Subaru WRX STI — Is THIS 4th Gen STI the Best?

With its powerful boxer engine and all-wheel drive system, the Subaru WRX STI is a force to be reckoned with. The car's turbo boost and DCCD system make it a thrill to drive, and its distinctive Subaru sound is music to the ears of any car enthusiast. 

As a JDM car, the Subaru WRX STI has a loyal following, and for good reason — its combination of power, handling, and style make it a standout in the world of rally cars. With its rich history in the world of rallying and WRC, the Subaru WRX STI is a car that's sure to impress. 

I'll put this STI through its paces and see if it lives up to its reputation as a rally car legend, so be sure to watch until the end to find out if this 4th gen STI is the best!

Also check out  Drive Culture on YouTube. Drive Culture is detailed car review YouTube channel hosted by the ultimate car enthusiast, Jonathon Rivers.

Who is Jonathon Rivers?

Well, he's a 15-year-plus auto industry veteran, who was born and raised in the Motor City!

He lived several years in Japan, speaks and reads Japanese, and now works for American Honda Motor. (Although this channel is his own & not affiliated)

He's owned several fun cars including an Evo IV, multiple Civic Si, Focus RS, and most recently the Integra Type S (which he led planning for Acura)!

He's also been lucky enough to drive just about every key new product in the market from compact cars to SUVs and EVs as well as super cars!

If that isn't enough to prove his "car guy" status, Jonathon has also been featured in Motor Trend, Car and Driver, AutoBlog, Jay Leno's Garage, Raiti's Rides and the SavageGeese channels! He's on Instagram  here and Facebook  here.

Check back every Friday at 7 a.m. PT for new content and videos!

The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.

A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.

[Image: YouTube Screenshot]

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The transcript is a detailed review of a 2016 Subaru WRX STI by automotive YouTuber Jonathan Rivers on the “Drive Culture” channel. 

Main Takeaways

• • Rivers considers the fifth-generation WRX STI potentially his favorite STI generation because it balances classic analog driving feel with modern usability.
  • The review covers the car’s history, exterior, interior, cargo space, powertrain, and real-world driving impressions.

History & Positioning

• • The 2016 model is part of the fifth-generation WRX STI lineup.
  • Subaru dropped the “Impreza” name for this generation to make the WRX/STI lineup feel more premium and distinct.
  • Unlike the previous generation, this STI was only offered as a sedan in the U.S.; no hatchback option was available. 

Pricing

• • Original MSRP was about $35,490 in 2016.
  • Rivers notes that while this was expensive at the time, today’s average new-car prices make it seem more reasonable in hindsight. 

Exterior Highlights

• • The reviewer praises the aggressive styling, especially:
  • Large functional hood scoop
  • Massive rear wing
  • Crystal White Pearl paint
  • Brembo brakes
  • Quad exhaust
  • STI-specific wheels and badging
  • He especially likes the sedan body style and iconic rally-inspired appearance.

Interior Impressions

• • The interior is described as clean, driver-focused, and “almost analog.”
  • Rivers appreciates:
  • Physical buttons and knobs instead of giant screens
  • Analog gauges
  • Suede and contrast stitching
  • Firm, heavily bolstered STI seats
  • Harman Kardon audio system
  • He says the cabin still feels premium for its era and segment. 

Rear Seat & Cargo

• • Rear seating is surprisingly roomy for a compact sports sedan.
  • The trunk offers 12 cubic feet of cargo space plus a compact spare tire, which he appreciates since many modern performance cars omit spares. 

Powertrain

The STI uses Subaru’s iconic turbocharged EJ25 boxer engine: 

Additional specs:

• • 2.5L turbocharged flat-four
  • Six-speed manual transmission only
  • Subaru symmetrical all-wheel drive with adjustable center differential (DCCD)

Driving Experience

This is the most enthusiastic part of the review:

• • Rivers describes the car as:
  • Fast even by modern standards
  • “Go-kart-like” in handling
  • Very engaging and analog
  • Full of old-school turbo character
  • He notes:
  • Longer shifter throws than newer performance cars
  • Strong braking from Brembo brakes
  • Turbo boost really hits above 3,000–4,000 RPM, giving it a classic late-1990s/early-2000s JDM feel
  • Adjustable SI Drive modes noticeably alter throttle response
  • He compares the experience favorably to cars he has owned, including:
  • Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
  • Ford Focus RS
  • Acura Integra Type S

Overall Conclusion

The reviewer concludes that the 2016 WRX STI remains exciting and highly enjoyable a decade later because of its:

• • Raw analog feel
  • Manual transmission
  • Turbocharged character
  • Rally-inspired AWD handling
  • Distinctive styling

He sees it as a modern classic and one of the most fun enthusiast cars of its era.