Yes, I know – we covered the Toyota GR 86, this car’s fraternal twin, just two weeks ago. But with both companies making a play for enthusiast dollars, it’s smart to see if the same conclusions we drew for the Big T also apply to the Exploding Galaxy.
Subaru sets the table at $27,995 with the base trim BRZ, ironically called the Premium. A so-called Limited trim, which is surely limited to exactly the number they can sell, has a sticker price $495 north of 30 grand. The powertrain is the same across both cars, featuring the 2.4L horizontally-opposed four-banger making 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. A chief difference in this engine versus the old one is all of that torque is online at just 3,700 rpm, which vastly changes the character of this car around town. All the horses don’t wake for duty until 7,000 rpm, it must be said. This can all be hooked to either a manual or automatic transmission. Our preferred choice of gearbox needs no explanation.
Exterior feature similarities mean it’s not immediately apparent to the casual observer which trim of BRZ you’re rocking, but one can be guaranteed the enthusiasts to which these machines appeal will spot the differences immediately. Limited earns 18-inch wheels and tires, an inch larger than the Premium. Upfront there are LED peepers but the lamps on a Limited are of the steering-responsive type, perfect for peering around the next corner of your favorite stretch of road. Both get a trunk spoiler and color-keyed heated side mirrors. Speaking of, the same color palette is offered on both machines, a sensible decision by Subaru instead of forcing customers to upgrade in order to spec an interesting shade or have the thing wrapped after taking delivery. WR Blue is shown here because I’m a child.
It’s inside with a few creature comforts in which these two trims can be differentiated. Cloth upholstery is swapped for ultrasuede/leather-trimmed chairs as you move up the price ladder, and some extra safety nannies such as blind-spot detection with lane change assist are present as well. Both rides get dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch infotainment screen (one speaker for each inch, apparently, since there are 8 speakers), and the same multi-function gauge display. We should note that opting for the automatic brings the Subaru EyeSight suite of active safety gear – but we’re still sticking with the manual.
Packing more horsepower, and a great amount of accessible torque, the 2022 BRZ is a solid upgrade over the old model. Will there be special editions in which the suspension and other handling bits have been fettled? Almost certainly. But you can trade your BRZ Premium in when the time comes, right?
Please note the prices listed here are in American shekels and are currently accurate for base prices exclusive of any fees, taxes, or rebates. Your dealer may (and should) sell for less, obscene market conditions notwithstanding. Keep your foot down, bone up on available rebates, and bargain hard.
[Images: Subaru]
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Reminiscent of my 73 240Z. Sadly these only appear to have the “black hole” interior.
Eh, all it needs is a screen delete to be perfect for me.
Yeah, this needs that wonderful quilted caramel vinyl from those Z days! Seriously, if someone can afford a little extra, a competent upholstery shop could remake/alter the seat fabric and you could add a little color to match here and there.
“Limited earns 18-inch wheels and tires, an inch larger than the Premium.”
They just can’t help themselves with this want interior features = get rubber band tires crap. 215/40s have literally 3″ of sidewall. Our potholes are deeper than that.
That’s so the dealers can up sell you for their “wheel and tire insurance” package.
Buy uplevel.
Go to forums and find a kid who bought the base version and work out a wheel/tire swap.
Old Guy (me) gets sidewall, Kid gets the rubber band summer tires he wants for bragging rights.
Too much work. But I’ll bet the dealer would trade you in a heartbeat.
Buy: Civic
Drive: Sentra
Burn: Corolla
Great to see that no said it needs a turbo.
My Evo VIII only made 215 whp (Mustang dyno) brand new, and no one ever complained it was slow. People are spoiled by the gaudy hp numbers cars have today without thinking much about how much of that power the computer is actually letting you use at any one moment.
Great to see that no said it needs a turbo
Not a real Subaru:
– No Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
– Not Subaru Safe
– Not pet friendly
– An affront to the Subaru Love Promise
https://www.subaru.com/safety
https://www.subaru.com/love-promise.html
All for four sales per dealer per year?
(You know it’s true, Tom Doll.)
Real Subaru or not I’d argue that BRZ customers are more sports car enthusiasts than GR 86 customers.
Toyota reported a 20% take rate for manual transmissions in the 86 while Subaru’s rate for the BRZ was more than double that.
Heck there’s probably a higher percentage of manual transmission BRZ than WRX. And the dang WRX has a CVT