Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Subaru BRZ tS
Specs
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automobile
Colour: Blue Pearl
Seating Capability: 4
Miles pushed: 193
Actual-world gas financial system: 31.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | C |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B- |
| Gas 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 degree evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your entire 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 Kind | 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed handbook |
| Drive Wheels | Rear-wheel drive |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 20/27/22 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Premium Gasoline
Base worth: $35,345 (not together with $1120 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: None
Value as examined: $36,465
Execs and Cons
The good: Partaking to drive, basically sporty
The nice: Straightforward on the gasoline, easy controls
The not so good: Agency journey, 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—a minimum of 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 throughout the week. However Chicago, effectively, evidently Second Metropolis bought unhealthy solely 30 years in the past, or so.
However enjoyable is the place you discover it—and when you’re up for the problem, your commute might be upgraded to “pleasure” standing by the best set of wheels. And that proper arrange wheels would possibly 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 a number of enjoyable at that.
A small coupe that includes rear-wheel drive and normal 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 widespread 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 house owners. And, for good cause, the BRZ is an absolute pleasure to drive, and we envy the motive 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’ll focus on the latter. Be aware 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 handbook 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 parts.
Client Information just lately spent every 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 opinions 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 fully. In contrast to most automobile obtainable in 2025, the BRZ is just not a rolling workplace, it’s a legit sports activities automobile, and the cabin serves that mission effectively. Sure, the contact display screen is on the small aspect, however you may nonetheless Bluetooth join your cellular gadget 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 snug place from which to conduct the enterprise of driving. The shifter falls readily handy, and the clutch is effectively positioned for driver consolation and simple use.
This huge driver discovered coming 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.
Underneath hood lies Subaru’s 2.4-liter horizontally opposed “flat” four-cylinder engine. The keen energy plant produces 228 horsepower and requires premium-grade gasoline. That is the one engine supplied within the BRZ.
Underway, the massive feels as if it all the time “on cam,” producing good energy throughout the rev vary, and keen to tug from any pace. The shifter is just not precisely clean, however exact and notchy is the very best method. Likewise, the clutch is mild and simple 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 exhausting. For folk 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’d argue that the BRZ, a minimum of 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 fallacious automobile.
There’s honest quantity of noise filtering into the cabin, particularly at freeway pace. Know this when 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 worth, the WRX is the upper efficiency mannequin, with its turbocharged engine and normal AWD. For driver’s in search of most efficiency, the WRX is the higher alternative. Of us in search of a purer expertise will recognize the BRZ’s rear-wheel drive and usually aspirated (not turbocharged) engine. Be aware: The WRX is way simpler to get out and in of.
We’re grateful to Subaru for protecting the slow-selling BRZ in its lineup. The sporty coupe is as near an reasonably priced sporty coupe as an7 maker provides on the market within the U.S. As a result of it’s mechanically comparable, BRZ buyers will wish 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 automobile is able to making a driver smile, and bringing some pleasure again right into a every day commute.
Take heed to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2024 Subaru BRZ tS Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
