- 1989 Subaru Legacy RS Turbo
- 2006 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B
- Subaru Forester STI
- 2018 Subaru BRZ tS
- 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Cosworth CS400
- 2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA
- 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206
- 2020 WRX STI S209
- 1999 Subaru Impreza 22B STi
There’s no doubt that Subaru has earned a reputation over the years among those seeking all-wheel-drive performance, which is why enthusiasts all around the world gasped in disbelief when the automaker announced the next-generation WRX STI will be placed on hold.
Between its US and Japanese factory-backed teams in the World Rally Championship, Rally America, Canadian Rally, Rallycross, and SuperGT, the automaker has well over 100 podiums to its name.
It’s that success that’s bred a ton of cool performance cars over the years. While other automakers deliver sleek, low-slung sports cars that can cut through a circuit with ease, Subaru seems unwilling to compromise on its proven formula of success. As a result, many of their coolest cars are closer to road-ready rally cars than anything else, designed and engineered while demystifying a tricky off-road stage in the middle of a forest.
Hopefully you’re already well-acquainted with the Impreza compact car, as that sets the foundation for a number of these speed machines. But don’t forget the Subaru Legacy and even the Forester, which had their own special hair-raising models. Let’s run through the list and you can spot any similarities.
1989 Subaru Legacy RS Turbo
The 1989 Legacy RS Turbo earned an endurance land speed record Photo by Subaru
Based on: 1989 Subaru LegacyPowered by: a turbocharged boxer engineDrive Wheels: All of themWas there a North American Model? Yes
Why is this on the list? A land speed endurance record and a cool nickname in Europe
Back in 1989, Subaru was just finding its all-wheel-drive traction to success in North America. While it offered all-wheel-drive, the automaker pushed the envelope to prove it had the goods to compete on a global scale. The Legacy RS used a turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 217 horsepower, along with four powered wheels. Subaru brought three of these cars to the FIA test track in Phoenix, Arizona, and spun them around the track at an average speed of 223.4 km/h over roughly 19 days, adding up to 100,000 kilometres. This stunt earned Subaru a new world record for land speed endurance. Subaru earned a few fans that day, but perhaps the most telling legend of the Legacy RS Turbo is that it was dubbed the Lunacy by the Europeans. Think about all the epic names in automotive history: Godzilla, Rambo Lambo, the Goat, Screaming Chicken… I petition we throw the Lunacy into the mix.
2006 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B
The Spec.B says you can be fast and cool without looking like a dork Photo by Subaru
Based on: 2006 Subaru LegacyPowered by: a turbocharged boxer engineDrive Wheels: All of themWas there a North American Model? Yes
Why is this on the list? It had the performance of the WRX STI without the shouty looks
Let’s stick with the Legacy, as most of Subaru’s best performance cars featured four-doors, and why not talk about the bigger ones. In 2006, Subaru made 500 examples of the Legacy 2.5GT Spec.B, which used the same motor from the fan-favourite hot-hatch Subaru Impreza WRX. That means 250 horsepower, but as everybody knows power isn’t everything. It featured sporty suspension and a Torsen limited-slip differential along with the brand’s SI-Drive, a feature that allowed for tighter control of the engine response.
Subaru Forester STI
Speedy SUVs before they were cool Photo by By User3204 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86191689
Based on: 2003 to 2008 Subaru ForesterPowered by: a turbocharged boxer engineDrive Wheels: All of themWas there a North American Model? No, kinda
Why is this on the list? It was a performance-oriented crossover well before they were cool like today.
In a perfect world, everyone would be able to get their hands on a 265 horsepower, manual-transmission, practical boxy crossover like this, but that world only exists in Japan. For a short period, the Japanese automaker offered a high-performance version of its square crossover, and it was something else. Lowered, stiffer, louder, and with better braking, this could keep up with anything on the road. The North American market got something close with the Forester XT, which wasn’t as powerful, but looked just as cool as the STI. Eventually, the Forester name became known for less exciting, family-friendly crossovers, and the memories of this STI faded away.
2018 Subaru BRZ tS
Subaru performance goes RWD Photo by Subaru
Based on: 2018 Subaru BRZPowered by: a naturally-aspirated boxer engineDrive Wheels: Rear WheelsWas there a North American Model? Yes
Why is this on the list? Subaru’s modern RWD coupe deserves some love.
The Subaru BRZ is a weird one, even today. A coupe designed by Toyota and built by Subaru, the BRZ felt out of sync with modern Subaru, which is known for its practical, boxy, family-friendly and go-anywhere kind of vehicles. Yet, the automaker flexed its engineering know-how and delivered a fun-to-drive and affordable rear-wheel-drive coupe. In 2018, Suburu expanded on it with 500 examples of the tS, which are said to be “tuned by STI,” though without forced induction as the performance arm is known to do. It features more grip with bigger tires, tuned suspension, and tweaked aerodynamics. This meant it responded quicker on the track, providing tons of confidence and speedier lap times. It’s always easy to get faster results with more power, but making it happen without engine tweaks at all showed the expertise of Subaru’s performance minds.
