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Will the WRX STI Make a Comeback?

Subaru ended the WRX STI—so is that the end of an icon, or just the beginning of a new era? We explore the facts, rumours, and future of this performance legend.

Paul Doherty

Concept of the WRX STI new subaru

TL;DR – Key Takeaways

Subaru hasn't confirmed a new WRX STI, but hints at electrified performance models suggest something is coming.
The STI name carries too much heritage to be abandoned entirely—expect a reinvention, not extinction.
From electric concepts to fan-built legends, the STI spirit is alive and well—and evolving fast.

The STI Legacy Refuses to Be Forgotten

It was a moment that sent shockwaves through the car community. Subaru—long known for its rally-bred DNA and all-wheel-drive lunacy—announced that the WRX STI, the crown jewel of its performance lineup, would not return in the next model cycle. No fire-breathing EJ-powered swan song. Just a quiet note about emissions regulations and evolving markets.

But let’s be real—no one believed that was the end.

The WRX STI isn’t just a badge—it’s a feeling. A surge of turbocharged power through snow-covered backroads. The scream of a flat-four engine bouncing off mountainsides. The smell of rubber, race fuel, and legacy. It’s a culture. A chapter in the JDM performance playbook that helped shape an entire generation of enthusiasts.

You’ll find tributes to that legacy throughout the Stance Auto Magazine: Japanese Classic Cars Vol2, where the STI stands shoulder to shoulder with icons like the RX-7, the 300ZX, and the R34.

And the question still lingers: Will it return?

concept ev sti wrx

Why Subaru Pulled the Plug on the STI

The end of the STI—at least as a petrol-powered, manual, rally-thumping monster—wasn’t emotional. It was political, regulatory, and maybe even strategic. The much-loved EJ25 engine that powered the last generation STI had been around since the '90s. While tunable and tough as nails, it couldn’t meet modern emissions standards in some of Subaru’s key markets. Updating it wasn’t cost-effective, especially when the rest of the world was speeding toward electrification.

Instead, Subaru released a new WRX platform based on the FA24 engine—turbocharged, yes, but toned down. And they made it clear: no STI version was coming.

Still, they left a door cracked open. And that’s all the STI community needed.

Subaru’s Not-So-Subtle Hints at a Comeback

While Subaru hasn’t shouted about a new STI from the rooftops, they’ve dropped enough hints to keep hopes alive.

First came the STI E-RA concept, an all-electric 1,073-horsepower race car revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon. While it was far from production-ready, it made a statement: Subaru still believes in speed, even if it's silent. Then there was the WRX tS—a “tuned by STI” model with Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, and subtle chassis tweaks. It’s not a real STI, but it feels like a toe back in the water.

Finally, there were whispers from Subaru’s global execs that performance is still central to the brand’s identity. Their focus, they say, is on building “fun to drive” cars in new, electrified ways. In the Stance Auto Magazine July 2025 issue, you’ll see how other manufacturers are embracing this performance transition—without losing what made their icons great.

Could the Next STI Be Electric—or Something Else Entirely?

Imagine a 2026 WRX STI. But this time, it’s different. It’s not snarling through exhaust pipes—it’s whispering through electric motors. It doesn’t burn fuel—it manages torque vectoring with surgical precision. And instead of a clutch pedal, you get manual-mode regen braking and an electronic differential you can tweak on the fly.

Wild? Sure. Impossible? Not at all.

Subaru has already partnered with Toyota on EV platforms. A dual-motor AWD WRX STI with 600+ hp isn’t science fiction. It’s just a business decision away. That said, it may not be only electric. A hybrid STI—combining a small boxer engine with electric torque—would still offer the drama and dynamics fans love, while meeting future regulations. And if you want a taste of what a modern electrified performance build might look like, The JDM Magazine is packed with builds pushing those very limits.

subaru concept car

Real Builds, Real Passion: The STI Spirit Lives On

While Subaru’s factory floor may be quiet on the STI front, the community is anything but. Across the globe, enthusiasts are restoring, modifying, and racing STIs like they never left. Just look at Andrew’s 2003 Blobeye STI—a clean, aggressive JDM tribute that proves old-school still rules. Or Jamie Rimmington’s 2007 Impreza, balancing classic lines with subtle modern mods to keep the boxer spirit alive.

Eleanor’s Spec D WRX STI offers a unique take on Subaru ownership, while this 2015 Launch Edition showcases what makes a factory-limited STI so special. And for the purists, this story of one man’s lifelong STI obsession reminds us that it’s not about power or badges—it’s about belonging.

These aren't museum pieces. They're living STIs—kept alive by people who refuse to let the name fade away.

What If the STI Returns… Differently?

Let’s throw down some speculation.

Subaru debuts a concept at the Japan Mobility Show. It’s low, wide, and angular. It hums instead of growls. There's torque vectoring, a dual-motor AWD layout, and a digital dashboard calibrated for rally mode.

The badge? STI. But this time, it means something different. It won’t be for everyone. But neither was the original. And if it still inspires you to take the long way home, attack an apex, or wake up at 6 a.m. to hit the hills—then it still does its job. Maybe that’s the future. Maybe it's a hybrid coupe. Maybe it’s a one-off limited model in Japan. But whatever comes, it’ll wear those three letters with pride.

Conclusion: This Isn’t Goodbye

So, will the WRX STI return?

The answer is... probably. But not how you expect. Subaru is evolving, like everyone else. But passion doesn’t go away. It just finds new ways to express itself. Whether through a twin-motor EV rocketship, a hybrid boxer beast, or even a surprise limited run of petrol-powered greatness, STI isn’t done. In fact, it might just be getting started.

You’ll find the roots of that evolution in The 90’s JDM Classics – June 2025 and Stance Auto Magazine JDM Classics: The 90s—where the spirit of old school tuning lives on, one project car at a time.

Author Bio:
Paul Doherty is the founder and editor of Stance Auto Magazine, passionate about connecting drivers with their perfect cars. From car reviews to deep dives into automotive news, Paul leads a team dedicated to bringing the culture of stance and community builds to a global audience.

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Paul Doherty Author, Editor, C.E.O, Born in Manchester and one of six brothers, Paul Doherty grew up in a family where a love for cars was second nature, following in his mechanic father's footsteps. With a lifelong passion for car modifications, he spent years selling cars and vans while balancing a career as a retail manager and later owning a chain of furniture shops. As a single dad to three, Paul’s dedication led him to create Stance Auto Magazine to celebrate grassroots car builders. The magazine, one of the last printed for modified cars, is devoted to showcasing everyday builders who create their projects from scratch, often in humble home garages. Driven by passion more than profit, Paul’s work allows car enthusiasts to see their dreams featured in a magazine that puts people, not money, first.