Adding a 2020 sti front lip is honestly one of the first things most owners do when they want to change the look of their car without spending a fortune. It's that one modification that completely transforms the front end, making the car look lower and more aggressive without actually touching the suspension. If you've been looking at your Subie and thinking it looks a little bit too "tame" from the factory, a front lip is usually the answer.
But before you just go out and buy the first one you see on a random website, there's actually a bit more to it than just bolting a piece of plastic to your bumper. Between the different materials, the various styles, and the reality of living with a lower car, you've got some choices to make.
Why a Front Lip Matters for the 2020 STI
The 2020 WRX STI has a pretty sharp design from the factory, but the front bumper sits a bit high for some people's taste. By installing a 2020 sti front lip, you're essentially "filling in" that gap between the bumper and the pavement. It gives the car that "planted" look that defines the VA chassis.
Aside from the looks, there's a tiny bit of aerodynamic benefit. Now, unless you're hitting triple digits on a track, you probably won't feel a massive difference in downforce. However, a well-designed lip helps direct air around the sides of the car rather than letting it tumble under the chassis. Mostly, though, we're doing this for the aesthetic. It makes the car look like it's ready for a time attack, even if you're just headed to the grocery store.
Choosing the Right Material
This is where a lot of people get stuck. Do you go with something cheap that you won't mind breaking, or do you go for the high-end stuff that turns heads at every car meet?
Polyurethane (The Daily Driver Choice)
If your car is a daily driver, polyurethane (PU) is almost always the way to go. It's a flexible plastic that can take a beating. If you scrape on a steep driveway or hit a speed bump a little too fast, a PU lip will usually just bend and pop back into shape. It might get a little scuffed, but it won't shatter into a million pieces. Most of these come in a matte black finish, which looks great as-is or can be painted to match your car.
Carbon Fiber (The Show Stopper)
Carbon fiber looks incredible. There's no denying that the weave pattern catching the sun looks premium. If you're building a show car or you just want that high-end "tuner" vibe, carbon fiber is the king. However, it's brittle. If you smack a curb or a rogue piece of tire tread on the highway, a carbon fiber 2020 sti front lip is going to crack or shatter. It's also significantly more expensive. If you go this route, you have to be way more careful about where you drive.
ABS Plastic
ABS is sort of the middle ground. It's stiffer than polyurethane but cheaper than carbon fiber. It holds its shape really well and usually has a nice, smooth finish. The downside is that it doesn't have the "give" that polyurethane has, so if you hit something hard, it's more likely to crack than to bend.
Popular Styles to Consider
Not all lips are shaped the same. Some are subtle, and some are "in your face."
- The CS Style: This is a classic. It's modeled after the Charge Speed designs and features a nice, clean line that follows the bumper and flares out slightly on the edges. It's one of the most popular choices for the 2020 STI because it looks like something that could have come from the factory.
- V-Limited Style: If you want something that looks very close to the OEM Subaru optional lip, this is it. It's simple, sleek, and doesn't protrude too far forward. It's perfect for a "sleeper" build.
- S209 Style: For those who want to mimic the ultra-rare S209 STI, this lip is usually more aggressive and might even include some small "canard" style winglets on the sides.
- Aggressive Splitters: These aren't just lips; they're flat plates that bolt under the bumper and often require support rods. These are for the guys who want the full track-car look.
Installation Tips for a Better Fit
Installing a 2020 sti front lip isn't rocket science, but it can be frustrating if you rush it. Most lips come with a handful of self-tapping screws and maybe some 3M tape. If you want it to stay on at highway speeds, you might want to beef up the hardware.
First off, get a buddy to help you. Holding a six-foot piece of plastic steady while trying to drill into your bumper is a recipe for a crooked lip. Line it up, use some painter's tape to hold it in place, and double-check that it's centered.
A pro tip is to use actual nuts and bolts with large washers for the main mounting points rather than just relying on the self-tapping screws. The wind pressure on a front lip at 80 mph is surprisingly high. You don't want to see your new lip flying off in the rearview mirror. Also, if you're using 3M tape, make sure you clean the bumper with isopropyl alcohol first. If there's any wax or dirt, that tape is going to peel off in a week.
Living with a Front Lip
Once you've got your 2020 sti front lip installed, your driving habits have to change a little bit. You're going to become very familiar with the "Subaru Angle." This is the maneuver where you turn your wheels and approach every driveway or speed bump at a 45-degree angle to avoid crunching the front end.
It sounds like a hassle, but you get used to it pretty quickly. You'll also start scanning the road a lot more closely for potholes or debris. Even a small piece of wood on the road can do a number on a low-hanging lip.
Another thing to keep in mind is maintenance. If you have a matte black PU lip, it can start to look "chalky" or faded after a year in the sun. Using a trim restorer or even a quick spray of UV protectant during your car washes will keep it looking fresh. If you went with carbon fiber, make sure you keep it waxed or ceramic coated to prevent the clear coat from yellowing or peeling.
Is It Worth It?
At the end of the day, a 2020 sti front lip is probably the best bang-for-your-buck mod you can do. It's relatively cheap (if you go with polyurethane), easy to install in your driveway on a Saturday morning, and it completely changes the attitude of the car.
It makes the STI look wider, lower, and much more modern. Whether you're going for a clean OEM+ look or a full-blown custom build, the front lip is the foundation. Just be prepared to scrape every now and then—it's just part of the life. If you aren't scraping occasionally, are you even really low?
Just remember to take your time with the selection. Think about the roads you drive on every day. If you live somewhere with massive potholes and steep hills, maybe skip the expensive carbon fiber and stick with a durable PU lip. You'll thank yourself the first time you hear that inevitable skritch sound when pulling into a gas station. It's a lot easier to swallow a $150 mistake than a $700 one!