2026 Subaru WRX Trim Levels Compared: Base, Premium, Limited, GT, tS, and Series.Yellow

The 2026 Subaru WRX is available in seven distinct configurations: Base, Premium, Limited, Limited SPT, GT, tS, and Series.Yellow. All share the same 2.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged BOXER engine producing 271 horsepower and Subaru Symmetrical AWD. The meaningful differences between trims concern the transmission (6-speed manual vs. Sport Lineartronic CVT), the braking hardware (Brembo on tS), suspension tuning (STI dampers on tS, electronic dampers on GT and tS), seating (cloth vs. Ultrasuede vs. Recaro), and the level of driver technology. For Nassau County buyers at Grand Prix Subaru trying to choose the right WRX without overpaying or under-speccing, this guide breaks down each trim and what it adds.

Bottom Line: Every 2026 WRX is 271 HP, AWD, with EyeSight and dual-zone climate. The trim ladder splits on transmission (6MT vs. SPT), seat upgrade (cloth → Ultrasuede → Recaro), and performance hardware (electronic dampers, Brembo brakes, STI tuning). The tS is the performance flagship with Brembo, STI dampers, and Recaro — the Series.Yellow is its boldest visual expression.

• Base and Premium: 6MT, cloth seats, 11.6-inch multimedia without navigation
• Limited: Ultrasuede, navigation, Harman Kardon, moonroof, 6MT
• Limited SPT: Limited content + SPT CVT + SI-DRIVE, paddle shifters, electronic parking brake
• GT: SPT, Drive Mode Select, Recaro, electronic dampers, full LCD gauge cluster
• tS: 6MT, Brembo 6-piston brakes, STI-tuned dampers, Recaro Blue Bolsters, 19-inch wheels
• Series.Yellow: tS-based, Sunrise Yellow only, yellow stitching, black 19-inch wheels

What Every 2026 WRX Includes

The following features are standard across all trim levels:

• 2.4-liter Direct Injection Turbocharged BOXER engine (271 HP)
• Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology (Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist)
• EyeSight Assist Monitor
• DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Keyless Access with Push-Button Start
• Aluminum-Alloy Pedal Covers
• LED Low and High Beam Headlights
• Front Seat USB-A / USB-C Ports
• Auto Up-Down: Driver and Front Passenger Windows
• MySubaru Connected Services (Gen 3)
• SiriusXM with 360L + TravelLink (Traffic + TravelLink on Limited and above)

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Base: The Starting Point

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Seats: Black Cloth w/ Red Stitching (Front Seats) Wheels: 18-inch alloy Infotainment: 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus Audio System (no navigation) Hill Start Assist: Yes (6MT only)

The Base WRX is the most direct expression of the car’s original proposition: turbocharged engine, manual gearbox, Symmetrical AWD. It delivers every performance fundamental — 271 HP, AWD, EyeSight, DriverFocus, dual-zone climate, keyless access — without the comfort or luxury additions of upper trims. The Black Cloth seats with red stitching on front seats are functional and appropriate for a starting configuration. The 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus Audio System is present but does not include navigation.

The Base is a compelling choice for buyers who want the WRX’s driving character at the lowest entry cost, plan to add no packages, and prioritize the manual transmission above all else.

Note: The Base’s start of production is slightly delayed from the rest of the WRX lineup.

Best for: Buyers who want a pure 6MT WRX at the most direct price with no additional packages.

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Premium: Comfort Additions and All-Weather

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Seats: Premium Black Cloth w/ Red Stitching (Front Seats) Infotainment: 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus Audio System (no navigation) Option Package A (Standard Model): Standard Premium content Option Package B: Harman Kardon Speaker System + Power Moonroof

What it adds over Base:

• LED Fog Lights
• Premium Seat Fabric w/ Red Stitching and Accents (upgrade from base cloth)
• All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated mirrors, wiper de-icer)
• Rear Seat Armrest w/ Cup Holders
• Lip Spoiler
• Red WRX Dash Emblem
• Dual Front and Dual Rear USB Ports (USB-A / USB-C)
• Auto Up-Down: All Windows (adds rear windows to driver/front passenger)

Option Package B additionally adds: Harman Kardon Speaker System and Power Moonroof — making Premium the only non-Limited trim where Harman Kardon is available as an option.

The All-Weather Package is significant for Nassau County and Long Island buyers: heated front seats and heated mirrors are daily-quality-of-life upgrades in winter that the Base does not offer. The lip spoiler and red WRX dash emblem add visual identity without changing the driving character.

Best for: Buyers who want the 6MT with the All-Weather Package, heated seats, and the option to add Harman Kardon and a moonroof without stepping into Ultrasuede seating.

