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The New 2024 Subaru WRX TR, Exposed In Italy

How does the new 2024 Subaru WRX TR perform? Check out what happened in Italy when the media took it out for a test run.
2024 Subaru WRX TR

I've written extensively about the 2024 Subaru WRX TR trim level and what fans think about it. Because most of you don't have a subscription to Automotive News, here are what six automotive journalists had to say about the all-new 2024 Subaru WRX TR trim level when they took it to Italy.

I have a question: why did Subaru take automotive journalists to Italy when the Japanese automaker doesn't sell the WRX in Europe? Subaru discontinued sales of the WRX and STI in Europe in 2018. Subaru has always done things differently, so it's not surprising. 

2024 Subaru WRX on the road in Italy

The Ride is comfortable, communicative

"It's also not as manic or raw as an old STI, but I don't think an actual STI built on this version of the WRX would be either. The passenger compartment is far too nice. The whole package feels more like a classic high-performance sports sedan than a tuned compact.

On the road, the TR felt faster than I expected with the Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires and all-wheel drive, making the Targa Florio thing much less hairy than it was in the BRZ. As mentioned in the other review, conditions prevented any real testing of the braking and handling. Pushing the WRX too hard over very slick, broken, narrow roads that mostly overlooked mountainsides would have been dumb, and my goal for 2024 is to be less dumb.

2024 Subaru WRX TR on the road near the water

All WRX models get chassis reinforcements for stiffness and crash safety for '24, and the TR gets a somewhat stiffer suspension tune than the standard car. Overall, it's a comfortable but communicative setup. While the WRX felt composed over regular broken pavement, the biggest heaves left it bouncing a little after each impact, which BRZ did not do. I should also note, though, if you're encountering heaves like those in the United States, you're probably off-roading."— Rory Carroll, Jalopnik

Turbocharged and all-wheel-drive

"Still, this being a WRX, it was easy to drive faster than everyone else on the road — all-wheel-drive turbocharged rally rockets aren't easily discouraged by rain, mid-corner bumps, or the occasional section where the pavement went missing entirely. Given that the local drivers, like their rally counterparts, tend to set up for corners on the wrong side of the road, we were glad for the WRX's quick reflexes." 

"And glad that we didn't personally investigate the crashworthiness of its floor pan and rear suspension, which were strengthened for 2024. All WRXs also get Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist system, which was previously unavailable on manual-transmission cars."— Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver

Easy to drive fast

"It's better to see the WRX TR for what it is. This is still a practical four-door machine, with a nice infotainment screen and emergency braking (new for 2024 on manual cars), good seats (again, it's new for 2024 that you can get the good Recaros with a manual transmission), and room for five." 

"And it is also instantly exciting, instantly thrilling. Get into the WRX TR, and so quickly you dip into boost, hearing a little whooshing of the turbo and a little growling in the exhaust. Let off the gas in a tunnel, and you will hear the exhaust crackle. It feels fake in something like a Jaguar or a Mercedes. Put upon. In the WRX, it feels strangely appropriate. Allowed."

And on a genuinely tricky, dangerous road, the WRX TR is easy to drive fast for a long time. Subaru says the TR is stiffer than a regular WRX, but only by 5%. The ride is still good, especially when the road deteriorates. Here in Sicily, that means actual deterioration. An American Department of Transportation probably would have shut our stretch of road down in so many places was it rutted, potholed, heaved, or altogether washed out." 

"This is not a question of simply having all-wheel drive or not. The TR runs 245/35R19 Bridgestone Potenza S007s, tires that Subaru was proud to point out were original equipment on the Ferrari F12berlinetta and Aston Martin DB11. Looking past the flip-flapping windshield wipers, I am not sure I wanted high-performance summer tires, the road beneath us so slippery we could hardly stand up straight." 

"But the TR was so accommodating. So clear with you. It was so easy to not only hear the front tires starting to scuff and scrub but feel it, too. Subaru tweaked the electronic power steering for the TR "for more feel" but couldn't quite clarify what exactly it changed. The tires probably do the bulk of the work, and the electronic power steering is altered to keep up."— Raphael Orlove, Road & Track

Bright Spots

"The bright spots are mostly chassis and ergonomics-related. It would help if you had a microscope to note the differences between the suspension in the regular WRX and the TR. As such, the ride is in the mellow valley between soft and stiff. A lack of body roll puts it into the realm of sportiness, but more spring rate would be okay. It rides well, even with 19-inch wheels."

"But I wanna feel more of the road. The steering is good, even if it's a bit hazy on turn-in. Mid-corner, it loads up well, especially at high speeds. The front end goes where you point it without drama, at least within the limits of grip. Adding too much power or losing too much traction will make the car push. Pressing the accelerator will make it worse. Backing off will return it to a neutral state."

"You can feel how minor steering inputs alter the car's attitude, and it's not just "precise" as so many companies like to say; there is some actual feedback. The WRX also has excellent visibility, with a low beltline and large window openings. This is a very underrated part of making a car feel smaller than it is at speed."— Peter Holderith, Motor1.com

The Steering and 6-speed

"But more pressingly, I expected more from the steering and shifter. Again, Subaru says the electric power steering is tuned to account for the TR's chassis tweaks. I can't speak to how dramatically it's changed this car, but the result is much too light for my taste. Turn-in feels sharp but paradoxically vague. It's a combination that can make it difficult to assess grip, particularly on a surface as slick as the Targa Florio's."

"Still, steering feel is among those ultimate matters of preference, and I could see an owner getting used to the WRX's. Unfortunately, I could never say the same for the six-speed. The TR's transmission is unchanged from the regular car's and feels inadequate." 

"The throws are rubbery; the lever itself buzzy, jittery, and plasticky. When you notch it into gear, no pleasing tactile feedback confirms your selection. Apologists might call it "lightweight," and I suppose it is, in the same way, disposable cutlery isn't as reassuring as silverware."— Adam Ismail, The Drive

The Seats

"The WRX TR's steering telegraphed the lowered limits of adhesion better than many other cars of its ilk, and on the few stretches where we dared build up a serious head of steam, the brake pedal felt reassuringly firm. When braking hard into tight bends, the stopping power of the inch-larger front/rear rotors (12.8/12.4 versus 11.6/11.4) — chomped by monoblock calipers at all four corners — was confidence inspiring." 

"And seats this supportive better connect the driver to the car for added confidence. It's also nice that Subaru's EyeSight system is now standard even with the manual (know that it may automatically brake the car to a stall)."— Frank Markus, Motortrend

My Take

The 2024 Subaru WRX TR significantly upgrades the standard model, improving driving performance. You can check out my report here. 

But as I've often said, Subaru Corporation should bring back the WRX hatchback body style. This one change would catapult the WRX to another level. It's what performance enthusiasts want, so why doesn't Subaru give it to them? 

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru WRX TR story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

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Watch Does Subaru's New WRX TR Satisfy STI Cravings?

I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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photo credit: Subaru USA

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