5 New Things Found On The Refreshed Subaru WRX And WRX STI

1. New looks

Starting with the relatively obvious, the WRX and WRX STI both get a redesigned front end. The bumper has been reshaped - removed of its foglights on the STI - while the upper grille is better integrated, and the lower grille enlarged significantly.

The STI gets new steering responsive headlights, plus a new 19-inch wheel design (the WRX gets a new set of 18-inch wheels, meanwhile). And don’t worry, the STI’s giant rear wing is still very much present. Good.

2. Suspension and diff tweaks

Both the WRX and WRX STI get unspecified suspension tweaks for “improved steering stability and ride comfort”. The WRX’s electric power steering has been revised for “smoother, more natural feel,” while the STI’s center limited slip differential control is now electronic rather than mechanical. According to Subaru, that’ll make the four-wheel drive system more responsive.

3. A slightly nicer interior

Our biggest complaint with the old WRX STI was always the drab, dated interior. It should at least be a little better for the facelifted version, as both the WRX and WRX STI have been festooned with upgraded interior materials, a new armrest in the back with cup holders (woo!), and have been given more sound insulation.

Eight-way adjustable electric Recaro seats come as part of the WRX Performance Package (which also gives you better brake pads, painted callipers and a moon roof delete because weight reduction bro), are standard on the STI Limited, and optional on the base STI. Oh, and you can now have a much larger 5.9-inch infotainment dispay as standard, upgradeable to a seven-inch screen.

4. Upgraded brakes for the WRX STI

The STI’s brakes have been significantly beefed up, with the old four-piston front callipers swapped for six-piston Brembo jobbies. Painted yellow, obviously.

At the rear you’ll still find two-piston callipers, but all four of the STI’s rotors are now a little bigger. The pads are more fade resistant, too.

5. Safety stuff

Perhaps a little less exciting than all the talk of beefier brakes and new suspension, but worth a mention.

The revised front end of the two cars not only looks different, it also has a new crash structure that’ll perform better in an accident.

The optional ‘EyeSight Driver Assist Technology’ on the WRX Limited displays various alerts within the driver’s eye line, and there’s also an upgraded Vehicle Hold system which works on flat surfaces as well as inclines, in case you’re lazy and don’t fancy keeping your foot on the brake when stopped at traffic lights.

What about performance?

Unchanged I’m afraid, with the WRX STI’s 2.5-litre turbo boxer engine putting out the same 305bhp as before, and the 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-banger in the WRX still good for 264bhp. The feel of the manual gear change has been improved though, so it should be more satisfying to row through the six speeds of each car.

Want one? Both will be in Subaru showrooms in North America this Spring. It’s not currently clear if the facelifted version of the STI will make its way to the UK shores.