2025 SUBARU WRX tS

FAMED WRX STI STILL GONE BUT SUBARU OFFERS ANOTHER APPEALING OPTION

With Subaru ending production of the high-performance WRX STI sedan a few years back, the Japanese automaker has now come out with a slightly milder but still fun-to-drive version to appeal to enthusiasts.

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS may not be as hot as the STI but with a 6-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged flat-4 (Boxer) engine and features like Recaro sport seats done in black Ultrasuede and high-performance Brembo brakes it is earning praise as the best of the current generation WRX sedans.

Naturally, as a Subaru it comes with all-wheel drive, which makes it at home on a variety of road surfaces wet or dry. This is a racing capable version that is also can be a more mild-mannered daily driver.

The engine is rated at 271 horsepower and 258-pound feet of torque and the manual is the only transmission offered. Constantly engaging the clutch for gear changes can give you a bit of a workout, but it is worth it with the benefits (fun) you get from having more control.

Tech features on the new 2025 Subaru WRX tS — the tS signifies tuned by STI, the company’s motorsports division Subaru Tecnica International — operate off a 12.3-inch touchscreen that may look imposing but is quite intuitive to operate.

Standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free communications, rear-vision camera, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and Subaru’s Eyesight Driver Assist technology (adaptive cruise control with the ability to adjust following distance), pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning).

LED headlights and fog lights, keyless entry and push-button start, Subaru’s Starlink safety and security systems, 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a rear lip spoiler, and shark-fin antenna also are included.

The 2025 Subaru WRX tS rides on 19-inch alloy wheels in a matte gray finish.

Pricing for the 2025 WRX tS is at the higher end of the WRS scale. Starting MSRP is $46,875, including destination and delivery charges, the same as the GT trim. That is roughly $10,000 more than the base Premium’s $36,920. The Limited trim starts at $41,300.

Premium and Limited models with Subaru’s Performance Transmission, start at $38,270 and $42,850, respectively. A continuously variable transmission (CVT), the SPT comes with paddle shifters for manual gear selection.

Why bother? Just budget for the tS.

What I liked about the 2025 Subaru WRX tS: Shifts for the manual transmission are effortless. Lots of tech features are offered in a very user-friendly package. The vertical touchscreen may look overwhelming at first but is easy to work with. Seats are comfortable for long runs. The overall size adapts well to crowded parking spaces, but provides good room up front.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Subaru WRX tS: It can get kind of loud on the highway depending on the road surface. The backseat would be a bit snug for three adults though an adult and two children were just fine. There is a pretty significant jump in MSRP from the Premium trim to the tS.

Would I buy the 2025 Sabaru WRX tS? Yes, for the tS and its manual transmission alone. 

2025 FORD F-150 HYBRID

FORD LOSES STATUS AS BEST-SELLING OVERALL VEHICLE BUT STILL NO. 1 TRUCK

For nearly half a century, the Ford F Series has held the title of the best-selling truck in the U.S. and for nearly the same period it also was simply the best selling vehicle period.

That reign ended last year when the data collection firm JATO Economics reported that a 5 percent dip in F-150 sales to 460,915 dropped the F-150 behind Toyota’s RAV4, which came in at 475,193 vehicles sold for 2024.

Ford, however, retained the No. 1 spot among truck buyers when it comes to brand loyalty with 65.1 percent of them repeat buyers for the Blue Oval brand, according to a survey conducted by J.D. Power.

That figure also leads all categories ahead of luxury automakers like Porsche (the highest ranked premium car at 57.5 percent), Lexus (highest ranked premium SUV at 60.2 percent), Toyota (highest ranked mass market car at 62.5 percent), and Honda (highest ranked mass market SUV at 64.2 percent).

The Ford F-150 moved into its 14th generation with the redesign of 2021 models with fully electric (BEV) and hybrid (HEV) added to the extensive fleet.

This review is based on the 2025 Ford F-150 Hybrid which has had no major changes since its introduction. It was trimmed out with features in the XLT series which include such niceties as 12-inch touchscreen for infotainment features, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, capless fuel filler, rear privacy glass, Fordpass Connect wi-fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and /Android Auto.

Safety features include blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assist, reverse brake assist, pre-collision assist with emergency braking assist, and a nice wide-view backup camera with guidelines.

