2025 Subaru WRX: 3 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to shy away
Small cars aren't exactly a hot commodity these days, but there's still plenty of love going around for the Subaru WRX. The latest model arrives with its classic design, hood scoop, and all, as well as a powertrain tuned for the track. Even with design and performance in hand, there are a couple of reasons to pass by the 2025 Subaru WRX.
Subaru introduced the WRX TR trim for gearheads interested in tuning the compact sedan themselves. However, in 2025, the Japanese automaker discontinued the TR and replaced it with the WRX tS, which stands for 'tuned by STI.' Fortunately, the punchy flat-four engine will remain unchanged in the 2025 Subaru WRX.The Subaru WRX tS comes in as the compact sedan's hot new trim for the 2025 model year. While it shares the same engine as the other WRX trims, it also comes with a performance-focused design and a handful of slick upgrades.
The WRX tS, short for 'tuned by STI,' features distinctive interior and exterior amenities, including a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and Recaro Performance Design seats wrapped in black suede and complemented by contrasting blue accents.
Mechanically, the WRX tS gains a Brembo braking system complete with larger brake pads and rotors behind the athletic 19-inch satin gray aluminum-alloy wheels. Drive Mode Select allows drivers to tailor performance between Comfort, Normal, and Sport settings. It also includes adjustable settings for the steering and throttle, among other systems.All Subaru WRX models feature the same 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine that delivers an impressive 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard on all but the WRX GT trim.
The range-topping GT trim, which starts at $45,705, comes equipped with the Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT). The SPT features adaptive shift control with rev-matching downshifts with the goal of maintaining the ideal gear ratio. Regardless of trim level, the Subaru WRX comes equipped with all-wheel drive.
The base Subaru WRX Premium starts at $35,750, placing it firmly in the midst of the hot hatch segment - but it isn't entirely out of its element. Most of the hot hatches, including the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R, are significantly more expensive. The WRX is, however, joined by the Hyundai Elantra N, another compact sedan tuned for performance.
The Hyundai Elantra N starts at $34,250 with a 276-horsepower engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. While the two models are close in price and performance, the Elantra N comes with front-wheel drive with no option to upgrade to AWD, putting it a step below the reputable WRX.The EPA has yet to officially rate the 2025 Subaru WRX, but the flat-four engine and six-speed manual transmission carry over from the previous model year. The 2024 Subaru WRX is rated for an EPA-estimated 19 city mpg, 26 highway mpg, and 22 combined mpg.
Unfortunately, that efficiency puts it on par with a midsize SUV. For example, the three-row 2025 Subaru Ascent is rated for an EPA-estimated 20 city mpg, 26 highway mpg, and 22 combined mpg.
The 2025 Subaru WRX sees a few changes to its trim lineup, and one of the most significant is the discontinuation of the base model. That means the Premium trim serves as the new entry model with a starting price of $35,750. That's just over $3,000 more than the 2024 WRX base trim, which started at $32,735.
'Few buyers opted for the base trim level last year, while nearly half of all WRX buyers opt for features found on the Premium trim level, which is why it's the entry point this year," said William Stokes, Car Line Planning Manager for Subaru of America.
The 2025 Subaru WRX has few true competitors, given its performance and placement in a declining segment. Even so, Subaru's compact sedan is designed to deliver thrills without breaking the bank. There aren't many true competitors out there, but be sure to give the Hyundai Elantra N a chance.
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