The “TR” or Tuner Ready badge has always meant a paired back version of the WRX. Sadly, this one doesn’t live up to its lineage. Instead, it now serves as the WRX’s top trim level getting new goodies at the expense of some others.

New to the WRX TR are high-performance Brembo brakes with red 6-piston front calipers and red 2-piston rear calipers. Fed by larger rotors and a larger brake master cylinder, it provides enhanced stopping power, fade resistance, and pedal feel. To clear the massive brakes, it gets 19-inch rims with 245/35R19 Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires (same width as the standard 18s). Recalibrations were also done to the springs (now stiffer), dampers, and steering rack for better body control and steering response.

The engine and gearbox aren’t changed and for that, the WRX TR gets a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine making 271 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed manual. If you’re nuts enough to opt for the Lineartronic CVT, Subaru will offer the WRX TR with that gearless slush box.

Looks-wise, those looking for a high-deck rear wing will be disappointed since the WRX TR keeps the low-profile body-colored spoiler found in lower WRX models. Inside, the WRX TR gets standard Recaro seats with a Y-shaped backrest design wrapped in black and gray Ultrasuede.

Those performance goodies come at the expense of the sunroof, which, according to Subaru was deleted for weight savings and lower center of gravity. The 11.6-inch Starlink system also removes onboard navigation, but because wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Perhaps the most important update to the WRX is that for 2024, all variants, including those equipped with three pedals come with EyeSight Driver Assist. The award-winning safety system includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking System, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

So far, the WRX TR is a North American exclusive, but it will likely arrive elsewhere under a different name sometime in 2024. However, it’s almost sure that WRXs equipped with the 6-speed manual will receive EyeSight during its next minor update.