How the Subaru WRX tS Spec B compares with the Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR Edition 

Back in 2022, we pitched the Subaru WRX RS against the Hyundai i30 Sedan N to see which of the last two compact sports sedans was king and, at the end of the day, the i30 came out on top. 

Its blend of power, performance, equipment, value and safety was just too much for the iconic WRX to match, but the Rex kept the N honest every step of the way. 

Fast forward to 2025 and the WRX has evolved: the manuals now have more active safety gear and driver aids for starters, but the RS is no longer the variant to buy if you’re a keen driver; that title belongs to the tS Spec B.  

It’s in Aussie showrooms now offering fans sharper dynamics, more capability, poise, versatility, drama and fun than any other VB WRX – pitching one of these against the facelifted i30 Sedan N would be a titanic battle, one we’re hoping to bring you on video soon. 

But, just as the WRX is rising to the occasion, there’s a storm brewing offshore that could make things very tricky for the Rex that should’ve always been. 

Yet to be confirmed but under consideration for Australia is the Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR Edition; a raucous four-door promising more of everything from the reigning champion through a series of touring-car-inspired upgrades. 

We’re not sure if we’ll ever get to see these two performance halos square-off, so here they are going head-to-head on paper to get an indication as to which hot compact sedan would win. 

Despite looking a whole lot meaner with its big wing, 19-inch wheels and gold brakes, the 2025 Subaru WRX tS Spec B doesn’t offer any more oomph than its stablemates – the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat four still thrums out a mildly disappointing 202kW/350Nm. 

Zero to 100km/h in the Rexy takes a claimed 6.0 seconds on the way to a governed top speed of 250km/h. 

The 2025 Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR Edition likewise doesn’t boast any extra grunt over the standard model (206kW/392Nm) despite the fitment of a cold air intake, meaning the 0-100km/h time is likely an unchanged 5.8 seconds in manual form. 

Interestingly, the top speed is capped at 250km/h whereas the standard version will hit 280km/h.

So the i30 draws first blood in terms of outright pace (just), though there’s no denying it will take a bit more finesse to get off the line than the WRX, especially in less-than-ideal conditions (it’s front- versus all-wheel drive). 

Both models up the stopping ante over their standard counterparts; the Spec B with six-piston Brembo front calipers and the TCR Edition with four-piston N-branded monobloc units. 

Neither brand has produced claimed stopping distances for their hottest four-doors so it’s hard to name a definitive winner without sampling them, though there’s no denying the Subi’s Brembo package certainly sounds better on paper, especially factoring in the drilled discs in all four corners. 

But, the Hyundai’s four-pot stoppers are physically bigger and have a larger contact patch with the ventilated – but not drilled or slotted – discs. 

It’s a tie (until we can drive them). 

One of the standard i30 N’s biggest drawcards over most WRX variants is the inclusion of three-way adaptive dampers as standard – its rival ships with an admittedly well-rounded passive setup on two of the three trim levels. 

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS Spec B rights that wrong with specially tuned three-way adaptive units and lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels that combine to deliver a slightly firmer ride and sharper handling than the automatic tS. 

The 2025 Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR Edition meantime retains its familiar adaptive setup and 19-inch wheel size, though it’s worth noting the hoops are also upgraded lightweight (forged) units. 

While not explicitly suspension, both roll on similarly high-end rubber: Bridgestone Potenza S007 for the WRX and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the i30. 

It’s a tie. 

If it seems like these battles are getting closer, it’s because they are – this pair is incredibly well-matched in almost every regard, and that applies to their equipment levels too. 

Beyond the goodies outlined above, the tS Club Spec comes as standard with heated Recaro bucket seats and eight-way power-adjustment for the driver, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, an 11.6-inch infotainment system with wireless phone projection, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, configurable drive mode, adaptive cruise control, Ultrasuede and leather upholstery, heated rear outboard seats and an STI steering wheel. 

The i30 N TCR Edition pretty much matches its rival save for slightly smaller displays (10.25 inches), two configurable drive modes instead of one, an Alcantara steering wheel, wired smartphone integration, manual cruise control, blue seatbelts, wireless charging, no heated rear seats and an eight-speaker Bose sound system. 

It’s close, but the Subi takes this win. 

Nothing screams ‘performance’ quite like a rear wing, and both these cars are packing some serious examples. 

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS Spec B brandishes a last-generation STI unit atop its boot lid, helping it look more like the Rexys of old and advertise its additional athleticism. Subi makes no claims as to any performance gains – it’s purely there for the look and it’s a beaut. 

The 2025 Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR Edition meantime goes in the other direction; its three-way adjustable wing is said to be fully functional and directly inspired by the touring car (go figure). 

As cool as that is, it looks tacky and out of place, bordering on silly compared to the standard one, but it gets points for functionality, so it’s yet another tie. 

If there’s no clear winner between these two fantastic cars, does that mean everyone (consumers and media) wins? 

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS Spec B and 2025 Hyundai i30 Sedan N TCR Edition are matched so closely on paper it’s actually not funny; it makes us sad we can’t get them together for an old-fashioned joust on local roads. 

Both models are fantastically capable sedans and come with some meaningful upgrades over their standard brethren that are sure to get the fanbases a bit hot under the collar. 

Without having driven them back-to-back, this on-paper battle would’ve come down to price and probably handed the win to Hyundai, but since we can’t actually buy the i30 (yet?), it’s a tie: one win apiece and three dead heats. 

And that’s no great loss because both these cars will/would be phenomenally good to drive and own, offering immense versatility both on the daily grind and on a spirited jaunt, all while offering room for four adults and their stuff. 

Old-fashioned performance cars like these – internal combustion, manual, loud, affordable – are disappearing faster than we’d like, but these two are standing firm and still catering to driving enthusiasts not ready for electrification or an SUV. 

We just need Hyundai to bring the TCR Edition Down Under… 

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