2025 Subaru WRX

The Subaru WRX has always been unique in the competitive field of sporty compact cars. Its longstanding hallmarks of a flat engine and all-wheel drive are in place, and a manual transmission still comes standard. Yet, it keeps up with its rivals by throwing in the latest infotainment and driver assist tech features while offering options like Brembo brakes and electronic adaptive dampers, making the WRX a thoroughly modern performance car. Newcomers and longtime fans of the sporty Subaru will both be satisfied with the WRX.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact cars, including the 2025 Subaru WRX.

The TR trim introduced to the WRX lineup last year is already gone and replaced by the sportier and pricier tS [sic] trim. The tS stands for “Tuned by STI,” Subaru’s performance division. Compared to last year’s TR performance trim, the tS gets even better Brembo brakes, blue interior accents, a digital gauge cluster, and electronically controlled dampers with four modes: Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual. This high-tech suspension system used to be exclusive to the GT trim, which comes exclusively with an automatic transmission. The introduction of the tS trim means you can now get a WRX with the really good suspension and a stick shift.

Also, the WRX’s eponymous base trim has been discontinued, driving up the starting price. The new base trim is the WRX Premium.

Now that the base trim is gone, the Subaru WRX has a starting price a bit higher than its closest rivals, like the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, and Volkswagen Jetta GLI. However, it’s still a good value in practical performance cars.

Before buying a WRX, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Subaru WRX resale value is above average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2025 Subaru WRX is powered by a turbocharged 271-horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with a 6-speed manual transmission with all-wheel drive. A CVT automatic transmission with paddle shifters is optional if you must. Unique in its class, the WRX’s flat engine design comes with the benefits of a lower center of gravity for better handling, smooth operation, and quick throttle response. It makes for a driving experience that’s pleasurable at any speed, whether it’s the daily commute or a curvy back road.

The small footprint and well-tuned suspension system further contribute to the pleasurable drive this Subaru delivers. Comfort improves greatly with the electronic adaptive dampers in the tS and GT models. We had fun taking tight corners fast when testing the WRX; it’s the kind of car that feels like it wants the driver to push it to its limit. The braking also feels satisfactory, partially thanks to this compact’s modest curb weight.

As for the transmissions, some rivals (Honda Civic Si, Volkswagen Jetta GLI) have more engaging and precise manual transmissions than the WRX. But if you’re a connoisseur of fine transmissions, you’re probably getting the Honda, anyway. If you’re not picky and just want a fast, fun car with an old-fashioned stick shift, you’ll be perfectly satisfied with the WRX.

Fuel Economy

Good fuel economy is supposed to be one of the advantages of a sport compact compared to a perfromance car with a bigger engine. However, the Subaru WRX only manages 22 mpg combined with the manual transmission and 21 mpg with the automatic. Also, premium fuel is recommended, yielding surprisingly high fuel costs for a compact sedan with a 4-cylinder engine, sporty as it may be. The Civic Si requests premium gas, too, but it gets 31 combined mpg.

If you want the full sports car treatment, the WRX tS delivers. It even includes uber-supportive Recaro front seats in the upper trims. However, at its core, the WRX is a sedan, seating up to five. Easy to live with, the instrumentation and controls are sensibly placed. The seats are comfortable, and there is plenty of elbow room. Its rear seats provide 36.5 inches of legroom. This falls neatly between the VW Golf GTI and the Hyundai Elantra N.

We put the WRX through its paces as a family car — with car seats and everything — and found it to be just as practical as any other compact sedan. The tidy 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space isn’t as much as any of our named rivals, but we found it practical enough for typical everyday errands.

For better or worse, the current iteration of the Subaru WRX doesn’t have the ostentatious, boy-racer aesthetic of earlier generations. It does have a gaping hood scoop, quad exhaust tips, and sporty wheel designs, but gone is the charmingly ridiculous rear wing of the old STI models. If you want to drive a sporty compact sedan and look like a grown-up, this relative subtlety is a good thing.

Stick shift
Yes, the automatic is quicker, but we never fell out of love with the manual transmission, especially in a sport compact like this. We love to see it standard in the WRX.

All-wheel drive
The Subaru WRX was a performance car with all-wheel drive long before it was trendy. Harkening to its roots as a rally car, the WRX’s all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring gives it better grip on dry pavement and the practical benefit of all-season traction.

tS trim
The new tS (tuned by STI) trim of the WRX brings upgrades like Brembo brakes, a high-tech, sport-tuned suspension system, and Recaro seats, unlocking the Subaru’s potential as a track-ready performance car.

Electronic adaptive dampers
This sophisticated suspension system, standard on the tS and GT trims, improves the WRX’s comfort and smoothness while also improving its agility. It can be adjusted exactly to your liking with Normal, Comfort, Sport, and Individual modes.

EyeSight
The EyeSight safety tech suite, standard on every WRX trim, bundles features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane centering.

Starlink infotainment system
The WRX’s Starlink infotainment system consists of an 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and optional add-ons like Harman Kardon premium audio and navigation.

Every 2025 Subaru WRX is powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. A CVT automatic is mandatory on the comfort-oriented GT trim and optional on all other trims.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Subaru protects the WRX with a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. A 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty is also standard. This is about typical for new cars from mainstream manufacturers.

Safety Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Subaru WRX its highest 5-star overall safety rating. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the Subaru WRX a Top Safety Pick award. Subaru includes EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard regardless of transmission. This bundle of advanced safety tech includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane centering.