2025 Subaru WRX tS Review: A Scalpel-Sharp Chassis Lets This Car Dance
At Tech Today, we’ve had the distinct pleasure of experiencing the evolution of Subaru’s rally-bred icon, the WRX. For 2025, Subaru introduces the WRX tS, a variant meticulously engineered to elevate the driving dynamics of an already capable machine. While the turbocharged “boxer” engine remains familiar, the true story of the WRX tS lies beneath the skin, where a suite of suspension tweaks and chassis enhancements transforms it into a scalpel-sharp instrument designed to let the car dance on any winding road. This isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade; it’s a fundamental refinement that appeals to the purist in every enthusiast.
The “tS” designation, historically reserved for Subaru’s top-tier performance variants, signals a commitment to enhanced handling and driver engagement. For 2025, this philosophy is embodied in a WRX that prioritizes precision steering, reduced body roll, and an exhilarating connection to the tarmac. We embarked on an extensive evaluation, pushing the WRX tS through a variety of driving conditions, from spirited mountain passes to everyday commuting, to thoroughly assess its capabilities and understand what sets it apart.
The Heart of the Matter: Familiar Power, Refined Delivery
Before delving into the chassis, it’s crucial to acknowledge the powertrain. The 2025 Subaru WRX tS continues to be powered by the FA24D 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine. This powerplant delivers a robust 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. While some might yearn for an incremental power bump, Subaru’s decision to focus on chassis refinement for the tS variant is a deliberate and, we believe, a wise one.
The brilliance of the FA24D lies not in brute force, but in its responsive delivery and broad torque band. Even without additional horsepower, the engine feels potent, providing ample thrust for acceleration and confident passing maneuvers. The six-speed manual transmission remains a beloved option, offering an engaging mechanical connection for drivers who relish heel-and-toe downshifts and the tactile satisfaction of rowing through gears. For those who prefer convenience without sacrificing performance, the Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT), a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters, is also available. While the SPT has improved significantly over the years, the manual transmission remains the enthusiast’s choice for the ultimate WRX experience.
The Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) system allows drivers to tailor the car’s performance characteristics. The “Sport” and “Sport Sharp” modes offer a more aggressive throttle response and a firmer transmission shift mapping (in the case of the SPT), bringing the engine’s character to life. However, it’s when combined with the tS’s chassis enhancements that the powertrain truly shines, feeling more capable and eager to exploit the newfound grip.
Chassis Mastery: The Core of the WRX tS Transformation
This is where the 2025 Subaru WRX tS truly distinguishes itself. Subaru’s engineers have implemented a comprehensive suite of suspension and chassis upgrades that fundamentally alter the car’s dynamic character. These are not minor tweaks; they are substantial revisions aimed at delivering a more engaging and precise driving experience.
STI-Tuned Suspension Components: A Foundation of Agility
The most significant upgrades are found in the suspension system, with many components STI-tuned. This collaboration brings a wealth of motorsport expertise to the production WRX.
Upgraded Springs and Dampers: The WRX tS features stiffer springs and re-valved dampers specifically designed to reduce body roll and improve responsiveness. These changes provide a firmer ride, but one that remains remarkably compliant for daily use. The dampers are calibrated to offer exceptional control over suspension travel, minimizing unwanted pitching and diving during acceleration and braking. This translates to a car that feels planted and predictable, even when pushed to its limits.
Revised Anti-Roll Bars: To further combat body roll and enhance cornering stability, the WRX tS benefits from larger diameter anti-roll bars both front and rear. These stiffer bars effectively tie the suspension arms together, resisting the tendency of the body to lean in corners. The result is a more level stance, allowing the tires to maintain a larger contact patch with the road, thereby increasing grip.
Optimized Bushings: Subaru has also revised various suspension bushings throughout the chassis. These subtle but critical changes contribute to a more direct feel and reduced flex. By firming up these connection points, steering inputs are transmitted more faithfully, and the suspension geometry remains more consistent under load. This contributes to the car’s overall precision and responsiveness.
Strut Tower Braces: Enhancing Chassis Rigidity
Adding to the structural integrity, the WRX tS incorporates STI-designed front and rear strut tower braces. These braces connect the tops of the shock towers, effectively stiffening the chassis.
Front Strut Tower Brace: This component is particularly crucial for steering precision. By reducing flex between the front suspension towers, it ensures that steering inputs are translated directly to the wheels, minimizing any delay or vagueness. Corner entry is sharper, and the driver feels more intimately connected to the front end of the car.
Rear Strut Tower Brace: While often overlooked, a rear strut tower brace also plays a vital role in chassis rigidity. It helps to maintain the alignment of the rear suspension components, especially under lateral loads. This contributes to a more stable and predictable rear end, boosting driver confidence when accelerating out of corners.
Brembo Brakes: Stopping Power to Match the Handling Prowess
While not strictly a suspension component, the braking system is integral to a performance car’s dynamic capabilities. The WRX tS is equipped with Brembo brakes, a hallmark of performance vehicles.
Four-Piston Front Calipers and Two-Piston Rear Calipers: These provide superior stopping power and fade resistance. The larger pistons offer greater clamping force on the rotors, enabling shorter braking distances and a more confident feel at the brake pedal.
Larger Rotors: The tS also features larger brake rotors, which dissipate heat more effectively. This is crucial during prolonged spirited driving, where repeated braking can lead to brake fade, a dangerous reduction in braking performance. The upgraded Brembo system ensures consistent and powerful braking lap after lap, or mile after mile on a winding road.
