2024 Subaru WRX TR First Drive Review
This new trim level pairs a manual transmission with a classic feature set in a compelling combo for enthusiasts.
Tim Stevens
QuickTakes:
The Subaru WRX is on a roll. Available in the United States for more than 20 years, it's recently been redesigned to match Subaru's rugged, plastic-clad aesthetic. Though some Subaru purists have decried this latest WRX as a step further away from its hardcore rally roots, the car's combination of fun character and practical dimensions still makes it a great choice for people who want to enjoy their cars and live with them, too.
Subaru is bringing a special edition of the car to the U.S. market for those who want a little more driving enjoyment. It's the 2024 Subaru WRX TR, featuring a subtle but significant set of upgrades and options that don't change the core recipe by any means but do make it just that much sweeter.
Tim Stevens
Choice Upgrades and Desirable Downgrades
Subaru keeps it simple with this new special edition 2024 WRX TR. New tires, custom wheels, a stiffer suspension, and slightly revised steering are about the extent of the modifications.
Some of the most desirable changes here aren't about what's been added but what's been taken away. The most notable deletion is the sunroof, something that taller drivers or those obsessive about saving weight don't want anyway. The WRX's base seats are also gone, replaced by the Recaro units that previously were only available with an automatic transmission.
Tim Stevens
The 2024 WRX also picks up adaptive cruise control with the EyeSight system, something previously missing on cars with manual transmissions. The Starlink infotainment system uses the same 11.6-inch, vertically oriented touchscreen. A few subtle software tweaks improve the user experience, such as making it quicker to toggle the heated seats. Far and away the biggest improvement, however, is the new wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Otherwise, it's the same WRX as last year, which means you get the same turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine offering 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That power is still delivered to all four wheels through Subaru's all-wheel-drive system, which comes standard on all WRX models.
Tim Stevens
Excellent Performance on Bad Roads
Sicily is the home of the Targa Florio, one of the most iconic road rallies of all time and also where I drove the WRX TR. The roads are winding, beautiful, and magical but also in desperately bad repair. They are awful, and that makes them perfect for testing the updated Subie.
The WRX has always been at its best when conditions are at their worst, and on a rainy day in Sicily on roads you might struggle to walk across without slipping, Subaru's subtly tweaked sedan stood out.
Despite testing the TR in Europe, I drove a U.S.-spec model with a sticker price of $42,775, including the $1,120 destination charge to ship the WRX to your dealer from its assembly point in Ota, Gunma, Japan.
Though the subtly stiffer suspension doesn't impact driving dynamics much, it also doesn't ruin the sedan's ride quality. Neither do the stiff sidewalls on those new Potenza S007 tires. The WRX TR is on the stiff side for sure but far from punishing, making it just as livable for daily duties as before.
Tim Stevens
Anyone who's driven any of Subaru's former, higher-horsepower WRX STI versions will likely lament the current WRX's somewhat light 271 horsepower, but the WRX TR's torque delivery is satisfying. Pulling out of corners and accelerating down short chutes into the next bend, the WRX TR is an absolute joy.
The turbo boosts quickly and aggressively, enough to readily make the back end of the car loose coming out of tighter corners. The six-speed manual gearbox bolsters that responsiveness and is the only transmission available for the TR. While the shifter may not be the shortest or notchiest of all time, it still has a good feel and, most important, it's still available. While more manufacturers are ridding their cars of clutch pedals, Subaru is hanging on.
Subaru's revisions to the WRX TR's electronic power-steering system are so subtle that you'd need a back-to-back session with a previous WRX to feel the difference. The WRX TR still has the traditional, over-boosted, low-resistance feel that some Subaru purists love and some hate. I love it.
Tim Stevens
EyeSight Comes standard, Even With a Stick
Outside of driving dynamics, the most significant change in the 2024 WRX TR is the presence of the full-featured Subaru EyeSight advanced driver-assistance system. Previously, Subaru omitted EyeSight on WRX sedans with manual transmissions. Now it's here, and while this change isn't isolated to just the TR — all manual WRX sedans will have EyeSight going forward — it's a welcome change to those of us who prefer a third pedal.
Subaru also added the higher-end, power Recaro seats to the WRX TR. They were previously available only on WRXs with an automatic transmission and offer a great blend of support and comfort, and they also make the interior look much sportier.
This is good because there's little to visually differentiate the WRX TR from the regular WRX, not even a token bit of badging on the back. Visually, it's the wheels that set the TR apart.
Tim Stevens
The lack of changes in the WRX's interior also means it's plenty comfortable, even for four or five adults. There's enough legroom and headroom in the rear, while the sunroof delete up front means even the tallest of drivers should fit without any issue.
In addition, the 12.5 cubic-feet of storage space in the trunk gives enough capacity for most adventures, while the split-folding rear seats drop quickly, making room for snowboards, skis, or other gear.
Tim Stevens
Subtly Better, but Better Just the Same
The 2024 Subaru WRX TR won't satiate those desperate for the return of the STI, but that's not what it was meant to do. Think of the WRX TR as a desirable, performance-oriented set of options and deletes, creating a car that a driving purist would create.
It has the good seats, the sunroof delete, and a set of wheels wrapped in sticky performance tires. Plus, it benefits from Subaru's other small changes to the 2024 WRX related to EyeSight and Starlink.
The WRX TR is not nearly as raucous as the Toyota GR Corolla, but it is far more comfortable and calm in daily driving duties. And with the standard EyeSight system, driving in traffic is more convenient.
While no enthusiast would turn down a little more power, at the end of the day the WRX doesn't feel slow in most situations. It already was great to drive. The TR makes it more so.
Subaru provided the vehicle for this 2024 WRX TR review and paid for airfare, lodging, meals, and experiences during the evaluation period.
