Professional rally car drivers have trusted the Subaru WRX Impreza STI hatchback through the toughest roads the world offers, even in the grueling gauntlet of the World Rally Championship. This racing series has tested world-class racers for 49 years. The Subaru WRX Impreza STI hatchback can conquer the most intense elevation changes and sharp turns, so we’re confident it can get you from point A to B faster than you imagine.
While its future is unclear, we’ve retold the whole story of this iconic model below. Read on, and visit Quantrell Subaru near Louisville to see all kinds of Subaru models, including the new Subaru WRX.
In 1992, right after the release of the classic Subaru SVX sports car, the first iteration of the Impreza hatchback and sedan came to life as the Subaru brand’s safe, efficient, and affordable compact vehicle that also happened to moonlight as a rally weapon. Before it arrived, the Legacy was on rally-race duty for the Subaru brand.
It fought hard and won smaller races, and while the Legacy finished second place overall in the 1991 World Rally Championship (WRC),1 it became clear that a more competitive racer was needed. That’s where the Impreza stepped in.
It was designed to be far more agile and used new engineering to outrun the competition. But we’re talking about the normal Impreza; the Impreza WRX (World Rally Experimental) unlocked the full potential of the fun-loving Impreza with a turbocharged engine, high-performance suspension, and several drivetrain enhancements.
The Impreza WRX STI debuted in February 1994 as an even more extreme and rally-prepped version of the WRX. If winning the 1995 WRC Manufacturer’s Championship1 wasn’t proof enough of its power, bask in the three WRC Manufacturer’s Championship wins2 and three WRC Driver’s Championship wins2 that line the brand’s trophy case thanks to these Impreza rally cars.
The Impreza WRX STI honors those who made it possible. “STI” stands for “Subaru Tecnica International.” They are a team of performance experts who designed and built the race-winning Subaru rally cars that put the brand on the map. The WRX STI models boasted stronger suspension and transmissions than the previous WRX models and increased power thanks to rally-derived engine and drivetrain components. Let’s also not forget the big rear wing and eye-catching body kit.
The first WRX STI turned heads in showrooms next to the classic Subaru Baja, then saw the iconic “Hawkeye” styling refresh for its 2006 model year. The Hawkeye WRX STI lasted until a model redesign for the 2008 model year.
Up until then, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI could only be found as a sedan (aside from some painfully rare examples that were only sold overseas). So, the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI changed this by being the first American-market Impreza WRX STI hatchback. You could also buy this model as a sedan. This design continued until the 2011 model year when the Subaru WRX STI hatchback and sedan became wider and more aggressive.
The final WRX STI generation began for the 2016 model year on a new platform that was separate from its Impreza brothers. Sadly, a hatchback was not offered. Regardless, this modern WRX STI lasted up until the 2022 Subaru WRX redesign, where it was announced that a new gas-engine WRX STI would not be built on the platform it once called home.
This decision was made to help protect the environment. We can only have the beautiful rally stages of the world if the environment is protected, and while we love the fun it offered, the Impreza WRX STI was a far cry from an eco-friendly hybrid. The Impreza WRX STI hatchback may return in coming years as an electrified vehicle, but for now, we can only speculate.
While we do miss the WRX STI, it’s not all bad news for performance lovers. You can tap into the newly-introduced Impreza RS Hatchback and recapture the fun of a performance hatchback, drive a new BRZ and experience RWD sports car thrills, or take on the descendant of the original Subaru rally car, the new Legacy Sport with its 260-horsepower turbo engine. But you’re here for those three letters: WRX.
The model is still going strong and is as thrilling as ever. It makes 271 horsepower and still lets you harness the horses with a stick-shift transmission. The result of the Subaru brand’s rally pedigree is fully displayed with features like Active Torque Vectoring Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and sport-tuned aluminum-alloy suspension. These tech advancements are ready for you to enjoy as you get in on the fun.
Choose between the WRX Base with rally fun at a great price or upgrade to the WRX Premium for enhanced features like the STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system. The WRX Limited gets standard luxury upgrades like a Harman Kardon® premium audio system and 10-way power front seats with Ultrasuede upholstery, while the WRX GT takes a sportier approach to premium upgrades, including standard Recaro front seats and electronically controlled suspension dampers.
Visit Quantrell Subaru today to explore the new Subaru WRX lineup and feel its power with a test drive.
The WRX STI is not technically discontinued, but its fate is still unclear. The Subaru brand announced that another gas-engine WRX STI will not be built on the same platform as the current WRX and expressed a desire to have the next WRX STI take shape as an electrified vehicle. However, you can still find a used Subaru WRX STI for sale if you’d prefer the gas-powered models.
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI Hatchback was sold in America from the 2008 to 2015 model year. However, the WRX STI hatchback was sold in Japan and Australia for several years before the 2008 model year. So, unless you’re willing to import one of the 25-year or older WRX STI models, you’ll want to buy an Impreza WRX STI hatchback from the 2008 to 2015 model year.
Don’t let the compact stature fool you; there is a ton of power, performance features, and capable control packed within the Subaru WRX Impreza STI hatchback frame. All-wheel drive is rare for a hatchback but comes standard in the Impreza. The infotainment system, situated perfectly on the dashboard, makes this updated vehicle feel like a modern marvel.
The WRX STI delivers a higher-performance driving experience than the WRX at numerous levels. It has a higher horsepower output, more control around sharp turns, and on-the-fly adjustments from the cockpit. Overall, the STI has a little more of everything. It’s made for drivers who like to get the most out of their cars. Why walk when you can fly?
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1For details, please see: https://www.subaru.co.nz/about/motorsport-heritage
2For details, please see: https://subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=4786
