5 Best Front Lips for 2015–2017 WRX/STI, Compared

The best front lip for a 2015–2017 WRX or WRX STI is the JDMuscle CS Style carbon fiber lip at $399 — real carbon fiber, an aggressive CS look, and the best price of any carbon option here. If you want the OEM-plus look for less, JDMuscle's OE Style lip at $349 is the budget king. And if money is no object, APR's carbon airdam is the most track-serious piece on this list. Here are five lips worth your money, compared.

A front lip is the single most popular aero mod on the VA-chassis WRX — it transforms the front end for a few hundred dollars, installs in an afternoon with basic hand tools, and every option below is made specifically for the 2015–2017 pre-facelift bumper. (Note: the 2018+ facelift changed the bumper, so double-check fitment if you drive a later VA.) All five picks below are live on our site right now.

1. JDMuscle CS Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip — $399

JDMuscle [15-17 WRX/STI] CS Style Carbon Fiber Front Bumper Lip is our pick for most drivers. It's genuine carbon fiber in the aggressive CS style — the look that defined the VA aero scene — at a price that undercuts every name-brand carbon lip here by hundreds. This is our own brand, built to our spec, and it's the default recommendation for anyone who wants the carbon look without the carbon tax. Note: it's listed as a special-order item, so check the listing for current lead time before you plan your install weekend.

2. JDMuscle OE Style Front Lip (Gloss/Matte Black) — $349

The JDMuscle [15-17 WRX/STI] OE Style Front Lip is the budget pick that doesn't look like one. Available in gloss or matte black with an optional color accent, it follows the factory bumper lines for a clean OEM-plus look — perfect for a daily driver that needs to survive steep driveways. At $349 it's the cheapest way to change the whole attitude of the car's front end, and it's our own brand too.

3. Seibon MB1-Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip — $900

Seibon 15-17 WRX/STI MB1-Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip (FL15SBIMP-MB1) is for the buyer who wants a big-name carbon part with Seibon's finish quality. The MB1 style is more sculpted than a flat splitter-style lip, with lines that tie into the VA's factory bodywork. You're paying for the Seibon name and their carbon weave consistency — worth it if show-level finish matters to you.

4. APR Carbon Fiber Front Airdam — $996

The APR [15-17 WRX/STI] Carbon Fiber Front Airdam (FA-891510) is the most serious aerodynamic piece on this list. APR designs its aero in CFD and validates it for real downforce, not just looks — this airdam is the choice if your WRX sees track days and you want the front end to actually work at speed. It's the priciest pick here, but it's the only one engineered as a performance part first and a styling part second.

5. OLM 3-Piece Carbon Fiber Low Pro Front Lip — $499.20

OLM [15-17 WRX/STI] 3 Piece Carbon Fiber Low Pro Front Lip splits the difference: real carbon fiber at a mid-range price, in a subtle low-profile design that adds presence without screaming for attention. The 3-piece construction also means a scuffed corner doesn't force you to replace the whole lip. A smart pick for a street car that parks in the real world.

Quick comparison

How to choose

Match your bumper. Every lip above fits the 2015–2017 pre-facelift VA bumper. The 2018–2021 facelift bumper is different — don't assume cross-compatibility.

Carbon vs. non-carbon. Carbon fiber looks incredible and saves a little weight, but it cracks instead of flexing on a hard scrape. If your driveway is the enemy, a flexible gloss/matte black lip is the pragmatic call.

Install reality. Most lips mount with a mix of factory hardware points and self-tapping screws into the bumper. Budget an afternoon, and consider paint protection film on a carbon lip's leading edge — rock chips are its mortal enemy.

Bottom line: start with the JDMuscle CS Style carbon lip for the best blend of looks, material, and price — or grab the OE Style lip if you'd rather spend the savings on your next mod.