What does WRX in Subaru stand for?

WRX stands for World Rally eXperimental.

The badge reflects Subaru’s rally-focused engineering and serves as the historical roots for the Impreza-based performance line. This article explains the meaning behind WRX, its rally origins, and how the designation has evolved into today’s street-performance models, including the high-performance WRX STI.

Origins of the WRX badge

Subaru created the WRX name to differentiate a turbocharged Impreza designed for rally competition from its standard passenger models. The most widely cited interpretation is World Rally eXperimental, though some markets have used spellings such as World Rallye eXperimental in branding materials.

Key milestones in the WRX storytelling:

• Early 1990s: Subaru debuts a turbocharged Impreza tuned for rally homologation, adopting the WRX badge to signal its rally credentials.


• Mid- to late-1990s: The WRX designation expands to international markets as the performance variant of the Impreza line, cementing the name in mainstream automotive culture.


• Late 1990s onward: Subaru Tecnica International (STI) develops higher-performance WRX STI editions, elevating the racing-inspired heritage of the lineup.

Conclusion: The WRX label was created to emphasize rally-inspired engineering and has endured as Subaru’s performance-oriented designation, with occasional spelling variations across markets.

WRX vs STI and branding evolution

WRX refers to the standard performance variant derived from the Impreza, while WRX STI denotes the more aggressive, competition-tuned version developed by Subaru Tecnica International. STI stands for Subaru Tecnica International, the company’s dedicated performance division, and the combination remains central to Subaru’s performance branding.

Terminology variations

In some markets you may encounter slight spelling differences, such as World Rallye eXperimental, reflecting regional marketing choices. Regardless of spelling, the core meaning remains tied to rally-inspired engineering and heritage.

Summary

WRX stands for World Rally eXperimental, a nod to Subaru’s rally roots that shaped the Impreza-based performance lineup starting in the early 1990s. The designation signals a road car tuned with rally-inspired capabilities, while WRX STI represents the higher-performance branch crafted by Subaru Tecnica International. The WRX name continues to evoke Subaru’s rally heritage across generations of models.

What's better, WRX or STI?

The choice between a WRX and STI depends on your priorities: the WRX is a better all-around daily driver due to its better fuel economy, lower cost, and more comfortable ride, while the STI is the more hardcore performance option for track enthusiasts who need its enhanced suspension, brakes, and specialized all-wheel-drive system. For most people, the WRX is the more practical choice, but the STI offers higher performance for those willing to pay a premium and sacrifice some daily usability.
 
Subaru WRX

• Daily Driver: Better for everyday use, with better fuel economy and a more comfortable ride. 
• Performance: Still a very fast and capable sports sedan, with a newer engine that provides good low-end torque for city driving. 
• Value: Generally cheaper to buy and maintain. 
• Who it's for: Most drivers who want a fun, practical, and sporty daily vehicle with all-wheel drive. 

Subaru STI

• Performance: More track-focused with a more powerful engine, stiffer suspension, and better brakes. 
• Handling: Features a driver-controlled center differential (DCCD) for greater control over the all-wheel drive system. 
• Daily Driver: A harsher ride and worse fuel economy make it less ideal for daily commutes. 
• Who it's for: Enthusiasts who prioritize maximum performance and plan to use the car for track events or spirited driving. 

Which one should you choose?

• If your priority is a fun and practical daily driver: Choose the WRX. 
• If you want the ultimate performance machine and plan to track the car: Choose the STI. 
• If you are on a tighter budget but still want a high-performance AWD car: The WRX is a great starting point that can be modified to outperform a stock STI, as noted in this YouTube video. 
• If you want a more traditional and raw driving experience: The STI offers more of this feel due to its older engine and hydraulic steering, explains this YouTube video. 

Ultimately, the best way to decide is to test drive both and see which one fits your needs and driving style better, recommends Bachman Subaru.

What does RS stand for in Subaru?

For Subaru, RS typically stands for "Rally Sport", referencing the brand's history in motorsports and denoting a performance-oriented model. However, the letters have also been linked to the German term "Rennsport" (racing sport), especially in older models, and sometimes just "Road Sport". 

• Rally Sport: The most common meaning for Subaru, connecting the car to Subaru's successful rally racing heritage. 
• Rennsport: Used by Subaru to denote a performance version, as it is for other manufacturers like Porsche. 
• Road Sport: A more general meaning that also applies to higher-performance models. 

What does brz stand for in Subaru?

BRZ stands for Boxer engine, Rear-wheel drive, and Zenith. It refers to the car's horizontally-opposed "Boxer" engine, its rear-wheel-drive configuration (a departure from Subaru's typical all-wheel drive), and "Zenith," which Subaru uses to signify the highest point or ultimate passion and confidence in the vehicle.
 

• Boxer engine: This is a horizontally-opposed engine with pistons that move side-to-side, giving the car a lower center of gravity for better handling. 
• Rear-wheel drive: This indicates that the car is powered by its rear wheels, which is a key feature for its sporty performance. 
• Zenith: For Subaru, this word represents the peak of performance and the highest point of the car's potential. 

What does the Subaru STI stand for?

STi stands for Subaru Tecnica International, which is the name of Subaru's in-house motorsports and performance division. This division was established in 1988 to prepare vehicles for Subaru's World Rally Championship team and to translate motorsport-developed technology into high-performance consumer vehicles.
 

• Motorsport heritage: The "STi" badge signifies that a Subaru vehicle has been engineered by the performance division, often meaning it has a more powerful engine, upgraded suspension, enhanced brakes, and other performance-oriented features. 
• Technology transfer: STI models benefit from technologies developed and tested on the rally stages, such as active torque vectoring, advanced aerodynamics, and refined suspension systems. 
• Consumer models: While STI is known for its involvement in racing, the "STi" designation is also applied to specific road-going trim levels of Subaru models, like the WRX, to create more powerful and high-performance versions for the public.