The hybrid drivetrain features a 3.5-liter gasoline engine Ford bills as “Powerboost” paired with an electric motor. Together they put out 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a hybrid electric 10-speed automatic.

The gas engine drinks fuel at the rate of 22 miles-per-gallon city, 24 highway, and 23 combined, which, admittedly are not typical hybrid numbers. But that is about 20 percent in fuel savings over other F-150s with V8s and all-wheel drive. Zeroto60times.com reports a zero-to-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds

Starting MSRP for my test 2025 Ford F-150 XLT was $51,815. Several extras ran that total fo $69,665 including the destination and delivery fee and $6,900 in discounts.

What I liked about the 2025 Ford F150 XLT Hybrid: The F-15 Hybride is a quiet cruiser on the highway and very comfortable overall. The cabin is roomy and comfortable. The infotainment system is extensive and easy to use. Running boards and grips on the A pillar help a lot for getting in and out (mostly in). Auto hold, which prevents creeping at full stops, is among safety features.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Ford F150 XLT Hybrid: The bulk of the full-sized pickup will have you searching and searching for roomy parking spots in mall lots. The overall price is on the high side of the F-150 portfolio.

Would I buy the 2025 Ford F150 XLT Hybrid? Not a truck guy, but if you are and a Ford guy to boot, why not go for the hybrid and save a little money on fuel?

2025 BMW M3

WITH BMW, M IS FOR MAGIC WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMPANY’S PERFORMANCE SEDANS

BMW likes to hype its cars as the “ultimate driving machines,” which seems like they are kind of taking a poke at its Teutonic colleagues Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and even — or especially — Porsche.

All are finely engineered products and are recognized as among the finest luxury vehicles on the market today.

But BMW has a pretty strong case for its bold bragging when it comes to its M Series of sport coupes and sedans.

The 2025 BMW M3 sedan offers a sporty, powerful driving experience while still maintaining the road manners of a typical family sedan. Now it its seventh generation, you can take it to the track in the afternoon and the country club in the evening, though I would advise checking the mileage before turning it over to the valet. The temptation may just be too great for them.

It comes in two trims with turbocharged 6-cylinder engines tuned to different power numbers. The engine for the base 2025 BMW M3, which this review is based on, is rated at 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. It is rear-wheel drive.

The 2025 BMW M3 Competition trim gets an upgrade to 523 hp and 479 lb.-ft., and is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. No manual is available. It also is available with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel system which features a RWD mode.

BMW reports zero-to-60 mph times as 4.1 seconds for the base M3 and 3.8 for the Competition trim.

Fuel mileage figures for my test 2025 BMW M3 were 16 miles-per-gallon city, 23 highway and 19 combined, which, according to the government, are the same numbers for models with the automatic transmission.

Inside, the 2025 BMW M3 features leather upholstery, heated sport front seats with the M logo, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, an Anthracite headliner, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless charging, a 14.9 inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included in the $76,000 starting MSRP.

Fortunately, BMW has come a long way in simplifying operation of infotainment systems after the disastrous introduction of its iDrive system a couple of decades ago. You no longer need tech support to get to the radio, though manually adjusting the A/C blower is kind of funky.

Safety features include forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure and blind-spot warning, and front and rear parking sensors. The rearview camera also provides a wide view of cross traffic.

Optional features on my test 2025 BMW M3 included carbon fiber trim, multi-spoke silver wheels, and an M Driver’s Package (increases top speed) that ran the final total to $92,225 including the $1,175 destination charge.

The 2025 BMW M Competition with RWD starts at $81,375 including the freight charge. AWD tacks on another $5,100.

For my buck, I’d go with the 2025 BMW M3 base with the manual transmission.

What I liked about the 2025 BMW M3: It was fun driving a car with such power matched with a manual transmission. The interior is roomy and comfortable and offers good rear storage space. Tech features are generally user-friendly. 

What I didn’t like about the 2025 BMW M3: I’d like the steering wheel to rise automatically and the driver’s seat to slide back when the engine is turned off to make it easier to get out. Auto hold would be a nice feature to include as well. Road noise is on the excessive side. There is quite a jump with manual operation of the A/C. The blower goes from calm before the storm (very low) to storm level in just one setting.

Would I buy the 2025 BMW M3? Sure would. The M3 can serve as an everyday driver as well a capable on-track performer even if you never take it racing.