The 2025 Subaru WRX tS Is The Friend You Didn’t Know You Needed

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS is a performance sedan, and it’s absolutely refreshing. WRX tS means it’s a WRX tuned by STI. It’s the first tS in the U.S., as a matter of fact, and will be available early 2025. And heads up, pricing hasn’t been revealed yet.

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The WRX tS is powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 271 horsepower. It comes with a manual transmission. Yes, manual transmission only, in fact. It’s also all wheel drive and it’s got several drive modes: Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Individual (a customizable one).

These modes take advantage of the WRX tS’s special suspension system that adapts a bit to the surfaces you’re on so the ride is just right. More on that in a minute. It’s got Brembo brakes that are a bit more heavy-duty than regular brakes in case you want to take your new friend to the track. I’m serious, you might want to do that.

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Another reason you should be friends is that the 2025 Subaru WRX tS is a great communicator. There is a new 12.3-inch digital driver display that is super crisp and easy to read. It’s moderately customizable, able to display navigation in between the two digital dials, and driver-assist information as well. It also has the stunning 11.5-inch multimedia touchscreen with large icons. Never fear, there are hard buttons for climate control temperature, stereo volume and tuning. It’s really convenient.

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So, you know exactly what’s going on in the car in terms of its tech. In terms of its performance, you know from the amazing sound of the engine exactly when you need to shift. And let’s talk about shifting. The pedals in the WRX tS are aluminum, and the shifter is super fun, snapping into gear efficiently every time.

And I just have to say, if you’ve ever driven a manual, you know it’s also fun figuring out how to get the car into reverse. On this one, there is a collar just below the shift knob, right where your index and middle rest on the shifter. Squeeze it up with your fingers and slide the shifter to the right and down. Anyway, whether you’re going in forward or reverse, the steering is engaging, the braking is responsive but not too grabby. Even on the track.

Wait, what? On the track? Oh yes, my new WRX tS friend and I took a few laps around Sonoma Raceway. Not before I took a few flying laps with my other new friend, Scott Speed, a professional race car driver.

I loved learning how far the Subaru WRX tS could be pushed. Hint: I was nowhere near the limits, even on my most confident laps. But when it was my turn to drive, it helped to know I didn’t need to be nervous about the car, it was going to be a great drive. 

I played with the drive modes a bit on the track and loved the flexibility and it was easy to explore the differences just by pressing the button on the steering wheel. I could definitely feel changes, especially in Sport+. Subaru has given the WRX tS more performance tuning in Sport+, which means it was amped up and ready to go, and I was shifting out of first gear really quickly.

The steering was also tighter and more responsive. It was going to be interesting to see how Sport+ mode handled on the road, but even on the track I found that Sport was my happy place while I got used to the track course.

And of course, I worried that after having been on the track that a regular road was going to just feel extra regular. But even regular roads felt more fun. I was especially surprised to find that I pretty much lived in Sport mode. Usually I find myself seeking out a Normal mode in most cars over time. But Sport mode was wonderfully quick and so stable on the road, I actually felt stuck to it.

Comfort mode was actually more tricky to drive in during those super twisty and banked roads because the suspension felt too soft. And it did feel nice in traffic on the highway, though Normal was better for me in that instance. Of course I need to say that if you are in stop-and-go traffic a lot, you’re going to have to be okay with the manual. 

It’s worth it when you get out of the congestion, but can be a little tiring if you’re not used to commuting with a clutch.

I’ve hardly talked about the seats, and I need to because they are Recaro seats which means they are made for racing. They’re bolstered and the drivers’ side has powered adjustments. I had a hard time with the bolster on the right driver’s side because I have short legs and by the time my feet could reach the pedals, the bolster got in the way when I was shifting into gears 2, 4, 6, and Reverse. I imagine over time I would adjust to that, and honestly, I’m not sure I would care. But if you’re on the short-legged side, you’ll want to try that for yourself. 

Anyway, the seats leave room for a helmet because they’re that serious that you should take the tS onto the track. Also, Subaru has eliminated the moonroof in this car so a helmet will fit. All seats and door panels have bright blue trim and there is blue contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel too. The WRS tS embroidery just makes me smile.

What also makes me smile is knowing 35% of WRX owners have children, that’s the most in its class. The WRX tS has two complete LATCH sets in the outboard seating positions, and one tether anchor in the center position and one lower anchor. I know, it sounds nuts but hear me out. The lower anchor in the center position can be used in conjunction with an anchor from one of the outboard sets.

Just know that if you use this layout, you cannot also install another child safety seat using the LATCH system in the same set you used to install the center seat. The IIHS has actually rated the WRX’s latch system a Good+. So you can take your new WRX tS friend out and bring your kids with you!

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS could be your new bestie. If you’re nervous about all the performance aspects, don’t be. Rather, think of all the new fun adventures you can have and how confident you can be out on the road together.

Just be sure to leave room in your budget for a helmet.