2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Cosworth CS400
A 400 horsepower Impreza? Yes please! Photo by Subaru UK
Based on: 2011 Subaru ImprezaPowered by: a turbocharged boxer engineDrive Wheels: All of themWas there a North American Model? No
Why is this on the list? Nearly 400 horsepower, under 4-second 0-100 km/h time, only 75 made.
In 2011, British tuning company Cosworth added its special flavour to the Impreza WRX STI. A pinch of extra power at the time meant that this limited-edition compact featured 395 horsepower via different pistons, new connecting rods, a redesigned head gasket, and a new turbo. That much horsepower allowed for a 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds, which sounds terrifyingly awesome. Throw in the special Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, and the adjustable rear anti-roll bar, and this Impreza could cut through the apexes on whatever track you threw it. Only 75 examples of this wild compact were made, and they were quickly gobbled up by the most dedicated enthusiasts.
2018 Subaru WRX STI Type RA
RA = Record Attempt or Really Awesome, your choice
Based on: 2018 Subaru Impreza WRX STIPowered by: a turbocharged boxer engineDrive Wheels: All of themWas there a North American Model? Yes
Why is this on the list? Inspired by a Nurburgring record-setting lap time, track-ready performance over rally-bred.
In 2017, Subaru snagged another record by lapping the infamous Nurburgring in just 6:57.5, making it the fastest four-door to do so at the time. Granted, it wasn’t a production car that did the trick, but a tricked-out fancy race car. But Subaru was cool about it and made a production car inspired by its hero — one that could be purchased by anyone! And by anyone, we mean just 500 people, because that’s how many were made. Compared to other 2018 STIs, the Type RA featured a bit more power to go along with a revised third-gear ratio, a short-throw shifter, inverted Bilstein front struts, suspension tweaks, and a lightweight carbon-fibre roof, a huge carbon-fibre rear wing, and lighter BBS wheels. Of course, it was sweet to drive, carving through the corners of every track you could get it to. Unsurprisingly, it’s best enjoyed on the track — but that’s kind of the point of a list of the best performance cars.
2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206
Another championship, another awesome special edition Photo by Subaru Japan
Based on: 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STIPowered by: a turbocharged boxer engineDrive Wheels: All of themWas there a North American Model? No
Why is this on the list? Inspired by a 24-hour Nurburgring Class win, another track-bred speed machine
The 2018 Type RA wasn’t the first time Subaru used its Nurburgring exploits to sell a car. Back in 2011, the automaker achieved a class win at the 24 Hours Nurburgring endurance race, which conveniently helped it promote the new S206. The Subaru S-Series was hand-built by the automaker’s Subaru Technica International performance division, and this was among its most badass models. Those with a thing for vents and scoops and carbon fibre, here you go. It rolled wicked-huge Brembo brakes (six-piston calipers up front!) to show that Subaru was paying attention to its race cars.
2020 WRX STI S209
Just when Subaru committed to North America with the S209, it decide to hit pause.
Based on: 2020 Subaru WRX STIPowered by: a turbocharged boxer engineDrive Wheels: All of themWas there a North American Model? Yes
Why is this on the list? The first time Subaru brought the S-Series to North America, it was incredibly balanced between road and track performance.
Subaru finally gave the US market a taste of the special edition S-Series sauce in 2020 with the S209. It was about time! For years, North Americans caught glimpses of what Subaru was capable of through video games like Gran Turismo, but the automaker delivered the goods with another special-edition model that was as fine as could be. It’s the most powerful car the STI division has ever built, putting out 341 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. This was a track-bred beast, with a beefy rear stabilizer bar, Bilstein dampers, and an innovative two-piece strut tower bar and flexible front/rear draw stiffeners which helped the S209 deliver excellent grip, stability, and responsiveness. At this point, the fourth-generation WRX STI was feeling a bit stale, yet Subaru was able to push the limits of this vehicle to unimaginable limits on the track and street.
1999 Subaru Impreza 22B STi
The granddaddy of STI, the 22b Photo by Subaru
Based on: 1999 Subaru ImprezaPowered by: a turbocharged boxer engineDrive Wheels: All of themWas there a North American Model? No
Why is this on the list? Celebrated three consecutive FIA World Championship titles, with the coolest Subaru of them all.
The big daddy of Subaru’s performance is the 22b, and there are no doubts about that. Adorned with blue paint and gold wheels, the 22b featured a 2.2-litre turbocharged boxer engine that Subaru claimed had an output of just 276 horsepower, although it turned out to be much more in reality. It featured sodium-filled exhaust valves to go along with its wider track, completely revamped suspension, an adjustable rear wing, huge brakes, and fat tires. Interestingly, there are a few other similar models to the 22B, like the 2001 WRX STI P1 and the Type R STI (not to be confused with Honda’s Type R Civics), but the gist is that these models were practically supercars in compact car clothing.
Keyword: Portfolio of Performance: Checking out the past speedy Subarus