With the BRZ, Subaru has hit the sweet spot for driving enthusiasts with an exhilarating to drive sports coupe that also happens to be affordable and economical at the pump. Co-developed between Subaru and Toyota (Scion's corporate parent), the BRZ and FR-S are nearly identical twins. The only differences are nuances in design, exhaust notes, and suspension tuning. The higher-priced Subaru offers more upscale features and factory options than the lower-priced Scion, including standard HID headlights.
Each is powered by the same 200-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission. That combo delivers ample acceleration, thanks to well-chosen gear ratios, and impressive fuel economy of 30 mpg.
But these rear-wheel-drive coupes aren't about raw power or scrimping at the pump. Their magic comes from the super-sharp, agile handling and excellent braking that makes them so enticing to drive, whether on a track or a twisty, back-country road.
Their trade-offs are typical for sports cars: a jittery ride, noisy cabin, and vestigial rear seats. And getting in and out of these low-slung cars requires a bit of ducking.
What we bought: The BRZ was introduced for the 2013 model year. We bought the bottom-line Premium trim with the six-speed manual transmission. The top-line Limited trim adds leather and synthetic suede seats and keyless entry but nothing that ramps up how the car performs. Our BRZ Premium stickered at $27,117. That's not a bad value, but it is about $2000 more than our tested Scion FR-S. We'd save our money and get the Scion.