2026 Subaru WRX tS Spec B: The Last solid WRX? A Deep Dive for Aussie Petrolheads
Find out the 2026 Subaru WRX tS Spec B — Australia‘s very best manual turbo sports sedan. Specs, price, interior review, performance, and why it’s the STI ghost reborn!
One day, down a muddy backroad, the WRX was not a vehicle but a symbol of rebellion. A four-door missile for anyone who thought hairpin bends should be engaged side-on, turbo spooling in your earhole, gravel screeching off your tyres like confetti down a rally stage.
Fast forward to 2026, and Subaru knows its tribe hasn’t gone anywhere — they’ve just been patiently waiting. Enter the 2026 Subaru WRX tS Spec B — not quite an STI, but as close as we’ve got Down Under. It’s a turbocharged wink to the golden age of rally-inspired sedans, only this time it’s refined enough to park at the office without terrifying your boss.
So fasten your seatbelt, because here’s your detailed rundown of the new WRX tS Spec B — with specifications, performance, safety features, interior details, price, availability and whether you should jump in before they all vanish.
A Brief History of the WRX: Born to Rally
Subaru was most famous for making rugged AWD wagons for farmers and snow seekers. And then in the early ’90s, along came the WRX (World Rally eXperimental) — turbo flat-four, angry all-wheel drive, flared arches, and a giant rear wing you could land a plane on.
With heroes such as Colin McRae launching them sideways through forests, the WRX earned its spurs — and the STI badge turned it up to 11. Cut to decades of hooning, tuners, and rally enthusiasts, and voilà: we’re here now: still turbo, still manual, still AWD — but with adult sheen this time.
Interior: Build Quality and Real-World Liveability
Open the door of the 2026 WRX tS Spec B and you’re greeted by a cabin that shouts performance car but whispers daily driver. Subaru hasn’t gone full luxury — that would be missing the point — but they’ve dialled in quality where it matters.
You’re treated to Recaro sports seats that wrap you in a tighter grip than your nan after Christmas dinner. The driver has 8-way electric adjustment, with your co-driver having manual handles because, you know, weight savings, mate.
Soft-touch panels and stitched trim elevate the atmosphere. The new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is clean and clear when you’re too busy hunting apexes.
The large vertical infotainment display still offers you knobs for climate controls — because nobody likes to scroll through menus when your palms are sweaty in Sport+ mode.
There’s plenty of room in the cabin for friends, a reasonable boot for weekend jaunts, and just enough creature comforts (heated seats, high-quality sound) to make you forget you’re driving a barebones rally car. Subaru got the balance just right here — performance that’s useful is what it’s about.
Performance: Boxer Growl and Real-World Grit
Under the bonnet is the old reliable 2.4-litre turbo flat-four producing 202 kW (271 hp) and 350 Nm of torque. It’s not a numbers war vehicle — you won’t embarrass a Euro hyper hatch in a drag race — but that’s not the idea.
The important thing is feel. You have a 6-speed manual transmission — mechanical, exacting, and a testament to the fact that Subaru engineers are still in touch with driver happiness. It sends all that power to all four wheels via Subaru’s storied Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, stuck to the road (or muck) with torque wizardry.
And then there’s the actual party trick: STI-tuned adaptive suspension. There are five drive modes — Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+ and Individual — that allow you to fudge things for town work or stiffen up the dampers for B-road mayhem. Brembo 6-piston front brakes bring you up sharp when that corner comes on faster than anticipated.
This WRX may not be the wild on paper, but when the road gets rough and the rain begins to pour down, the tS Spec B shines. It’s a car that comes alive in bad conditions — just the way we like it.
Safety Features: Eyes Wide Open
SubarutS Spec B doesn’t hold back when it comes to modern safety. You receive:
EyeSight Driver Assist (adaptive cruise, lane centering, pre-collision braking)
Emergency Stop System (if you doze off, the vehicle pulls itself over to a safe stop)
Blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert
Driver monitoring that will beep at you if you become too engrossed in fiddling with your boost gauge
Paired with all-wheel drive traction and serious brakes, this WRX encourages you to live to tell the story — ideally over a pub counter, keys still in pocket.
Abilities: Rain or Shine, Tarmac or Gravel
Unlike some rivals that look the part but panic at the sight of a wet roundabout, the WRX tS Spec B is truly all-season. Snow, rain, loose gravel — bring it on.
Those tacky Bridgestone Potenzas, STI wing, and smart differentials make you able to point this thing down a serpentine Aussie country road without wincing at potholes or wet corners. Want to daily it around traffic? No problem. Need to take the mountains for a Sunday thrash? Even better.
It's not a garage show — it's made to be driven, hard, and frequently.
Pricing and Availability: Get in Quick
Subaru Australia charges AU $61,490 plus on-roads for the WRX tS Spec B — the most expensive non-STI WRX. But since it will supposedly have a limited run of about 500 units, only limited supply will fuel demand.
That is to say: if you're keen, ring your dealer yesterday.
Pros and Cons
What’s Hot:
Manual transmission — a dying breed
STI adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes
Genuine Recaros, digital dash upgrade
Genuine all-weather hero
Keeps WRX character without turning into a museum exhibit
What’s Not:
Price creep compared to its older siblings
Power hasn’t moved all that much in a decade
STI badge is still nowhere to be found
Final Verdict: To Buy the WRX tS Spec B or Not?
In a sea of bloated crossovers, beige SUVs, and bogus exhaust tips, the WRX tS Spec B is a rare breed — a real driver’s car with a manual, turbo boxer, and all-wheel-drive heart.
No, it’s not an STI reborn — but it’s the second best. And in many ways, it’s smarter: the daily comfort is improved, the tech is contemporary, and the handling upgrades are significant.
For Aussies looking for a quick, utilitarian sedan happiest when the weather’s worst — this is it. Grab one while you can. Your grandkids will thank you for keeping a bit of rally history alive.
FAQs
Q: How much does the 2026 Subaru WRX tS Spec B cost in Australia?
The WRX tS Spec B costs from AU $61,490 plus on-road costs.
Q: Is the WRX tS Spec B equal to the STI?
No — Subaru hasn’t brought back the full STI, yet, but the tS Spec B introduces STI-tuned suspension, brakes, and styling.
Q: Does the 2026 WRX tS Spec B still have a manual?
Yes! It’s one of the last performance cars left that still has a proper 6-speed manual.
Q: How many WRX tS Spec Bs arrive in Australia?
Anticipate around 500 units at first — so the demand will probably overwhelm supply.
Q: Is WRX tS Spec B worth it?
If you desire a contemporary turbo AWD sedan with old-fashioned excitement and everyday drivability, yes.
