Does Subaru's New WRX TR Satisfy STI Cravings? - TheSmokingTire 

Reminds me of Doug Demuro when he drove a low mileage 2004 STI and said there was a clear case for the older car being better. Same power, less weight and much more character.

the price is the deal breaker. it either needs to be cheaper, or for the current price it needs more performance features: limited slip diffs, variable center diff, more power, standard STI short shifter etc. The GR corolla premium is a better package for 41k, not to mention it comes in a hatchback body style.

A very thorough review, love all of Zach’s inputs. Thanks

9:04 Matt you are 100% right, and I know that because my dad bought a new WRX and he fits that older buyer demo PERFECTLY

The 6-Speed STI transmission and LSD's is what keeps Subaru solidly in the game. That's their golden nugget, sad to see it not around. When you drive the cars hard, that's what you feel.

I've lived in Canada 30 years, and will say - you do not need AWD to put up with winters and snow. Blizzaks or similar winter tires will get you through anything on your day to day commute. If anyone is considering the Elantra N or a similar FWD car spend the money for the winter on great tires and you will be just fine. Great video thanks Matt & Zack

Answer: no. Next question.

Excellent and honest review. Thanks so much, Penn & Teller.

In the opening scene the dude in denim walking behind the car to take a leak is gold, lol

Had a 17 STI, now a 22 VB. Two completely different cars in terms of feel, power and performance. However I will tell you I enjoy the new feel. It’s a much more comfortable daily that still gives you that thrill. Imo it’s the perfect daily for many reasons. I guess at 33 years old I fit that older demographic….

The new Impreza RS is a great looking car. No cladding. I think if it had a manual, it would be a great daily.

Thd WRX just can’t compete with its competitors now. Zach is 💯 about the early ones being revolutionary in their time.

Thanks for the vid TST Crew

I have a 22 and love it. I wouldn't spend this type of money on it though. I bought my limited new for well under msrp at the time. All I did was install a short shifter kit and it's great. The car works for my lifestyle.

Only thing I wish I could take and bring over from when I had a 2009 Honda Civic SI was that transmission

I've had mixed feelings about this generation of WRX ever since it was announced and seeing it again presents me with another question. The efforts to make it more comfortable, quiet, offering a CVT, etc. really make me wonder about an overall trend in the new car market, namely, are people under 30 buying new cars? I mean let's just take the average 25 year-old male, because that's really the WRX's target demographic, right? We know college graduation rates for males are going down (I think it's a little under 40%), we know the average amount of student loan debt carried by graduates with a bachelor's degree is 30k (varies state-by-state), we know rent prices are higher than ever, wage stagnation is worse than ever, inflation rates are through the roof, interest rates are still through the roof, more young people than ever are remaining single for longer. So like, your average 25 year old male is most likely single, meaning 1 source of income, either still lives at home or is spending half of their net income on rent even with a roommate, has student loan debt, statistically speaking probably didn't even earn a degree but is still holding that debt, working outside of their field of study most likely in some sort of entry level or unskilled position meaning lower wages (national median gross income for an individual is $37,00/y), might have other sources of unproductive debt (credit cards, personal loans, payday loans, etc.). So like in this scenario, which is the reality for a lot of young adults, who the hell under 30 can afford to saddle yourself to a $500-$700/m car payment before even mentioning owning and operating expenses? So inherently, from the automakers perspective, who does it make more sense to market this car to? The kids 18-28 that can't afford it? Or the 30-40 group that might be able to justify the expense? TL;DR cars are changing because young buyers can't afford them

Hes right about the shifter they have always been trash....the problem mainly is the stock shifter bushings are straight trash. Then if you upgrade to a kartboy shifter and bushings you also have to change to an aftermarket reverse lockout and a weighted shift knob to get a perfect feeling shifter which will set you back about $600 just in parts.

Something they didnt mention or I missed it. The new TR will have all of the eyesight features missing on the manual. You will now get adaptive Cruze in the TR.

For the money Subaru is asking for this car, I would have liked to see a rear LSD and a rear biased or controllable center diff. GR Corolla offers both of these things at a lower price point. My dad bought an OG TR back in 2006, it was spartan on the inside, but mechanically offered a lot for the money - 24 grand got you 230 hp, fixed piston calipers front and rear, and a rear limited slip. That's 38k in today's money, right where GRC Core with performance pack comes in.

What was Matt’s watch this time? Was it the rowing blazers x tag he talked about a few weeks ago?

They also don't mention this in the review but a lot of this has been changing. Changes are also a difference in the factory alignments specs. The TR seem to have more castor when they come to the dealership and more camber. We adjust the toe base of a specs which seem to be the same range.

