I Need to Hate the Subaru WRX tS, However I Cannot: Overview

The WRX tS embodies my distaste for contemporary Subaru. The tS is just not a nasty automobile to drive—it’s, in reality, a really good automobile. However it’s symbolic of what’s lacking within the WRX lineup: a full-blown STI mannequin. 

The tS could be very clearly a fill-in for the rally-inspired icon, with inside, braking, and chassis upgrades you’d usually solely see on an STI. But it lacks the locking differentials, adjustable middle diff, and bigger-displacement engine that made the pink-badged sport sedan so legendary. It’s virtually like the corporate is making an attempt to drag a quick one on us. 

“We have now STI at dwelling,” Subaru says.

However as a lot disdain as I’ve for the WRX tS’s existence as an STI stand-in, it’s a troublesome automobile to hate. This factor is objectively nice to drive, with a characterful engine, a decent chassis, superior seats, and loads of helpful tech. Plus, it’s the final bastion of the inexpensive(ish) all-wheel-drive sport sedan with a handbook transmission.

The tS differentiates itself from the usual WRX with a handful of welcome efficiency upgrades. From the skin, the modifications are onerous to identify. The obvious are the brand new 19-inch wheels, wrapped in some very STI-ish Bridgestone Potenza S007 efficiency tires (our tester was outfitted with a set of winter tires, because it’s very chilly right here in New York). 

Behind the wheels, a set of Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers up entrance and two-piston within the rear. These are the identical brakes discovered on the outgoing WRX TR, besides this time, they’re painted in gold—a coloration discovered on Brembos from STIs previous. Different figuring out modifications embrace a set of red-painted “WRX” badges entrance and rear. The entire physique panels are the identical as the traditional WRX, which suggests polarizing black plastic fender arches and an enormous hood scoop. There’s no large wing to be discovered right here, regardless of the tS very clearly occupying a spot within the lineup the place the STI as soon as stood proudly. 

Picture by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Professionals: Rally-Impressed Appears, Unflappable Highway-Holding Talents, Sincere-To-God Six-Pace Guide Transmission

The inside too borrows a lot of its design from the TR. The beautiful Recaro buckets are again, however this time they’re sewn with a vibrant blue leather-based trim. That leather-based, which is definitely a bit brighter than the automobile’s paint, additionally covers a lot of the dashboard, middle console, and door playing cards, including a welcome aptitude to the cabin. 

The dashboard is dominated by a normal 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, liable for all the things from local weather management to leisure and drive mode adjustment. Having all of these controls in a single place feels overwhelming, however you rapidly get used to it. Sadly, the display itself isn’t practically as responsive as I’d prefer it to be, with numerous delayed responses to inputs and laggy transitions. It’s like Subaru discovered a stash of unused iPads from 2014 and put in them right here. 

Fortunately there are nonetheless just a few bodily buttons flanking the display; Two knobs for quantity and radio tuning (an absolute rarity in 2024), and a pair of rocker switches for adjusting temperature. There are additionally a handful of buttons on the steering wheel, together with a button for toggling Particular person mode (very important, because the automobile defaults to Sport mode each time you flip it on).

Picture by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Picture by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Beginning out in Sport mode wouldn’t be so unhealthy if it weren’t for the suspension. The tS will get the identical adaptive shocks discovered on the WRX GT, retuned right here by STI. Set to Sport mode, the dampers are far too stiff for the damaged pavement of New York Metropolis. Switched to consolation, the trip is busy, however much more bearable. 

The steering too is greatest left in consolation, because it turns into unnaturally heavy in both of the opposite modes. My Particular person preset had the steering and the suspension set to their softest settings, however the engine in Sport. Even exterior the town, this was my go-to. 

The turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer-four within the WRX tS is an objectively thrilling factor, just because it’s not simply one other 2.0-liter inline-four. It makes a definite noise and delivers torque the old-school manner, with the turbo coming in at round 3,000 rpm and dying off round 1,000 rpm earlier than redline. It’s uniquely charming, particularly on this value vary.

However that boxer-four nonetheless makes the identical 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque as the traditional automobile. Frankly, that’s not sufficient. The tS isn’t sluggish, however it feels a technology behind in straight-line velocity in comparison with automobiles just like the Honda Civic Type R—which prices roughly the identical however has 44 extra hp. Even the less expensive Hyundai Elantra N feels faster. That’s disappointing, contemplating the worth delta.

Picture by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Picture by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Picture by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Cons: STI Value But No Additional Energy, No Locking Differentials, No Massive Wing

Fortunately the WRX’s six-speed handbook remains to be a pleasure. A plasticky really feel means it’s not probably the most satisfying shifter on this planet—the Kind R’s is leagues higher—however the tS’s remains to be a deal with, with a strong motion and a lever that’s pretty near the steering wheel. The clutch pedal can also be extremely mild, so it’s simple to work with in site visitors slogs. In contrast to the traditional WRX, there’s no CVT computerized out there on the tS. And that’s for the higher.

The improved suspension and higher brakes do rather a lot to make the tS stand out over the usual automobile. The brakes have been my principal gripe, as they couldn’t maintain as much as continued onerous use. Whereas I didn’t have the chance to topic the tS to a monitor session, these Brembos felt far superior in comparison with the decidedly pedestrian-oriented stoppers on the bottom WRX. Even with the winter tires outfitted, there’s numerous slow-down drive right here, with a constructive response from the pedal and the correct amount of journey for heel-toeing. 

In any other case, the WRX tS is as sure-footed and steady as another WRX down a twisty highway, with tons of grip out there from the full-time all-wheel drive system. The place the tS underdelivers in energy, it makes up with momentum if you happen to actually lean on it. Change the dampers to Sport and also you’re given a stiffer chassis to advertise faster course modifications. And due to these closely bolstered seats, you don’t should brace your self in opposition to the door. These modifications make this automobile really really feel prefer it might rival an STI.

Picture by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

However there’s solely a lot just a few dealing with upgrades can do. With a beginning value of $46,875 (with vacation spot), the WRX tS is among the many costliest of its opponents, but the least highly effective. It’s outclassed in agility by the Civic Kind R and the Toyota GR Corolla, and severely outpriced by bargains just like the Elantra N. Solely the Golf R is dearer, however just like the Civic, the Volkswagen has the sting on energy by 44 horses. 

Beforehand, there have been actual causes to purchase the costliest WRX. The STI badge bought you actual gear upgrades and extra energy. Now, you solely get a fraction of these enhancements for a similar cash. That makes the tS powerful to rationalize, particularly with the wonderful competitors.

Nonetheless, I can’t hate this automobile. The WRX tS is a cool efficiency sedan with a fun-sounding engine, a handbook gearbox, and all-wheel drive. That’s a rarity nowadays, and I like that it exists. However you too can get these issues within the base automobile, which is a full $9,955 cheaper. Swap in some high-temp brake fluid and aftermarket pads, and also you’re golden. 

Till an actual STI returns, that’s the one strategy that is smart.

• Honda Civic Type R
• Toyota GR Corolla
• Volkswagen Golf R