The formula remains unchanged for the redesigned, second-generation Subaru BRZ: This small, nimble rear-drive sports coupe is all about driving fun at a modest price. As before, the BRZ is a near-twin to the Toyota GR86, with one important difference—the BRZ’s ride, while still very firm, doesn’t beat you up with the constant harshness and bone-jarring character of the Toyota, which we found gets old quickly. Yet the BRZ’s handling is pinpoint-precise, with a taut suspension, quick reflexes, and a forgiving nature when driven to its limits.
You’d certainly be hard-pressed to find a more alluring car to drive down a twisty two-lane road. It also proved thoroughly impressive around our track, posting a remarkable speed of 60 mph through CR’s avoidance maneuver test, while managing to be a perfect dance partner for our drivers as they slung it around our twisty road course. Like the GR86, the BRZ benefits from a larger, 2.4-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter version. It gained 23 horsepower in the process, now up to 228 hp. More importantly, the new engine produces considerably more power down low in the revs, with improved throttle response, both of which make it easier to drive. A six-speed automatic transmission is available, but we prefer the direct driver experience of the six-speed manual, which engages each gear with a satisfying feel. The BRZ sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which is competitive with other sporty models. Yet it also returned 27 mpg overall with the manual transmission, which is respectable fuel economy for a sports car.
We’re happy to report that the BRZ’s ride doesn’t beat you up as much as in the GR86 that we previously tested. It’s still unquestionably firm, but the suspension is just absorbent enough to qualify for daily-driver duty. But, as with the GR86, a quiet cabin that insulates occupants from the outside world is not the BRZ’s thing. Instead, there’s an unrelenting barrage of tire rumble and engine drone that’s bound to get exhausting on longer highway drives. You sit so close to the ground that you’re aware of any change in the pavement texture—coarse road surfaces, for example, become immediately obvious.
Getting in and out of this small, low-slung machine can be viewed as either a chore or part of your daily exercise routine. You more “fall down into” the front seats rather than slide over and onto them, and you have to hoist yourself up to get back out. There’s a tiny rear seat that only a child would want to sit in—smaller adults in a pinch (maybe) for a short drive.
The controls are simple, with an easy-to-use infotainment touchscreen plus physical buttons and knobs for the climate system that are intuitive to operate while driving. We appreciate that the tachometer is front and center within the driver’s instrument cluster. Small-item storage is scarce, and the center armrest is placed too far rearward to be usable. The car’s diminutive trunk dictates traveling light. Outward visibility is challenging due to short windows and thick rear pillars.
For 2024, AEB with pedestrian detection and AEB highway became standard with the manual transmission models as well. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning come standard on the top Limited trim, including the manual versions.