Subaru BRZ 2022 review

Fans of small, rear-wheel-drive sports coupes should thank their lucky ones, especially the lucky six on the Subaru logo, that the second-generation BRZ even exists.

Such vehicles are rare because they are expensive to manufacture, difficult to homologate, difficult to make safe, and attract a niche audience.

Even if they are well-received and sell relatively well, as they did with the original pair of BRZs and Toyota 86s, there's always a good chance they'll be sent prematurely into the history books in favor of dedicating resources to high-selling SUVs.

However, Subaru and Toyota surprised us all by announcing the second generation of the BRZ/86 pair.

With an appearance that could be called simply a facelift, has much changed under the skin? The new version is significantly different from driving?

We were offered the opportunity to ride the 2022 BRZ on and off the track during its launch in Australia to find out.

Fans of small, rear-wheel-drive sports coupes should thank their lucky star.

Subaru BRZ 2022: (base)
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.4L
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	8.8l / 100km
Landing	4 Places
Price from	$42,790

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

Like most models over the past two years, the new BRZ comes with a price increase, but when you consider that the base version with a manual transmission costs only $570 compared to the outgoing model, while the automatic costs just $2,210 (with significantly more equipment) by compared to the previous model. equivalent to the 2021 version, it's a big win for enthusiasts.

The range has been slightly modified and two options are now available: manual or automatic.

The base car is $38,990 and includes 18-inch alloy wheels (up from 17 on the previous car) wrapped in significantly improved Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, redesigned full LED exterior lights, dual-zone climate control with more aesthetically pleasing cluster in the dashboard, new 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster display, new 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and built-in sat-nav, synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, cloth-trimmed seats, camera rear view, keyless entry with push-button ignition, and a major upgrade to the rear-facing safety kit, which we'll talk about later.

The base model has 18-inch alloy wheels.

The automatic model ($42,790) has the same specs but replaces the six-speed manual with a six-speed automatic with torque converter and manual shift mode.

However, the extra price increase over the manual version is more than offset by the inclusion of Subaru's trademark forward-facing dual-camera "EyeSight" safety suite, which would have required significant engineering input to include.

Equipped with a new 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

That's all without taking into account updates to the car's platform, suspension, and bigger, more powerful engine that fans have been crying out for since day one, all of which we'll look at later in this review.

The top-of-the-range S version mirrors the base car's equipment list, but upgrades the seat trim to a mix of synthetic leather and "ultra suede" with heating for the front passengers.

The S version has an additional cost of $1200, priced at $40,190 for the manual or $43,990 for the automatic.

While that may still seem like a bit of a deal for such a small and relatively simple car, in the context of the category, it's excellent value for money.

Its most obvious competitor, the Mazda MX-5, has a minimum MSRP of $42,000 while delivering significantly less performance thanks to its 2.0-litre engine.

When the BRZ was introduced, its new styling drew mixed reactions.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

When the BRZ was introduced, its new styling drew mixed reactions. While it looked a lot more mature than the original model's crazy lines and wicked headlights, I almost thought there was something retro about its newfound curvature running through its nose and especially its rear end.

It fits together beautifully, although it is a more complex design. One that looks fresh front and back.

The design looks fresh front and back.

The side profile is perhaps the only area where you can see just how similar this car is to its predecessor, with very similar door panels and nearly identical dimensions.

However, the design is more than just a major upgrade. The lower grille curved nose is said to cause significantly less drag while all vents, fins and spoilers are fully functional, reducing turbulence and allowing air to flow around the car.

Subaru's technicians say it's because it's too difficult to cut the weight (despite the upgrade, this car only weighs a few pounds more than its predecessor), so other ways have been found to make it faster.

I find the integrated rear spoiler and clear new headlights especially attractive, accentuating the width of this little coupe and tying it together tastefully.

The BRZ has very similar door panels and nearly the same dimensions as its predecessor.

Of course, you won't need to go to a third party to dress up your car with additional parts, since Subaru offers STI-branded accessories. Everything from side skirts, darkened alloy wheels and even a ridiculous spoiler if you're so inclined.

Inside, there are many details inherited from the previous model. The main points of contact with the car, the steering wheel, shifter and handbrake lever remain the same, although the modified dashboard fascia feels more solid than before.

Gone is the aftermarket screen, the nailed-on climate control dials, and the clunky-finished underside, all replaced with more eye-catching details.

The climate control unit and lower instrument panel with smart shortcut buttons are especially nice and don't look as cluttered as they used to.

The seats have been changed in terms of their finishes, but in general they have the same design. This is good for front passengers, as the seats in the original car were already great, both on the road and when you need extra lateral support on the track.

Inside, there are many details inherited from the previous model.

How practical is the interior space? 6/10

I think we know nobody buys a car like the BRZ because of its stellar practicality, and if you were hoping for some improvement here, sorry for the disappointment, there isn't much to say.

Ergonomics remain great, as do the front bucket seats for comfort and lateral support, and the infotainment system's layout has been slightly improved, making it a bit easier to reach and use.

The same goes for the climate unit, which has larger, easier-to-operate dials with shortcut buttons like "Max AC" and "AC off" to make basic car functions more straightforward.

Visibility is fine, with narrow front and rear window openings, but enough side windows with decent mirrors to boot.

Adjustment is decent, with a low and sporty stance, although taller people may run into trouble due to the narrow roofline.

Ergonomics remain excellent.

Interior storage is also noticeably limited. Automatic models have an extra cup holder on the center console, two in total, and there are small bottle holders in each door card.

Added a new folding center console drawer, shallow but long. It houses a 12V socket and the USB ports are located under the climate functions.