I have a 2022 WRX Premium. Quality of build is excellent. Have driven in a foot of snow on the stock summer tires with no problem thanks to the four wheel drive. This thing handles like crazy. Yes, other cars are faster in a straight line, but I can blow by them through traffic circles and on winding mountain roads. This thing is tuned for high speed highway travel and slicing through curves. Have fun driving this car every day. Fuel economy is descent too. I really like this car. Told my Subaru dealer to let me know when they get a TR as I am interested. Not sure I will buy it as it is pricey, but who knows. I like the WRX way more than I though I would.

great review,,,,,have owned subaru's for years,,,,,been thinking about the wrx auto,,,,,,thanks again

Which TAG Carrera is that Matt? I don't hate that. I own two TAG's but have never been a fan of the Carrera's.

Love my 22. Wouldn’t waste my money on the tr though..premium with sound system and sunroof is good for me.

I had a 2005 Legacy GT wagon that suffered from all the problems (ride, shifter, clutch) mentioned in here. I was hoping this would be an acceptable alternative to an Integra Type S, but it doesn't sound close.

Should’ve gotten brembos + STI 6 speed + BBS’s and it’d have been proper

Anyone know what watch Matt is wearing here?

Nobody ever thought we’d get the GT in a manual and here it is folks. And the Impreza still exists.

Are the steering tweaks (as well as other minor changes) going to trickle down to all the other trim levels of this car? Or are they TR specific?

Been waiting for a new STI since I traded out of my 2016. It looks like I will be waiting a long time. I only got out of my STI because I needed something with more room.

Base model lease payment with almost no money down for 2023 was 90$ bi weekly. Best bang for your buck ive ever had in a car

finally someone acknowledges how bad the shifter is. ive been saying this since the split case 6 speed cable shifter came out

You don't feel turbo surge because the turbo kicks in early and being a larger engine it can make the same power with less boost than the previous generation. The goal was to make the turbocharged 2.4l feel like a larger NA engine with a linear powerband and power low in the rpm range. Turbo lag is cool and all cuz the power surge but its bad it corners and it sucks when you have to wait for boost to kick in. The fa24 makes peak torque at 2000rpm the twin scroll turbo, also spools up quick.

I think the WRX would be such a compelling buy in the segment if it looked a bit nicer.

I actually like the idea of the gear ratio being short. Most people will use this car as a daily which means you can enjoy flicking through the gears in normal roads without breaking the speed limit all the time. Other manuals I have you boot it in 2nd and then you're done.

Idk... i bought my GR STi new in 2011. It has 87k miles of abuse. Maintenance always on point. Still running strong and healthy... nothing has really changed performance wise since that STi till current except for the price increase. However, I'd be really hesitant to buy a used STi or even WRX. This car the WRX TR is like 43k thats insane. People are gonna buy it though. Im not a big fan. Im also not a fan of the EJ257 lol but alas here we are.

Maybe I’m confused but Matt said there is no Impreza or Legacy (in terms of models without cladding) but there is a 2024 Impreza, Legacy, and BRZ without cladding 8:31

The WRX TR (or the RS in other markets) IS THR EXACT SAME PRICE as the loaded manual trans sport tech in Canada.

8:12 I love the matt black cladding, like a 1980s sport package. #gti #volvoGT #Renault

I have a VB, I love it, I wouldn't spend this kind of money on one. It's an awesome car in the low 30's for what you get (great handling, AWD, manual, quick enough to be fun) but at 40+ I would have been looking at other options. Even if this were a proper STI for like $45k I would be considering something else. Not a GR Corolla or a Golf R, but probably a BRZ or Miata or something that is sportier and cheaper.

I absolutely love my '22 VB. Absolute best all-weather car I’ve ever used. Let the haters keep hating! Let’s go team VB!! 💯

I drove gr corolla and suspension was soft also there is much less room in a back than wrx

Spec for spec the wrx is hard to beat all wheel drive/ turbo charged. Subaru still has the sti trans why they cant offer that as a trim baffles me

quad tip has been a staple of the wrx since at least the 2009 model. its quite because people complain about the motor being so loud and bassy. that said, the rest of us remove it anyways and put in a non muffled version.

Waiting for Matts review of Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires.

I normally love your reviews, but i think automotive influencers have been spoiled by all the cars they drive. This skews theire view of some of the good cars. I have a 2024 WRX base model and think its a blast after just adding a slightly louder exhaust to get a bit of noise, and then some sticky tires and nicer wheels. Its a great car for basically $35k I've spent. But you guys would probably think its boring because you just test drove a $200K Porsche.

Not gonna lie, the plastic cladding has grown on me 😮

There are still regular Imprezas and Legacys in the lineup, just not with manuals.

Thanks boys 🫡

Comparing this to my 30 year old wrx type ra. Same power just 1000lbs heavier. Granted daily driving my car would be horrendous.

Is this Bouquet Canyon?

