Is the 2025 Subaru WRX tS DEAD on arrival? 

Omg Subaru we want the STI drivetrain!

If I didn't already have a 23 wrx and was looking to buy a 24 or 25 wrx I would shop the TR or TS but no way in hell I am selling mine to "upgrade" to a TR or TS. I already did coil overs, and did EBC yellow brake pads. So suspension and brakes are sorted for the two times a year I can make it to a track day.

I love my 2022 premium! The only thing I didn't like was the factory stereo but I replaced all 4 door speakers with kicker comp C's & threw a 12" in the trunk (also a kick comp c) with an 800 watt single channel amp, sounds great now!!!

Must say that there is a part of me that would trade in my GT for this so I can go back to a manual car, but another part of me that is not sure if this worth what they are asking for. Maybe just need to wait a little longer and see if they ever release a STI .😕

I go my 22 WRX premium for new for 31,500. I cannot understand what makes these higher trims worth so much more money. like you mentioned on the suspension, you can't go coils or lose your adjustability. so people are just buying brakes and seats for 10k more i guess. It would be different if they also offered different power levels to go along with the different prices and supposed sportier trims. It's just a money grab forsure. Make it make sense Subaru!

On my third Subaru in 2 years 1) 18 STI Limited 2) 22 Outback Wilderness 3) 23 WRX Premium. I'm saying that... because what this seems like it Subaru saying "How can we make more money out of this, whilst doing very little?". I don't understand it. Why not just give the 25 TR the electronic shocks etc ? The only think we really wanted was MORE POWER lol. (And a better transmission obviously).

My 2 cents. As someone who ordered a TR, I was a little annoyed seeing something new come out. But... after seeing the differences I'm not concerned about it. I ordered a red car so I don't care about gold brembos or the blue interior. The adjustable dampers would probably get replaced anyway. Only the display is of any importance, but again it's not for me. So this news doesn't bother me.

Tail lights look the same to me.. Those seats though 🔥🔥🔥 I'm chilling with my 2022 premium though....

I wish the TS had come out sooner. I really wanted the adjustable dampers and Recaro from the GT but I wanted a 6MT more so I went with my '22 Limited. I love how the 19" wheels look, and the Brembo's, while more than I'll probably need, look so slick. The accents on the seats are so classy and I hope they come matching the vehicle color. Can you imagine that in Solar Orange? It'd pop in such a cool way! The digital dash cluster is pretty cool. The STI logos are awesome. I totally would have bought one if I hadn't already bought my '22, but it's not enough to even get me considering trading in and up.

I don’t regret buying my 2023 Premium. These other models coming out aren’t good enough to make me want to switch up. If they don’t include the STI trans and front and rear LSD, I’m not interested

So frustrating to watch Subaru tiptoe up to the full STI spec, and then run away again. Personal message to Subaru suits: just DO IT. Go all-in on updraded DCCD, drivetrain, tuned to350hp, Bilsteins, Brembos, Recaros, bored out to 2.6, 20” forged rims, rally tail, body kit, titanium and carbon fibre up the wazoo, and that glorious pink badging (plus all the other bits I missed, not an STI expert sorry). Charge what you want. It’ll sell. Even if you take a loss, you make it back in PR and goodwill.

The dash is awesome. It makes the car feel like it's a current vehicle and not dated. I would def go this over the TR. The comfort setting on the suspension might even be ok for my wife to drive (back issues).

I've got a Graham-tuned 2022 base and 18" wheels with Pilot Sport 4S tires, those two upgrades made a huge difference. Would be nice to have bigger brakes, but would rather have a stiffer suspension. Waiting for Koni Yellow shocks and stiffer springs, but no interest in lowering it more than 1" or so.

The price jump from the base model to the GT is frankly insane. Considering both cars have the same power output, no STI drivetrain upgrades... how did Subaru find ~$12,000 in additional value in the parts they throw at the WRX?

Subaru is doing everything except what we want. How about instead of trying to prioritize COMFORT. Can we not prioritize PERFORMANCE? Maybe even make a light weight race model? With 350hp stock?

Just make a base with a huge options list. Give the option to build what you want/need

TR shoulda been a base with brembos and seats if Subaru was going to come out with the TS. You got it right that the TR steps on the TS' toes...

The TR is the WRX Club Spec in Australia with a WING! It's not out yet. July I think.

Unless you want the adjustable dampers. I don't. I'd take a TR.