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Limited: Ultrasuede, Navigation, and Full Technology

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Seats: Black Ultrasuede® Insert w/ Red Bolsters Infotainment: 11.6-inch LCD HD CID w/ Navigation Wheels: 18-inch alloy

What it adds over Premium:

• Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) / Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• LED Steering Responsive Headlights
• 11.6-inch LCD HD Center Information Display with Navigation (upgrade from non-nav Multimedia Plus)
• 10-Way Power Driver’s Seat
• Harman Kardon Speaker System (standard, not optional)
• Power Moonroof
• Body Color Side Mirrors w/ Integrated Turn Signals
• Ultrasuede® and Leather-Trimmed Seats w/ Red Bolsters (upgrade from Premium Black Cloth)

The Limited is the first WRX trim with navigation standard, Harman Kardon standard, moonroof standard, and the Ultrasuede interior. The seat upgrade is substantial — the Ultrasuede inserts with red leather bolsters feel and look significantly more premium than the Premium’s cloth. For buyers who want a daily driver that is comfortable and well-equipped as well as fast, the Limited is the natural landing point.

BSD/RCTA and LED Steering Responsive Headlights are meaningful safety additions for Nassau County driving — the headlights that steer with the wheel are particularly useful on winding roads.

Best for: Buyers who want the manual WRX with navigation, Harman Kardon, moonroof, heated seats, and the Ultrasuede interior in a complete daily package.

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Limited SPT: Manual Convenience, CVT Performance

Transmission: Sport Lineartronic CVT (SPT) Seats: Black Ultrasuede® Insert w/ Red Bolsters Infotainment: 11.6-inch LCD HD CID w/ Navigation

What it adds over Limited:

• Sport Lineartronic CVT (replaces 6MT)
• Auto Vehicle Hold
• Paddle-Shift Switches
• SI-DRIVE (Intelligent Drive Mode)
• Electronic Parking Brake (replaces mechanical)
• Transmission Fluid Cooler

The Limited SPT takes the full Limited feature set and replaces the 6-speed manual with the Sport Lineartronic CVT — along with the performance transmission accessories that accompany it. Paddle shifters, SI-DRIVE (which adjusts engine response curve between Sport, Sport Sharp, and Intelligent modes), Auto Vehicle Hold, electronic parking brake, and a transmission fluid cooler for sustained performance.

For buyers who want Ultrasuede seating, navigation, Harman Kardon, moonroof, and BSD/RCTA — but prefer the CVT for commuting or traffic-heavy Nassau County driving — the Limited SPT delivers the full Limited content stack with the addition of SI-DRIVE and paddle shifters.

Best for: Buyers who want the Limited’s full feature content with the Sport Lineartronic CVT, SI-DRIVE, and paddle shifters.

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GT: Drive Mode Select, Electronic Dampers, and Recaro

Transmission: Sport Lineartronic CVT (SPT) Seats: Recaro 8-Way Power Ultrasuede and Leather-Trimmed Seats w/ Red Bolsters Wheels: 18-inch alloy Gauge Cluster: Full LCD Digital Gauge Cluster

What it adds over Limited SPT:

• Drive Mode Select
• Recaro 8-Way Power Ultrasuede and Leather-Trimmed Seats w/ Red Bolsters (upgrade from standard Ultrasuede)
• Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
• Electronic Dampers
• Full LCD Digital Gauge Cluster

The GT is where the WRX gains active chassis control. Electronic dampers — which adjust suspension stiffness in real time based on Drive Mode and road conditions — transform the WRX’s ride-handling balance in a way passive suspension cannot. Drive Mode Select integrates with the dampers, engine, and transmission mapping to shift the entire vehicle’s character.

Recaro seats are a meaningful upgrade over the standard Ultrasuede — the Recaro bolstering provides lateral support during spirited driving that stock seats cannot match. The Full LCD Digital Gauge Cluster gives the GT a distinctly modern digital dashboard presentation.

RAB is a practical safety addition that automatically applies braking during a reverse maneuver if an obstacle is detected — relevant for Nassau County parking situations.

Best for: Buyers who want the WRX’s maximum electronic performance technology with adaptive suspension, Drive Mode Select, Recaro seats, and the full-LCD gauge cluster.

