2019 Subaru S209 Review - Best WRX STI Ever! 

Pricing announced: $63,995! What do you think? Too much? Could they have charged more?!

this is what the standard sti should've been at a 40k price range.

The STI looks lonely without the EVO. Maybe I'm just missing watching these both cars together.

Some of the best Subaru content on the Internet! Keep it up.

Potential price aside, it looks like a fantastic car. I think in this RU-vid age where every car is reviewed on a track and given a hot lap, the term "performance" gets a bit lost. Some cars are incredibly quick, but may not be able to stand up to repeated abuse lap after lap. I think the STI and in particular this S209 is one of those cars which can be thrashed endlessly without overheating, chewing up too much brake pad, or killing it's tires before the day is done. The reason I love my track Miata so much is because it's bulletproof, even driven at 9-10/10ths. All I've had to do is change oil at regular intervals and take a quick peek of the pads. Even running it for 60 minutes on track, the already used Hoosier A7's looked great and could do at least a few sessions more. That's performance.

I have a 2019 STI Limited. It's crazy good. Very quick and lots of fun to drive. The speed you can carry into turns is amazing. The grip is the best I've ever experienced. The three LSD's really do the job. I wish the info screen above the infotainment had a battery and oil temp reading. Don't know why they didn't include those. If you cruise at 70mph right around 4k RPM for long enough, you could get 26MPG on a flat highway. If you need to pass someone, sport mode will take you from 70 to 80mph in a blink. You have to watch your speed, it will get away from you and its quiet so you don't realize it. If you always wanted one, it's worth looking into.

Simply an AMAZING car! That car is an INSTANT collectible for anyone fortunate to buy one. WOW! Great job with the review and the background on the car. So many people complain that this car does not have gold rims to harken back to the WRX rally car they miss the point you called out that this car is an homage to the Nurburgring 24 racing development team. Well done. BTW the fact that we live in a time where we get this Subaru S209 AND the Honda Type R here in the US is not lost on me.

Very informative video. The S209 is an AMAZING machine. What a wonderful time to be alive when we have great vehicles like this available here in the US.

Amazing review! Thank you for reviewing the S209. It still feels surreal that Subaru brought the S series stateside (i wish i could have one). I have alot of respect for the folks at STI for still making the S series.

Great to finally see a driving review of this beast! Agreed on the seats though, the Recaro upgrade for my 19 was too pricey for just a seat back improvement....so I passed.

I have a '19 STI Ltd, and it's my 5th STI, but when I watching the vid, I was perplexed about the paddle shifters...then you said it - IC! They did this in my 06 STI as well. Very useful in Vegas weather.

Bought myself a 2015 sti all those years ago (current powerlevel 400whp) and it's by far my most favorite car I've owned. I pretty hyped for the future of this platform.

Also, fantastic news about STi. Keep the wheels gold!

Very glad you mentioned the seats as I had an STI Limited and while the Recaro seats in my Type RA are more comfortable in straight line driving, the STI seats are much superior for side bolster support when even slightly aggressive turning. That surprised me as I assumed the Recaro seats would be superior, but they are not so far. As far as that 'expected' price for the S209, that's why I didn't wait and found a good deal on a new Type RA. $60K is flat out lunacy.

If subaru builds an STI crosstrek, they will come.

Killing us with the shots man

So stoked they are finally bringing a S series to the states. It’s going to be awesome seeing this in person and maybe at the track.

I love the fender flares

Nice!!!! Finally a real review of s209 !!!! Great job guys

How much do you think they'll charge for the S209?

The *-* DCCD setting makes the STi a bit looser on the rear, so it corners sharper. *+* gives the car more traction.

I looked at your video talking about the car when it was announced, and boy talk about singing a different tune now.

This is what the standard STI should be like for that whopping price of 40k.

Looks kind of neat I guess but that’s about as far as my interest goes. I don’t even want to know how much they will charge for it. Thanks for the review of it though. Interesting.

I have 2017 STI and trade in for 2019 STI can complain it’s more refine than the 2017. I think one of best STI so far that being said I also own 2004 STI.

2019 handbag sti, comes with all creature comfort accessories and peer approval

I’d like to see a race between the S209 and an STI and see what the difference is.

Selling my type RA 38/500 about 4,200 miles on it. What better place than here. Paid off, title in hand, garaged, non smoker, kicker audio upgrade, AWE touring edition exhaust installed, IAG street AOS, never had an AP married to it, have all stock parts wrapped and in the attic. complete car with wheels and glass treated with u.k ceramic 2.0.

