Recently sourced through our personal import service, this Subaru WRX S4 is an often overlooked offering from Subaru’s Japanese domestic market. Never officially offered in Europe, the WRX S4 is a model many enthusiasts don’t even know exists.
Before you dismiss it for having a CVT gearbox, it’s worth understanding what Subaru set out to achieve with this car. The WRX S4 was designed for Subaru fans who wanted STI performance wrapped in WRX styling, which explains the absence of the massive wing on the boot lid.
What the S4 Name Really Means
The S4 badge stands for Sports Performance, Safety Performance, Smart Driving and Sophisticated Feel. This highlights Subaru’s goal of creating an all-rounder. It's a performance saloon engineered primarily for the Japanese market but with enough punch under the bonnet to keep enthusiasts satisfied.
On the outside, only subtle hints give it away. You’ll find WRX logos near the front wheel arches and on the rear boot lid, with an S4 badge sitting just below.
Performance and Power
Under the bonnet sits the 2.0-litre FA20 turbocharged Boxer engine, tuned to produce 300 PS. That’s an increase from the standard WRX’s 268 PS and only 8 shy of the full-blown STI.
Power is delivered through Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, giving the S4 exceptional traction across all weather conditions and road surfaces. The result is an understated saloon with year-round usability.
Rethinking the Gearbox
The WRX S4 uses Subaru’s Sport Lineartronic Transmission, designed to maximise torque, efficiency and responsiveness from the 2.0 DIT Boxer engine.
Yes, it’s a CVT gearbox, but it doesn’t behave like the droning units found in a Prius or similar. Instead, it delivers a sharp and responsive drive with an eight-speed manual mode in Sport# that allows paddle-shift control. For many, it’s a pleasant surprise and removes the stigma often attached to CVTs.
If it's a deal-breaker, then the 6-speed manual WRX STi is for you instead...
Comfort and Technology Inside
Step inside and the WRX S4 leans into its “sophisticated feel.” Sports seats with contrast stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel and modern digital displays all add to the sense of refinement.
Subaru’s EyeSight system brings advanced safety tech, including active lane keeping, pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and brake light recognition. It’s a setup that makes the S4 not just fast but genuinely usable day to day.
Styling
Visually, the WRX S4 strikes a careful balance. The iconic bonnet scoop immediately hints at performance, while quad exhaust tips and sculpted body lines add presence. Side skirts, extended spats, a rear diffuser and vented front arches build on the aggressive look. Instead of the big STI wing, the S4 keeps things sleek with a ducktail spoiler.
This particular example sits on a set of RAYS alloy wheels, a perfect finishing touch for its JDM character.
Final Thoughts
The Subaru WRX S4 is one of those JDM-only performance saloons that delivers far more than first impressions suggest. With 300 PS, Subaru’s proven AWD system, modern safety tech and understated styling, it offers a unique blend of everyday usability and genuine performance.
For enthusiasts who want STI-like power without the flash, the WRX S4 represents a fantastic alternative. Through Torque GTs Personal Import service, it’s a model you can now enjoy on UK roads.