I REALLY wish the redline was 1,000rpm higher.

For me, as a 2014 WRX owner, the power band in the 22+ is odd. Not saying mine by any means is all that great, but at least I can wring it out to 6700rpm and that feels dramatic and fun. When I test drove one of these, I was surprised by the low redline. Additionally, it only makes 6hp more than mine, and it just doesn't feel it. I think it's a heavier car than my hatch and you feel it. Last thing, the transmission to me feels awful. Pretty rubbery and uninspiring. The 5speed in my WRX is at least connected via a linkage to my hand and actually feels nice and notchy (I have the factory short throw installed). For me, the new WRX in any flavor just does not do it.

When I bought my 23. I was comparing to a lot if different cars in the higher 20’s; lower 30k mark. (Which is normal car pricing these days unfortunately) The Civic Si was underwhelming with the 1.5T and given that motors reputation for blowing after an intake… just didint sit well with me. GTI’s are even more pricey and only FWD + Euro unreliability. The only other car that really had me (and still thinking) is a GR86, but the power on the wrx just got me.

No mention that the GR corollas diff overheats very quickly?

"Flat bill vape bro" 😂

I have a 23 limited, the STI aftermarket exhaust makes a huge difference. This is my first go with Subaru and will most certainly be my last. Just not a fan of the low revs and the mmi is horrendous.

Such a shame the STI is gone. I wish this new body style was as good looking as previous gens. I'm seriously looking to jump into the Subaru world. As for now though, I guess I'll stick with my 9th gen Si.

have a casual sim rig with the manual and I drove my sisters 5 speed forester to learn and putting it into gear felt like I was kicking a field goal. The base manual is not a good place to start LOL "disservice to manuals"

Subaru needs to fix these fenders, it’s been pretty universally accepted that the cheapen the WRX and make it look like a Crosstrek.. Plus, the custom painted color-matched ones are proof that it looks SO MUCH BETTER

You can change climate temperature with the buttons on the side and avoid using the slow screen. Also, when your heated seats are on, hold down the seat warmer button on the screen to turn them off. This way you dont have to push 3 times.

The TR is a no-go. But a premium for $32K + etune, yellow stuff brake pads, intake, catback? That’s the sweet spot for the VB. You could be all in with those mods for $36K, and you’d have a great car. As it stands, I think the TR should’ve had an extra 40HP for the price they are charging

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 22’ sapphire blue premium in VT. It’s doing a great job handling an absurd amount of weather situations. Yes not a track weapon… honestly if you want to be fast in tarmac there are better options… but if you want to be fast and handle variable terrain and weather conditions this is a compelling solution. The cladding really helps protect the fenders as well, and I think they make the car look cool.

It cannot by virtue of lacking front/rear LSDs alone. Also the center LSD sucks compared to the STI as well.

So is it boring 😴 to drive?

Correction, there is an Impreza with a couple of levels including the 2.5RS

Back when the 22 came out I was out at the dealer getting a recal done on my 21 sti, so I test drove a 22 and was not impressed, feel of the car overall is numb like most modern cars there was no raw feel that the sti had or that the Wrx used to have pre 2015. Yes the 22 can make power cheaper but stock for stock definitely did not handle or brake anywhere near an sti.

8:40. You can even get the outback outback......LOL

As a 2020 WRX(my 2nd WRX) owner over, I’ve decided to move on to another platform for my next car. I was really hoping my next car would be a newer STI. But Subaru has decided they don’t want the business from loyal STI loving enthusiasts. Time to try something else and more exciting.

I have a ralliart it’s more tuner friendly

I hate that they still haven't brought back the hatchback. There's an Impreza hatchback.

Having owned a decent spec 2015 I genuinely do not understand how a WRX is a $50,000 car now

they are not investing in the manual as they don't need to; few others if any offer the option

Hey Vermont gets a shoutout! I had a 2002 WRX and there was nothing that could touch it on a snowy back road.

I would say the new WRX wouldn’t be worth it. Except the horsepower to cost ratio it takes to make this thing 350+ to the wheels..it’s super cheap and accessible to get to that number, I did it for $1,200 so I paid 29,500 for a base model 22, spent 1,200 to make it 360WHP (had a map with E60 and made 434 but I was scared for my transmission). If I spend the money on a big break kit and rotors..I’d say 34-35k for AWD, 360WHP, and a BBK with some coils and I’m feeling great for the money for the amount of car I’m getting. Spend another 8k on an STI trans swap and you got yourself a proper track car for 40k..I think the TR isn’t worth the cost, but a base model 22 and some money set aside to upgrade it when it arrives is totally worth it. And this transmission isn’t “glass” it’s only really third gear that is having issues and I mean come on? Over 400 to the wheels and expecting a stock wrx transmission to hold up to the abuse very long just isn’t something we should expect for a car with AWD, turbo and under 30k..gotta remember the STIs brand new were 40+ but they would blow the motor at 400+ so it’s either swap the motor on an older STi to make 400 or swap the trans on a new wrx to make 400 🤷‍♂️ they can’t just give us everything from factory and still kept it affordable for their targeted demographic

The thing I would change the most, if not using an STI trans, is the synchros. They suck. And i agree that for the price there are way better cars. My premium was 37,500. I put in about $5k already. That’s a pretty expensive car when for slightly more i could get something else. However, it is in its own niche.