The ts I guess is fine but if they add a sti spoiler like the type ra and the whole sti front lip side skirts and rear splash guards and also an sti intake

I want 4 pot brembo up front , 2 pot at the rear so i can have a spare wheel. Also, make transmission stronger..those are the only changes i need

This car is for me. When my STI was crushed by trees and I wanted a new car, I bought the WRX GT. It was the top of the line WRX with all the bells and whistles, but it’s an automatic and the brakes aren’t that good. So in walks the tS which is a GT with a stick and brakes and I’ve already told my dealership I’m ready to trade for a tS. I can live without a sunroof. I’ve had my BRZ tS for about a week, now. I’m older, affluent, and not into modding. I like driving them; occasional track days and mountain vacations. So I want what I can get out of the box.

They already said they could NOT release an STI due to not being able to meet fuel regulations and such that were put in place last minute by the EPA. We know it absolutely existed based off the references made in the manual and due to how understressed the FA24 is. Part of me believes at least now that its that percentage stake Toyota has in Subaru thats telling them that they can not put out an STI because it would eat up GR Corolla and GR Supra sales. Subaru will get as close as they can to an STI with all these new models but they can not and will not call it an STI IMO. They knew the STI wasn't going to be a thing so they overbuilt the WRX and left it so that we the consumers could mess around with it and get all these insane gains. We will not see an STI this gen, but I fully believe come next gen there will be some sort of hybrid or EV STI that will be a straight up banger of a car. The Ts also replaces the TR. The Ts is the Tr with the " tuned by STI " digital dash, and the adjustable dampers with the manual.

I really wanted an option for the adaptive suspension and brembos, but I need a sunroof and good speakers. They should just lets us get a GT with 6 speed.

They are heavily advertising the digital gauge cluster upgrade, I just don't care. The cluster in the 22-24 cars is just fine. Also curious here how plug and play the new cluster is, could you just order the cluster and swap it out with the old one? You make a really good point about the potential of the new cluster to just shut off; my infotainment screen still has periodic issues. Even the usb ports shut off when the screen has issues. The world rally blue seats look wrong in a non-STI car. The STI logo in the custer made me cringe the same way you did in the video. I would personally still buy a tS over a TR just for the adaptive suspension alone. I was so confused why the TR didn't get the adaptive suspension but this makes sense now. The big thing I think Subaru keeps missing here is performance upgrades. Why can't we get a WRX with more power? I feel like almost every other manufacturer adds more power (even if it's like 20hp) to their performance models. Could you imagine if the Golf R was a regular Golf with upgraded suspension? No one would care.

Good coverage as always! I'm a 22 Limited owner and I was mad jealous to see the 24 TR come out and then now the 25 TS. For me the big selling points of these cars are the stiffer suspension and the TS is even juicier with that adjustable electronic damper system! Like others I wish they would just come out and give an STI transmission. I for one am excited for that digital gauge and hoping that they have the horizontal rpm bar just like the BRZ does in sport/track mode or whatever. I wonder what the WRX facelift is gonna be like. The new Crosstrek looks pretty sick, but the 2025 Forester looks like a 2008 Ford. So boring!!!

They should offer the base with the brembo brakes and call it the TR. Make the the recaro's optional too.

I am dumbfounded. I was so interested in the TR before it was fully announced...they had leaked photos like forever before the official unveiling. I wanted to buy a more special model, but when the TR was finally detailed it just didn't excite. No different badge even! I was wondering why they didn't make a tS like the BRZ has...I finally decided to just go with a 2024 Limited. Now I don't even have my car fully broken in and these people have the audacity announce almost exactly what I was wanting almost a full year in advance of the actual release. I would have loved the gold calipers, the adjustable suspension, the blue interior...man this sucks.

I just bought a TR last week for ~3k under MSRP, and I’m very happy with it. The tS is cool, but I can’t go back on my purchase now, so why worry about it? 😁✌️

I'm still good with my 2022 Limited.

Man I wish Subaru would've hinted this before I got the TR.

Maybe they could've had the dampers and digital dash each as as an option for the TR starting 25. They just decided to call this a different trim and slaped an STI badge on it

That tS should have a sti 6 speed dccd transmission and diffs.

I think finally having the adaptive dampers with a manual is huge. It makes me wonder why the TR exists though, maybe the tS wasn't ready yet and they wanted to have a new trim come out with the new changes they made to the 2024MY. I'm estimating it'll probably be $45k. The GT is around $3700 more than the limited with SPT, and it has the adaptive dampers and recaros over the limited. So it makes me think the tS would be at most $3k over the TR.

