Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Subaru BRZ tS
Specs
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automobile
Shade: 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 Economic 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 stage evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | C- |
| Tall Man | C |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based 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 Gasoline
Base worth: $35,345 (not together with $1120 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: None
Value as examined: $36,465
Execs and Cons
The good: Partaking to drive, essentially sporty
The nice: Simple on the gasoline, easy controls
The not so good: Agency trip, loads of cabin noise
Evaluate
There was a time, and I’m sufficiently old to recollect it, that commuting to and from work was enjoyable—no less than in some locations. I’m certain nobody alive recollects a pre-congestion journey to the workplace in Los Angeles, and New York Metropolis has at all times been famously tough to navigate throughout the week. However Chicago, effectively, plainly Second Metropolis received 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 might be upgraded to “pleasure” standing by the fitting set of wheels. And that proper arrange wheels may simply be the pleasant Subaru BRZ.
New for the 2012 mannequin 12 months, 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 numerous 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 automobiles 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 important quantity, each benefit from the adoration of householders and would-be homeowners. And, for good purpose, the BRZ is an absolute pleasure to drive, and we envy the motive force capable of match certainly one of these dynamic little Subarus into their life.
Our check automotive was a 2024 instance, however because the automotive has modified little for 2025, we’ll talk about 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), Sequence.Purple ($36,615), and extra-sporty tS ($$37,414.)
Restricted to only 500 examples, the Sequence.Purple is obtainable solely with a manual-transmission and in Galaxy Purple Pearl. Solely the Restricted might be had with the obtainable 6-speed computerized 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 not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel od a 2024 BRZ tS in Blue Pearl. Together with vacation spot cost, our check automotive got here to $36,465.
Learn a number of BRZ evaluations which made be aware of the BRZ’s lack of “tech.” I might argue that the authors of these missives have missed the purpose right here totally. Not like most automotive obtainable in 2025, the BRZ isn’t a rolling workplace, it’s a official sports activities automotive, and the cabin serves that mission effectively. Sure, the contact display screen is on the small facet, however you may nonetheless Bluetooth join your cell system 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 at hand, and the clutch is effectively positioned for driver consolation and straightforward use.
This huge driver discovered coming into and exiting the BRZ problematic, however youthful and fitter people 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 wonderful.
Underneath 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 supplied within the BRZ.
Underway, the large feels as if it at all times “on cam,” producing good energy throughout the rev vary, and prepared to drag from any pace. The shifter isn’t precisely easy, however exact and notchy is the absolute best manner. Likewise, the clutch is mild and straightforward modulate. Whereas the BRZ doesn’t serve up an particularly great amount of energy by up to date 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 principally metropolis driving. That is effectively above the EPA estimates for the BRZ, and welcome information, if this isn’t an anomaly.
Dealing with is superb, and we would argue that the BRZ, no less than in tS trim, boasts one of the best steering of any reasonably priced sporty providing. The agency trip offers wonderful 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 trying on the improper automotive.
There’s honest quantity of noise filtering into the cabin, particularly at freeway pace. Know this in the event you plan to take the BRZ on prolonged highway journeys.
The Subaru lineup is blessed with two wonderful sporty rides. Along with the BRZ, the Japanese maker additionally sells the WRX small sedan. Although shut in worth, 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 selection. Of us on the lookout for a purer expertise will admire 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 conserving 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 need to take a look at the Toyota GR86 as effectively. Although the ’86 shares a lot with the BRZ, it does take pleasure in particular suspension tuning and distinctive trim ranges and worth factors. Both automotive is able to making a driver smile, and bringing some pleasure again right into a day by day commute.
Take heed to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2024 Subaru BRZ tS Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged photographs
