Overview

Most modern sports cars have become overly complex, but the BRZ offers a reprieve thanks to its authentic driving experience. The lightweight rear-drive coupe—which shares much with the Toyota 86—is not only fun to drive but also fairly practical. While its diminutive back seat is better left unused, the space expands for carrying cargo when it’s folded flat. Sure, the BRZ could use a stronger dose of horsepower and torque, but its precise handling and steady feedback place it among the purest driver’s cars on the market. While the 2020 BRZ has to compete with excellent alternatives such as the Mazda Miata, the Subaru’s roomier interior and extra cargo capacity increase its appeal as a daily driver.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every BRZ is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four-cylinder engine that pairs with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. The manual model funnels 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, while the automatic version makes 200 ponies and 151 lb-ft. The quickest BRZ we’ve tested went from zero to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. Unfortunately, its flat-four makes unflattering noises and could use more power to help the BRZ reach its full potential. While every version encourages aggressive driving thanks to its terrific balance and high-fidelity steering, the optional Performance package retunes the suspension and brings upgraded Brembo brakes along with wider wheels and tires. Likewise, the tS model makes the BRZ even better thanks to chassis tuning by the company’s STI performance division as well as rolling on grippier tires wrapped around unique 18-inch wheels.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The thriftiest BRZ is rated at 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, but those EPA estimates are reserved for models with the optional automatic transmission. The standard manual transmission has lesser ratings in both metrics—netting 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The BRZ tS, which is manual only, shaves 1 and 2 mpg, respectively, off the regular stick-shift model. However, the last tS we tested on our 200-mile fuel-economy route returned 32 mpg on the highway.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2020 BRZ earned a four-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it wasn’t named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Subaru avoids increasing the BRZ’s price or weight by not offering any driver-assistance technologies.

Is the Subaru BRZ a good car?

The 2023 Subaru BRZ is an excellent sports car. It packs a zesty flat four-cylinder engine and a choice of slick manual and automatic transmissions, and this powertrain hauls the featherweight coupe up to speed with authority.

Is the Subaru BRZ a fast car?

Q: Is the 2022 Subaru BRZ fast? Yes, the 2022 Subaru BRZ is a fast sports car that does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph.

Which is better the Toyota 86 or the Subaru BRZ?

As mentioned previously, both the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ have a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. The Toyota 86 produces 232 horsepower with 184 lb-ft of torque. This is a slight edge over the Subaru BRZ, as the BRZ has an output of 228 horsepower with 184 lb-ft of torque.