Subaru WRX STI GR
The boxer-rumbling, rally-bred Impreza we still miss.
10 reviewers · 23 videos · 13 press articles
Reviewers agree on its performance and fun to drive, but split on handling and daily drivability.
across 10 reviewers
"Any Corner the WRX is super human and properly ballsy"
Car Throttle · ▶ 2:12"that didn't happen with the old car because it was more flexing in the bushes and suspension so that keep moving a little bit forwards and backwards over time"
The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 2:46"these seats are phenomenal and in a lot of other sports cars you don't get as comfortable with seats and as well as visibility you get great visibility in here"
Engineering Explained · ▶ 3:41"you're going to use it every day to go to and from work to take it on long road trips this car will wear you down it's got a very stiff ride it's pretty noisy"
Redline Reviews · ▶ 20:39"in terms of the performance for dollar ratio I think it's fantastic"
Redline Reviews · ▶ 20:17"Negative points that are not so easy to overlook include the price... and if you're looking for low running costs you may have to look elsewhere."
Carbuyer · ▶ 4:50Performance
4.5/510 of 10 reviewersconsensus“it's just childish fun it's just you get in step on the gas and and you have an excellent”
positive · Engineering Explained · ▶ 22:48“performance for this car is mighty impressive 0 to 60 times are about 4 and 1/2 seconds”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 12:19“the STI puts out 305 horsepower”
positive · Autotrader · ▶ 2:03Handling
4.5/510 of 10 reviewerssplit“that didn't happen with the old car because it was more flexing in the bushes and suspension so that keep moving a little bit forwards and backwards over time”
critical · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 2:46“Any Corner the WRX is super human and properly ballsy”
positive · Car Throttle · ▶ 2:12“it just has so much grip to put the power down it finds the wheel that has the grip and it sends it to it and you just launch”
positive · Engineering Explained · ▶ 11:21Fun to drive
4.5/510 of 10 reviewersconsensus“it still makes me smile pretty awesome car to drive”
positive · Engineering Explained · ▶ 0:10“It's so incredibly lovely. And the sound that it makes, that flat four growl. Yeah, that ain't too shabby either.”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 2:01“this thing is a blast”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 14:13Daily drivability
3.0/58 of 10 reviewerssplit“you're going to use it every day to go to and from work to take it on long road trips this car will wear you down it's got a very stiff ride it's pretty noisy”
critical · Redline Reviews · ▶ 20:39“Take the whole family out all day and the bone shaking experience could be a bit tiring.”
critical · Carbuyer · ▶ 5:11“these seats are phenomenal and in a lot of other sports cars you don't get as comfortable with seats and as well as visibility you get great visibility in here”
positive · Engineering Explained · ▶ 3:41Value
3.5/59 of 10 reviewerssplit“in terms of the performance for dollar ratio I think it's fantastic”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 20:17“Negative points that are not so easy to overlook include the price... and if you're looking for low running costs you may have to look elsewhere.”
critical · Carbuyer · ▶ 4:50“at £29,000 you're getting something very special dynamically but in terms of interior quality an overall finish the Scooby is more of a rough diamond”
Car Throttle · ▶ 3:24Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- Top Gear
Road Test: Subaru WRX STI 2.5 WRX STi Type UK 4dr Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth it, with caveatsA technically competent and effective machine that unfortunately lacks the visceral excitement and 'x-factor' expected of an STi.
- Best for
- drivers who prioritize technical capability and all-weather effectiveness over raw engagement.
- Watch out
- Lacks perceived speed · Feels more productive than fun · Requires specific conditions to feel engaging
979 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Subaru WRX STi Interior Layout & Technology | Top Gear
◆WaitThe WRX STi's interior is a significant letdown, featuring cheap materials that feel out of place at its price point.
- Best for
- enthusiasts who prioritize driving dynamics over cabin luxury
- Watch out
- cheap interior plastics · dated cabin ambience
602 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Subaru WRX STi Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth it, with caveatsAn uncompromising, rowdy machine that offers great handling but fails to address modern expectations for refinement and engine response.
- Best for
- enthusiasts who prioritize chassis balance and engagement over daily comfort
- Watch out
- significant turbo lag · extremely harsh ride · tiring for daily use
662 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Subaru WRX STI S209 review: hardcore US-only saloon tested Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe S209 is an exceptionally well-tuned, explosive, and neutral performance machine that stands as the best of the STI breed.
- Best for
- WRX STI enthusiasts and drivers who value mechanical feedback and track-ready capability.
- Watch out
- No feedback for intercooler water spray · Extremely limited production run
1,649 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Retro review: the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆SkipThe 330S is a fast and capable machine, but its flaws and price premium prevent it from being a truly great Impreza.
- Best for
- Subaru collectors who prioritize straight-line speed over steering feedback.
- Watch out
- Vague steering · Turbo lag · Firm ride · Poor fuel economy
924 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Subaru WRX STI review: Final Edition driven (sob) Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe WRX STI Final Edition is an outdated but deeply special, analogue performance machine that rewards the driver with a raw, focused experience.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize raw engagement and rally-bred character over modern refinement and daily comfort.
- Watch out
- very firm suspension · heavy, dated controls · high ownership and running costs · interior lacks modern tech
1,462 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Subaru WRX STi Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe WRX STi is a car that relies too heavily on its past reputation in a market that has evolved beyond its specific compromises.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize rally-bred handling and grip over daily comfort and cabin quality.
- Watch out
- Hard ride · Turbo lag · Poor cabin quality · High running costs
738 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 First Test: What Makes You So Special?
◆Worth it, with caveatsThe S209 is a fantastic, visceral driver's car, but its astronomical price makes it difficult to recommend over more capable rivals or a modified standard STI.
- Best for
- Subaru collectors and enthusiasts seeking a raw, analog driving experience.
- Watch out
- Extremely high price · Poor launch performance · Clutch damper hinders shifting · Peaky power delivery
1,353 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time