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tS: The Performance Flagship

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Seats: Recaro 8-Way Power Ultrasuede and Leather-Trimmed Seats w/ Blue Bolsters Wheels: 19-inch Alloy Brakes: Brembo® 6-Piston Front / 2-Piston Rear Calipers, Gold Finish

What it adds over the lineup:

• Brembo® Braking System (6-Piston front / 2-Piston rear calipers, gold finish)
• 19-inch Alloy Wheels
• Recaro 8-Way Power w/ Blue Bolsters (vs. Red Bolsters on GT)
• STI-Tuned Electronic Dampers (vs. standard electronic dampers on GT)
• Drive Mode Select
• Full LCD Digital Gauge Cluster
• Blue Interior Stitching and Accents (vs. Red on Limited/GT)
• Moonroof Delete (tS removes the moonroof for structural rigidity)
• Red STI Start Button
• Black-Finish Exterior Mirrors
• Black-Finish Shark-fin Antenna
• Black-Finish Rear Lip Spoiler
• tS Exterior Badging

The tS is the WRX’s highest-performance configuration and carries STI (Subaru Tecnica International) calibration throughout. STI-tuned electronic dampers are calibrated differently than the GT’s dampers — the tS setup prioritizes sharper body control and flatter cornering at the expense of a marginally firmer highway ride. The Brembo 6-piston gold-finish calipers are genuine performance hardware — the same braking architecture used on serious sport sedans costing considerably more.

The tS returns to the 6-speed manual — the GT uses the SPT CVT. For buyers who want the maximum braking and suspension hardware paired with the manual gearbox, the tS is the only configuration that delivers it. The blue bolsters, blue stitching, STI badging, and blacked-out exterior trim elements give the tS a visual identity that is distinctly different from the rest of the lineup.

The Moonroof Delete is intentional: removing the moonroof lowers the center of gravity and marginally stiffens the roof structure — characteristics relevant to performance-oriented driving.

Best for: Buyers who want the WRX’s ultimate performance configuration — Brembo brakes, STI-tuned suspension, Recaro seats, and the 6-speed manual in one package.

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Series.Yellow: tS-Based, Sunrise Yellow Exclusive

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Seats: Recaro 8-Way Power Ultrasuede and Leather-Trimmed Seats w/ Black Bolsters and Yellow Stitching Wheels: 19-inch Alloy, Black Finish Color: Sunrise Yellow (exclusive — not available on any other WRX trim)

Based on tS with the following changes:

• Recaro seats with Black Bolsters and Yellow Stitching (replaces Blue Bolsters)
• Yellow Interior Stitching and Accents (replaces Blue)
• 19-inch Alloy Wheels, Black Finish (vs. standard silver on tS)
• Black Badging — Rear Decklid

The Series.Yellow is the boldest WRX available — a limited edition based on the tS specification with the Sunrise Yellow exterior color as its singular distinguishing visual statement. It is the only WRX in the lineup offered in Sunrise Yellow; all other trims offer eight colors but not Sunrise Yellow.

The interior follows through on the yellow theme: black Recaro bolsters with yellow stitching throughout the cabin create a color-matched interior that is intentional and specific. The black 19-inch wheels contrast the yellow body to sharpen the visual effect. Black rear decklid badging repletes the deleted chrome that might otherwise soften the impact.

The Series.Yellow WRX is a purpose-built collector’s edition. It carries the full tS performance specification — Brembo brakes, STI-tuned electronic dampers, 19-inch wheels, Drive Mode Select, Full LCD gauge cluster, 6-speed manual — wrapped in the most visually expressive color Subaru offers on the WRX.

Best for: Buyers who want the tS performance specification in the most visually distinctive WRX available and are committed to Sunrise Yellow as their color.

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Trim Comparison: Feature by Feature

Safety data sourced from NHTSA vehicle ratings and IIHS crash test results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the Brembo brakes on the GT? No. The Brembo 6-piston/2-piston braking system is exclusive to the tS and Series.Yellow trims.

Is the Series.Yellow only available in yellow? Yes. Sunrise Yellow is the exclusive color for the Series.Yellow and is not available on any other WRX trim.

Does the tS come with a moonroof? No. The tS deletes the moonroof intentionally — removing it lowers the center of gravity and marginally stiffens the roof structure for performance purposes.

What is the difference between STI-tuned and standard electronic dampers? Both the GT and tS have electronically adjustable dampers, but the tS’s are calibrated by STI (Subaru Tecnica International) to prioritize sharper body control and cornering performance. The GT’s dampers prioritize a broader comfort-to-sport range.

Which WRX should I choose if I want a manual gearbox with maximum performance hardware? The tS is the configuration: 6-speed manual, Brembo 6-piston brakes, STI-tuned electronic dampers, Recaro seats, 19-inch wheels, Drive Mode Select.

Compare WRX Trims at Grand Prix Subaru

Browse current WRX inventory at Grand Prix Subaru or contact the team to schedule a test drive at 500 S Broadway in Hicksville.