Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Subaru BRZ tS
Specs
Class: Sporty/Efficiency Automotive
Shade: Blue Pearl
Seating Capability: 4
Miles pushed: 193
Actual-world gas economic 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 automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | C- |
| Tall Man | C |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based 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 economic system: 20/27/22 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Premium Gasoline
Base value: $35,345 (not together with $1120 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: None
Worth as examined: $36,465
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Partaking to drive, essentially sporty
The nice: Simple 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—no less than in some locations. I’m certain nobody alive remembers 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, plainly Second Metropolis bought dangerous solely 30 years in the past, or so.
However enjoyable is the place you discover it—and if you happen to’re up for the problem, your commute could be upgraded to “pleasure” standing by the proper 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 lots of enjoyable at that.
A small coupe that includes rear-wheel drive and customary 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 homeowners and would-be homeowners. And, for good cause, the BRZ is an absolute pleasure to drive, and we envy the motive force in a position to match one among these dynamic little Subarus into their life.
Our check 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), 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 could be had with the obtainable 6-speed automated 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 per week behind the wheel od a 2024 BRZ tS in Blue Pearl. Together with vacation spot cost, our check automobile got here to $36,465.
Learn a number of BRZ opinions which made observe of the BRZ’s lack of “tech.” I might argue that the authors of these missives have missed the purpose right here fully. Not like most automobile obtainable in 2025, the BRZ shouldn’t be a rolling workplace, it’s a respectable sports activities automobile, and the cabin serves that mission effectively. Sure, the contact display is on the small aspect, however you’ll be able to nonetheless Bluetooth join your cellular machine for each music and cellphone calls, so, it’s not such as you’re being stranded in 1990.
Truly, the cabin is comfortable 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 probably not have an issue. The cabin itself is fitted in decent-quality supplies—nothing particular, however serviceable, and construct high quality is seemingly wonderful.
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 pace. The shifter shouldn’t be precisely easy, however exact and notchy is the absolute best method. 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 onerous. 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 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 inexpensive sporty providing. The agency journey gives wonderful road-surface suggestions, and helps to maintain issues attention-grabbing on on-ramps and curvy roads. And, if highway noise—and highway really feel—aren’t actually your factor, your trying on the incorrect automobile.
There may be honest quantity of noise filtering into the cabin, particularly at freeway pace. Know this if you happen to 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 value, the WRX is the upper efficiency mannequin, with its turbocharged engine and customary AWD. For driver’s searching for most efficiency, the WRX is the higher alternative. Of us searching for a purer expertise will admire the BRZ’s rear-wheel drive and usually aspirated (not turbocharged) engine. Notice: The WRX is far simpler to get out and in of.
We’re grateful to Subaru for holding the slow-selling BRZ in its lineup. The sporty coupe is as near an inexpensive sporty coupe as an7 maker gives on the market within the U.S. As a result of it’s mechanically related, BRZ buyers 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 value factors. Both automobile is able to making a driver smile, and bringing some pleasure again right into a each day commute.
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2024 Subaru BRZ tS Photos
Click on under for enlarged pictures