2013 Subaru BRZ Video Review

Though most Subarus come standard with all-wheel drive, there’s one model that intentionally doesn’t.  Designed for the driving enthusiast, this is the rear-wheel drive, all-new Subaru BRZ.

It’s been over a year since I first drove this car’s Scion-branded sibling, the FR-S.  As you may know, these 2 cars are born of a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru, using the latter’s new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine with the former’s D-4S injection system combining direct and port fuel injection allowing for a higher compression ratio thus enabling greater power and efficiency.  It’s rated at 200 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 151 pound feet of torque at 6,400 RPM.  Typically, those would not be numbers which scream “I’m a sports car, come race me” but the BRZ is low, small and light with a beltline that’s about thigh-high and a  curb weight barely greater than that of a MINI Cooper Turbo.  For most people who have been driving large sedans and SUVs, getting in and driving a car like this akin to a day at the go-kart track.

What you’re looking at here is the lesser of the 2 available trims; the BRZ Premium with its standard 6-speed manual.  And therein lies the key difference between this car and my FR-S experience – the Scion had the optional 6-speed auto…an excellent gearbox in its own right.  But the BRZ’s conceptual design almost demands the use of a stick-shift.  Having a great one can make all the difference and I’d give the BRZ’s an 8 out of 10.  It’s short, precise throws from 1 through 6 are perfect but the clutch pedal’s somewhat soft and short take-up on my well-used tester made engagement just slightly less exact than I’d like.  That being said, the fun quotient is extremely high.  With an ultra-low center of gravity, rear-wheel drive on performance Michelins, connected, quick steering, a limited slip differential for more bite and superb tractability the BRZ is a very willing companion on your favorite driving road.  Various modes including sport and off for the stability and traction control systems provides levels of electronic intervention depending on your skill set and environment.  Leaving it on still allows for a quick rotation at the rear when called upon and then it quickly pulls back in.  The BRZ is about high fidelity handling and not as much about power, though it can still run off from 0-to-60mph in about 6.5-seconds.  The ride is quite taut but not back breaking but if you do what I did and take it on a highway trip, you’ll have to crank the stereo to overcome the road noise.

First and foremost, the BRZ is a driver’s car.  It’s not going to impress you with its creature comforts and it doesn’t offer up much space but if you’re looking for an organic driving experience in a lightweight car that handles beautifully the BRZ fits the bill.

The Limited trim adds leather, fog lights and a spoiler but there are no options available.  The seats and driving position are sports car appropriate but the rest of the cabin is as poor as you’ll find in any car costing this much…with a maddening infotainment unit and cheap plastics last seen a decade ago.  And forget the rear seats are even there and the trunk’s 7 cubic feet is obviously small.  My tester carries a sticker of $26,280 and returns real world fuel economy of 22mpg city/30mpg highway but that’s on premium.  You can ratchet up those numbers if you choose the automatic.

Did I have as good a time in the BRZ as in the FR-S, no not quite.  Is the FR-S less expensive and does it come with a 2-year covered maintenance plan, yes.  But if it’s  a purpose-built sub $30,000 road straightener you’re in search of both will enthusiastically oblige and I must say, the BRZ turns more heads.