Fastest Subaru: Which Subaru WRX Is The Fastest?

Most people think of the Forester or Outback models whenever the Japanese automaker Subaru comes up in a convo. But Subaru has a modest family of 8 models to choose from, and the WRX is a worthy option to consider if you’re looking for something with a bit more power. So, which Subaru WRX is the fastest?

The Subaru STI S209 is the fastest and most powerful Subaru WRX car ever produced. With a thoroughly reworked EJ25 Boxer engine, sturdy drivetrain, improved aerodynamics and proper weight distribution, the S209 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.7 seconds.

Let’s take a closer look at the details behind the STI S209 so that you can see what makes the fastest WRX model so special. We’ll also take a look at which Subaru WRX model has the most horsepower and the strongest engine.

Which Subaru WRX Is the Fastest?

The Subaru STI S209 is the fastest car in the STI lineup, capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in a jaw-dropping 4.7 seconds.

While power isn’t everything, it’s nice to know if your favorite Subie makes the cut as far as BHP goes. So, when it comes to speed, these are the top contending WRX models:

The 2020 STI S209

Hands down, the S209 is the fastest and most powerful Subaru WRX car ever created.

With a thoroughly reworked Boxer engine, sturdy drivetrain, improved aerodynamics and better control features, the S209 sprints from 0 to 60 in a record time of less than 5 seconds.

The 2021 WRX STI

This sports car is the tried-and-true model on whose bones the S209 was built.

The WRX STI goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, making it one of the fastest Subaru WRX models you can buy.

The 2020 WRX STI Series.White

While this short-lived beauty wasn’t as spectacular as petrolheads had hoped, it hops from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds.

It has the same 2.5 liter turbocharged gas engine that the regular WRX STI runs on, and its outstanding features are primarily cosmetic.

What Makes the S209 So Fast?

The Subaru WRX S209 is an amazingly fast car, and it all boils down to its outstanding engine power, drivetrain configuration, better weight distribution, and improved aerodynamics.

At the heart of the S209 is a remodeled version of the EJ25 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, capable of sending up to 341 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque.

There’s a noticeable bump in the midrange torque, and it’s up by 10 percent at 3,600 rpm. 

All that power gets channeled to the four wheels via an exclusive close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission gearbox.

To give Subie aficionados an overboost function, there’s an intercooler water spray system you can trigger at will by pressing steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The S209’s 161 mph (260 km/h) is indeed some top speed to contend with, so designers and engineers had to find a way to keep this supercar pressed to the asphalt.

They put canards at the front end and a huge wing on the rear deck lid to provide the much needed downforce.

Moreover, a carbon fiber roof above the passenger cabin dramatically reduces weight and further lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity. 

Since track prowess was a top priority, much of the development efforts also focused on the chassis and suspension tuning to harness most of the vehicle’s horsepower and torque. 

It uses Bilstein dampers unique to the S209, stiffer 10 mm lowering springs, and a 20 mm rear stabilizer bar.

Moreover, the front and rear lateral links have pillow-type bushings for better body control.

The high-performance Dunlop GT600A rubber tyres also deserve much of the credit, offering remarkable grip, responsive turn-in, and plenty of feedback as you get near the limit. 

Which Subaru WRX Has the Most Horsepower?

The Subaru WRX STI S209 currently boasts the highest horsepower for any STI model ever produced, with a whopping 341 hp. 

But the S209 didn’t gain notoriety for being an average compact sports car. This monster features the highly-revered EJ25 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine. 

STI (Subaru Tecnica International) indeed revamped the four-cylinder direct injection engine to help the S209 scoop the top-notch stamp as the best-performing sedan model.

To pack up that extra horsepower, STI fitted the S209’s Boxer engine with a high-performance HKS turbocharger, increasing the size of its turbine and compressor. 

Moreover, the maximum boost pressure of this car was raised up to 18 psi compared to the previous WRX STI model’s 16.2 psi. 

Combine that with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and advanced traction control technology, and you have a tough machine designed to take on tight turns while giving you smooth handling on and off the track.

Which Subaru WRX Has the Strongest Engine?

The Subaru WRX STI S209 has the strongest and most powerful engine so far. Following years of treating Subie lovers to special, more robust engines, Subaru finally delivered a car with the most potent production engine to the North American market.

While the RA version’s turbo seemed promising, it couldn’t deliver the extra power needed, so STI worked with HKS to deliver a larger, more capable unit. 

Most of the engine strength has to do with sturdier OEM parts and a remarkable degree of precision engineering for the whole unit to handle the extra power. 

All rotating engine parts are carefully mass-balanced to ensure the pistons weigh the same, reducing vibrations and rapid wearing.

STI also increased the fuel injector volume and fuel pump capacity by 20 percent.

And, to beef up the performance of the intercooler skulking just below that hood scoop, engineers designed two sprayers to deliver a 2 second blast of distilled water. 

Moreover, the S209’s improved Boxer engine has a more-efficient conical air filter and a straighter, wider intake ducting to cut pressure loss by 25 percent while checking on induction noise.