Is the Subaru WRX STI returning?

Following the reveal of the Subaru Performance-B STI Concept – the WRX STI – at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, its seemingly production-ready status has led to rife speculation that the iconic model will return to Subaru’s lineup for the first time since 2021.

Having announced in 2022 that there would be no flagship STI version of the current WRX, Subaru appears to have changed its mind, with a new generation of the rally hero set to be revealed on January 9 at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

That 2022 statement said: “Subaru Corporation is exploring opportunities for the next generation Subaru WRX STI, including electrification. In the meantime, a next generation internal combustion engine WRX STI will not be produced based upon the new WRX platform.”

However, the Performance-B Concept unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, essentially an STI version of the current Subaru Impreza hatchback, signaled its intentions.

While officially the concept was used to gauge public interest, the decisions had clearly been made long ago.

On Christmas day, Subaru delivered a present to enthusiasts with a teaser on its social media channels showing a blue STI-badged WRX sedan driving through the snow and then another teaser on January 4.

This showed more details, including gold calipers, new wheels and quad exhausts emitting the trademark Subaru flat-four growl.

Unlike the hatchback Performance-B Concept, however, the new STI is clearly based on the current WRX sedan.

What’s still unclear is how far Subaru will take the new WRX STI.

Currently, the hottest version is the $61,490 (plus on-road costs) tS Spec B, which features adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, bespoke 19-inch alloys and a giant rear wing, but crucially no extra power from the 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

If a new STI is to justify the badge and a higher price tag, outputs will have to swell significantly beyond the current 202kW/350Nm to match the likes of the Toyota GR Corolla (221kW/400Nm) and Honda Civic Type R (235kW/420Nm).

While there’s likely to be headroom in the 2.4-litre engine, the longevity of the six-speed manual gearbox may be the limiting factor.

However, the good news is we won’t have to wait long to find out. We’ll bring you full coverage of the new Subaru WRX STI as soon as it breaks cover.