More Bang For The Brz

7 March 2022

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By Paul Gover.

People who still like to drive will find something to love in the new Subaru BRZ.

The second generation of the Japanese sports car is even better than the original, and its upcoming Toyota 86 twin, with more to enjoy.

If you want some driving fun and, but you don’t want to bust the budget, the second-generation Subaru BRZ could be right on the money at close to $40,000.

There are small but worthwhile improvements to a car that was an instant hit from the moment the flag dropped.

Best is the addition of some worthwhile extra torque, as well as a tauter chassis, which combine to make the BRZ into the sweetest and most responsible little funster I’ve driven in a long time.

It’s not a Porsche but, for the money, it’s tough to toss.

The first shipment of BRZs is already sold, all 500 of them, and there is a waiting list for later in the year.

But it could still be quicker and easier to get a $38,990 BRZ, or the most-popular S model at $40,190 with things like suede seats, than join the queue for the next 86. Lots of people also prefer the styling of the BRZ, and there is something about the deep blue paintwork.

Even so, the BRZ is no WRX. There is no turbo boost out of corners and the engine note is – being very generous – underwhelming. My son, 12, thinks it’s awful.

But that’s about it for complaints.

The update to the BRZ has brought the mechanical improvements but also a bigger, and much needed, infotainment screen and even a folding lid – with a leather top in the BRZ S test car – for the centre console.

There is even a full-sized alloy spare in the boot. And that’s unlikely to come in the 86.

From the get-go, the new BRZ gets going with more urgency. It’s picked up an extra 22 kiloWatts, which is a worthwhile boost in a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated car that peaks at 174, but it’s the torque that transforms the car.

The original BRZ – and the 86 – was flat and dull in a straight-line sprint, with a noticeable lack or urge around 3000 revs, but it’s picked up a huge 37 Newton-metres – taking the total to 249 – and that means you’re not left waiting and wondering.

It also makes the minor gears in the six-speed manual, with a slightly slicker shift, more accessible and enjoyable. You can easily punch out of corners without having to downshift to get something stirring in the engine room.

The rest of the BRZ package is much as I remember, with baby back seats – for babies and bags – a worthwhile boot space, really comfy seats with good support, and a nice leather-wrapped wheel.

The cabin still looks cheap when you start to investigate, with too much nasty hard plastic, but that’s a minor thing in a car like this.