Toyota GR Yaris vs Subaru WRX STI S209 — Which A Class AWD vs AWD Is Better in FH6?
Two very different approaches to going fast. The Toyota GR Yaris is AWD with 268 hp, the Subaru WRX STI S209 is AWD with 341 hp. Here's which one wins — and why.
Putting the Toyota Toyota GR Yaris against the Subaru Subaru WRX STI S209 is one of those comparisons that doesn't have a clean answer until you've run real laps back to back. The Toyota GR Yaris puts down 268 hp from a 1.6L Turbocharged Inline-3 (G16E-GTS), weighs 1,280 kg, and drives the AWD wheels. The Subaru WRX STI S209 counters with 341 hp from a 2.5L Turbo Flat-4, tipping the scales at 1,575 kg through the AWD wheels. On paper they look close enough that you'd think it comes down to preference. It doesn't — I've tested both extensively and the gaps are real, sometimes surprising, sometimes exactly where you'd expect.
In FH6 specifically, these two cars interact with the updated physics engine very differently. The tire model changes, the weight transfer rework, the differential behavior — all of it shifts the balance between AWD and AWD in ways that weren't true in FH5. I spent a full evening hot-lapping both on the same circuits back to back, and what I found changed which one I'd recommend depending on what you're trying to achieve.
Toyota GR Yaris — The Toyota Contender
Look, 268 hp isn't the highest number in the game, but paired with that 1,280 kg curb weight, it feels faster than cars with 200 more horsepower.
In the dry, Toyota GR Yaris's AWD system hooks up early on corner exit — you can stand on the throttle a full beat before the RWD cars and just drive around the outside. Rain transforms the equation entirely. On the Forest Rally circuit during a downpour, the front axle digs into standing water and finds purchase where rear-drive cars are hydroplaning toward the barrier. You'll feel a gentle push on corner entry in fast sweepers like the Lake District esses, but a slight throttle lift shifts weight forward and the nose tucks back in. The car never snaps; it communicates through the wheel rim with a progressive lightening that says 'ease off' rather than screaming it.
Full Specs — Toyota GR Yaris
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 6.5 | Aero drag kicks in around 180, but up to that point it's phenomenal |
| Handling | 8.0 | Front-end bite is incredible. You can carry speed through corners that should be impossible |
| Acceleration | 7.0 | 60-130 mph is where this car lives. Highway pulls are basically unfair |
| Launch | 8.2 | Electric motors give perfect traction control. Every launch is identical and devastating |
| Braking | 7.5 | Consistent lap after lap. No fade even after 20 minutes of pushing hard |
| Off-Road | 6.5 | Ground clearance is the limiting factor. Everything else works, but you'll bottom out on big jumps |
| PI (Stock) | 710 | Respectable A class. Punches above its PI in the right hands |
Pros & Cons — Toyota GR Yaris
Pros
- Stock tune is surprisingly competitive. You can win races without touching the upgrade menu
- Power delivery is smooth and predictable, making it easy to drive fast
- Gearing is spot-on out of the box. No awkward gaps in the powerband
Cons
- No Forza aero options, which limits tuning flexibility in higher classes
- Stock suspension is too soft for serious track work. Budget for coilovers
- Understeer on corner entry when you carry too much speed. Trail braking helps but doesn't cure it
Best Events — Toyota GR Yaris
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road Racing | A-Tier | Very capable. A few setup tweaks away from being truly elite. |
| Street Scene | A-Tier | Does everything right. Not the flashiest pick, but it delivers lap after lap. |
| Speed Zones | B-Tier | Usable, not optimal. You can win with it, but you're working harder than the competition. |
| Speed Traps | C-Tier | Technically possible. You'll be fighting the car more than the competition. |
| Drift Zones | B-Tier | Middle of the pack. It'll get the job done, but there are better options in this class. |
| Dirt Racing | B-Tier | Fine for casual play. If you're grinding rivals leaderboards though, look elsewhere. |
Subaru WRX STI S209 — The Subaru Contender
The ultimate factory STI — 341 hp, widened bodywork, and the first S-line STI ever sold in America. A homologation special for the street.
The Subaru WRX STI S209 won't dance like a RWD car. Accept that upfront and you'll appreciate what it does instead: it demolishes lap times through consistency. Every corner exit is identical. The front tires pull you through understeer moments that would have spun a rear-drive car two corners ago. In FH6's variable weather — where a dry race can turn wet mid-lap — that predictability converts to positions gained while others are pirouetting into the scenery. The tradeoff is feel. The steering filters out some of the chassis nuance that RWD competitors serve up raw. You won't get the delicate, fingertip balance of a car rotating around your hips. What you get in return is the confidence to push harder, brake later, and commit to corners with less mental overhead.
Full Specs — Subaru WRX STI S209
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 7.0 | Good for A class, runs out of steam above 260 km/h |
| Handling | 8.0 | AWD + DCCD + wide track = incredible grip |
| Acceleration | 7.5 | EJ25 turbo punch is strong in the mid-range |
| Launch | 8.5 | AWD + turbo = consistent, strong launches |
| Braking | 7.5 | Brembo 6-piston, good modulation |
| Off-Road | 6.5 | Rally DNA — surprisingly capable on dirt with tire swap |
| PI (Stock) | 740 | Mid A class, room for S1 upgrades |
Pros & Cons — Subaru WRX STI S209
Pros
- Last and most powerful STI ever — collectible JDM icon
- Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) for adjustable torque split
- Wide fenders and aggressive aero from the factory
Cons
- Ancient EJ25 engine platform dates back to the 1990s
- 1,575 kg — heavy for an A class sports sedan
- Turbo lag is noticeable below 3,500 rpm
Best Events — Subaru WRX STI S209
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road Racing (A) | A-Tier | Competent all-rounder on tarmac |
| Dirt Racing (A) | S-Tier | Rally heritage shines — natural habitat |
| Street Scene (A) | A-Tier | AWD confidence on wet streets |
| Drift Zones | C-Tier | AWD fights drifting, but snow/dirt helps |
| Speed Zones | B-Tier | Good grip, average top speed |
| Cross Country | A-Tier | With rally suspension, surprisingly capable |
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Spec | Toyota GR Yaris | Subaru WRX STI S209 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| Handling | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Acceleration | 7.0 | 7.5 |
| Launch | 8.2 | 8.5 |
| Braking | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Off-Road | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| PI (Stock) | 710 | 740 |
Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?
Here's the honest answer after testing both cars back to back on the same circuits. The "better" car depends entirely on what you're driving for.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if: you prioritize cornering precision over straight-line speed. you want consistent launches and all-weather grip. you're building for a specific PI bracket and want the best car per point.
Pick the Subaru WRX STI S209 if: you prioritize cornering precision over straight-line speed. you want consistent launches and all-weather grip. you're building for a specific PI bracket and want the best car per point.
If I could only keep one, I'd pick the Subaru WRX STI S209. Both are competitive in the A class meta though, and either one will podium consistently if you build it right. My advice: test both at the Autoshow, run a few laps on your favorite circuit, and trust the stopwatch. The numbers don't lie — even when your heart wants them to.
How to Get Each Car
Available from the Autoshow for 40,000 CR. No seasonal restrictions — walk in and drive out.
Originally a 35-point seasonal reward. Prices on the Auction House have settled down now, so it's not impossible to find.
Wheelspin luck required. Pro tip: save your super wheelspins and open them in bulk. Doesn't change the odds, but it feels better.
Buy for 65,000 CR. Available from the start.
Regularly featured in JDM and rally Festival Playlists.
Common Wheelspin drop. Easy to find.