The Subaru WRX STI is arguably the most iconic car of the brand's current lineup, and it can trace its heritage right back to the classic rally Imprezas of the '90s. Today, it continues to be a solid seller for Subaru, as it offers both everyday performance and all-terrain capability for a competitive price.
The new 2021 model has been in dealerships for a few months now, and it offers a few new features and many returning favorites. It starts at $37,245, which is just $250 more than last year's model. It's also a lot better value than many of its contemporary competitors. So what exactly do buyers get for their hard-earned dollars? Let's take a look at the WRX STI's spec sheet and find out.
10 The 310-HP Engine
Subaru's trusty Boxer engine has again been employed for the 2021 WRX STI, much like previous years. It sports a healthy power output of 310 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque.
It's an exclusive unit to the WRX and WRX STI, with 2.5L of displacement that makes it ripe for upgrading should its new owner want to. Left stock, it's still more than quick enough though, with a 0-60 time of approximately 4.6 seconds.
9 Rally-Bred Performance Tech
Subaru is by far most famous for its rallying heritage, and the WRX STI carries that legacy on. It offers a full suite of performance technology, including active torque vectoring and adjustable vehicle dynamics.
It also comes with Subaru's AWD system, which makes it very capable on any kind of surface, both on and off-road. In fact, given the current market competition, it's probably the most capable all-terrain sedan at its price point.
8 All-Weather Package
Owners of Subarus often need the ability to cope in all weathers, and the car comes as standard with a set of features to solve just that. The flagship Scoob features heated front seats and a windshield de-icer to help keep things moving when it gets properly cold outside.
Another useful feature that comes with the Package is the heated side mirrors, that stop ice and condensation from blocking the driver's view. After all, it's no good having a brand new performance car if you can't see out of it properly.
7 A Six-Speed Manual Transmission
There's a lot of headlines written about the manual transmission dying, and while it's true that it's less popular than it used to be, it's a long way from gone just yet. The WRX STI is only available with a six-speed manual, although lesser WRX models can be optioned with a CVT.
That's a good thing for most buyers, as the types of people that buy a car like this are mostly enthusiasts. Enthusiasts tend to favor a more engaging, analog driving experience, and in that regard, a manual will nearly always be better than an auto.
6 Keyless Access
It may be a rough and ready all-terrain sedan, but Subaru has still packed the WRX STI full of premium convenience technology. Keyless access is now standard for 2021, with a push-button engine start.
That means no more annoying keys hitting the driver's leg when they're driving, in fact, drivers no longer even have to take their keys out of their pockets to start the car. It might only be a small new feature, but sometimes it's the smallest ones that make the biggest difference to the everyday ownership experience.
5 Roof Rack Mounting Brackets
Given that it's built as a go-anywhere vehicle, it makes sense that the WRX STI will need to be able to carry a significant amount of luggage. The trunk by itself has plenty of space for most belongings, but in case any extra storage is needed, the car comes with roof rack mounting brackets.
The Driver's Package also means the car comes with roof rails pre-installed, which gives owners a lot of options for their luggage carrying setup. Need a roof box on the top? No problem. Want to put some mountain bikes up there? Say no more.
4 A Unique Interior
One of the defining features of the WRX STI has always been the car's design, and that extends to both the exterior and interior. Inside, the car isn't too different from the 2020 model, sporting Ultrasuede® fabric and contrasting red and black leather stitching.
Just in case the driver or passengers need a reminder that this isn't a regular Scooby, there's also STI branding on the floor mats. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and features all the usual convenience controls like Bluetooth connectivity and audio adjustment.
3 An Option For Recaro Seats
Who doesn't love a racing seat? Just sitting in one can make a car feel more sporty, not that the WRX STI needs any help with that. But, there's an option available for 2021 for Recaro racing seats for both the driver and the front passenger.
They'll be a little more supportive than the regular seats should the driver be engaging in some more demanding driving. Just remember, it's always best to do that on a track and not the road, as tempting as it might be.
2 Harman Kardon Speaker System
Also included in the suite of upgrades for 2021 is the latest version of Subaru's STARLINK media control and navigation system. That system is hooked up to a set of Harman Kardon speakers, so drivers can enjoy their music with maximum clarity.
Harmon Kardon is one of the leading names in the in-car audio game, so it's great to see them linking with Subaru like this. But, it just proves how much the automaker has used all the tools at their disposal to improve the WRX STI wherever they can.
1 A Full Suite Of Driver Assists
As much fun as it is to drive a car hard and focus on maximum performance, there always comes a time when drivers need to just get from A to B. That's where Subaru's suite of driver assists comes in, and it makes the process as easy as possible.
There's blind spot detection, lane change assist, and cross-traffic alert, all of which help the driver when they're just driving about every day. And, since this new 2021 model is so good, most drivers will be wanting to take their car everywhere they go.