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The 2021 Subaru WRX STI won’t get the IIHS highest safety score because it doesn’t come with EyeSight driver assist technology. The STI is now the only model in Subaru’s lineup without EyeSight. The 2022 Subaru BRZ now comes with EyeSight leaving the STI standing alone.
The reason why the STI doesn’t have it and won’t get it anytime soon is Subaru Corporation doesn’t want to spend their research money on figuring out a way to make it work with a standard gearbox. Thankfully, the 2021 WRX STI only comes with a 6-speed manual transmission for performance enthusiasts.
The next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX will get EyeSight standard on models equipped with a Sport Lineartronic automatic transmission. But don’t look for the performance-tuned STI to come with two pedals. Subaru is committed to keeping the fully synchronized close-ratio 6-speed manual in the sports sedan.
The next-generation 2022 WRX and all-new 2023 Subaru WRX STI could be the last Subaru models standing with a manual gearbox. Subaru will likely drop the 5-speed manual in the 2023 Impreza sedan and hatchback when it gets a complete remodel. Subaru will also likely drop the 6-speed manual in the next-generation 2023 Crosstrek.
How does not having EyeSight affect The STI?
The advantage of having Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist technology is it can help avoid a rear-end collision. The pre-collision braking system available on WRX with an automatic transmission is designed to provide automatic braking that either prevents a collision or reduces the severity of a frontal impact.
Subaru says EyeSight has been found to reduce rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85 percent.
How many buyers opt for the automatic with EyeSight?
We reached out to Subaru recently, and they told us a full 90 percent are opting for the standard 6-speed manual transmission over the automatic in the 2021 WRX. It’s no surprise because Subaru uses a Sport Lineartronic CVT, (Continuously Variable Automatic) transmission which is not a popular choice with performance enthusiasts. While it’s better than the previous generation CVTs, it’s still not up to speed with a 6-or-8-speed automatic.
The 2021 Subaru WRX STI and the next-generation 2023 Subaru WRX STI will be the only models in the Japanese automaker’s lineup now without EyeSight.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Comments
You can keep eyesight. I
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You can keep eyesight. I would rather drive my own vehicle without all the lights and sirens going off. I will stick to the manual BRZ and STI. Lets not forget Subaru sti cant figure out what is causing millions of dead batteries on their cars. But guess what cars are not affected.... The ones with a manual transmission. That tells me eyesight is sucking those batteries dry even when powered off. Another good reason to save the manuals.
Io ho acquistato pochi gg fa'
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Io ho acquistato pochi gg fa' per la prima volta una nuova Subaru Forester 4 Adventure sport edition lineatronic sono contento ma se devo trovare cosa a me personalmente non piace a me il motore senza una buona spinta mancanza di turbo e il cambio CVT lento meglio un doppia frizione . Con un turbo e doppia frizione si diminuisce la cilindrata e i consumi e si alza la cavalleria prestazioni ecc.......
Thank you Subaru for
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Thank you Subaru for listening. Keep the manual loose the eyesight tech. I'm 100 percent fine with this choice.
No one wants cvt on sti and
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No one wants cvt on sti and there was never a cvt option in Wrx Sti so i dont know why you are mentioning that its not coming? Wff
As an 18 Sti owner I can say
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As an 18 Sti owner I can say the Sti would benefit hugely from a six speed auto with paddles. The six speed gear box is finicky and tiring for around town driving. Plus it would give huge performance gains. Needless to say no performance car should have a CVT.