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This or the GR Corolla automatic

Great video I plan on getting the 2024 or 2025 WRX in Solar Orange. It’s going to be premium and sad enough the automatic I am a very professional and expert manual driver, but I’m older now and plan on keeping this car very long time. The orange looks like an amazingly beautiful car -thanks for your detailed view on the WRX fifth generation. As I am an Ancient generation X im thinking if I get stuck in traffic or just don’t feel like shifting now that I’m in my 50s it’s good that I have the paddle shifters if I wanna really stretch the engine into its maximum potential. The only other thing I’m deciding on is the STI exhaust system. It sounds amazing. I might just have to do that too.

It's literally a CVT, they are hot garbage unless you are only driving slow and smooth. Any performance driving is going to ruin it super fast.

Increasing everything but hp and trq

Excellent review. I will never get rid of my VA because it truly is something special, but if I could afford to have 2 cars, it would for sure be a VB

Subarus are only meant for manual transmissions

Even if we weren’t going to like the car at first (myself included), Subaru knew exactly what it was doing. Minus the ugly rear, the WRX has grown so much in me. Great review btw!

I have both i only use the paddles to downshift into a corner

I am actively shopping for a 2024 WRX. My local dealership has a Limited and a Premium plus (moonroof/HK upgrade) among other WRX's on their lot. I pulled both Monroney stickers off their website and placed features/prices in a spreadsheet. With the current (Jan '25) discounted prices - the difference is $2,063. (The MSRP difference was $2,563. This dealership is discounting the Limited an extra $500.). I suspect it is the "luxury" power and suede seating that bears most of that cost difference. The other Limited features are moving headlights, directional lights on the side mirrors, navigation, rear safety detection, & additional software. I cross-referenced these differences with SoA's trim/feature list, which was helpful. My decision after sitting in both trims was pretty quick. It's got to be the Limited - so I can optimize seating position in relation to the shifter. It is worth the extra cost to me. I could live without any of the other Limited upgrades. I am also willing to pay for the optional STI Short Shifter. It is a $447 sticker add on. It does feel more ergonomically efficient and comfortable when test driving. Great WRX vids, keep 'em coming.

I've got one in Canada, didn't realize the trim differences: I have DCC, the 8-inch infotainment, the Fender speakers, dual zone automatic climate control. Totally agree, still love it after 5 years!

Gotta have the XT motor

Vb ass end is ugly

3:34 I had a 17 BRZ - supercharged and tuned. 300HP at the rear wheels. Absolutely useless in the snow or rain. I just traded it for a 24 WRX limited, you made the right choice.

A buddy of mine that I went to high school with actually works at the Subaru headquarters in Japan. He told me that of all the Subaru owners across the globe, only a small percentage of them are manual drivers and even fewer are manual purists. In fact, all of those bigoted manual supremacists that you find on the internet who take pride in getting under the skin of automatic drivers and supporters (thought I'd explain so you wouldn't think I was talking about you), are likely just uneducated kids who aren't even old enough to drive. They're called trolls. So to my fellow automatic WRX drivers, don't be ashamed of driving one. If you want to drive one, you are more than encouraged to do so. No one is better than anyone else.

So this is basically Subarus way of telling us that the stock VB drivetrain was meant to put out at least 300 hp. Pretty great for a WRX gen that adjusting for inflation (32,000 now in early 2025, was 29,000 in 2022 when it released), is 8 grand cheaper than a base model 2002 was, at 23,400 adjusted for inflation now would have been 39,000 (the bugeye also did not have the STI trim in the US at the time). The only thing that pains me still is the lack of the limited slip drivetrain, but still calling it an STI.

They changed the turn signal stock!? YES that damn near makes the car perfect now. I'm on order for my brand new 2024. I have an Elantra N and you can't drive that car in the rain.

So for people who complain about automatic, here's the thing. You have to look at it from a business standpoint. Yes, there are alot of people on the internet who claim manual supremacy. But in their eyes, manual supremacists are just dumb kids on the internet who don't even drive yet so they go with what sells: automatic. Personally, I'd be down for trying out an automatic STI. I heard that they've been a thing in Japan and Australia for a while now with the A-Line trim. This is coming from someone who has actually had the honor of driving manual.

