Cargazing
By Derek Price
Few cars on the market today connect driver to machine as effectively as the 2025 Subaru WRX.
In an era when many performance vehicles prioritize numbers over feel, the WRX remains gloriously analog in the ways that matter most.
The tS model I tested represents the performance pinnacle of the current WRX lineup, with enhancements that make an already capable car even more thrilling. At $48,740 as tested, it’s not inexpensive, but the pure driving enjoyment it delivers makes a compelling case for its value.
Let’s start with what makes this car special: the drivetrain.
The turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder produces 271 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque, respectable figures that don’t tell the full story.
It’s how this power reaches the ground that distinguishes the WRX.
The six-speed manual transmission is an absolute joy to operate, with short, precise throws and excellent clutch feel.
The 2025 Subaru WRX tS features aggressive styling with functional aerodynamic elements, including a prominent hood scoop that feeds cool air to the turbocharged boxer engine.
Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system provides tenacious grip in all conditions. During several soaking rainstorms, the WRX demonstrated remarkable stability and confidence even as standing water collected on the roads.
Where other performance cars might become nervous and twitchy, the WRX simply dug in and went about its business.
The chassis feels alive beneath you, communicating road conditions while remaining composed when pushed hard. The steering is direct and well-weighted, if not quite as chatty as WRXs of generations past.
This is a car that eggs you on, encouraging you to carry more speed through corners than you initially thought possible.
The tS’s electronically controlled dampers strike a good balance between performance and daily comfort.
While still firm — you’ll feel every expansion joint and pothole — it’s not punishing. The adjustable drive modes make meaningful differences in ride quality and throttle response.
The heavily bolstered Recaro seats hold you firmly in place during aggressive driving while remaining reasonably comfortable on longer journeys.
Heavily bolstered Recaro seats and a precise six-speed manual transmission create a driver-focused cockpit that prioritizes control and engagement over flashy luxury features.
The 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen handles infotainment duties competently, while physical controls remain for climate functions.
The optional Harman Kardon audio system delivers impressive clarity and bass response, though true enthusiasts might be more interested in the engine’s soundtrack.
Fuel economy is predictably modest at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, but that’s the price of performance.
Longtime WRX devotees might note that the current generation feels more mature than its predecessors.
The rawness and mechanical intensity of the discontinued STI model is missed, but this evolution has made the WRX more livable day-to-day without sacrificing the fundamentals that make it special.
In a market trending toward isolation and electrification, the 2025 Subaru WRX tS stands as a celebration of internal combustion and driver involvement.
At A Glance
WHAT WAS TESTED?
2025 Subaru WRX tS ($45,705). Options: Harman Kardon speaker system ($1,865). Price as tested (including $1,170 destination charge): $48,740
BY THE NUMBERS
Wheelbase: 105.2 in.
Length: 183.8 in.
Width: 71.9 in.
Height: 57.8 in.
Engine: Turbo boxer four cylinder (271 hp, 258 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel Economy: 19 city, 26 highway
RATINGS
Style: 9
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 9
Ride: 6
Comfort: 5
Quality: 7
Overall: 8
WHY BUY IT?
The Subaru WRX delivers a rare combination of all-weather capability, manual transmission engagement and rally-bred handling that creates pure driving joy in an increasingly sanitized automotive landscape.