Wheels and Tires: The Contact Patch of Performance
The WRX tS is fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels shod with performance-oriented tires.
Lightweight 19-Inch Wheels: These larger wheels not only enhance the car’s aesthetic but also contribute to reduced unsprung weight, which is beneficial for suspension performance. The lighter wheels allow the suspension to react more quickly to road imperfections, maintaining better tire contact.
Performance Tires: The chosen tire compound and tread pattern are optimized for grip and handling. These tires offer a significant advantage in terms of lateral grip, allowing for higher cornering speeds. Their design also provides excellent feedback to the driver, informing them of the tire’s limits.
Driving Dynamics: The Dance Floor Revealed
The culmination of these chassis enhancements is a WRX that feels fundamentally different – and undeniably better – to drive. The “scalpel-sharp” description is not hyperbole.
Steering Precision and Feedback: A Direct Connection
The most immediate and profound change is in the steering feel. The combination of STI-tuned suspension, revised bushings, and the front strut tower brace results in steering that is razor-sharp and remarkably communicative. There’s a directness to the turn-in that was present in previous generations but is now amplified. The steering wheel transmits a wealth of information about what the front tires are doing, allowing the driver to precisely place the car exactly where they want it. Understeer is significantly reduced, and the WRX tS exhibits a newfound neutrality, eager to rotate around its axis with minimal coaxing.
Cornering Prowess: Minimizing Body Roll
Body roll, a characteristic of many performance sedans, is minimized in the WRX tS. The stiffer springs and larger anti-roll bars keep the car commendably flat through corners. This composure allows the driver to maintain a more stable posture and better focus on throttle and steering inputs. The car feels planted and confident, encouraging you to carry more speed through turns. The sensation is one of agility and responsiveness, truly allowing the car to “dance” through sequences of bends.
Ride Comfort: A Surprising Balance
Despite the substantial suspension upgrades, the WRX tS manages to retain a surprising degree of ride comfort. While it is undoubtedly firmer than a standard WRX, the re-valved dampers do an excellent job of absorbing road imperfections without harshness. The ride is controlled and composed, avoiding the jarring impact that can plague some overtly track-focused vehicles. This makes the WRX tS a highly capable daily driver that can also transform into a thrilling performance machine when the mood strikes.
Braking Performance: Confidence-Inspiring Stopping Power
The Brembo brakes provide confidence-inspiring stopping power. The pedal feel is firm and progressive, allowing for precise modulation. Under hard braking, the car remains stable and composed, with minimal dive. This allows the driver to brake later and harder, further enhancing the car’s ability to carry speed. The improved fade resistance means that performance doesn’t diminish, even during extended periods of aggressive driving.
Interior and Technology: A Driver-Centric Environment
The WRX tS interior reflects its performance-oriented nature, with a focus on the driver and the driving experience.
Recaro Seats: Supportive Comfort
The tS model often comes equipped with RECARO sport seats. These seats are a significant upgrade, offering superior bolstering and support during spirited driving. They hug the driver and front passenger, keeping them securely in place during high-G maneuvers. The material and stitching also contribute to a more premium feel.
Infotainment and Connectivity: Modern Conveniences
While the focus is on the chassis, Subaru has not neglected modern technology. The WRX tS features Subaru’s STARLINK infotainment system, typically with an 11.6-inch touchscreen. This system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing for seamless smartphone connectivity. Navigation, satellite radio, and Bluetooth are also standard features. The system is generally intuitive and easy to use, though some may find the interface a bit dated compared to competitors.
Driver Assistance Systems: Safety and Awareness
Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is often available, providing a suite of safety features such as adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane keeping assist. While these systems are beneficial for everyday driving, keen enthusiasts may choose to disengage some of them when seeking the purest driving experience.
Comparison to the Standard WRX and Competitors
The WRX tS is not just a trim level; it represents a significant step up in dynamic capability compared to the standard WRX. The suspension and chassis upgrades are substantial enough to make a noticeable difference in how the car behaves on the road. It feels more focused, more precise, and more engaging.
When compared to its key competitors, such as the Honda Civic Type R and the Toyota GR Corolla, the WRX tS carves out its own unique niche. While the Type R is renowned for its razor-sharp handling and track-oriented focus, and the GR Corolla offers an exhilarating all-wheel-drive experience with its GRC variant, the WRX tS strikes a compelling balance between daily drivability and outright performance. Its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system remains a core Subaru advantage, providing exceptional traction in a variety of conditions. The tS’s focus on chassis refinement allows it to compete effectively, offering a refined and sophisticated performance sedan experience.
Conclusion: A Masterclass in Chassis Tuning
The 2025 Subaru WRX tS is a compelling testament to the power of chassis tuning. By focusing on refining the suspension, steering, and structural rigidity, Subaru has elevated the WRX to a new level of dynamic engagement. The car dances with an agility and precision that belies its practical sedan roots. While the engine remains familiar, the scalpel-sharp chassis imbues it with a new sense of purpose and excitement.
For enthusiasts who prioritize driver involvement and precise handling, the WRX tS is an exceptional choice. It delivers a raw, connected driving experience that is increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape. The upgrades are not mere marketing points; they are fundamental improvements that translate directly into a more exhilarating and rewarding drive. The 2025 Subaru WRX tS is more than just a car; it’s a finely honed instrument that allows its driver to explore the limits of adhesion and experience the pure joy of driving. It’s a car that, in our expert opinion here at Tech Today, sets a new benchmark for what a rally-bred sedan can achieve when its chassis is allowed to truly sing.