Although it’s new for 2024, this isn’t the first time that Subaru has offered the WRX in a TR trim. Back in 2006, those two letters stood for Tuner Ready, a no-frills version of the car that served as a blank canvas for enthusiasts to modify and personalize to their liking. Eighteen years later, the revived moniker is still focused on fans of performance – but this time around, Track Ready may be a more apt descriptor.1
Designed for Performance
Now positioned toward the upper end of the WRX lineup, the TR is something of a counterpoint to the trim-topping GT. While the latter brings an added sense of refinement to the WRX and is only available with an automatic transmission, this package focuses on sharpening the car’s reflexes and is outfitted exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The performance-focused intent of the WRX TR is evident at a glance, thanks to unique 19-inch wheels clad in ultra-sticky Bridgestone Potenza S007 summer tires. Behind the satin gray aluminum alloy lurks a beefed-up brake system as well: Brembo®2 6-piston monoblock calipers clamp down on 13.4-inch cross-drilled discs up front while dual-piston units are paired up with 12.8-inch rotors in the rear.
Inside the WRX TR
The theme continues inside, where features like the heated Recaro®3 performance-design front seats – previously exclusive to the GT – provide more aggressive bolstering as well as 8-way power adjustability for the driver.
But the WRX TR package also deviates from the WRX GT playbook in a few important aspects. For example, the TR ditches the GT trim’s power moonroof, a move that improves the car’s center of gravity, reduces weight, and increases headroom – the latter of which will likely be appreciated by taller, helmet-wearing drivers when they put the TR through its paces on a closed course.1
The cabin isn’t some bare aluminum race cockpit, though. Ultrasuede®4 front seats with red contrast stitching and aluminum-alloy pedal covers add to the racy aesthetic, and a bangin’ 11-speaker, 504-watt Harman Kardon®5 audio system is standard. EyeSight®6, the award-winning driver safety and assistance technology, is included as well.
Many of the upgrades for the WRX TR benefit function as well as form, but some of the biggest improvements hide beneath the surface. The suspension is another area where the TR differs from the GT; in the TR, the Electronic Adjustable Ride Control system from the GT is replaced with a more conventional setup that utilizes stiffer springs and revised damping rates as compared to the standard WRX.
The WRX TR Experience
The WRX TR features a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® engine, delivering 271 horsepower, and the car’s simplified approach helps it achieve a curb weight that’s 139 pounds lighter than the WRX GT. Matched up with the more aggressive chassis tuning and stickier rubber, it translates to a WRX at home on the mountain roads that drape the Angeles National Forest north of LA while remaining civil enough to be an affable daily driver.
Despite its more aggressive tuning, the revamped suspension soaks up impact from highway expansion joints and the wide assortment of imperfections found on LA’s pockmarked streets with minimal drama. The Recaro3 seats also proved to be comfortable during longer stints at the wheel, with an admirable amount of lumbar support complementing the fitted feel of the beefier thigh and shoulder bolsters.
Combined with a clutch pedal that clearly communicates its bite point, a precise shifter, and a revised steering system that keeps the effort light while improving road feel, the car’s tuning delivers a satisfying drive even on a mundane commute.
But the canyons are where the WRX TR truly comes into its own. Here, the improved grip of the Bridgestone tires equate to quicker turn-in, shorter stopping distances, and higher cornering speeds while the suspension tweaks tangibly improve body control and reduce dive under hard braking. All told, this is a WRX that feels noticeably more planted and confidence inspiring when the going gets spirited.
While the concept behind the model has evolved, there’s plenty of room for enthusiasts to personalize the blank canvas. Thanks to robust aftermarket support and resources like the Subaru Accessories Catalog, enthusiasts have no shortage of choice when it comes to furthering the capability and character of their rides. The WRX TR provides an even stronger foundation to work from.
Is EyeSight Driver Assist Technology6 Available With a Manual Transmission?
by Craig Fitzgerald
The 2024 Subaru WRX TR is the first WRX introduced in the United States with both EyeSight6 and a manual transmission, and all 2024 Subaru WRX trim levels equipped with a manual transmission now include EyeSight as standard equipment.
According to Subaru Corporation, “cumulative global sales of Subaru vehicles equipped with the EyeSight6 driver assist system have totaled more than 5.5 million units.”7 Until now, though, every one of those cars has been equipped with an automatic transmission.
Integration with a manual transmission adds a layer of complexity to an already impressive array of technologies. After a visual and audible warning, EyeSight6 will automatically apply the brakes if it detects that a crash is imminent, reducing the severity of a crash or helping to avoid it entirely. With an automatic transmission, the transmission will shift itself into a lower gear automatically.
When I wound up the WRX TR to highway speed and engaged Adaptive Cruise Control, it worked the same way as in other Subaru models I’ve experienced with the technology, cruising along at 65 until it encountered a slower vehicle. At a safe preset distance, it followed at the lead vehicle’s speed.
Where EyeSight6 differs in a WRX or BRZ equipped with a manual transmission is at slower speeds. A Subaru with an automatic transmission will follow the lead vehicle down to zero miles per hour. With the manual transmission, EyeSight disables itself with an audible and visual warning at speeds below 16 mph, according to Subaru Product Public Relations Manager Todd Hill. The system also disables when the brake is applied (same as an automatic) or if the clutch pedal is depressed.
EyeSight6 maintained speed while I upshifted and downshifted through the gears, as long as I didn’t hold the clutch in for more than five seconds.
EyeSight6 also allows some customization based on driving style. In the EyeSight menu, Adaptive Cruise Control has four settings for how the system will accelerate when it’s engaged: Eco, Comfort, Standard and Dynamic. The Eco setting accelerates with the least possible throttle input. Dynamic provides much snappier acceleration back up to the set speed, and the two settings in the middle split the difference.
1 Racing vehicles shown are driven by professionals on closed courses. Do not attempt. All Subaru vehicles sold by Subaru of America are designed and built for normal driving conditions. The Subaru Limited Warranty, as well as the Subaru Added Security® program, may exclude damage or failure resulting from modifications or participation in competition or racing events. See the Subaru Warranty and Maintenance booklet for further details. 2 Brembo® is a registered trademark of Freni Brembo, S.p.A. 3 Recaro® is a registered trademark of RECARO Holding GmbH LLC. 4 Ultrasuede® is a registered trademark of Toray Industries, Inc. 5 HARMAN® is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. 6 EyeSight is a driver-assist system that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather, and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. 7As of the end of May 2023.
