It started with a loud chime — one that could wake up a ghost, to be honest. As you drive the 2025 Subaru WRX tS around town, on the highway, or pretty much anywhere, the car can tell whether you’re paying attention to the road.
The DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, standard on all trim levels of the WRX, is annoying — but in the best way possible. If you look to the side too long, stare at the Apple CarPlay screen, talk to a passenger, or gaze at the sunset a few seconds too long, the WRX knows.
There are two ways the system alerts you, and I experienced both at different times. One is an audible chime designed to startle you slightly — especially if you haven’t had enough coffee and your head starts to bob. The system even works in low light conditions. I say “annoying” in a good way because the sound is intentionally loud enough to get your attention. It’s not a gentle chime like a seatbelt reminder; it’s meant to wake you up.
The second alert is visual, and I saw that one, too. I wasn’t sure which would appear in certain conditions or why, but in my experience, the visual alert — a clear message telling me to pay attention — appeared when I was looking out the window too much. Passengers even noticed that it triggered when I spent too much time fussing with CarPlay.
I might sound like I’m complaining, but I actually appreciate how well these alerts work. As humans, we simply can’t focus perfectly at all times — our brains aren’t wired that way. During my test drive, I found myself distracted by the scenery because I had just bought a new camera. When I glanced too long at a spectacular cloud formation, the chime immediately kicked in.
Some drivers online have said the DriverFocus system feels aggressive. Personally, I think it strikes the right balance. It didn’t feel overly sensitive — for example, if I looked down briefly to check my phone or make sure I hadn’t spilled coffee, the system didn’t overreact. It felt intelligent and well-calibrated rather than intrusive.
It’s remarkable how far driver attention monitoring systems have come. I remember testing one of the first versions back in 2010 when Mercedes was among the few automakers experimenting with this tech. Now, it’s becoming increasingly common — Toyota, Subaru, and several others have refined it in recent years.
The WRX is a perfect match for such a system. It’s always been a fun, engaging car to drive, and it’s easy to get distracted by the gauges, turbo whine, or scenery. The DriverFocus system keeps that enthusiasm in check without dampening the fun.
The system uses a camera facing the driver to track head position and detect signs of drowsiness. It also employs infrared scanning, which allows it to function even in total darkness.
As for the future, it’s easy to imagine a time when, instead of just warning you, cars might take over and pull safely to the side of the road if you fall asleep. We’re not quite there yet — and probably won’t see that in a WRX for another five or six years — but the 2025 Subaru WRX tS DriverFocus system is a big step in that direction.