Which is faster, WRX or STI?

Historically, the Subaru WRX STI was the faster model, delivering higher horsepower and sharper handling. As of today, there is no new STI in production, so the fastest Subaru you can buy today is the WRX.

Overview: what sets WRX and STI apart

The WRX and STI are part of Subaru’s performance-focused lineup built on the brand’s all-wheel-drive platform. The WRX is designed as a more accessible, all-weather sports sedan with strong acceleration and agile handling. The STI represents a more extreme, track-oriented variant with more power, firmer tuning, and additional performance hardware. Over the years, STI models carried higher horsepower and more advanced mechanicals, making them the quicker option on most race-inspired metrics. However, the high-performance STI line has been discontinued in recent years, leaving the WRX as the current flagship for street performance in the United States and many markets.

Current status of WRX vs STI

As of the latest model year, Subaru does not offer a new WRX STI in most markets. The WRX remains the primary performance-focused model, available with a turbocharged engine and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. In contrast, the traditional STI variants have been discontinued, with only limited, special-edition programs existing in the past. For buyers seeking the fastest Subaru today, the WRX is the practical option, while historical STI versions represent the fastest factory-made Subarus in the brand’s recent memory.

Current WRX: performance and spec highlights

The modern WRX is the entry point for Subaru’s performance lineup, combining turbocharged power with all-wheel drive and sport-tuned dynamics. Here are the core specs that define the current car.

• Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four


• Power: about 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque


• Transmission: 6-speed manual standard; CVT available on certain trims


• Drivetrain: Symmetrical AWD with performance-focused suspension and chassis tuning


• Acceleration: roughly 0–60 mph in about 5.0 seconds with the manual, slower with the CVT in most trims

These figures illustrate how the WRX balances everyday usability with spirited performance, offering a strong blend of acceleration, all-weather capability, and a driver-focused experience for enthusiasts.

Historical STI: what made it faster

Historically, STI models were designed to be the pinnacle of Subaru’s performance engineering, with more horsepower, stiffer suspensions, and more aggressive gearing and traction aids. Even when current STI variants were still in production, they typically outpaced the WRX in straight-line speed and handling on a track. The typical characteristics that contributed to the STI’s speed included higher horsepower, torque-rich turbocharged engines, specialized differentials, Brembo brakes, Recaro-trimmed interiors, and more aggressive suspension calibrations. Exact numbers varied by generation, with late-model STI versions commonly delivering around 305–310 horsepower in USA-market cars, and occasional limited editions like S209 pushing beyond 340 horsepower in very small batches. Keep in mind that these models are no longer in regular production, and performance metrics depend on the specific year and configuration.

Performance side-by-side: a concise comparison

To summarize how the two compared when both were available in their peak forms, here are the key contrasts you’d typically see on a track or a performance-focused drive.

• Power: STI generally produced more horsepower than a base WRX in its era (roughly 305–310 hp in many generations vs around 268–271 hp for contemporary WRX models).


• Acceleration: STI usually posted faster 0–60 mph times than the WRX, thanks to higher power and stiffer gearing.


• Handling: STI featured more aggressive suspension tuning and chassis hardware, aimed at track performance, with limited-slip differentials and upgraded brakes in many trims.


• Availability: STI is not widely offered new today; WRX remains the current, readily available option.

For buyers today, the practical takeaway is that the STI’s era of speed is part of Subaru’s historic performance story, while the WRX continues to represent the accessible, ready-to-go performance sedan with AWD and strong dynamic capabilities.

Bottom line

The faster model historically is the STI, especially in its era of higher horsepower and sport-tuned hardware. In the current market, there is no active STI model, so the WRX is the fastest Subaru you can buy new today. Interested shoppers should verify the latest model year details, as limited-edition STI programs in the past show what the brand can achieve, and future performance-focused projects remain possible in Subaru’s broader performance lineup.

Summary

In short, STI was the speed benchmark in Subaru’s performance family, but it is no longer in regular production. The WRX now stands as the primary performance-oriented Subaru model, offering strong acceleration, all-wheel drive, and engaging driving dynamics. For historical context, STI variants delivered higher horsepower and tougher suspension, making them faster on paper and on the track—though those models are largely a chapter of the brand’s past rather than its present lineup.

Is the STI better than the WRX?

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.

How much faster is an STI than a WRX?

WRX vs WRX STI: Which Accelerates Faster? In general, base WRX models will usually provide faster 0-60 than WRX STI models due to lower weight and, of course, being a more performance-based model. An example is the WRX producing 5.6 seconds to 60 mph in 2022, whereas the STI model clocked 6.0 seconds.

Is WRX horsepower higher than a STI?

STI Power and Performance. The Subaru WRX is powered by a 2.0-liter Subaru BOXER® engine that gets up to up to 268 horsepower. The Subaru WRX STI features a 2.5-liter Subaru BOXER® engine that gets up to 305 horsepower.

What is the quickest Subaru?

The fastest stock Subaru is the 2004 STI WR1, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds. However, customized and special-edition models can be significantly faster. The 2021 WRX STI is the fastest among the final generation of the WRX STI with a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. 
You can watch this video to learn about the fastest stock Subaru WRX STI generation: 49sSeppYouTube · Sep 25, 2023
Fast production and special-edition models

• 2004 STI WR1: 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. 
• 2012 WRX STI S206: 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. 
• 2021 WRX STI: 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds (final generation). 
• 1998 Impreza 22B STI: 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. 

Extremely fast custom/project cars 

• Project Midnight: A custom WRX with 670 hp, built for tarmac speed. 
• Airslayer: A 2020 WRX STI built for the viral Gymkhana 2020 video, with 862 hp and weighing around 2,700 lbs. 
• Kozmic Motorsports WRX STI: A 1400 hp WRX STI that set a Subaru MPH record at 182 mph. 

Key takeaways

• The fastest stock Subaru, based on 0-60 mph acceleration, is the 2004 STI WR1. 
• Among the last generation of WRX STIs, the fastest is the 2021 model. 
• Customized and specialized vehicles, such as Project Midnight and Airslayer, have significantly higher horsepower and much faster acceleration than any production model, even though they are not officially produced by Subaru.