2024 Subaru WRX TR Preview

With the 2022 WRX, Subaru refreshed its icon, but the changes upset diehard fans. Indeed, the Japanese automaker announced there would be no STI performance variant. In an effort to satisfy its most enthusiastic customers, Subaru gave the new range-topping trim level a slew of cool features. Still, it only offered the car with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Subaru's fixing that for 2024 with the new TR trim, which resurrects the "tuner ready" moniker last used in 2006.

The last TR was a stripped-down blank canvas for tuners to have their way, but Subaru installed the mods this time. The 2024 WRX TR gets several upgrades over the base car, including Brembo brakes and an upgraded suspension with revised dampers. Those updates promise to give the car sharper handling while preserving its ride quality.

Subaru left the WRX's powertrain untouched in the TR. It's still the turbocharged 2.4-liter "boxer" engine as in the standard car, making 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The new TR comes exclusively with a manual transmission, and Subaru equips unique 19-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza tires. All-wheel drive (AWD) comes standard, and the TR's steering rack gets a retune for what Subaru says gives the car more precise control.

Interior improvements include Recaro bucket seats up front. They come wrapped in Ultrasuede with red stitching and an embroidered Recaro logo on the backs. The driver seat has power adjustments, and the sporty buckets are deep with aggressive bolstering and support. Though the TR's cabin is nicer than the standard car, buyers give up the sunroof to get the other goodies.

The TR comes with Subaru EyeSight safety technology—a first for a manual-equipped WRX. The package includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, vehicle sway warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn't published crashworthiness ratings for the 2024 Subaru WRX, the structurally similar 2022 WRX earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Institute for the 2022 calendar year.

It's interesting to see Subaru roll out a new manual transmission-equipped WRX in 2024, as it coincides with the last year for Volkswagen fans to get a Golf GTI or Golf R with a manual. The WRX competes closely with cars like the GTI and the Honda Civic Type R. While it has more power and an AWD advantage over the Volkswagen, it's down more than 40 hp from the Civic. That makes the Subaru a fairly compelling buy despite its polarizing styling.

Subaru hasn't detailed a release date or pricing for the new WRX TR, but expect an early 2024 on-sale date. The car will likely start in the mid-to-high-$40,000 range, making it one of the more expensive options in its class.

Subaru is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of October 9, 2023, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.

Chris Teague is an experienced writer in the automotive and technology fields. In addition to JDPower.com, his work appears at Forbes, The Drive, Your Test Driver, and others.

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