DIY S210 For the States: Buy GT SPT (Auto WRX) ~ 45,000 Buy Brembos ~ 2500-4500 Buy 19in BBS Forged OEM Wheels ~ 5400(4pc) Buy Intake: ETS ~ 360 Buy Dmann Tune + Cobb Accesport: 150+700 ~ 850-900 Buy Front Only AfterMarket Seats: Recaro Sportster GT Seats ~ 1200x2 = 2400 Buy Swan Wing: AFD Swan ~ 900 Buy Badges off blackhawkjapan(When available) ~ 30-100 (idk) Buy S210 Grille off blackhawkjapan(When available) ~ 310-320 Buy AFD Painted Flare Kit ~ 1000 Buy Strut Bars - 500-600(for both) Total Expected Cost (My own calc) ~$61,430 (USD) not incl. tax This is what they Did for the S210. I think they Completely Made the Decision for a SPT/CVT S210 Completely Around Cost. Because... Well Does the STI trans Cost more? Cost more than a suped CVT? Is a Suped CVT more reliable than the STI trans? There are many questions that go into choosing a Transmission. This means the SPT must be something actually pretty Viable, All things Considered... But Only Viable at that Power Level. I mean.. They Could Have used the In-house Manual for the S210.. But they didn't, they chose the Highest Trim Trans Option. There is no STI for this Generation the VB. So it Actally Makes Sense that this S210 is of WRX ORIGIN. Whats the Highest Trim for the WRX? The GT. Now we have our answer. Its Not an STI. Subaru Explicitly stated there is no VB STI. But what do we have? The Exact Cut-out for the STI DCCD control module. So yes there is Confusion, But I think this VB S210 Actually Makes Sense. There's no STI for this Gen, But STI Can Tune any of the models and put their badge on. Its an S210 Because theres only 500 of this Specific SPT transmissions. Everyone else is detuned, which adds to it making sense as a "S" version of of a VB WRX, not "S" version of a VB STI ~ Doesn't Exist. "Start with the Most Expensive Trim ~ Cost Effectively Add onto it" Or literally it could just be because this is a Japan Only Car. The 296Hp / 277 Ft lbs is What the 2022 Should Have Come With stock. In Any Case, I bet this car is actually a pretty mean machine in its own right. Would like to drive one, before wrapping up my thoughts on a car which has no real world performance data (yet). I want to know 0-60 numbers for this so called "Suped SPT transmission" Because here's the thing: the 2020 Series White had a 5.4 Sec 0-60. The CVT WRX S4 (JDM) with 277ft lbs boasts the same 5.4 Seconds. So what would that time be with 271hp increased to 296, coupled with a More Aggressive Version of the SPT? The GR Corolla Auto has a 4.9-5.1sec 0-60mph. You're Nearly There. Does this New SPT Compete with the GR Corolla? The S209 Was Literally a 4.5-5.0 Sec Car. - Motortrend / Subaru reported a 4.9 in an Article. So again.. Im actually really wondering here. Give me a Base version of that (Cloth seats, oem wheels) and I think a ton of people would buy that here in the states. Would actually make the GT Trim make more sense if it had 277 ft lbs like every other 2.4 Liter Turbo in the Subaru Line Up. So.. whats wrong with the in house manual. Maybe because of Cost, but of course the manual can be upgraded, and yes we know that costs money. But how does a Outback XT get away with having 277, as well as the Ascent and Legacy, But not.. the main performance car of the Brand? Must be a Govt Regulation fee or some crap. Well Luckily for you Subaru, Its a Trump Presidency. EPA laws while China builds 300 Coal Plants be damned. Bring back the STI.

Many folks are sitting on ej25 and waiting for something right for the right switch, for Japan market they can have what ever they want, even automatic, I want to know when for US market will be one and I hope is manual only

Tesla basic model 3 has more hp, suck it’s just for Japan market, TR is the closest one to new STi

Great take. Everyone is completely bashing this car, as if it's something we could even buy in the USA. IF (and that's a BIG if) something like the S210 ever comes to the USA, it will certainly have a manual transmission.

I think the seats look terrible in the S210 lol there’s no padding! They look extremely uncomfortable haha

Got to love the Accord /Camary taillights 😅

$55k is Supra territory. 350hp Sti for type R money, that’s the sweet spot. No Subaru interior is worth $55k.

Listening to the fan boys crying about and STI don't understand what STI is even about. Call STI headquarters Fuji and ask them if STI. Is a "model" 😂😂 ignorance is never an excuse for incompetency.

They've had this STI VB chassis all along and didn't release it because it sucks!! The WRX STI S209 USDM had 346HP, 6 speed manual shift, LSD, DCCD, and the S209 looked dope. Does tjus S210 look way better than the base VB chassis? Yes, but that isn't saying much, and i hate to say it, but im staying with my VA chassis for now until i go with a GR Corolla.

