Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Subaru BRZ tS
Specs
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automobile
Coloration: Blue Pearl
Seating Capability: 4
Miles pushed: 193
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 31.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | C |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B- |
| Gasoline Financial system | A |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | C- |
| Tall Man | C |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 228-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Sort | 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed guide |
| Drive Wheels | Rear-wheel drive |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 20/27/22 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Premium Fuel
Base value: $35,345 (not together with $1120 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: None
Worth as examined: $36,465
Professionals and Cons
The good: Partaking to drive, basically sporty
The nice: Straightforward on the fuel, easy controls
The not so good: Agency journey, loads of cabin noise
Evaluation
There was a time, and I’m sufficiently old to recollect it, that commuting to and from work was enjoyable—at the very least in some locations. I’m positive nobody alive recollects a pre-congestion journey to the workplace in Los Angeles, and New York Metropolis has all the time been famously tough to navigate in the course of the week. However Chicago, properly, it appears that evidently Second Metropolis obtained unhealthy solely 30 years in the past, or so.
However enjoyable is the place you discover it—and in the event you’re up for the problem, your commute could be upgraded to “pleasure” standing by the precise set of wheels. And that proper arrange wheels may simply be the pleasant Subaru BRZ.
New for the 2012 mannequin yr, and considerably up to date for 2021, the BRZ, and its Toyota clone the GR86, are rolling proof that driving can nonetheless be enjoyable, and quite a lot of enjoyable at that.
A small coupe that includes rear-wheel drive and commonplace 6-manual transmission, the BRZ is a throwback to the Eighties and Nineties, when vehicles just like the Nissan 240 SX, Toyota Celica, and Volkswagen Scirocco have been frequent sights on American roadways.
And whereas the BRZ and its Toyota cousin don’t promote in vital quantity, each benefit from the adoration of householders and would-be house owners. And, for good cause, the BRZ is an absolute pleasure to drive, and we envy the driving force capable of match one among these dynamic little Subarus into their life.
Our take a look at automobile was a 2024 instance, however because the automobile has modified little for 2025, we are going to focus on the latter. Notice although, that the costs above are for our 2024 tester.
For ’25, the BRZ is obtainable in 4 trim ranges: base Premium ($32,265), Restricted ($34,915), Collection.Purple ($36,615), and extra-sporty tS ($$37,414.)
Restricted to only 500 examples, the Collection.Purple is obtainable solely with a manual-transmission and in Galaxy Purple Pearl. Solely the Restricted could be had with the obtainable 6-speed automated transmission, different trim ranges are fitted solely with a 6-speed guide trans. All however the Premium are fitted with 18-inch wheels and tires; Premiums include 17s.
The highest-tier tS provides to BRZ sporty character with upgraded Brembo-brand brakes, firmer suspension, and distinctive cabin trim components.
Shopper Information just lately spent per week behind the wheel od a 2024 BRZ tS in Blue Pearl. Together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at automobile got here to $36,465.
Learn a number of BRZ critiques which made word of the BRZ’s lack of “tech.” I might argue that the authors of these missives have missed the purpose right here solely. In contrast to most automobile obtainable in 2025, the BRZ will not be a rolling workplace, it’s a official sports activities automobile, and the cabin serves that mission properly. Sure, the contact display screen is on the small facet, however you possibly can nonetheless Bluetooth join your cell machine for each music and telephone calls, so, it’s not such as you’re being stranded in 1990.
Truly, the cabin is cosy and cockpit like, and is a cushty place from which to conduct the enterprise of driving. The shifter falls readily handy, and the clutch is properly positioned for driver consolation and straightforward use.
This huge driver discovered getting into and exiting the BRZ problematic, however youthful and fitter of us will seemingly not have an issue. The cabin itself is fitted in decent-quality supplies—nothing particular, however serviceable, and construct high quality is outwardly glorious.
Below hood lies Subaru’s 2.4-liter horizontally opposed “flat” four-cylinder engine. The prepared energy plant produces 228 horsepower and requires premium-grade gasoline. That is the one engine provided within the BRZ.
Underway, the large feels as if it all the time “on cam,” producing good energy throughout the rev vary, and prepared to tug from any velocity. The shifter will not be precisely clean, however exact and notchy is the very best manner. Likewise, the clutch is mild and straightforward modulate. Whereas the BRZ doesn’t serve up an particularly great amount of energy by modern requirements, it’s response, and makes nice noise when labored laborious. For people actually seeking to discover the enjoyable throughout a workday commute, That is key. And as a shock bonus, we averaged over 30 mpg in largely metropolis driving. That is properly above the EPA estimates for the BRZ, and welcome information, if this isn’t an anomaly.
Dealing with is superb, and we’d argue that the BRZ, at the very least in tS trim, boasts one of the best steering of any reasonably priced sporty providing. The agency journey offers glorious road-surface suggestions, and helps to maintain issues fascinating on on-ramps and curvy roads. And, if highway noise—and highway really feel—aren’t actually your factor, your wanting on the unsuitable automobile.
There may be honest quantity of noise filtering into the cabin, particularly at freeway velocity. Know this in the event you plan to take the BRZ on prolonged highway journeys.
The Subaru lineup is blessed with two glorious sporty rides. Along with the BRZ, the Japanese maker additionally sells the WRX small sedan. Although shut in value, the WRX is the upper efficiency mannequin, with its turbocharged engine and commonplace AWD. For driver’s on the lookout for most efficiency, the WRX is the higher alternative. Of us on the lookout for a purer expertise will respect the BRZ’s rear-wheel drive and usually aspirated (not turbocharged) engine. Notice: The WRX is way simpler to get out and in of.
We’re grateful to Subaru for retaining the slow-selling BRZ in its lineup. The sporty coupe is as near an reasonably priced sporty coupe as an7 maker gives on the market within the U.S. As a result of it’s mechanically related, BRZ consumers will wish to try the Toyota GR86 as properly. Although the ’86 shares a lot with the BRZ, it does take pleasure in particular suspension tuning and distinctive trim ranges and value factors. Both automobile is able to making a driver smile, and bringing some pleasure again right into a every day commute.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2024 Subaru BRZ tS Footage
Click on under for enlarged pictures
