The 2025 Subaru WRX tS is the closest thing the company has brought out for those hoping to get another STI. The tS blends a few features from different trim levels of the standard WRX. The STI team then does its magic and tunes it to be that much better. In fact, the tS name literally means Tuned by STI. Recently, Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press, or Freep as it’s known, got his hands on the new WRX tS and gave it a glowing review.

The 2025 Subaru WRX features a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four that puts out 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and is paired up with either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Thanks to the power and transmissions, the WRX will get to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Journalist Mark Phelan was already a fan of the regular WRX before driving the tS. “One of the last great sport compacts, the WRX features outstanding performance and handling at affordable prices.”

In order to make the 2025 WRX tS special, Subaru has done away with the TR and GT trim levels and replaced them with the tS. But, this isn’t just some ploy to get people to spend extra money on a car. No, the tS is genuinely special. The WRX tS receives Brembo six-piston front and two-piston rear brake calipers, 13.4-inch front and 12.8-inch rear cross-drilled rotors, and 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza S007 summer tires that all make their way courtesy of the 2024 WRX TR. However, the tS gets gold calipers instead of the TR’s red ones.

Where the tS truly sets itself apart is in its suspension. Previously, if you wanted adaptive dampers, you had to get the automatic-only GT. Now available on the tS, the dampers are tuned by STI to be naturally a little stiffer in all modes (Comfort, Normal, and Sport). Unlike the GT, the tS is only available with a manual transmission, which Mr. Phelan spoke about, saying, “The notchy, short-throw six-speed transmission is a nod to enthusiasts who want to shift for themselves despite technological improvements that have made automatic gear boxes dominant even among sports cars.”

Subaru also made sure to make the interior of the WRX tS a special place with Recaro Performance Design front seats with black ultrasuede, blue accents, and “WRX tS” embossed on the front headrests and floor mats. The front seat bolsters, steering wheel, door panels, and shifter trim also feature blue accents. Along with all the unique interior appointments, the WRX tS also features an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display plus a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to keep track of not just your speed and revs, but also vital information about the engine.

Even though the WRX is a sports car, it still has top-notch safety features to keep you safe in all situations through the award-winning Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System. For WRX models with a manual transmission, buyers will get Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Prevention, and Pre-Collision Brake Assist.

The Subaru WRX is already a fantastic vehicle, and the tS bumps that up a few notches. While you may not be able to get an STI, it seems that anyone who drives the tS walks away appreciating how good and special this vehicle is. With that said, how exactly did the Detroit Free Press feel about the WRX tS in the end? “The Subaru WRX tS improves on a treasure. It wasn’t long ago only super cars and luxury brands offered hardware like performance-tuned all-wheel drive and adaptive suspensions.”

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