The Subaru BRZ coupe and its sibling from Toyota, first known as the Scion FR-S and then the Toyota 86/GR86, represent a return to the days when Americans could walk into a car dealership and buy a real rear-wheel-drive sports car for a reasonable sum. In this case, one with just enough power to have fun, crisp handling, and plenty of modern conveniences.
The Subaru BRZ debuted in its initial form for the 2013 model year here in the United States. It was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. That powerplant was hooked to either a six-speed manual transmission or an available automatic transmission and, in proper sports car style, power was sent solely to the rear wheels. The BRZ has never been marketed based on its straight-line acceleration, although 0-60 times in the six-second range and quarter-miles of less than 15 seconds are decent. Instead, its appeal lies in the fact that it’s a well-balanced machine and lots of fun at a price that won’t break the bank.
The second-generation BRZ arrived for the 2022 model year, with almost identical dimensions to the first and a very similar exterior design. It gained a more powerful engine, a stiffer chassis, and a smarter interior, but retained the original’s back-to-basics ethos.
Subaru BRZ Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Subaru BRZ Pros and Cons
- Subaru BRZ Generations
- Subaru BRZ Second Generation (2022-Present)
- Subaru BRZ First Generation (2013-2021)
- Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Subaru BRZ years are the best?
The Subaru BRZ has been reliable across both generations. Those looking for the sportiest driving experience should target a BRZ tS model with its handling upgrades.
What are the worst Subaru BRZ years?
The initial 2013 model year has seen more complaints from owners than any other year, according to CarComplaints.com. The overall number of complaints is low, though, and it’s not unusual for the first model year of a new vehicle to have some teething pains as engineers work out the kinks.
Is a used Subaru BRZ a good deal?
A used Subaru BRZ represents a very good deal for buyers who want something that’s relatively economical but extremely rewarding and fun to drive, as long as they won’t often use the small back seat or need a big trunk. A used Mazda Miata is also a lot of fun to drive, but has only two seats so is even less practical than the BRZ. Some buyers may prefer a larger, more powerful coupe such as a Ford Mustang, but the American pony car doesn’t offer the same kind of nimble feel as the BRZ.
Buyers should also look at the closely related Toyota GR86, which was initially known as the Scion FR-S in the United States.
Subaru BRZ Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fun to drive
- Manual transmission available
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Cramped back seat
- Outdated technology
- Limited power
Subaru BRZ Generations
## Subaru BRZ Second Generation (2022-Present)
An all-new Subaru BRZ was launched in 2022 alongside its Toyota sister car, this time called the GR86. Despite looking very similar to the first, the second BRZ didn’t have many carryover parts. There were improvements in key areas, with a stiffer body, a higher-grade interior, and a more powerful 2.4-liter boxer engine with a 7,000-rpm redline. Outputs of 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque represented increases of 23 hp and 28 lb-ft over the previous model’s 2.0-liter engine. As before, the BRZ was offered with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions, both of which sent power solely to the rear wheels. With the manual transmission, the EPA estimated the 2022 BRZ would get 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. With the optional automatic, the 2022 BRZ got estimates of 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.
Subaru claimed a 50% increase in torsional stiffness from the redesigned chassis, and the new BRZ remained the lightest four-passenger sports car on sale. Measuring just about an inch longer and half an inch lower than the car it replaced, the new Subaru BRZ closely resembled the original but gained a more modern look at the front and rear.
As before, Subaru offered the BRZ in Premium and Limited trim levels. Standard features included a customizable 7-inch digital dashboard that replaced the analog gauge cluster of older BRZ models. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen running Subaru’s Starlink multimedia system included standard smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, a rear-view camera and SiriusXM satellite radio. The BRZ in Limited trim and equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission also got Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology for 2022, which included adaptive cruise control, an automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and sway warning, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert, which flashes a warning and sounds an alert if the vehicle in previously stationary traffic ahead has moved, but the BRZ's driver hasn't.
Inside, the 2022 BRZ featured black upholstery with contrasting red stitching on the front seat bolsters and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Limited trim gained Ultrasuede seating surfaces with red leather accents, along with dual-mode seat-heater controls.
In addition to the Premium and Limited trim levels, Subaru reintroduced the BRZ tS model for the 2023 model year. For the first time, EyeSight became standard across the Subaru BRZ model lineup with both the manual and automatic transmission options (only the BRZ Limited offered the automatic option). The 2024 BRZ Limited received 18-inch alloy wheels in a matte gray finish, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires, heated exterior power mirrors and an upgraded audio system. Additional driver assistance aids included blind-spot monitors with lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert, steering-responsive headlights with high-beam assist, and Subaru’s STARLINK safety and security package.
The new Subaru BRZ tS arrived in 2024 and added STI-tuned front and rear Hitachi dampers and a high-performance Brembo braking system, featuring gold four-piston front calipers and gold two-piston rear calipers. Unique 18-inch alloy wheels in a dark gray metallic finish wearing Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires improved grip.
The interior of the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS wore black upholstery with blue contrast stitching on the front seat bolsters and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Performance-design front seats with height-adjustable head restraints featured a blue leather accent down the middle.
The 2025 Subaru BRZ kept the Premium, Limited, and tS trim levels and gained a new BRZ Series.Purple (sic) edition limited to 500 units. In addition to its unique Galaxy Purple Pearl exterior, the limited-edition model was fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels in a new satin silver finish. Interestingly, the purple hue didn’t carry forward inside. The front seats were shod with Ultrasuede seating surfaces and had gray bolsters and height-adjustable head restraints. The Subaru STI logo appeared on the red starter push-button start and aluminum shifter knob. Finally, the 2025 Subaru BRZ Series.Purple got a standard STI short-throw shifter and a Flexible V-Bar underhood for improved performance.