Subaru are lacking behind competitors on configuration options as well (Steering options, shock etc)

You hit it on the head, this will give us 6 total trims now. If they're gonna do all of this just give us a WRX STI. I'm aware of the emissions standards but JUST give us the STI. It's what the people want.

Why can't they just release a VB with the 21 STI transmission. That's literally all we want.

Imagine how much a VB Sti would cost if Subaru kept it going. We talking what like 55k?? If we got inflated WRX trims with no additional power projected to start in the 45-46k mark with the 2025 TS I feel like 55k would be a safe bet. And yet here we have Subaru stating they discontinued the STI because of epa standards, I’m getting 28 mpgs and rising on my 23 VB, yes it’s about 75% freeway driving but still that’s pretty good. Why not just take the VB powertrain and tune it for a little more power? A VB STI with 290-295hp and upgraded transmission would be just fine. We already know the power potential this powertrain can make. It would be nice to get a little more power without voiding the warranty.

I can see how this makes sense... slowly ramping up and hoping that the STi eventually comes out at the end. I guess tS makes sense for those who won't touch the car, where TR's lack of adaptive suspension should be sufficient enough for those who are looking to moderately upgrade/replace their suspension. I've seen the instrument panel two years ago on the JDM WRX and Levorg. My assumption is that tS is for those who aren't looking to do much to their car and keep it nicely stock but want more from Subaru... is my take on this. Because honestly, i dont want to mess with that adaptive suspension if i am to replace it with a coilover. We still have lower trims for that. Hell. Even TR for that. I like how WRX is matured up and how fast Subaru is ramping it up. Only thing that i hope is, the STi transmission and DCCD. Honestly, if VB STi isn't in Subaru's plan, at least these last two things would make the VB perfect.

We want more power, painted fenders and a wagon!! Subaru: Sure thing! here's your digital tachometer and blue accents!!

It’s really frustrating lol I really wish they would just bring Sti back it makes no sense to keep making wrx trims but this is their way of making more money I guess

I thought I was going to buy a WRX by now, but my wife not being able to work and the stupid inflation is making that difficult. Maybe having to wait was a good thing. This looks like the one I really want

from my own dd. it looks like the ts trim will actually replace the tr. as for the wheels, on subarus own website it says that the ts will recieve its own exclusive 19" wheels.

I am confused by the TS also. They should have just made adaptive suspension on the TR as an option. Or factory tune the FA24 to 310 HP and call it an STI. And they can factory tune it. Ford does it. Buy a Ford Performance Procal tuner and you can tune your mustang with an emission legal, a non warranty voiding tune. Subaru can do that just have it tuned from the factory.

If they hadn't gone with a mandatory moon roof delete for the WRX tS, I would totally consider trading in my 23 Limited. I'd be compromising with having to deal with the digital dash, the bigger wheels/tires, and the ugly blue accents on the seats, but at least I'd have all the nifty new handling/braking upgrades and wireless phone setup. Other than that, the tS just seems like a redundant alternative to the TR.

In my eyes, the only thing that is worth the money is the suspension dampening. Is it worth that big of a jump in cost with all the other "not worth it" additions...not really. Thanks for the breakdown!! Oh, got my first mod done! Just replaced the emblems so nothing big, but the adventure begins!!

This car is perfect. Proper special edition wrx for the VB gen. If I didn’t already have my 23, this would be what I would’ve wanted.

Honestly i think it's awesome that they have so many trims. They're obviously building up the new generation WRX lineup and they're giving us a ton of trim levels on their way to developing to whatever replaces the STI. It's a benefit to us cause it allows people to better customize their ride. I would miss my sunroof😅

Only thing i can kind of point out/disagree with wheels/suspension changes. You are right, WE all mostly change those out. But we are not the majority of people buying these cars, even as stated in your tuner talk with cobb, MOST people aren't tuning or changing things, maybe just cosmetically. Least not yet til warranty for some people falls off. So these things like drive modes for suspension for us seem dumb, but for the majority of their wrx market base, they WILL keep those things and use it as is. So its a hard call, we are not the majority here, majority is the older folks that just want a MT AWD car with a little pep lol

If not mistaken the 25 tS will replace the current TR trim

I believe the tS is the TR replacement. If it's price similar to the TR then I'm 100% for it.

