Growing up, the Subaru WRX in its STI trim was known as a supercar killer and a wild rally car that you could legally drive on the streets. Although the 2024 WRX TR may not be a supercar killer, it still has some of that old rally car soul in it. While most automotive journalists drove this car on a romantic launch trip to the island of Sicily where Subaru has a bit of history with the rally Targa Florio, I would be driving it around College Station, Texas, making my review more of a real-world scenario for most people.
The TR in WRX TR now stands for "Track Ready." It features a more sports-focused suspension, an actual manual transmission that sends power to WRX's legendary viscous-coupling AWD system, bigger brakes, and sticky Bridgestones that make the car feel like it's on rails on dry pavement. The car also has very nice Recaro seats. Back in the day, TR stood for "Tuner Ready," and a WRX TR was a stripped-down model ready to be turned into whatever the owner desired. The "Track Ready" pivot means it's not as stripped out and doesn't lack anything you would want in a daily driver, but you could still take it to a track day.
The styling of the car is inoffensive but not exciting. I long for a WRX with a massive wing, giant rally lamps, bronze wheels, and some wild graphics, all of which can be corrected with some online shopping. If you're going to drive a fast WRX, it should look like one. While you're at it, it needs a massive exhaust as well.
The TR is priced around $42,775, including destination, putting it in the range of the GR Carolla, Golf R, and even the Audi Q3 Quattro premium.
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