Subaru WRX STI VA
The boxer-rumbling, rally-bred Impreza we still miss.
58 reviewers · 109 videos · 19 hours watched · 13 press articles
Reviewers are split on performance and handling.
across 58 reviewers
"this now pushes out three hundred and forty-one horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque"
Redline Reviews · ▶ 3:57"acceleration is good the turbocharged engine makes it fun but it needs to be faster it does 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and that gives it only a 4 out of 10."
Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:30"what you give up in smoothness you gain in like the best handling ever like this car is just fantastic it pretty much feels like it's on rails"
Ben Hardy · ▶ 9:12"I am getting some push and when I get on the gas it tends to add push rather than add over steer a rotation the way it does in the focus"
Speed Academy · ▶ 8:18"it's like a fun like driver's car the sti it's it's great and it still has like that older kind of like analog feel that a lot of newer cars have lost"
Ben Hardy · ▶ 11:23"there's nothing that really gives you that oh wow I want to jump in the car"
Lovecars · ▶ 10:23"I think it's the better car to live with every day it's more comfortable it has more features"
Motor1 · ▶ 1:49"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"There's no doubt that Subaru presents far better value despite being priced higher"
Motoring.com.au · ▶ 3:43"honestly I think Subaru has overpriced and I think I would pay 50 grand for this"
Redline Reviews · ▶ 54:50Performance
4.0/558 of 58 reviewerssplit“this now pushes out three hundred and forty-one horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 3:57“once that turbo kicks in above 3000 rpm it feels like a punch in the gut”
positive · Reygan's Rides · ▶ 16:44“this car definitely not as fast i mean that's it is what it is”
positive · Raitis Rides · ▶ 23:35Handling
4.5/558 of 58 reviewerssplit“what you give up in smoothness you gain in like the best handling ever like this car is just fantastic it pretty much feels like it's on rails”
positive · Ben Hardy · ▶ 9:12“it is a better handling vehicle without a doubt”
positive · Engineering Explained · ▶ 8:51“the steering is extremely sharp extremely direct super quick also has zero body lean whatsoever”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 37:18Fun to drive
4.5/558 of 58 reviewerssplit“it's like a fun like driver's car the sti it's it's great and it still has like that older kind of like analog feel that a lot of newer cars have lost”
positive · Ben Hardy · ▶ 11:23“i just really really enjoy the overall sti experience with a subaru”
positive · Raitis Rides · ▶ 23:51“this sti has to be one of the best damn drivers cars still left out on the road”
positive · Ross Reviews · ▶ 11:01Daily drivability
3.5/558 of 58 reviewerssplit“I think it's the better car to live with every day it's more comfortable it has more features”
positive · Motor1 · ▶ 1:49“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 ride felt the most unrefined of the group”
critical · Drive.com.au · ▶ 5:24Value
3.0/556 of 58 reviewerssplit“honestly I think Subaru has overpriced and I think I would pay 50 grand for this”
critical · Redline Reviews · ▶ 54:50“The other big shortfall for the STI is its horrific fuel use”
critical · Drive.com.au · ▶ 5:35“the type ra is a lot of fun but it's overpriced at fifty thousand dollars without more changes over the regular sti”
critical · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:49Hear 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