The WRX STI’s turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four is eager to rev and pumps out a characteristic flat-four burble from the car’s quad exhaust pipes. It’s hard to justify the extra cost of the Limited trim level versus the base WRX STI, because all the performance is standard on both models. However, its tenacious all-wheel-drive system and manual-only transmission are notable hallmarks of the sporty Subaru sedan. Working its standard six-speed manual gearbox is a must to keep the car pulling strongly, including abusive, high-rpm clutch drops to achieve maximum acceleration from a standstill.

The firm suspension keeps excessive body motion in check at the expense of some ride comfort on rougher pavement, but this hottest Subaru is still livable as a daily driver for enthusiasts. The base model does now come standard with passive hands-free entry and push-button start. Driven with full fury, however, the STI’s controls sync together effectively.

The STI’s pedals are nicely spaced for race-driver-like heel-and-toe downshifts, with the firm brake pedal returning good initial bite and easy modulation. It still comes with a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and 19-inch wheels wrapped with summer tires. Sure, its noisy operation and other obsolete attributes will cause some shoppers to spurn it, but the car’s rawness and rowdiness will fascinate masochists, er, purists. We may earn money from the links on this page. While the STI lacks the cargo space of rival hi-po hatchbacks such as the Honda Civic Type R, it’s better equipped to conquer terrain in all four seasons thanks to its all-wheel drive.

With its buttoned-down chassis and all-wheel-drive traction, the STI is more athletic and enjoyable on twisty back roads than the workaday WRX. Inspired by Subaru’s factory-backed FIA World Championship Rally series race cars and tuned for maximum performance, the 2021 Subaru WRX STI will overwhelm the faint of heart. And if the STI is too spicy for you, there’s always the less edgy-albeit-still-raw WRX. Its electrically assisted steering is quick, direct, and blessed with moderate feel, while the adjustable center differential allows Mitsubishi colt in kenya the driver to further fine-tune the chassis by varying the drivetrain’s front-to-rear torque split.

But this old engine is not as smooth or as hard-hitting as the smaller turbo fours powering the Subie’s closest peers. The 2021 WRX STI carries over with almost no changes. As a result, the rational half of our brain says go with the base version.

In fact, the STI’s finicky turbocharged flat-four cylinder engine and firm suspension can startle even ardent driving enthusiasts.

2021 Subaru WRX STI

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p>Our car experts choose every product we feature. Along with some initial lag from the big turbo spooling up, the engine’s lack of low-end grunt manifests in a short, punchy power delivery that can be cumbersome around town.