Posted Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 9:55pm

2024 Subaru WRX TR Review: STI Lite

The verdict: The new-for-2024 Subaru WRX TR trim brings a sharper edge to the regular WRX — for better and for worse.

Versus the competition: In any of its available versions, the WRX’s standard all-wheel drive and distinctive rally-car-for-the-street personality help it stand out from other performance-focused compact cars.

When Subaru fully redesigned its WRX compact sports sedan for the 2022 model year, it made the car quieter and significantly more refined than the previous-generation model. For at least a few performance-minded shoppers, however, the new-gen WRX might have been a little too refined. When Cars.com Managing Editor Joe Bruzek reviewed the car, he praised its improved ride quality and more easily accessible power, but he bemoaned its numb steering feel and lack of distinctive engine noise. Subaru also disappointed enthusiast buyers by canceling its previously announced plans to produce a next-generation version of the WRX’s hotter STI variant — at least one with a traditional gasoline engine.