2025 Subaru BRZ

How does the BRZ drive? The BRZ's steering and handling are sublime. The quick and highly accurate steering allows you to place the car exactly where you want it through a turn, and the well-tuned suspension and overall balance are great for any kind of driving. Feeling brave and want a little playful tail-out behavior? The BRZ is happy to do it. Or what if you want to carry a mild drift all the way through a corner on a racetrack? No problem here either. The BRZ is light, but not overly so, and fun and grippy when you want it to be.

The brakes would likely benefit from more aggressive pads for prolonged hard use — like at a track day event — but otherwise they provide solid stopping power. Our BRZ Limited test car with high-performance summer tires stopped from 60 mph in 106 feet, which is a respectably short distance. The brakes are easy to use around town too, stopping smoothly in day-to-day traffic.

The larger engine in this generation BRZ pays dividends from idle all the way to redline. There's no slump of power at midrange rpm like there was in the previous-generation car. At our test track, our manual-equipped BRZ Limited sprinted to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. That's almost a second quicker than the previous version and similar to the acceleration of the latest Golf GTI (5.9 seconds) and Mazda Miata (6.0 seconds).

The six-speed manual transmission's shifter feels positive and precise in your hand as you move through the gates. Opting for the automatic transmission results in slower acceleration (6.9 seconds) but it's easier to live with in heavy traffic. It also comes with paddle shifters and provides quick downshifts when you select Track mode.

How comfortable is the BRZ? The BRZ has a somewhat firm ride but with good compliance and it's able to soak up most road imperfections, especially at higher speeds. This is a car built for the back road and the open highway. Simple manually adjustable seats feature improve bolstering for your upper back and manage to hold you in place without being restrictive. Dual-zone climate control for such a small car seems like overkill, but it does the job.

Unfortunately, the BRZ is a bit on the noisy side. Road and tire noise is near constant and very loud. And engine noise, never a strength for the BRZ, is more annoying than evocative.

How’s the interior? Basic, straightforward and easy to use, the interior of the BRZ allows the driver to focus on driving. The BRZ's compact dimensions don't give it an abundance of interior room, but front passengers will find it more than comfortable, especially if they're on the taller side. Taller drivers will also appreciate the added space and room for adjustment, especially when compared to the much more cramped Miata. The rear seats, however, are better used as interior storage space than for passengers.

The BRZ's low dashboard is made possible by a well-integrated infotainment touchscreen mounted out of the way to enhance forward visibility. The Subaru's low-profile engine also gives the BRZ a low hood line, further enhancing visibility for back roads and racetracks. Be aware that the BRZ's low ride height and long doors can make getting in and out a bit difficult.

How’s the storage? Small coupes aren't the most practical, but the BRZ is more than up to the daily grind. Its relatively small 6.3 cubic feet of trunk space is hampered by its short height, but when the seats are folded (you can't do that in a Miata), Subaru says the BRZ will hold four wheels with tires. For reference, the Miata's trunk can swallow 4.6 cubes, while the substantially larger Mustang holds 13.5 cubes.

Inside, the BRZ offers a small but practical amount of storage. The cupholders reside well behind the driver's right arm, so you're never at risk of bumping them while driving, and the rear seats excel at holding bags, jackets and other items you don't want rolling around in the trunk. Anchor points for car seats exist, but getting them in or out is unlikely to be easy.

Is the BRZ a good value? The BRZ is a relative bargain even when you get the top Limited trim. While we wouldn't go so far as to call the interior premium, it is solidly constructed. To get a similar amount of equipment, most competitors would ask for thousands more, if they even offer it.

Warranties for the BRZ are fairly standard, with three years/36,000 miles and five years/50,000 miles offered for bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Subaru also includes three years/36,000 miles for roadside assistance. It should be noted that Toyota's version of the BRZ, the GR86, also includes two years of free maintenance.

If you can't have fun driving the BRZ, then maybe sports cars just aren't your thing. As sports cars, and all vehicles for that matter, become more complex and expensive, it's refreshing to see a truly back-to-basics sport coupe with true ability. The steering, handling and balance of the BRZ exist in very few production cars regardless of price, and the car caters to every level of enthusiast. As a bonus, its friendly demeanor and accessible limits make the BRZ an instant and eager companion. While the engine sound isn't going to win any awards, its gruff tones do grow on you over time. No driver will ever outgrow the fun that can be had with the BRZ.