The Subaru WRX has always been a favorite for those who love the adrenaline rush of manual rally driving, while still needing a practical car for everyday commute. The new WRX offers that fun and capable driving experience that makes every trip a little more exciting. However, fans can’t help but feel that something is missing, and has been for years; that something is the STI.
What’s Good About the New WRX?
While the WRX is solid, it doesn’t have the same edge that the STI brought. The STI was the juiced version of the WRX, the trim that gave you the sensation of driving a true rally car-complete with that massive wing-on everyday roads. Now that the STI is missing, the WRX doesn’t have the same aggressiveness.
Subaru has suggested that the STI might not return in its original form, which has allowed competitors like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Acura, and Kia to easily surpass the WRX in terms of raw speed. Although, the WRX remains unmatched in its AWD system and all-terrain performance.
Why Subaru Should Bring Back the STI and Make It Even Better
Subaru has a real opportunity here: They could bring back the STI, not just as a nod to the past, but as a car that sets a new standard. The FA24 engine is a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that Subaru already uses in other models that could be the perfect foundation.
Imagine, an STI with Subaru making another new revolutionary STI transmission with a bigger turbo, a larger intercooler, and upgraded injectors, all tuned to push the horsepower well beyond the 350 mark. With all of that combined, you’ve got a car that could outperform and turn heads more than most of the sports cars on the road today. Both on the track and in everyday driving.
But there’s more to great sports cars than just power. The new STI should look as impressive as it drives. Subaru should look at the WRX Project Midnight for inspiration; a car that has mastered the balance between performance and aggressive looks. Project Midnight finished 2nd at Goodwood’s time attack race, clocking in at 46.1 seconds, ahead of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, which came in at 48.1 seconds. The STI should adopt this aggressive, standout design, making it clear that it’s no ordinary car; and it should look just as fast as it drives.
Why the STI Must Compete
The sports car market is full of serious contenders right now. Cars like the Toyota GR Corolla, Honda Civic Type R, and Volkswagen Golf R are at the top currently, with all of them pushing the limits of what’s possible. If Subaru wants to stay in the production sports car race, the STI can’t just be a slightly better WRX; it needs to be a car that can go head to head with these competitors and come out on top.
If Subaru focuses on boosting the FA24 engine and adding the right supporting performance parts, they could create an STI that not only stays close to its rally roots, but also appeals to a new generation of drivers; possibly being revolutionary in the car industry. This new STI could be the car that puts Subaru back in the spotlight, combining rally heritage with high speed performance to compete with the best in the world of performance cars. This new STI could push them past their 1998-2013 golden era.
What’s Next for Subaru?
The new WRX is a decent car, but Subaru enthusiasts crave more. A new STI with a more powerful FA24 engine and serious performance upgrades could be exactly what Subaru needs to reclaim its place at the top. Inspired by the blend of power and style seen in Project Midnight, this car could reignite the passion of Subaru enthusiasts and bring the brand back to the top of sports car performance.
Subaru, it’s time to take the next step. #WRXSTI2026—let’s make it happen.
