If you handed us a set of keys and said there was a brand new Subaru WRX waiting outside, chances are we would have already started making our way to the door. Make it a 2025 tS Spec B, and the jog turns to a very curious gallop.
Spoiler alert (no pun intended): Subaru’s new flagship sedan comes with a big wing and a big legacy to live up to. Finished in the signature WR Blue, the tS Spec B looks every inch a rally-bred hero.
A curvy front bar, tall rear spoiler and intricate shaped guards sit over matte-grey 19-inch alloys, while Brembo calipers peek through the spokes like they are flexing for the camera. It is purposeful rather than flashy.
The proportions finally bring the VA-generation lines into sharp focus. Inside, Recaro buckets wrapped in Ultrasuede clamp you in place before you have even turned a wheel. The cabin feels familiarly “WRX” but with a new update.
A massive 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen, beefy manual shifter and enough red stitching to keep the upholstery team busy for weeks are all on hand. Under the vented bonnet lives the new FA24F 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder.
Subaru quotes 202kW and 350Nm, all channeled through a six-speed manual with all-wheel drive. Turn the key, and the engine settles into a familiar boxer rumble. Ease the throttle and it revs cleanly, the new exhaust adding a bit of growl without overdoing it.
The power comes on smoothly rather than suddenly. The six-speed manual feels like Subaru’s old five-speed with an extra gear attached, which is quirky at first but easy enough to live with.
The clutch pedal has a reassuring bit of weight, not heavy by any stretch, but the bite point is there and takes a bit to judge. The short-throw gearbox feels mechanical and satisfying, each shift sliding home with a muted clack.
It won’t exactly throw you back in your seat, but in the corners is where this car comes alive. It’s a reminder that the suspension and tyre setup is still the best recipe for confidence.
Drive Mode Select controls Subaru’s new electronic dampers. Dial it to Comfort for the morning commute, and the ride sits on the acceptable side of firm. Flick to Sport+, which we often found ourselves doing right away, and the chassis tightens.
Body roll virtually disappears too, steering weight and feedback builds, and corner exits arrive sooner than expected. On our first spirited drive, the tS Spec B felt planted and confident.
Active torque vectoring drags the nose into corners, while the rear remains playful enough for gentle throttle steering. Brembo stoppers bite hard and resist fade, inspiring the sort of trust that makes back-to-back corners addictive rather than intimidating.
Tyre noise on coarser surfaces is somewhat noticeable, yet far from deal-breaking. Subaru’s engineers clearly prioritised feedback over library hush, and we are perfectly fine with that.
The oversized touchscreen runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although it can be a bit unresponsive at times. All that said, the 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is happy to drown out the boxer soundtrack when needed.
There is space for four adults, a usable boot and enough cup holders for a caffeine-fueled road trip. With the rear backrests upright, the tS Spec B offers a handy 411-litres of boot space.
The seatbacks do fold flat for longer loads, but Subaru hasn’t noted a seats-down figure.
Official combined fuel use sits at 9.9-litres/100km for the manual sedan. Our average hovered just north of 10 with plenty of spirited driving.
That feels fair given the performance available. Subaru lists the WRX tS Spec B from $67,575 drive away (which is the same price as an auto version that’s sans rear wing). For that, you receive adaptive dampers, and the brakes package and wheels we mentioned.
The Recaro seats are heated, and it comes with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty. Throw in Subaru’s rally pedigree and the fact that this model will be sold in limited numbers locally, and the value proposition sharpens further.
Seven days with this car was more than enough to remind us why the WRX badge still matters, especially if you can get past the fact that they snuck in a few STI badges. The 2025 tS Spec B is an altogether solid package.
It blends the old-school charm we adore, a manual gearbox, a notable exhaust, and mechanical grip with modern tech, all with a perfect platform to start your midlife modification crisis.
It also delivers genuine track feel without abandoning daily practicality. This author has experience driving previous-generation WRX STI’s, yet this newest chapter proves Subaru’s spirit is very much alive.
The tS Spec B is not just a WRX, it’s a “Rexy” that feels ready for the next decade of motoring adventures. Notchy shifting, grin-inducing sounds and Recaro hugs included. You can find out more on the Subaru Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was supplied by Subaru Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