STI is moving back to being a trim of their only surviving sedan. They may even make the STI into a fully electric or hybrid crossover like what Mitsubishi did to the Eclipse and Ford did to the Mustang. Cant say i wouldnt buy it if its done right and can spin all 4 easily in the dirt. Luckily lots of charging stations around where I live, but likely not the case for everyone or if im trying to travel someplace remote.

Nope ! Happy with my 23 limited with 19’s

Just offer us the WRX wagon again, please! But the tie from Toyota and GR Rolla...

See the thing is. I would have no problem buying it. If it comes in white (I’m sure hoping it does) and the blue interior can just not be a thing. ITS TOO MUCH BLUE. Other than that suuuuuuuure why not. Was gonna buy the TR anyways

ill be trading in my 23 premium for a TR or at least that is the plan. Seeing this is making me want to wait and see if they will propose another wrx model option.

Hope it gets boo’d like the TR. Ts probably exists because of that response. They have to know we just want the STI. it can’t be that expensive to just add the dang STI drivetrain.

Im kinda in the same boat with the people wondering why the tS is a thing if we already have the TR. Personally, i dont think it's worth it. Sure, the gold brembos and blue interior look amazing, but the digital dash is a huge draw back. Should have just added blue or red rings around the anolog cluster kinda like the red on the impreza rs and gold the wilderness trims of the other subarus. If both the TR and tS trim are available together, it really just boils down to who likes what more. Personally, if I had the money, I'd go with the TR.

That Fisher-Price blue interior,… I can’t see the TS coexisting with the TR. I’d assume either a limited run or it’ll replace the TR. Either way Subaru is not doing themselves any favors. The TR was a bit anticlimactic but at least it had the re-tuned steering. But this?

All of the new 2024 models have the steering change, it isn’t only on the TR.

The simple formula I’d be happy with is the Premium trim as it is now with the following: VA STI grade drivetrain or better Brembo brakes 320-330whp Aesthics and suspension are easy enough to DIY. Just give me the above under warranty Subaru

I think the STI will come out after Toyota discontinues the partnership with the twins. At least thats what I hope for.

It's pretty damn frustrating at this point. I would have bought a TR or a tS if it had been originally announced when they came out with this new generation. I'm not gonna go through the whole dealership experience just so I switch between trim levels 💀💀.

RIP to recent TR buyers.

Question is what the Ts don’t have that a GT have ? Besides from the godly cvt from GT

I'm guessing what their doing is a different special model each year to keep people interested. That's pretty much what they've always done. Toyota does it with their cars too. If it's just upgraded TR I might out in a order if the cards fall on right. Trade jn my BRZ, because I need a bigger car. Personally I think Subaru needs to take a page out of Ford's book of their not gonna make a new STI. Offer official STI tunes and bolt-on packages that are factory warranted, and installed by the dealer. And at least offer some regular LSDs.

I have to wonder how much of what Subaru do in Japan is driven by the US market, specifically what they're ABLE and or ALLOWED to do in the US. I see next to no WRX saloons in Japan (but plenty of WRX estates, weirdly given the lack of space and places to park such a longer car) so I have to assume the failure to provide more power as an obvious incentive to buy is due to US market constraints (emissions mainly). So yeah, they're faffing around with the design of the box while ignoring the cornflakes inside. Oh, and wtf...the TS will be the first WRX you guys get with the digital dash? My 2023 has it (and yes, it's superb).

Considering the lack of an STI, i just wish they'd put the DCCD and LSD diffs into the WRX.

This is probably as close of what an STI could look like, without the DCCD controller, if that had it in there I'd be sold.

Ts is probably more for people who don't want to change there suspension but I don't like the blue interior looks tacky to me

Base + Coilovers = lightest, stiffest car. There are many options for big brake kits as well. If I wanted the nicer interior is it really worth assuming the car is 45k and my base I bought for 28k…I don’t think it’s worth it unless you want warranty for every component from your dealer. If something does break you’d need it cost like 10k to just go even…

They just need to give it the sti transmission. The tuner can take care of everything else.

Man. I am so confused as well bro. I don’t understand 😭. Just give us a VB Sti with upgraded trans and big brake kit. That’s all we want and need 😭😭. Pls Subaru pleaseeeeee

Pass for me. I wish there was a 2 door WRX though

Personally I think the TR is dead on arrival but this all hinges on pricing. The question i have is why should I buy a TR when I get everything that trim has plus adaptive dampers, drive modes, and a full digital gauge cluster with the tS. I feel like TR owners got screwed but we'll have to wait and see.

