This is a proper sports car. Small, RWD, razor sharp and not encumbered by the stretch to pack too much power into its delicately perfect package, the Subaru BRZ (and its Toyota 86 twin) represent a purity of concept that is exceedingly rare these day.
It is a car that has a single purpose in life: to be fun. And it fulfils that purpose incredibly well. Although it has been out for a while now, Subaru offered us one again. Of course we said yes! Do you think we are stupid or something?
Outside
Likes: Looks like a proper sports car, and is actually better looking than the Toyota 86. The turned-up grille suits it better and makes for a more cohesive nose than the Toyota. Where the Toyota has that horrid 86 badge below the A-pillars, the BRZ gets a far more attractive fake vent that also improves the visual proceedings considerably.
Dislikes: Slightly fussy in some of the details, like the taillights.
Inside
Likes: Nice, simple interior. Brilliantly supportive sports seats. Nicely sized steering wheel. Sensible control layout. Feels properly sporty from the low set driver’s seat. The view out over the bonnet is fantastic…
Dislikes: Stereo looks like an aftermarket job, as does Bluetooth. Cheap materials, hard plastics.
Under the bonnet
Likes: The 147kW/205Nm 2.0-litre boxer engine is a strong, rorty little unit, with real personality to it. Six-speed manual transmission is a tactile delight, with a fantastic shift action. Engine is surprisingly frugal too, despite how much it encourages you to thrash it…
Dislikes: While we at Oversteer have always said that the BRZ/86 has enough power – and we still stand by that – a little more torque wouldn’t go amiss…
On the road
Likes: Pure twisty-road driving bliss! The chassis is just a wonderful, wonderful thing. Almost telepathic handling, will do pretty much anything you tell it to, even if it is a stupid idea. Rear end is amazingly progressive, while the front end is utterly confident and predictable. Ride is firm, but never intrusive or uncomfortable.
Dislikes: The brakes on this particular example were decidedly dead, with no pedal feel and a lack of progression, but we have never come across that on a BRZ or 86 before…
Verdict
Whichever badge you prefer, the BRZ/86 is a simply fantastic car to drive. While the Toyota badge brings a load of heritage to the car, the Subaru badge brings the kind of left-field credibility that is very appealing.
Add in the fact that the Subaru looks better and will sell in smaller numbers than the Toyota version and you have a solid bunch of reasons for going for the Subaru-badged version.
The driving experience says largely the same though, so the Subaru is still a thoroughly rewarding, agile and involving car to grab by the scruff of the neck and chuck around. And boy, does it respond when you do that.
While our test car had the worst brakes we have ever felt on a BRZ/86, it was still an incredibly fun little thing to go for a blast in.
Like most sports cars, once the initial shine has worn off, day-to-day living can become a bit of a chore – especially clambering in and out of it and the lack of serious boot space – but regular back road blasts soon dispel any doubts about whether you made the right choice.
Price: $48,990
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol
Power/torque: 147kW/205Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
0-100km/h: 7.6 seconds
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
CO2 emissions: 181g/km