Subaru WRX has really been lagging behind until 2018 or even 2015+ but they seemed to ironed most the problems out with the 2018 and newer. The FA engine is amazing. Just hope the valves don’t get to junked up.

Amazing but the price is 80% exclusivity! I limited '18 STI and love it!!!

Flat 6 turbo sti with unequal leangth headers would be a bomb... Someone give Subaru Technica International this info... The supra would be forgotten.

Great video! I'd love to get this or the 2020 series white... I had a 2007 limited edition sti #059/800... It was awesome and was wingless, had black brembo brakes, and heated leather seats. It was Urban Gray Metallic... It had great resale value and I miss it.

It's great seeing the updated (post-2014) WRX/STI body style get all beefed up and serious like this, it's the functional vents, stiffer chassis, and a list of other things that really does it for me with this beautiful USDM release. It's just so goddamn track ready! I myself have a '14 wrx hatch, and I love it, and it's EJ delivers, even in it's stock form, with my recent upgrades (rally-ready skid plate, mud-flaps, etc) having nothing to do with power however, I'm still happy with it's pep for now. Anyway's, what I meant to say was that I've been drooling over this S209 for months now, it appears to have been built very purposefully. I read about the S209 in one of Super Streets most recent prints, The JDM Issue (vol.23, no.07), and yes - it would appear it is most definitely a "stronger overall package", as was published in that SS article. I can't wait to see what else Subaru's performance division has up their sleeve. By the way, is that a Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 on your t-shirt starting at 5:35? If not, which Escort might it be? I mean, it's got the iconic double wing so it has definitely got to be one of those bad-ass rally Escorts. Either way, nice shirt man, and what's more? Great video, you guys kill it.

Comment from the future! Yes, STI can bring in anything they want! And as of 2022, that means no more STIs. At all. You were right about the "massive shift" - just wrong about the direction ;)

Great video. The sti import biz is exciting!

My favorite feature is the lack of gaudy red interior accents minus the dash trim. The dash trim can easily be vinyl wrapped. The red interior highlights and the ringland problems keep from considering standard STI. Too bad this one costs too much and will be unobtainable for us average folk.

@drivingsportstv What changed that allowed STI to import models? I like the brief history segment.

Hey Subaru, BRING THE LEVORG TO THE STATES!

For the way the S209 drives. This is the best 65k car out there by FAR! Sincerely a now S209 owner, SUPER car handling. 10/10. I recommend adding power... you’ll have a super car with the speed/handling combo I’ve owned 4 cars in last year, hellcat, jeep, M4. My S209 isn’t going anywhere! 😈. Thanks STI!

You're the best! Welcome to my homestate hopefully you had a good time here! Like where STI is going with this.

Did I hear correctly, 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds? Seems it should be quicker than that.

That looks like an incredible track

I'm here because my local Subie dealer has one of only 80 white ones. It has Recaro seats. $71K.

Auto Minus is for dry - good road surface such as most tracks, Auto Plus is for wet roads.

Ryan you said the changes to power and everything else are the first time Subaru was able to do that for the US market? Did you already forget they did ALL of that for the Type RA, a car which you did review? Are you reading a script Subaru provided you or something when you give your overview of the changes? Just saying, I own a Type RA. the car routinely pushes 18 lbs of boost stock with no changes to the tuning and definitely puts down much more than the advertised 310bhp. It does not have those additional chassis mods but all of them can be bought and added to the car from your local Subaru dealer once this car hits dealer lots. which I plan to do for an OEM plus build. It is about time they finally started adding a more comprehensive selection of STI/OEM upgrade options. Looking forward to taking my Type RA to the next level and its nice to have an OEM option for better brake pads for track days.

This car was very good and can only remain as a legend in history. Nowadays, even S209's performance is so inadequate comparing to all of its competitors. It gets so out-performed. The last things we need are new stickers, new wing and new vents. We need a STi to combat these latest cars: TTRS, RS3, and A-45.

Driving Sports TV: The brakes are not at all similiar to the standard STi, they are 6 pots and together with the dedicated pads are amazing, exactly the same fitted in my beautiful yellow Impreza STi spec c Type RA-R!! is this engine 2.4/ 2.5? What a shame the red line does not go up to 8.200 as the previous ej20!!

Correct me if I am wrong... Did they model the gr. 3 and gr. 4 subaru vehicles after the 208 and 209 in Gran Turismo Sport?

Not familiar with intercooler spray. How much does it cost / how often do you use it / how big of a difference does it make?

Waiting for those fender flares for sale available in any store sites.

