2024 Subaru WRX TR Review
2024 Subaru WRX TR
MSRP: From $41,655
MPG: 19 city / 26 highway
Engine: 2.4 Liter Turbo’d Boxer 4-cylinder
Power: 271 hp / 258 TQ
0-60: 5.8 Seconds
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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi
Who's the racer that he told you to go see?
Y'all better listen up closely
All you cars that said that I turned too top
Or the Firm flop
Y'all are the reason Subie ain't been getting no sleep
So frack y'all, all of y'all
If y'all don't like me, let me blow off at thee
Y'all are gonna keep frackin’' around wit me
And turn me back to the old me
Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got something to say
But nothin' comes out when they move they wheels
Just a buncha tire squeals
And muthafrackas act like they forgot about the ‘WReX’
Nowadays everybody wanna race like they got something to say
But nothin' comes out when they move they wheels
Just a buncha tire squeals
And muthafrackas act like they forgot about the ‘WReX’
So what do you say to somebody you hate
Or anybody tryna bring trouble your way
Wanna resolve things in a racier way
Just study your tape of rally race day
Seriously, y’all forgot about the WRX. Utterly consumed with the likes of the Civic Si, GTI and EVs, the WRX has been standing stoically lost in the fray of hype. The only machine that combines turbo and AWD performance for the price of a FWD car…the WRX has always been an alternative choice.
Now I can understand with prior generations of the WRX, sure you got AWD grip and turbo shove but you also got a cacophony road noise, back breaking ride and trim pieces from the 1970s GM parts bin. So, if you wanted a semblance of ‘niceness’ you landed your bum in a Civic Si or a GTI. Since it’s introduction in 2002, each subsequent generation WRX has incrementally move the needle toward a bit more civility. Heck it wasn’t that long ago that it was reported that Subaru was attempting
“To go after the M3 buyer”
So it shouldn’t that big of a shock that they finally made the WRX a bit more civilized for 2022. But apparently it was shocking,
“As Subie fans pouted over their Monster Energy drinks and sadly exhaled their Vape smoke through their nostrils, they spewed out vitriol over their ‘Rex’ being ‘too refined’ now.”
“Yeah...I don’t know what that means either. I prefer my vehicles to not break my back nor make me deaf. ”
Now this newest 2025 WRX TR finally makes good on that 2010 claim. It’s finally a nice, comfortable place to be that adds in a willing chassis, quick steering, stellar manual transmission and AWD grip. Oh yes the quirky WRX traits are still there but the added refinement that just elevates (not denigrate) the driving experience.
Let’s go ahead and break it down:
The Great
Chassis:
Oh that lovely, flingable and rally inspired chassis! One of the most flingable and fun vehicles I have ever tested! It has a Miata like urgency for curves but the actual power to make it exciting.
AWD:
Ah the venerable symmetrical AWD system, as a person used to Quattro (IE: safe, predictable and all grip)…the Subaru system is just more fun. Enabling you to have some slidey fun and yet not kill yourself in the process.
Suspension:
Rides beautifully on the road, on the highway and heck even on gravel. Slap on a smaller wheel with a meatier sidewall and you’ll have the best riding vehicle in it’s segment. It’s that good.
NVH:
Our poor test car had nearly 16,000 miles on the clock and that may not sound like a lot but on a media car that it is akin to 160,000 real world miles (auto journalists are rough). Nary a squeak, rattle or quiver to be felt nor any wind leaks through it’s seals..the 2024 WRX TR is just…nice
The Good
Steering:
Is it a bit ‘too light’? Possibly? But you quickly get used to it and then quickly become grateful for how quick, reactive and precise it is.
Brakes:
Get some heat in the pads and you’ll have one of the best feeling brakes on the market. Firm pedal, fantastic bite and fade free
Space:
I do miss their hatback but space offered in this sedan is borderline huge. Plenty of rear legroom and headroom without sacrificing front or cargo space. It fit two kids in the back with no issues at all.
Transmission:
Other people may not like it but I adore this manual transmission. I love the tall shifter, I love the light clutch, I love the engagement. I just love it. Is it Type-R/S good? No, but honestly i prefer it over the GRolla transmission. With the laggy nature of the engine, keeping the engine on boil makes rowing through the gears a pure joy.
Engine:
The 2.4 Turbo’d Boxer 4 is a throwback to yesteryear, which can be a good and bad thing. If you’re expecting modern day 2.0 liter Turbo levels of refinement look elsewhere. This is engine you HAVE to keep on boil to make the car physically move. Anything below 3000 RPM is a ‘no-go’. Once you get above 3k RPM then it whooshes straight into your heart with a midrange punch that is just damn fun!
The Bad
Lag:
As a counter to the above, the lag is ever present and if you’re not paying attention…you will catch the engine asleep when you least expect it. The way to counter that is wreck havoc on the poor clutch
Poor Clutch:
To counter the turbo lag, you do what you’re not supposed to do on a manual equipped car: Downshift to 1st gear while rolling. Yes, you read that right…but unless you rev the snot out of it and slip the crap out of the clutch in 2nd gear…the WRX will bog down below 10 mph. It feels less ‘cringey’ just blipping into 1st gear and at the very least…it’s the smoother way of taking off at low speed.
The Ugly
Where is the STi damnit!?!??!?
The Overall
This 2024 Subaru WRX TR is one of the most fun vehicles you can buy today, especially refreshing if you’re coming from another brand like Honda, VW, Toyota or the lot. The WRX reminds you of it’s rally heritage but doesn’t beat you up because of it…it’s just damn good.
