This new Subaru WRX STI could be the last rally-bred saloon before everything goes electric
Published on Jan 04, 2026 at 10:59 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Jan 02, 2026 at 7:02 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
There could finally be a new Subaru WRX STI on the horizon.
It could be the last rally-bred saloon before everything turns electric.
The iconic brand has teased something big on its Japanese social media.
Could it finally be a return of the legendary nameplate?
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Is the Subaru WRX STI finally coming back?
The last few years have been a bit of a tough time for Subaru fans.
It has been almost five years since the end of production for the WRX STI.
It marked the end of a legendary era of rally saloons.
And the story hasn’t been much fun for fans since then.
Some markets – but notably not Europe – have been able to get a half-hearted WRX.
The STI badge has found its way onto JDM special editions, but nothing much has been forthcoming.
But could this barren spell of non-Subaru specialties finally be at an end?
There’s a good reason for getting your hopes up this time.
And that reason is because Subaru is teasing something big from the STI brand.
On its Japanese Instagram account, Subaru has posted what looks like the most recent-gen WRX.
But, this teaser WRX is adorned with STI badges.
Clearest indication yet of a possible comeback
A full reveal of this massively rear-winged car is being teased for 9 January.
Of course, Subaru has teased the return of the WRX STI nameplate before.
Most recently, the marque actually threw the covers off two STI concepts.
One concept was all-electric, but the other came with the old-school turbo-boxer setup.
Previous teasers of the nameplate’s return have led to nothing but disappointment.
But this is the clearest indication yet that the return of the Subaru WRX STI could finally be coming.
Unfortunately for Europe and the UK, the news could still be negative.
Due to ever-rising emissions regulations, even a full-blown WRX STI would likely not be offered there.
Subaru’s transition to hybrids and EVs has been dictated by that regulatory environment.
But one can always dream, right?