So the S208 is currently selling for 68K...in Japan because that's the only place I can find that has one for sale and they made 450 of those. So, now you have an upgraded S209 of which they are only making 209 and only selling in the US, which has never had an "S" series made available to buy. You can bet your investment dollar it's worth 65K but what do I know I only have two lambo's in the garage.

I could never find out why they stopped making the Impreza in coupe form like the GC8. A modern STI WRX in coupe form would be awesome.

is it safe to say these ej257 motors are more reliable to make power now unlike the older ej25?

Too little too late too expensive has been Subaru legacy over the last 30 years. I was a Subaru owner.

Hello from a fellow masshole subie owner. Wish I can see this thing on the streets

Our boy has a 97' Impreza WRX, JDM car, and that unit kicks ass with only 276hp! [stock] This one looks good, has power, but the price would be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Best WRX STi ever was the Cosworth CS400 in UK market. That is a step above the S-series STi's. S-series still obv step up above standard STi's though. CS400 is Cosworth but I still refer to it as best factory built "WRX STi".

It's so beautiful!

Maybe I missed it but what track was that? Looks like NH but could be Palmer MA?

This is....pure love.

Hi question regarding the S209 STI in the US does it get the faster 11:1 ratio rack like in japan or is it a watered down version with the 13:1 normal rack?

Would love to see a Civic Type R on a track with the S209

Only 209?!! ..if I was lucky enough to buy an S209, I would want 209/209

What's with all the poor people and their complaining about the price? If you can't afford it work a second job or just let people who can afford it buy one in peace.

At what point does the STi reach diminishing returns? The S209 doesn't seem $20k better than the WRX STi of today. Even the STi of today seems a bit costly compared to the competition - as is. I'm not sure what they will price it at, but I'm sure it will be asinine for what you're actually getting.

What track was this? I was thinking you were goint to Lime Rock, but that doesn't look anything like it.

This should be the regular Sti. Thi should’ve been more extreme as far as power. Should’ve been pushed to around 450-500.

Here in the future of 2022, sorry to break it to you guys but they have stopped production on the sti until further notice if and when it does come back stateside, it will be in the form of a battery pack.

so I saw the price of this model recently & I'm shocked. Which one do u guys think is better, this, or a used GT-R?

I’m sorry but for that price you can get an 18 M3 competition with over 120 more hrs power and bang for you’re buck. I’ve had 4 STI’s and honestly it’s not worth that price tag.

What track were you driving on?

Can the haters tell me instead of the base STi, what you can get for this price range, with 300+hp, AWD and manual that seats 5. I’ll be waiting

I’m gonna guess mid-$50K range, but nevermind that...dealership mark-up will add another $20K for those buyers who will pay anything for exclusivity. Same thing happened when the Civic Type R FK8 came to the states.

Wonderfully efficient car

How would this do against a zl1 1le camaro? On track ?

I have a 2017 which I absolutely love, and bought used this past year. But frankly, the S209 is what the base STI already should be for its price point. Subaru made a lot of improvements for 2019, but IMO it’s way overpriced compared to what competitors are offering.

Champagne supernova, Nice song.

I may have missed it but are the paddles for?

My guess...msrp $64.995 but dealers will sell it with a $10k mark up.

Does the ej25 still run a bearing at 190km?

Can someone explain to me why subaru is still using a top mount intercooler? She heat soak’s so bad.

Forgive me if I missed it, but what track is driven in this vid?

No shit, you better get performance for 70k. I’d rather have a 997 911!

People saying this car is too expensive. There's only going to be 200odd made, they will be sold before they even come off the production line.

If anyone noticed there is a paddle shifter behind the wheel throughout the video?? If yes, he has been shifting manually and what are the paddle shifter for??

I really don't like their decision to style it like 2010 civic, but the super real wing is nice.

I will..waiting the new 2021 sti

5 years after and I still can't understand why they didn't even give this car a goddamned oil cooler... And what a shame STI didn't build any other car for overseas like this one...

What are the paddles for ? Auto rev match?

Have one of these at my dealership. Beautiful car. Little pricey but damn it’s sexy.

I feel it might be priced easily within 53k-60k

Nice paddle shifters 🤙🏼

The car looks fantastic. Why is that it has paddle shifters if it is manual?

If i have 65+K to throw around for sure it wouldn't be a S209 thats only if the dealer is not gonna put any mark up on it. I can see dealer gonna be asking 80K-90K sell price on this thing.

I love my 18’ STI Limited

Can you make legacy with rear steering

My 16 year old sti spec c is 19.5 psi of boost from the factory.

Holy Christ, for that much money, I'll go Porsche.

How do you get parts for these?

I'm sure everyone wants the STI Forester everyone else has but America.