Review - Subaru BRZ

To make things even better for buyers, Subaru has given its BRZ sports car a significant styling update for the most recent model year, with even more power on offer from its four-cylinder engine.

Let’s take a closer look at the Subaru BRZ range to find out just how good the package is, and how it stacks up against its rivals like the Toyota GR86, Mazda MX-5 and the Hyundai i30 N.

Starting Price: $38,990

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Subaru BRZ (S) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Subaru BRZ car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Subaru BRZ range kicks off from $40,290 for the entry-level BRZ manual, with the BRZ automatic priced at $44,090. 

Stepping up to the BRZ S manual brings the price to $41,590 while the range-topping BRZ S automatic is priced at $45,390.

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What Features Does the Subaru BRZ Have?

The entry-level Subaru BRZ comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, and receives a set of LED headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, keyless entry & start, dual-zone climate control, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, rear-view camera and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation are fitted as standard.

Upgrading to the BRZ S adds a set of heated seats in the front of the cabin wrapped in suede and leather upholstery.

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• LED headlights 

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever 

• Keyless entry & start 

• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Rear-view camera 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Heated seats (BRZ S)

• Suede & leather upholstery (BRZ S)

Subaru BRZ Colours

The Subaru BRZ range is available in ten colours, including Ice Silver, Crystal White, Ignition Red, Magnetite Grey, WR Blue, Sapphire Blue and Crystal Black.

Is it Fun to Drive?

While its stats might not appear too impressive on paper, the lightweight platform and sharp handling make the BRZ feel like a true sports car.

The BRZ comes powered by a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 174kW of power and 249Nm of torque, which is paired with your choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The end result is an extremely engaging acceleration experience which, combined with the agile handling, makes for one of the best value picks for a versatile and impressive sports car at this price point.

The front end offers a heap of grip, with a lively steering configuration that welcomes user input and translates to a driver’s car that is accommodating to all levels, while the limited-slip differential adds a heap of fun to the mix during high-speed cornering.

Admittedly, the sports-tuned suspension does feel firm on some of the rougher road surfaces here in Australia, but around town, the BRZ platform is relatively comfortable- albeit more suited to smooth town and city streets, but it’s not too fragile to head off onto B-roads.

Having said that, piloting the BRZ around town is a simple and user-friendly process thanks to the lightweight steering rack and its compact proportions that make parking a simple task.

The BRZ platform is more than happy to bumble around at slow speeds and adds a heap of versatility to its extremely impressive performance nature.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

As you might expect, designed primarily as a sports coupe, the BRZ doesn’t exactly excel when it comes to family duties.

Having said that, the front of the cabin is very accommodating, even for tall drivers thanks to Subaru’s low-slung sports seats that maximise the amount of headroom in the cockpit, making for a comfortable and surprisingly spacious cabin for two.

In terms of practicality, storage options in the central tunnel areas are limited to the split-folding armrest that accommodates a pair of cupholders and houses some USB chargers for your smartphone.

Thankfully, there’s a pair of door bins on either side of the cabin that can swallow up a large water bottle.

In the rear of the cabin, you’ll find an extremely compact set of seats that are capable of seating small children, but it’s virtually impossible to accommodate an adult in the rear of the BRZ’s cabin, although you will find a set of ISOFIX anchors on either side to safely mount a child seat.

Finally, the Subaru BRZ offers a compact boot measuring in at 201L, however, the BRZ’s limited boot space comes with the added bonus of a full-sized spare tyre, which is actually quite a nice touch.

Wrapping up, Subaru knows that owners are probably not using the BRZ as a primary mode of transport, and has focussed its attention more on the driving experience, rather than the practicality of its platform, which we can’t help but admire.

Is it Safe?

The latest generation BRZ is yet to receive an official ANCAP safety rating, although the previous BRZ received a five-star safety rating.

As standard, the BRZ comes packaged with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane-departure warnings, while automatic variants gain forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a set of automatic headlights.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Subaru BRZ returns fuel economy figures of 9.5L per 100km for the manual variant, with the BRZ automatic rated at 8.8L/100km on a combined cycle.

This makes the BRZ relatively thirsty for a compact sports car, largely the result of its naturally-aspirated powertrain while a number of its rivals gain a turbocharger.

Our Verdict: Is the Subaru BRZ Worth it?

The Subaru BRZ is a wonderful sports car that feels fast and agile while rewarding driver input and somehow managing to remain user-friendly in the process.

As a result, the BRZ is one of the best options at this price point for drivers looking for an engaging sports car with an affordable price tag, and we can’t help but recommend you add it to your shortlist.

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty

2. 12-month/15,000km service intervals

3. 2.4-litre four-cylinder with rear-wheel drive and limited-slip differential

4. No official ANCAP safety rating, yet

5. 9.5L/100km fuel economy (manual) 8.8L/100km (automatic)

Pros

• Motivated powertrain gains capacity over replacement

• Sharp handling with a heap of grip

• A true driver’s car at a reasonable price

Cons

• Extremely small rear seats

• No official ANCAP safety rating

• Long wait lists

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Subaru BRZ Competition