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The base model Subaru WRX, long seen as a gateway to rally-inspired performance, is officially being retired for 2025. Subaru announced that the WRX lineup will now begin with the Premium trim, priced at $35,750, effectively raising the entry price of the brand’s beloved sports sedan.
The decision stems from consumer demand—or rather, the lack of it. According to Subaru, most WRX buyers opted for trims higher than the base model, particularly the Premium, which comes equipped with more advanced features. “Few buyers opted for the base trim level last year,” said William Stokes, Car Line Planning Manager for Subaru of America.
Zac Palmer
This move aligns with broader trends in the automotive industry, where manufacturers are trimming underperforming models to streamline production and focus on higher-margin offerings. For the WRX, it’s a sign that Subaru is leaning into the car’s reputation as a performance icon rather than an everyman’s sports sedan.
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The WRX evolves with additional features for 2025
While the disappearance of the base model may disappoint purists, Subaru is compensating with a more feature-rich lineup. Every WRX now comes standard with an 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, a host of new driver assist and safety features, and, of course, a four-cylinder turbocharged boxer engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission—a combination we’ll never get tired of.
The 2025 WRX also debuts a new STI-tuned trim level called the tS. Featuring electronically controlled dampers, Brembo brakes, and a customizable Drive Mode Select system, the tS is Subaru’s most advanced WRX yet. Recaro seats with blue accents, a fully digital gauge cluster, and exclusive 19-inch wheels help distinguish the flagship trim, priced at $45,705.
Subaru
The WRX Premium, which now serves as the entry point, still delivers plenty of value. It includes heated front seats, 18-inch wheels, and Subaru’s hallmark all-wheel-drive system.
Subaru’s shifting strategy
By removing the base model, Subaru is repositioning the WRX as a more aspirational product. It signals a departure from the stripped-down practicality that once made the WRX a standout option for younger enthusiasts or those new to performance cars.
Instead, the 2025 lineup emphasizes technology, comfort, and performance, catering to an older audience willing to pay for extra features. Raising the cost of entry may be a symbolic defeat for many young enthusiasts, but it’s not as if many young 20-somethings wanted to pay the insurance premiums on a new WRX anyway.
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Zac Palmer
Final thoughts
The shift isn’t without precedent. Similar moves have been made by competitors like Honda and Volkswagen, both of which have consolidated their performance offerings in recent years. Whether this strategy resonates with buyers remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the WRX is evolving, and Subaru is betting on its reputation to carry the model forward.
