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

It's facelift time for the WRX and WRX STI, so we're taking a look at what's changed on the outside and inside
5 New Things Found On The Refreshed Subaru WRX And WRX STI

1. New looks

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 New Things Found On The Refreshed Subaru WRX And 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

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

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?

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

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.

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Comments

CAElite

How are the new FA engines/drivetrains, still a nightmare to work on like the old EJ turbos? Would love to get a newer one but my last 3 have just been to damn unreliable.

01/06/2017 - 23:42 |
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Cody's Car Conundrum

Ford Focus RS and Subaru Impreza WRX STi go to the same school together. Ford Focus RS knocks the bag from Subaru Impreza WRX STI. They both share glances, everyone else sees this and begins to chant-

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

01/06/2017 - 23:42 |
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Liam Tully

People complaining about how there’s no change in power as if they’re gonna shove a new engine in a mid generation refresh.

01/07/2017 - 00:21 |
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Darg

Perfectly happy with my 2017

01/07/2017 - 00:32 |
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Anonymous

Here we go again. The car that just STARTED to look a little bit sportier than its predecessor, took another giant step back and looks like a beefed-up Corolla again. It already looks outdated and boring. Who approves these designs? What is the point of having these big, ugly, black plastic things on the lower grille where the fog lights used to be? To save on weight and production costs? At least put some small LED lights there to make it look mysterious at night.
STI has a great power, handling, suspension, brakes, and a real handbrake for drifting. It’s also all wheel drive and offers manual transmission - basically everything that I’m looking for in a year-round car, but I’m not interested in buying it. It just doesn’t look like a sports car which, in my opinion, is a HUGE selling point. Right now, when I look at this car, I think about Kia and Hyundai. Just make it look like a new Acura NSX or Audi R8 or something. It doesn’t cost more to make a good-looking car. Think about the potential buyers, Subaru!

01/07/2017 - 02:08 |
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Clayton Hermes

Huh really spring? Seems a little early to roll out a 2018 model. My only worry about this is how much more this is going to weigh than the outgoing model. The nicer interior is cool but I hope it doesn’t come at to much of a cost in terms of weight.

01/07/2017 - 06:35 |
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carguy 2

No evo, No competiton, No fun.

01/07/2017 - 08:51 |
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Anonymous

Went from looking like an Evo to now looking like a Type R. :D

01/07/2017 - 09:24 |
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HeavyHanded

Those wheels are awesome

01/07/2017 - 11:44 |
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Shier

Wouldn’t mind seeing if those brakes will bolt on to my car :p

01/08/2017 - 15:44 |
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