For the 2026 model year, Subaru dropped the BRZ Premium trim level, making the Limited trim the entry point in the lineup. A new limited-production Series.Yellow edition, limited to 350 units, replaces the previous year’s purple edition and features Sunrise Yellow exterior, matte-black finishes for the alloy wheels, and black interior accents complemented by yellow contrast stitching. The BRZ Series.Yellow is available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
Because the Premium trim level was axed for 2026, the BRZ’s base price increased from $34,830 in 2025 to $37,055 for the new model year. Prices for used models start at about $20,000, and buyers don’t have to pay much more for one that’s covered less than 30,000 miles.
Subaru BRZ First Generation (2013-2021)
The Subaru BRZ debuted for the 2013 model year, alongside the near-identical Scion FR-S (badged Toyota 86 from 2016 onwards), and most car enthusiasts were thrilled by its back-to-basics approach. While some wished for more horsepower from the Subaru Boxer engine, others countered by highlighting the BRZ’s favorable power-to-weight ratio, excellent chassis, and crisp six-speed manual transmission. While rumors of a high-performance BRZ STI with a turbocharged engine never materialized, Subaru eventually added a bit more horsepower to the BRZ’s only engine and would go on to introduce sportier derivatives.
The 2013 Subaru BRZ was offered in two trim levels. The base Premium BRZ trim came standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a Torsen limited-slip differential, bi-xenon headlights, keyless entry, and cruise control. Inside, there was a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching, a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, and an eight-speaker audio system with Bluetooth. Also standard were vehicle stability control and a traction control system with five settings that included both a Sport mode and a TCS Off switch for driving at the race track.
The 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited benefited from fog lights and a body-color trunk spoiler, Alcantara upholstery inserts, and leather bolsters. Dual-zone automatic climate control replaced the Premium model’s manual HVAC system, and the Limited trim also got heated front seats and heated side mirrors. Keyless access and start with illuminated push-button start also came standard with the Limited trim.
The EPA rated the 2013 Subaru BRZ at 22 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined with the manual transmission. Mileage specs for BRZ models with the optional six-speed automatic were 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2013 Subaru BRZ its top rating, and it gained a Top Safety Pick award in 2014. The BRZ also gained new Aha Infotainment smartphone integration in 2014. A revised suspension setup for 2015 heralded improvements in both handling and ride quality and a BRZ Series.Blue limited-edition model launched in the same year, with an STI-branded aerodynamics kit, black STI 17-inch wheels and unique interior trim with blue contrasting stitching. Subaru made 500 Series.Blue models painted WR Blue Pearl and 500 painted Crystal White Pearl, all equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and red brake calipers.
For the 2016 model year, the BRZ was equipped with a standard rear-view camera and a new Subaru Starlink multimedia system running on a 6.2-inch touchscreen display. A Series.HyperBlue BRZ also debuted for 2016, again with blue contrasting stitching inside, 17-inch black alloy wheels, and other black exterior badging.
The first-generation BRZ was refreshed for the 2017 model year, gaining five more horsepower and five additional lb-ft of torque (now peaking at 205 hp and 156 lb-ft) when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission (BRZs with the automatic transmission remained at 200 hp and 151 lb-ft). Combined with revised gearing in the Torsen limited-slip rear end, the new Subaru BRZ was slightly quicker than before. The BRZ’s exterior was revised with a new front fascia and LED headlights.
A new Performance Package for the 2017 BRZ Limited with the six-speed manual transmission came with SACHS Performance shock absorbers, wider alloy wheels and a high-performance braking system featuring Brembo rotors. Limited to 500 cars, the BRZ Series.Yellow wore brilliant yellow paint, unique black alloy wheels, black BRZ and SUBARU badging, and black foldable exterior mirrors. The 2017 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow debuted with black leather and Alcantara upholstery with yellow contrast stitching for the seats, door and dash panels, steering wheel, knee pads, and shifter boot.
The 2018 Subaru BRZ finally got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A limited-production BRZ tS (tuned by STI) model also appeared for 2018, limited to 500 units and fitted with STI-tuned front and rear SACHS dampers and coil springs and flexible V-braces in the engine compartment. Chassis and sub-frame stiffeners promised to improve steering responses, and the BRZ tS was the first model to feature 18-inch alloy wheels. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and high-performance Brembo brakes rounded out the high-performance additions. A manually adjustable carbon fiber spoiler increased rear downforce for track driving, while front, rear, and side underspoilers from STI were said to help control airflow for better traction and stability. Exclusive Cherry Blossom Red accents and unique exterior badging were also part of the BRZ tS package, along with red seatbelts and interior contrasting red stitching.
In addition to an upgraded Starlink infotainment system for 2019 that ran on a larger 7-inch touchscreen in the BRZ Limited model, Subaru launched a special-edition Series.Gray in Cool Gray Khaki with unique exterior and interior trim.
For 2020, Subaru brought back the BRZ tS trim level, this time limited to 300 units and painted exclusively in a new Ceramic White, paired with 18-inch alloy wheels in matte-bronze finish and wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. A lower-profile rear spoiler was more understated than the previous Subaru BRZ tS model’s larger unit.
Buyers can now pick up an early, high-mileage BRZ for about $9,000, but those who want one that’s covered less than 70,000 miles should budget for about double that. Later, high-spec models cost upwards of $25,000. It’s always worth checking the car’s history and maintenance, since many are likely to have been driven hard and seen track use.
