2025 Subaru WRX review

Having rolled into Subaru dealerships beginning with the 2022 model year, this generation of WRX continues to offer an intriguing blend of driving fun and all-weather practicality. None of the WRX’s direct competitors offer all-wheel drive. Subaru originally engineered the WRX for world rally racing in the early 1990s. This demands uncompromising grip over all types of terrain, including mud, gravel, and snow. Standout features beyond its tenacious all-wheel drive hardware include a 271-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder paired to a choice of manual or automatic gearbox. 

For the 2025 model year, there are four main trim levels: Premium, tS, Limited, and GT. Subaru opted to remove the previous base WRX and made the pricier Premium trim the new entry-level model this year. Another new addition this year is the tS trim, which replaces the outgoing TR model. It’s outfitted with stronger brakes, an adaptive suspension, more heavily bolstered front seats, and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped with high-performance tires.

When it arrived for the 2015 model year, this fourth-generation WRX was once again nudged slightly more upmarket. The cabin benefited from higher-quality trim, and Subaru managed to carve out more passenger space. Of course, being a sport-minded car, the primary engineering focus was on performance. A stiffer chassis and retuned suspension made the WRX’s driving dynamics even sharper. The base turbo four-cylinder got a power boost, and an available STI model cranked the WRX’s sporting credentials up a notch with its more powerful engine. Some negatives carried over to the new WRX/STI combo, unfortunately. Road and wind noise remained high, and the ride was very firm, particularly with the racy STI.