The pricing places the 2025 WRX tS solidly in Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla territory, but with less power than both. The WRX’s argument is that it has all-wheel drive standard for all-weather capability the Type R can’t match, and a nicer interior (including an arm rest up front) than the GR Corolla.

With no straight-up STI in the lineup, this more refined model might give you all you wanted from an STi while doing it smoothly, too.

Tuned by STI as the name implies, the WRX tS is the best WRX you’ll be able to buy next year. It shouldn’t be.