I went with a 23 limited rather than a TR. I had to have the sunroof! That was a dealbreaker for me. Yes, I wanted brembos and quicker rack and better coils. The STI came with a sun roof….just saying. And now this. 🤷‍♂️

I will laugh if the final version of the VB wrx will have sti 6 speed

Ts would be worth it if they also put the story wing on it

Should've come with a better updated sti transmission

I feel like this is just a nod to the gd chassis with the gold brembos and blue interior. Cashgrab for sure but people will buy it off that alone.

About who this is for, TS is for people who want a “tuner car” but don’t want to actually do anything with it. It’s for those who want the image of being in the car modding hobby, but for one reason or another, can’t or won’t actually tune anything. TR is for people who actually want to modify the car. No point giving you nice blue Recaro seats if you’re throwing it out anyway. No point giving you electronic dampers if you’re going to swap to coilovers anyway. At least, that’s how I see it. Because let’s be real - enthusiasts don’t buy new cars. We can argue about the reasons why (too expensive, sense of value for money, depreciation, etc.), but the fact is, the vast majority simply don’t. The WRX in 2024 is sold to people who just want a fun daily driver. Not car enthusiasts, who are all waiting for the TR and TS to show up on the used market. It’s the same reason why the STI was killed off. Subaru runs a business in the end.

I ordered a TR in April. The order was confirmed, but wasn’t going to be built until August. That was confirmed. I got the email about this car and cancelled my TR order. In my opinion this car is better than the TR due to the gold brembos, digital dash, and damper drive modes. I was already wavering on the TR and thinking about jumping to a Civic Type R, or Golf R.

They are trying to pump the Wrx price up so much, so when the STI finally drops it’ll be $50k for a base model 😂

It's called market segmentation, and unique badging targeting people who want that special wrx without having to mod it much, if any. It also allows for much higher profit margins compared to bare bones base models. By having more stuffed model options they will generate more sales of those, so more profits. Subaru knows tuners will blow transmissions, or swap sti. They make money either way, but would love to recapture some of the lost STI market share without the sti 6 speed. These are not intended for people who mod aftermarket. But it is for those who want to pretend like they do... They'll sell.

Change the badge from Ts to pos 😂

All the folk want more car but cant afford current wrx pricing. Gotta be joking.

With the WRX just get the premium model and then add what you want. The price tag isn’t worth it with much faster and better looking cars available, especially on the used market.

Honestly the brakes don't matter to me so much. I feel like the TR is good value but i would snap up a WRX with an STI transmission in a heartbeat. just bring it out already ffs subaru. as long as the extra cost on top is semi-reasonable

Where are the limited slip differentials and solid linkage/non-split case transmission (TY856)? The FA24 is good, now add a real performance drivetrain and quit all these gimmicky trims. The other platforms are leaving Subaru in the dust (bmw, ford, Nissan, Toyota…) this brand will fade into irrelevance if they don’t make real exciting sports cars (350-400hp) and not just mom cars.

This Ts will be costing around 48k plus

some person in sales and marketing came up with this... silly

I'm just not in my feels sbout a lack of STi. Its not like Subaru lied. They said they werent doing a traditional one. Its on everyone else why they keep hope alive.

Its Subaru just milking things.. ive still got my full spec WRX RS With full stage 3.. and coils yes ive lost money if i try to sell it but who cares. Its a great car the only thing it is missing is the Brembo's.. and what i was told from my mate in japan is the digital dash's are plug and play with the same wiring loom that all the vbs have.. the only thing they are doing is lowering re-sell values.. but on the plus side spare parts will go down in price.

I agree They should just Bring out the STI with an STI trans and boost the horsepower just over 300hp that will encourage me to pay 40k plus. I will just keep adding bits to my 2022 Saphire blue base model!’ Damn don’t understand what the hang up is!! Thanks for this!!!

Maybe because of what STI stands for in America.....

can I just buy the badge from TEMU instead🤣

Dear Lord please make this available in other colors.

This car is for 2 demographics. One, the people that really like “STI” and the heritage. Two, people cross shopping the WRX to the Elantra N and GTI, which both have digital displays and I believe have adaptive dampers.

I want this but I also want to retire early….I'm fuked lol.

Hey Subaru, just make a STi hatch and we’ll all be happy 🤘