If it ain’t broke: Subaru’s WRX and STI continue into 2017 with minor changes

By Stephen Edelstein Published April 18, 2016

While the standard 2017 Subaru Impreza gets a complete redesign including an all-new platform, the WRX and WRX STI models will remain on the old Impreza platform for the new model year. In fact, Subaru’s rally rockets carry over with few changes.

For 2017, both models get new tricot headliners, as well as a reshuffling of options. The base WRX STI gets automatic headlights, which were previously available only on higher trim levels. Reverse automatic braking is now an option on WRX Limited models equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight safety system.

Recommended Videos

Added to the WRX and STI options list last model year, EyeSight uses onboard cameras to enable a suite of electronic driver aids, including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a pre-collision system with forward automatic braking. These systems apply the brakes at low speeds without driver intervention, to help lessen the severity of collisions.

There are no technical changes, not that either model really needed any. The WRX uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four, which sends 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels through six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmissions. The STI has a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer-four, which pumps out 305 hp and 290 lb-ft. Unlike the base WRX, the STI is only offered with a six-speed manual.

Despite using the outgoing-generation Impreza platform, the current WRX and STI will probably stick around for a while. They were introduced fairly recently as 2015 models, even though the version of the Impreza they’re based on debuted for the 2012 model year. Consequently, expect Subaru to take its time in developing new versions based on the redesigned Impreza platform. Instead, Subaru may launch more variants of the current models as it seeks to increase the presence of its STI performance brand in the U.S.

The 2017 Subaru WRX and WRX STI go on sale this summer. Pricing starts at $27,515 for the WRX and $36,015 for the STI (both prices include destination).

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Audio / Video

You Asked: State of smartphone design, Slate Truck breakdown, and soundbars under $600

You Asked

On today’s You Asked: What's to come with the new Slate Truck and its potential availability? Is it worth the hype? Why does it feel like smartphone design and innovation has stalled recently? And why do directors think that ultra wide 21:9 is a good ratio for movies?
Slate Truck breakdown with John McCann
Some of you have been in touch to ask about the availability of the new Slate Truck. I'll go through the preorder process in a moment, but first, let's get everyone up to speed on this newly unveiled EV. What is it? What makes it stand out? And why is it generating so much buzz?
This is being touted as a sub-$20,000 electric truck after government incentives, and you’ll be able to customize it to your heart’s content. It stands out not so much for what it offers, but for what it doesn’t offer as standard. There’s just one trim and one paint color. No touchscreen, no stereo, no Bluetooth, no electric windows.

So, what do you get? There are two seats. There's a five-meter bed, good for payloads up to 1,400 pounds. There's AC, steel wheels, and hand-cranked windows, plus all the standard driver safety assists you’d expect from a modern vehicle. There’s a rear-mounted electric motor, a roomy frunk, and a battery rated for about 150 miles, according to Slate.
That isn’t great in the world of EV range, but a larger battery will be available to push that figure up to a more reasonable 240 miles. That bigger battery is just one of over 100 add-ons Slate is making available. These will be offered not just at the point of purchase but also at any time during your ownership, allowing you to swap and upgrade as your needs evolve.
Want to add a splash of color? Check out the vast range of vinyl wraps you can apply and remove from the truck at will. There’s also an SUV upgrade kit that converts your two-seater truck into a five-seater car. Inside, infotainment is strictly “bring your own device.” There’s no touchscreen, no built-in CarPlay, not even a stereo. Instead, you get a universal phone mount and a few USB ports. You can also add holders for a tablet if you want a bigger display, and a Bluetooth speaker if you want to listen to music while out for a drive.

Cars

ID. Buzz recall appears to have made automotive history

The VW ID.Buzz electric van.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recalled almost 5,700 ID. Buzz electric vans because the VW-made vehicle has too much space in the back.

OK, let us explain. The U.S. regulator has found that the third-row bench seat of the ID. Buzz is ostensibly designed for two people and therefore has two seat belts built in. But it’s wide enough for three, and as a result, the NHTSA wants the German auto giant to make some changes so that it fully complies with the required safety standards.

Cars

My next car must have this Carplay and Android Auto feature, here’s why

Google Maps in full screen on the driver's second display on the Chevy Equinox 2025

I’ve been driving a Chevrolet Equinox 2025 SUV rental car for the past week, and it’s reminded me exactly what my next car needs. It runs Android Automotive, which I’ve already decided is a requirement in my next car, but the more convenient feature is arguably how Chevrolet has approached its CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

CarPlay and Android Auto offer immense benefits and virtually no pitfalls to drivers. They’re designed to bring your phone and its apps into your car, and make it easier to access up-to-date maps and traffic data without relying on often-archaic solutions implemented by your carmaker.