Last updated August 4, 2026
The Subaru WRX lineup starts with the base model, which delivers the car’s core turbocharged power, manual transmission, all-wheel drive, and sport-focused handling with fewer comfort extras. Premium is the everyday-comfort step, while Limited adds the richer seating, audio, lighting, and driver-assistance features. The performance branch includes GT, STI, STI Limited, TR, and tS. GT combines adjustable performance settings with an automatic transmission, while STI, TR, and tS versions put more emphasis on manual control, stronger brakes, and sharper chassis tuning. The STI Launch Edition, STI S209, STI Series.HyperBlue, STI Type RA, and Series.Yellow are limited-production versions built around distinctive styling, rarity, or more specialized performance hardware.
The Base Model trim level, sold simply as the base WRX, is the direct driver-focused entry with the essential turbo, manual-transmission, all-wheel-drive formula and fewer comfort upgrades.
Best for: Drivers who want the core WRX experience without paying for many cabin extras.
Highlights
The Mid-Level trim level, known as Premium, is the daily-driver WRX with cold-weather comfort and a more finished cabin while keeping the base car’s manual performance package.
Best for: Drivers who use their WRX every day and value heated features and a few practical upgrades.
Highlights
Adds heated seats, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, upgraded cloth trim, and fog lights over the Base Model.
64 in stock
The Premium Comfort trim level, known as Limited, is the comfort- and technology-focused WRX, with richer seating and more cabin, lighting, and safety equipment.
Best for: Drivers who want WRX performance with a more fully equipped interior for regular commuting and longer trips.
Highlights
Adds upgraded seating, a power driver’s seat, premium audio, navigation, a moonroof, blind-spot monitoring, and steering-responsive headlights over the Mid-Level Premium.
36 in stock
The Performance trim level includes GT, STI, STI Limited, TR, and tS, covering the WRX models with adjustable chassis settings, stronger track-focused hardware, or the STI’s more serious drivetrain.
Best for: Enthusiasts who prioritize sharper handling, stronger braking, more supportive seats, or specialized control over added luxury alone.
Highlights
Moves beyond the Limited’s comfort focus with performance seats and more specialized suspension, braking, AWD, or drive-mode hardware; the exact formula depends on whether it is a GT, STI, STI Limited, TR, or tS.
46 in stock
The Special Editions trim level includes STI Launch Edition, STI S209, STI Series.HyperBlue, STI Type RA, and Series.Yellow, each adding limited-production appeal or specialized details to an STI- or tS-based performance formula.
Best for: Collectors and enthusiasts who want a rarer WRX with a distinctive design, extra chassis work, or edition-specific performance equipment.
Highlights
Adds rarity and edition-specific styling or engineering over the regular Performance models; upgrades range from distinctive trim to lighter parts, added power, and specialized suspension work.
0 in stock| Feature | Mid-Level | Base Model | Performance | Premium Comfort | Special Editions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Includes | Premium64 in stock | base46 in stock | GT, STI, STI Limited, TR, tS46 in stock | Limited36 in stock | STI Launch Edition, STI S209, STI Series.HyperBlue, STI Type RA, Series.Yellow0 in stock |
| Main focus | Everyday comfort | Core WRX performance | Sharper performance hardware | Cabin comfort and technology | Rarity and specialized details |
| Transmission pattern | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual | Manual; GT is automatic | Manual or automatic examples | 6-speed manual |
| Cabin character | Heated seats and upgraded cloth | Sport-focused and straightforward | Supportive performance seats; varies by member | Upgraded upholstery and power seat | Edition-specific materials and trim |
| Premium audio and navigation | Not standard identity | Not a defining upgrade | Included on several members | Harman Kardon audio and navigation | Included on some editions |
| Electronically adjustable dampers | — | — | GT and tS | — | Series.Yellow |
| Track-focused brakes | — | — | Brembo brakes on STI, TR, and tS | — | Brembo-based STI or tS hardware |
| Power output across represented versions | Recent 2.4L examples: 271 hp | Recent 2.4L examples: 271 hp | 271 hp in current 2.4L members; STI varies | Recent 2.4L examples: 271 hp | 271–341 hp, depending on edition |
In recent years, the Premium mainly adds everyday comfort. It brings heated front seats, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, upgraded cloth, LED fog lights, rear charging ports, and a trunk spoiler while keeping the same core engine, manual transmission, and AWD.
On newer models, the Limited is the cabin and technology step above Premium. It adds upgraded seat trim, a power driver's seat, navigation, Harman Kardon audio, a moonroof, headlights that turn with the steering, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
On newer WRXs, the GT adds performance technology rather than just more cabin equipment. It pairs an automatic transmission with adjustable suspension firmness, selectable drive settings, different AWD tuning, Recaro front seats, and a digital gauge display.
On newer models, the GT is the automatic choice and the tS is the manual-focused choice. Both have adjustable suspension, drive settings, Recaro seats, and a digital gauge display. The tS adds STI-tuned suspension and large Brembo brakes for harder driving.
The tS builds on the TR's manual, strong-brake formula. The TR uses firmer fixed suspension tuning and retuned steering. The newer tS adds STI-tuned suspension whose firmness changes electronically, selectable drive settings, and a digital gauge display while retaining Brembo brakes and Recaro seats.
No. The tS uses the same 271-horsepower turbo engine as the other newer WRX trims. Its upgrades focus on handling, braking, suspension adjustment, seats, and driver controls rather than extra engine output.
On newer models, the GT is the dedicated automatic performance trim. It combines an automatic transmission with adjustable suspension, selectable drive settings, Recaro seats, and different AWD tuning. Some Limited models were also built with an automatic and place more emphasis on comfort.
In recent years, the Premium is the straightforward daily-driver pick. It keeps the WRX's turbo engine, manual transmission, AWD, and sport-tuned chassis while adding heated seats, heated mirrors, a wiper de-icer, and nicer cloth upholstery.
Among newer regular-production WRXs, the tS is the track-focused choice because it combines a manual transmission, STI-tuned adjustable suspension, large Brembo brakes, and Recaro seats. The TR filled a similar role before it, while older STI models added a stronger engine and more specialized AWD hardware.
No. The older WRX STI is a higher-output model with a 310-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo engine, specialized AWD hardware, a close-ratio manual, Brembo brakes, and STI-tuned suspension. The newer tS keeps the regular WRX's 271-horsepower engine and concentrates its upgrades on handling and braking.
On older WRXs, the STI Limited keeps the regular STI's engine, manual transmission, specialized AWD, Brembo brakes, and track-tuned suspension. It adds a more fully equipped cabin with Recaro front seats, navigation, Harman Kardon audio, blind-spot monitoring, and a moonroof.
The Series.Yellow is a 350-unit special edition based on the newer tS. It uses the same manual transmission, STI-tuned adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, drive settings, digital gauges, navigation, and premium audio. Its distinction is limited production, not extra power.
The S209 is a 209-car special model with 341 horsepower, a wider body, Bilstein suspension, stronger Brembo brakes, added chassis bracing, and carbon-fiber parts. It was built for sharper cornering and greater driver involvement rather than extra everyday comfort.
The newer GT and tS have suspension whose firmness changes electronically. The GT pairs it with an automatic transmission, while the tS pairs STI-tuned suspension with a manual. Series.Yellow shares the tS setup because it is based on that trim.