Subaru WRX STI
The boxer-rumbling, rally-bred Impreza we still miss.
6 reviewers · 26 videos · 13 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability and value.
across 6 reviewers
"the Subarus feel more stable and more livable. It's like the compromised, more dynamic, less daily driver friendly of the Evo versus the less compromised, more stable, but not quite as dynamic, but way more daily driver friendly of the STI."
Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 22:47"out of all of the hot hatches sport compacts like the type r I'm talking about the Veloster and the Golf R this is the harshest that I've felt"
Redline Reviews · ▶ 31:40"The STI soldiers on as an affordable AWD performance car."
EverydayDriver · ▶ 0:01"honestly I think Subaru has overpriced and I think I would pay 50 grand for this"
Redline Reviews · ▶ 54:50Performance
4.0/56 of 6 reviewersstrong consensus“this now pushes out three hundred and forty-one horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 3:57“this is a lot faster than the BRZ that's for sure”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 15:26“She's no slouch.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 13:49Handling
4.0/56 of 6 reviewersstrong consensus“the steering is extremely sharp extremely direct super quick also has zero body lean whatsoever”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 37:18“the way it handles and maximizes grip through and coming out of Corners it's really impressive”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 23:23“The reason I find it fun is that it's so capable, right? It's a car that you can toss it in, do things that are not necessarily right, and it'll just handle it.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 11:44Fun to drive
4.0/56 of 6 reviewersstrong consensus“it's a very visceral feel that most of you enthusiasts traditionalists are going to love”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 34:16“The STI is like your neighbor's dog... it's just eager and ready to go and for that I feel like the STI is honest about its intentions.”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 16:53“I am digging this STI”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 19:54Daily drivability
3.5/56 of 6 reviewerssplit“out of all of the hot hatches sport compacts like the type r I'm talking about the Veloster and the Golf R this is the harshest that I've felt”
critical · Redline Reviews · ▶ 31:40“the Subarus feel more stable and more livable. It's like the compromised, more dynamic, less daily driver friendly of the Evo versus the less compromised, more stable, but not quite as dynamic, but way more daily driver friendly of the STI.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 22:47“I can tell right away that this STI has the slowest most dated infotainment system”
critical · TheStraightPipes · ▶ 12:47Value
3.0/56 of 6 reviewerssplit“honestly I think Subaru has overpriced and I think I would pay 50 grand for this”
critical · Redline Reviews · ▶ 54:50“similarly priced cars like the new Mercedes a-class have features like augmented reality radar-guided cruise control and you know a heated steering wheel”
mixed · Throttle House · ▶ 11:50“I wouldn't call it adjustable per se you're not going to get over steer on throttle”
Zygrene · ▶ 20:40Hear 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























