Bottom Line Review

PLEIADES ICE PROTO POWER: In a page taken taken out of fervent following one quirky mainstream automotive brand has developed two divergent sets of die hard devotees. The busier side of the Subaru brand showroom attracts the outdoor adventure lifestyler headed for light off road treading, with visions of Subaru

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

2025 SUBARY WRX tS DIFFERENCES FROM LAST TESTED 2022 SUBARU WRX :

• tS = "Tuned by Subaru Tecnica International = new trim for 2025, improving on the former TR ("Tuner Ready")
• electronic adaptive dampers + lower rate springs (previously exclusive to GT CVT models)
• Drive modes x 5 - Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, Individual
• Brembo mono-bloc brakes
  • front - 6 piston fixed calipers, 13.4"-inch cross drilled rotors
  • rear - 4 piston fixed calipers, 12.8"-inch cross drilled rotors
• 245/35-Y Bridgestone Potenza S007 high performance tires, 19" satin grey alloy wheels
• 1st Row heated Recaro ultrasuede sport bucket seats, driver 8-way power adjust
• full express power windows x 4
• Aluminum pedal covers
• Blue padded door card, center console saddle, microsuede and simulated carbon fiber cabin accents
• 12.3" -inch digital configurable gauge cluster, with navigation map migration
• EyeSight 2.0 advanced driver assistance safety suite
• Available new Galaxy Purple Pearl color

2025 SUBARY WRX tS CARRIED OVER / SHARED WITH 2022 SUBARU WRX PREMIUM:

Segment, Style & Finish:

• Performance sport compact four-door sedan, 5 occupant seating
  • Last sedan in Subaru line-up, based upon Impreza hatchback
  • Raked hood with intercooler intake, emphatic fender flaring, boomerang lighting, full body cladding, aggressive front air dam & rear lower valance + dual twin pipe exhaust

Performance:

• proto rally inspired turbocharged 2.5L DOHC flat-4 petrol engine, with trademark air-to-air intercooler
• 6-speed manual transmission
• symmetrical full time variable electronic viscous coupled all-wheel drive
• Punchy, if peaky engine
  • rated power - 271 hp, 258 lb-ft
  • weight to power ratio - 12.7:1 lbs./hp
• 25 miles per gallon, 463 miles highway driving range
• Fully independent sport suspension + oversized vented four wheel disc brakes
• Quick ratio steering, heavy weighted resistance

Safety:

• IIHS - Top Safety Pick (2025 MY)
  • EyeSight 2.0 advanced driver assistance, Level 1.5 autonomy
  • 7 SRS airbags, rear camera, blind spot warning & avoidance, roll-over door bolting
  • Excellent outward view

Comfort & Convenience:

• Sport Bucket front seats, good torso support
• 2.3" Multi-information Display configurable TFT instrument cluster, including panoramic navigation map projection
• 2-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, tilt/ telescoping steering wheel, wing mirrors, wiper de-icer
• Keyless entry, push-button ignition
• Power windows, full express x 4

Infotainment:

• 11.6" Subaru Starlink portrait touch LCD center stack infotainment screen
  • Pitch, roll & traction distribution display
  • USB-A + C , Rows 1 & 2
• 11-speaker, 504 Watt Harman Kardon streaming audio, HD radio
• Bluetooth hands-free communication, SMS
• wireless available Android Auto, Apple CarPlay projection
• Starlink app, Wi-Fi, Sirius XM & Travellink satellite entertainment - by Subscription

2025 SUBARU WRX tS AWD PRICING:

• $46,875 price, as tested 2025 Subaru WRX tS AWD in Sapphire Blue Pearl ( WRX Premium from $36,920)
• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper; 5 yrs. / 60k miles powertrain warranty

LIKES ABOUT THE 2025 SUBARU WRX tS AWD:

• One of the few World Rally Car Championship derived sport cars available in the U.S.
• Subaru Symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive
• Characteristic flat-four engine hoarseness to shrieking with a mid-range torquey sweet spot
• Relatively short throw transmission shifter, moderate effort clutch with short take-up travel
• Pedals located for heel-to-toe action
• Stiff springing benefits from adaptive damping [for manual transmission]
• Ample steering road feel with hefty winding
• Impressive grip from summer performance tires = sharper turn in
• Potent big brake kit with short pedal travel
• Typical Subaru solid build, active lifestyle exterior cues
• Premium finish cabin accenting, generous luxury content
• Traditional knobs for audio volume, selection tuning
• Tactile and logically placed steering wheel spoke ADAS and instrument buttons
• Loud Harman Kardon audio

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2025 SUBARU WRX tS AWD:

• More expensive than last generation WRX STI
• Fixed front seat lumbar cushion
• Low speed engine lugging
• Shifter linkage could be more direct, with less clickety click action
• No greater power than base trim & turbo lag is persists
• Lacks outright explosive acceleration of the last generation STI
• Pavement imperfections still felt
• Steering wind-up is less boosted, but still shy of organic rotation
• Lacks performance page app
• Infotainment screen touch capacitance is laggy, and sunwash prone
• Shiny hard dashtop & rear parcel shelf plastics & some cabin rattles