My god Subaru just bring back the uneven headers, some of us crave that old rumble.

I think I'd get an Elantra N instead, and invest some of the savings in a set of winter wheels and tires.

@8:35 No Lagacy? No Impreza? 🤔 Funny because when I go on Subaru's website I see 2024 Legacys and Imprezas...

This reminds me of the Lancer ralliArt, wasn't a full evo but had sprinkles of it

The TR is a secondary slap in the face for me. I planned on ordering the new STI as soon as it dropped and they pulled the rug out from me a few months before the expected release date

Not sure why people don't realize that Subaru is no longer a car enthusiast brand anymore. Other than the BRZ, they don't have a purpose built performance car like the S209 anymore. That project proved to be a failure. They make their money by selling Crosstreks and Foresters. WRX today is just a shared platform with all the other soft cars and it showed in the track it can't hang with other purpose built cars. STI wasn't profitable, they kept having ringland problems no matter how bulletproof the transmission was their engines suck. HQ probably shut the segment because it is losing too much money from warranty and recalls. Then you have cars like the Elantra and Kona N come out recently and spanked the WRX easily for less money. Why would someone spend $40k on this car when there are so many better choices. This isn't even faster than used 2017 Type Rs.

Mk 7.5 golf r has 4 pipes but also quiet.

The STI used to be a screaming deal when super cars had 350hp. Nowadays, the STI is just old tech, and there are many better, and cheaper, options.

Smeedia did a short shift kit and said it was much better ..that should be standard

Waiting on my blue car. Form follows function, and this wins on many levels. Low stress 12psi 6krpm redline, may as well be a diesel.

Journalists drive supercars that I'll never even see. Of course a WRX is going to disappoint. Me, coming from a 2007 Xterra, the WRX is great.

I need you to drive the '24 Limited or Premium and report back about any braking improvements derived from the larger master cylinder. And any handling improvement derived from the suspension mount point stiffening. I'm not sure why you're not already doing that for me. Sort of tired of waiting on you guys. Get with the program.

Good review but the one takeaway i had is that, for the average consumer, they aren’t gonna go out and buy the tr. If you buy a cheaper trim wrx its a pretty big price drop, leaving money for parts to bring it back up to par. The ElanN is 34-36k, the Golf R and Civic type R and like 45k, the GR is 36k. The VB wrx base? 31k. That 5-10k into the fa24 and suspension will make a hell of a difference, and the cost will be the base price of the competitors. i see this as punching up

Tuner Ready stands for: (In Best Asian Accent) Do it yourself! We broke!!

8:35 um Impreza is still arround... the Impreza 2.5 RS Version was launched by your friend Bucky Lasek who made you sushi on a skateboard. Funny enough the Impreza is the only modern Subaru without cladding.

Congrats on the "premium" RU-vid plaque 👍👍 About the car - i wish they put this drivetrain in the new RS wagon, but whatev, at least they're leaning into the manual somewhere. Now if they would just paint the cladding...🤦

If this had the STI 6spd and differential system it'd be well worth it.

I feel like they missed on the TR. They should have added the seats and the brakes to a base model. Most people that are "tuners" would rather put after market stuff than have it provided by the manufacturer.

Really unfortunate. The first time i saw one of these, i thought it was a new civic from behind. Then i got up next to it, and i was like oh they changed the outback again. Then i saw the wrx badge, and i said yuck.

At least the regular WRX is like the only car that didn’t double in price. A brand new 2.4T AWD car for $31,000 is not bad at all.

I like the thumbnail :)

I own a 2007 WRX TR that I bought brand new from the Dealer when I was 24. I bought it at a time before I could afford an STi with hopes that, one day I would upgrade. I liked the hatch STI in 08, but was surprised that not much improved with the powertrain from the 07 STi. I held off with hopes that someday Subaru would give it a bigger bump to keep up in the early 2010's with competition. That never happened. I kept my TR because it was reliable, dependable and fun. That being said, not sure I will ever get another Subaru. I have an Ascent as well, and the looks of everything in their lineup now just turns me off. They really need to improve their looks and steal a designer like Peter Schreyer or Tom Kearns.

It's missing a rear LSD & missing DCCD. w/o those it's a hard pass for me.