Big thank you to Schaller Subaru for letting me drive this brand new 2021 Subaru WRX STI!
Brand new for the 2021 model year is—the price tag. The 2021 STI costs $250 more than the 2020 STI—and that's it—since Subaru is hard at work on the new generation coming out in 2022. The current generation has been around since 2014, with a mid-cycle refresh—or "big minor change"—in 2018. If you can't remember that, just ask anyone on the internet. They'll tell you "The WRX is old, wait for the new one." Well, I think it's worth taking a look at this established platform that is a known quantity. The aftermarket is well established for this generation, any issues are well documented, and—who knows—maybe the next generation will be a big ol' flop. There are plenty of reasons not to overlook the current generation, so let's dive in.
The STI comes in two flavors—the base model and the Limited trim. Either way, you're sitting on 19-inch alloy wheels equipped with summer performance tires, Subaru's standard Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system, a 6-speed manual that rightfully cannot be optioned for a CVT, center differential, active torque-vectoring, shorter gear-ratios than the standard WRX, and hydraulic steering. Sounds pretty good to me.
Looking around the cabin, I see the standard 7-inch touch screen with the all-important Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and Subaru's StarLink system. Above the infotainment system is a handy little informational screen. It's set to monitor boost, I note fuel economy, a clock, the current incline, and the direction of the wheels, just like the WRX.
The base model allows you to option power-adjustable Recaro front seats, otherwise you get the black Ultrasuades, which are perfectly fine. The standard seats are a bit stiff, but comfortable enough. They're bolstered well, and they get the job done—keeping you solidly in place while hooning around town. The Limited trim comes standard with the Recaros and adds the Harmon-Kardon sound system, moon roof, lane-change assist, rear-cross-traffic alert, and allows you to option the big ol' wing on the back down to a lip, in order to make your fairly aggressive-looking cop-magnet look like a slightly less aggressive-looking cop-magnet.
Hopping in and starting this one up with the push of a button, I pop it into first. Pop it into first. Am I in gear? It has that same vague feeling as the WRX when trying to get into gear. Definitely get a shifter stop. Otherwise, the gearbox feels great. The red-headed shift knob is solid and the track is smooth and tight. The clutch is on the heavy side. Perfect.
Now, the last time I drove one of these, I pretty much launched all of my starts, and when I got back into my GTI I immediately stalled it. This time, I'm in for much less embarrassment, and my pride is in tact as I smoothly get it going in first. The bite point is very high and this thing is raring to go.
Out on the road, I test the 2.5-liter BOXER's 310-horsepower and 290-lb-ft of torque by putting my foot into it a bit. Peak power is up at 6,000-rpm and peak torque is at 3,000, so revving it out is highly encouraged. The throttle responds with very little noticeable turbo lag, and the power through all four wheels propels me forward in a giant-goofy-grin-inducing manner. This thing is extremely confident on pavement, and I am extremely happy in the driver's seat.
Taking it into some corners, the turning radius is on par with the WRX—which is not particularly great, at about 18 feet—but it gets the job done. The body does handle the hard curves with extreme poise though. There is very little body roll, and again I am feeling very confident driving this blue beast around.
Overall, this seems to be a favorite among enthusiast, and for good reason. With a $37,245 base price—it's not cheap—but if you look around at the options for 300+ horsepower, all-wheel-drive, and a manual—the price tag starts to look pretty good. Having four doors in your hoon-mobile is always nice, in order to be able to pack in friends, family, and groceries, and it's tough to find one with this kind of performance these days. It puts power down extremely well with help from the all-wheel-drive system, it corners with confidence, you get good feedback with the hydraulic steering system, and it's just an all-around fun car. It is a bit loud, and it's on the raw side when it comes to ride quality, but if those things don't bother you, I would definitely take a hard look at this car.