Literally keep everything the same and add the sti transmission and they would be sold out

Subaru is kinda stuck. Considering the current US market, a STi would have to be between 325 - 350HP. But if Subaru made something with that HP and the STi aero pieces it would be priced too high. The price needs to be $47K to be competitive. And the tS is already at like $45K.

I dunno man. Supra, Miata, civic si/type R, Corolla GR, Nissan Z….id say Japan still likes to drive manuals when it comes to sporty cars.

Wow i didn't know that Japanese don't buy manual car. I liked the looks of s210 the horsepower is little disappointed but overall i liked the s210

Great video. My son just bought this exact configuration yesterday after looking at new Mk 8’s for the past 3 months. The interior of the Mk 7.5 is what really sold him as well as this awesome Cornflower Blue color.

296 hp, no torque limiting in the first two gears, limited slip, STI transmission for the WRX. STI should be 400 hp. They would sell incredibly well. And a dual clutch for the automatic. Otherwise, great car.

Subaru needs to improve the shifter it’s way too loose and long

Small channels gather here 🙏🏽 let’s grow together this New Year 💯

Japan can keep it, CVT ruins it

#ManualGearboxPreservationSociety

296 HP - needs to be clarified. The current/normal WRX actually has 300-310 HP because Subaru under-reported the HP figures. There are many dyno run videos proving this. Now, is the 296 HP also under-reported, or is it actual this time? If it is actual, then there is no HP increase over the normal WRX.

Man，Subaru only make 500 and only sell in Japan. This STIis both for racing，not for daily use. totally different with pervious STI

So it's based on a wrx not a STI what a joke. What else is a joke the current WRX is a joke body style is disgusting and that 3 hp. With a CVT subaru lost there damn mind

I love it and since almost 100% of us will never get it , it doesnt even really matter. I've driven the SPT and its a fantastic transmission anyway. The way they set it up it just looks awesome. Tons of other car makers have autos for their sports cars so why not this one?

The gr corolla is the real.STI.

Missing 3rd peddle😢

Subaru has been pissing me off for years. 1st instance, the dealership tried overcharging me for a break job that came out to $300 or so even though I provided the pads and replaced the front pads myself. I didnt know i needed a computer to unlock the rear e-brake until i already had the car on the lift. 🚮 Just buy the damn computer and dont let them scam you. 2nd instance, my windows and horn quit working, and the battery was likely the culprit. 🏢 - "Would you like it replaced" 🤔 - "I can do it, how much is a battery?" (Expecting maybe $150, since i usually work on old vehicles with $70 batteries) 🏢 - $400+ (or so) 😂 - thats a joke 🏢 - no, its a special Subaru brand name battery 🙄 - and whats so special about it? What battery tech has Subaru discovered? 🏢 - Im not sure, but it uses cells 😐 - so its a $250 Optima battery with a $400+ Subaru label on it, no, that makes sense. And for you guys to replace it would be over $500? 🏢 - correct, but we can charge it here 🙂‍↕️ - are you guys going to charge it then bill me for it? 🏢 - no, that is actuall free 🙂‍↕️ - free is good ----- But no, i will not likely be buying another used subaru anytime soon, or ever.

Has the VB even been out long enough to receive a S2xx??? Seems a little rushed to me, BUT if Subaru filed for the protection of STe logo/trademark, maybe this was rushed to get the STe underway???

Keep your old car 90-2010 😂😂😂

VB CVT owner here. So this means we CAN safely tune it to 300 hp 😊 Duly noted. Other things Im not so interested in. Subaru purists can keep nagging, Im loving my CVT WRX 😊

They are fucking with us, clearly there are STIs somewhere in a warehouse that was in production before the 22 launched

I don’t think there is a big enough market for this to make sense to Japan. I love the info in this video because you brought up what people forget about which is the pricing. A 50k Subaru regardless of power would be a hard sale because as you and I as VB owners know is that most people hate the look of it anyway. So if you have 50k to spend on an STI I’m sure they will go for something like a used Type R or a Type S or something German. The silver lining is that the platform has so much potential and for us who own it we have more customization parts and can make countless updates to the car along with power. I think the WRX is best suited being cheap as possible and letting the real fans build them and make them their own. That’s where Subaru is unmatched.

I like the S 210 , and would strongly consider purchasing one…

Is that Waltham?