The highly anticipated 2025 Subaru WRX has finally broken cover, and it’s bringing substantial improvements to the already impressive rally-inspired sports car.
while maintaining its unmistakable spirit, this latest iteration introduces a host of technological advancements and refined features that will surely captivate both long-time enthusiasts and newcomers to the Subaru performance family
Just when we thought the WRX couldn’t get any better, Subaru proves us wrong with thoughtful updates that enhance the driving experience without diluting the raw character that made this car a legend.
Performance Enhancements That Quicken the Pulse
The heart of the 2025 WRX remains its turbocharged boxer engine, but Subaru engineers have managed to extract even more performance from the 2.4-liter powerplant.
Power figures now stand at an impressive 291 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque — a modest but meaningful increase over the previous model year.
The extra grunt comes courtesy of a revised turbocharger design with improved flow characteristics and refined engine mapping that optimizes power delivery across the rev range.
“We wanted to enhance what drivers love about the WRX while addressing their feedback,” explains Tom Doll, President of Subaru of America, during the model’s reveal event in New York.
The iconic rumble from the boxer engine has been carefully preserved, though slightly refined through a redesigned exhaust system that reduces drone during highway cruising while amplifying the signature growl during spirited driving.
Transmission options continue to include the slick-shifting 6-speed manual that purists adore, but the automatic CVT has received substantial updates.
Now branded as the “Subaru Performance Transmission” (SPT), it features more aggressive programming with eight simulated gears and significantly quicker response times when using the paddle shifters.
Continuing Subaru’s tradition, the system remains sublime endurance, now rear-biased power distribution in Sport and Sport Sharp modes.The innovative system promises to provide even more lease grip, especially during corner exits under power.
Additional spot welds and structural adhesives have pushed up chassis rigidity by a whopping 15%, endowing both everyday driveability and weekend hot lap potential with a more stable platform Subaru’s engineers have also focused on improving the suspension, revalving dampers and fitting stiffer anti-roll bars that reduce body roll without greatly sacrificing ride comfort.
Technology that is Enabiling But Not IntrudingInside the cabin, the 2025 WRX takes a significant step forward with an all-new infotainment system that surrounds a standard 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen (up slightly from the old 11.0-inch unit).
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been added to the system, Correcting what was a significant failing in the previous generation.Voice commands have been much improved, now able to understand natural speech patterns and control navigation, climate and media functions without you ever taking your hands off the wheel.
“Modern performance cars need to combine visceral driving experiences with intuitive technology,” points out Garrick Goh, Subaru’s Senior Manager for Product Planning.
The driver-focused cockpit now includes a customizable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which can show various performance metrics such as boost pressure, oil temperature and g-forces.Road warriors will appreciate the new 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system that comes as standard on Limited and GT trim levels, delivering impressively crisp audio even at highway speeds.
Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance technology has been upgraded to version 5.0, bringing improved pre-collision braking capabilities and introducing a new Driver Attention Monitor that uses infrared sensors to detect driver signs of fatigue or distraction.
For the first time, the center console introduces wireless charging–while still maintaining both USB-A and USB-C ports throughout the rest of the car, so there’s no chance of running out juice no matter what kind of spirited driving you like to do.
Subaru has expanded connectivity outside the vehicle itself, releasing an updated Subaru Starlink app that can start engines remotely, adjust climate control and also monitor the whereabouts of your chariot through smartphone integration.
Functional Aesthetics with Refined Style
The 2025 WRX’s exterior is an evolution on the theme of its previous versions. Changes are subtle but successful. Weight is kept low while numerous aerodynamic improvements are made at the front of this completely redone look for Subaru’s most popular sport sedan.
New, larger air intakes help to make the hood of the WRX appear like one big fly trap. These cooler flames provide extra power under throttle. This is underlined by the way cool airflow shutters close at highway speeds–an Ayatollah Mood Indigo car they may be, girls talk.
In keeping with the WRX external identity, the signature hood scoop is still present–but it now takes up less than half the hood area and is contoured so as to channel air more evenly over our top-mounted intercooler.
“Each change to the exterior has a clear purpose,” Masuo Takatsu, Subaru Design Director, emphasized.
All trim levels now get LED lighting as standard, with high-end units including forward adaptive headlights that will turn up to 15 degrees when steering into corners in order better to keep the road in sight.
At the rear, the car now possesses a somewhat stronger feeling of diffuser at least and quad exhaust tips finished off in dark chrome treatment on upper trims.
The alloy wheel designs for the entire range is new. The base model now comes with 18-inch alloys as standard, up from 17-inch on this year’s GT. The GT trim section features 19-inch forged BBS wheels that bring unsprung weight down by almost 5 pounds corner per set compared to last year’s figures – though they’re likely one immediate effect of cutting back so significantly here.
New paint options for this year’s WRX include “Volcanic Orange Metallic” (an entirely new color exclusive only to this model) and also “Pacific Blue Pearl”. However, some traditional WRX standards such as World Rally Blue are still available in the range as well.
The controversial plastic skirting around the wheel arches in the previous model – which divided many opinions – has been refined into something more peaceful at touch and with better colour match to any car’s bodywork.
For whatever aggression points required from a car design, the GT version also provides an additional carbon fiber roof straw to replace the steel one. This not only lowers the center of gravity for performance-oriented handling but also provides an overall more luxurious look combination for those seeking greater elegance in their sports car.
All of these changes have not made the silhouette of the 2025 WRX any less striking. Since its appearance in North America markets more than two decades ago, this has become an unmistakable profile that could hardly be overlooked.
The new 2025 Subaru WRX is expected to begin arriving at dealerships in late summer, probably with pricing announced nearer the time.
Analysts predict a slight price rise of the next model indicating increased equipment and performance
For fans of Subaru, it seems the wait is almost over – the 2025 WRX promises to give all those thrills and spills they’ve grown used to from driving one, now complemented by substantive advances in the latest scientific knowledge that will not only add rather than detract the car’s personality.
As a Subaru executive put it at the unveiling: “The WRX has always been about delivering ultimate performance, free from compromise. The 2025 model does just that and it pushes the limits again.”
With better performance credentials, technology thoughtfully designed and integrated into the car, and functional beauty all oriented toward a specific purpose, the 2025 Subaru WRX seems likely to retain its crown as one of the most enjoyable and capable performance cars available.
When it finally hits the road later this year, more than a few heads are likely to turn. And not just from those who hear its distinctive boxer rumble coming – or see it vanish away into the distance.