Owning a 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C has given me a deep appreciation for what makes these cars special: raw power, mechanical feel, and that rally-inspired character. Stepping into the 2025 Subaru WRX, I was curious: could it still capture that same spirit while incorporating all the modern tech and safety features Subaru has added over the years? Let’s find out!
Exterior
When the new WRX was announced to the public, critics and purists were quick to judge the exterior updates the car received. Yes, it maintains a bulky exterior, similar to the previous generation VA STI, but the new model has a more “tamed” look, though still very aggressive. This particular unit came in Subaru’s Ice Silver Metallic color.
The most noticeable and most controversial change, in my opinion, is the matte black plastic fender flares. It makes the car look like the Subaru XV. It was Subaru’s visual attempt to give a car a wider stance, adding to that “sportier” look. Just like many have commented, for me, it’s a bit contrived, and one way Subaru could improve this look is to have it color-matched. It’s not so much a deal breaker, but overall, the styling of the side profile is still aligned with the design philosophy of the WRX.
At the front, it’s hard not to miss that iconic hood scoop. Like all generations before it, the WRX has a flush hood scoop to improve cooling and maintain aerodynamics. In my 2003 STI, you can see that the hood scoop protrudes way above the hood. Yes, it’s great for cooling, but then aerodynamics is compromised. Moving down to the lights and bumper, I personally like the sharpness the new headlights offer. It complements the much wider grill, giving the whole front that same aggressiveness that the previous gen WRX/STI had, but much more sleek.
Now moving to the back, another major change is the rear bumper. Just like on the side, there is that matte black plastic overlay that goes way above the “diffuser”. When looking at it, it looks incomplete, or it’s a bit too much for my liking. The tailings have also been redesigned to look much sharper compared to the previous generation VA.
Interior
When stepping into the 2025 Subaru WRX EyeSight, it’s clear Subaru kept the driver-focused interior in mind. The dash is angled so that controls and adjustments are centered toward the driver. The steering wheel controls took a bit of time to get used to, but it’s easy enough to switch modes or toggle through instruments on the cluster. I also like that Subaru kept the boost gauge, and it feels right at home in a WRX. This EyeSight trim came with front heated seats in cloth upholstery, paired with motorized adjustments that made it easy to dial in a comfortable driving position. Even after a long drive, the seats offered solid support without feeling too stiff.
Another big change inside is the 11.6-inch touchscreen right in the middle. It handles infotainment, navigation, service intervals, and even shows a real-time AWD diagram. For infotainment, Subaru’s Starlink infotainment comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but you still need a cord to use them.
What I really like is the upper middle section of the screen where three “gauges” are displayed: oil temp, water temp, and throttle input. It instantly reminded me of my ’03 STI, which had a gauge pod up top in the center, though that one didn’t show throttle input. It’s a cool touch that Subaru decided to add the throttle position sensor readout here. Moving to the back seats, I am pleasantly surprised that it’s very spacious and it offers a decent amount of headroom and legroom.
Engine
Under the hood, the 2025 WRX EyeSight runs the familiar 2.4-liter turbocharged FA24 boxer-four, pushing out 271 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. In this EyeSight trim, it’s mated to Subaru’s 8-speed Lineartronic CVT with paddle shifters. The CVT does a decent job of keeping the power accessible, and the simulated shifts through the paddles make it feel more engaging than older CVTs I’ve tried. That said, you can still sense the slight delay compared to a true geared transmission. For those who want the raw, connected experience, Subaru still offers the 6-speed manual, but only on the base variants
Driving
For this experience, I was able to take the WRX to some sweeping roads in Los Banos and, as with the past few lend outs, another road trip from Silang, Cavite, to Clark, Pampanga.
Starting with the roads of Los Banos, the new WRX is still equipped with a traditional MacPherson strut front suspension and a double-wishbone rear suspension setup. From the factory, it has a good enough stiffness that it allows the car to stay more stable during spirited driving while maintaining its comfort. The 245/40/18 tires definitely helped in keeping the car stable and providing the much-needed grip. Power and torque came on smoothly during the uphill climbs, with the 8-speed keeping the delivery steady and predictable. Even on downhill stretches, the WRX felt planted and composed, the paddle shifters giving me the confidence to control engine braking when I needed it. On the way back home, it started raining heavily, and keeping traction and stability was easy because of the car’s AWD.
Now moving on to long highway drives, the WRX proves it’s not just built for winding roads; it’s also a solid companion for covering distance in comfort. The suspension did a great job at soaking up uneven pavement, keeping the ride smooth even at higher speeds. On this trip, the real MVP was the adaptive cruise control with steering and lane keep assist. Like most modern cars, it automatically maintained speed and distance from the vehicle ahead, and I really appreciated how it gently reminded me when I drifted off center in my lane. It made the whole drive more relaxing, especially when I just wanted to sit back and cruise.
As much as the WRX is a good road trip car, I personally wouldn’t take it on lengthy trips because it can get quite thirsty. During my drive, the car would get around 8 km/liter, which is not bad, but it’s just not the most efficient. Perhaps not a deal breaker, but also something to keep in mind.
Safety
We now pivot to the safety features of the WRX. Subaru has equipped all modern models, including this WRX, with its EyeSight driver-assist system, first introduced in Japan in 2008. It has continued to ensure top safety for all drivers to this day. While the WRX is still very much a driver’s car, it’s reassuring to know that features like pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, rear-cross traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking are there as safety nets. I am pleased that EyeSight offers good camera quality for its parking assistance, as it provides accurate distancing with objects and easy use. As for the adaptive cruise control and vehicle collision avoidance, it took some time getting used to it, but everything is within thumb’s reach of the steering wheel and easy to adjust depending on your preference.
Conclusion
The WRX is now in its 33rd year of production, and it’s clear that with the advancement of technology and safety, many things have changed. Yet, despite all the modern updates, the 2025 WRX still manages to capture the familiar driving feel that has defined the badge for decades. As someone who’s lived with an older model WRX STI, I can say it’s different, but the core spirit is still there. It’s a shame that Subaru no longer offers an STI variant, and the CVT is not the most exciting transmission choice for a car like this.
Adding to that, the P2,880,000 price tag for the CVT EyeSight and P3,168,000 for the TS Eyesight feels steep for a WRX. But, for a limited time, Motor Image is offering a free STI kit to every WRX purchase while supplies last. Even so, what remains is a car that handles sharply and delivers a genuine driving experience that carries the DNA of what makes a WRX, a WRX.
Price: P2,880,000*
*Correct as of this article’s writing
More Photos
Photos by JC Morata
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