The two rear seats are mostly unchanged and almost useless for adults. Children, I suppose, might like them and are useful in a pinch. A slight advantage in practicality over something like the Mazda MX-5.

They are upholstered in the same materials as the front seats, but without the same level of padding. Don't expect any amenities for rear passengers either.

The trunk weighs only 201 liters (VDA). It's hard to talk about the goodness of this place without trying our demo luggage set to see what fits, but it lost a few liters compared to the outgoing car (218L).

Surprisingly, though, BRZ does offer a full-size spare tire, and the brand assures us it still has to fit a full set of alloy wheels with the one-piece rear seat folded down.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10

Some of the best news for previous BRZ owners is here. Subaru's old 2.0-litre boxer engine (152kW/212Nm) has been replaced by a larger 2.4-litre unit with a significant power boost, now at a respectable 174kW/250Nm.

While the engine code has moved from FA20 to FA24, Subaru says it's more than just a bored version, with changes to the injection system and ports to the connecting rods, as well as changes to the intake system and various materials used throughout.

The drive is transmitted exclusively from the transmission to the rear wheels.

The goal is to flatten the torque curve and strengthen the engine parts to handle the increased power while optimizing fuel efficiency.

The available transmissions, a six-speed automatic with torque converter and a six-speed manual, have also been changed from their predecessors, with physical improvements for smooth shifting and more power.

The vehicle's software has also been revised to make it compatible with the new security kit it runs with.

Drive is transmitted exclusively from the transmission to the rear wheels via a Torsen self-locking differential.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

With an increase in engine size, the BRZ increases fuel consumption.

The official combined consumption is now 9.5 l/100 km for the mechanical version or 8.8 l/100 km for the automatic version, compared to 8.4 l/100 km and 7.8 l/100 km respectively in the previous 2.0-litre.

The official combined consumption is 9.5 l/100 km (in manual mode) and 8.8 l/100 km.

We haven't taken verified numbers since launch as we've tested multiple vehicles in a wide variety of conditions.

Stay tuned for a follow-up review to see if the official numbers were as surprisingly close as they were for the previous car.

The BRZ also still requires premium unleaded 98 octane fuel and has a 50-litre tank.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

Subaru talked a lot about things like chassis stiffness (60% improvement in lateral flex and 50% improvement in torsional stiffness for those interested), but to really feel the difference, we were offered to drive the old and new car back and forth. . back.

The result was revealing: while the new car's power levels and responsiveness have improved markedly, the new suspension and stiffer frame, combined with the new Pilot Sport tires, deliver a drastic improvement in performance across the board.

While the old car was known for its agility and ease of gliding, the new car manages to keep that playful feel while adding a lot more confidence when needed.

This means you can still make donuts easily on the sled, but get more speed thanks to the extra traction available through the S-turns on the track.

This car is still filled with emotions.

Even driving the car on a calm country road, it's easy to tell how much stiffer the frame has become and how the suspension has been adjusted to compensate.

The car is still packed with feel, but not as brittle as the outgoing model when it comes to suspension and damper tuning. Smart.

The new engine feels every upgrade it claims, with more consistent torque throughout the rev range and a noticeable jump in response.

The engine is quite far away at suburban speeds, only delivering the boxer's characteristic harsh tone at higher revs.

Unfortunately, this improvement does not extend to tire noise, of which there are many.

Somehow that has never been Subaru's forte, and especially here, with the car so solid and close to the ground, with bigger alloys and stiffer suspension.

I believe this consideration is not a priority for the typical BRZ buyer.

The power levels and responsiveness of the new car have improved markedly.

Interior materials are slightly less messy than before, but with identical key action points in terms of the tight-radius steering wheel and easily accessible shifter and handbrake, the BRZ is still an absolute pleasure to drive ergonomically. even when the machine is completely sideways (on a pallet…).

The steering melody is so natural that it makes you feel even more at one with what the tires are doing.

One odd little downside here is the inclusion of Subaru's weird touch indicators seen on the new Outback. They are the kind that don't lock into place when you use them.

I don't know why Subaru intends to introduce them when BMW famously tried (unsuccessfully) to popularize them in the mid 00s.

I'm sure we'll have more information about the road capabilities of this car when we get a chance to do a longer road test, but being able to drive the old and new back to back, the new car in context.

It has everything you liked about the old, but a little more grown-up. I love it.

The steering melody is as natural as it gets.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

Safety has improved out of sight, at least on automatic BRZ variants, as Subaru has been able to install its signature stereo-camera-based EyeSight safety equipment on the small sporty coupe.

It's worth noting that the BRZ is the only torque converter transmission vehicle to feature this system, as the rest of the brand's lineup uses continuously variable automatic transmissions.

This means active safety features have been extended for the vehicle to include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking in reverse, adaptive cruise control. and many other features. other amenities such as lead vehicle start warning and automatic high beam assist.

Security has improved out of sight.

Like the automatic, the manual version includes all rear-facing active equipment, i.e. rear AEB, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Elsewhere, the BRZ gets seven airbags (standard front, side and head, as well as a driver's knee) and an essential suite of stability, traction and brake controls.

The previous generation BRZ had the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, but under the old 2012 standard. There are no ratings for the new car yet.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

Like the entire Subaru lineup, the BRZ is backed by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, including 12 months of roadside assistance, which is on par with its major competitors.

It's also covered by a fixed price maintenance program that's now surprisingly transparent, including parts and labor costs.

Subaru offers a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Unfortunately, it's not particularly cheap, with service charges ranging from $344.62 to $783.33 averaging $75,000/$60 for the first 494.85 months for the automatic transmission model per year. You can save a small amount by choosing a guide.

It will be interesting to see if Toyota can beat Subaru by applying its famous cheap service to the BRZ 86 twin, scheduled for release in late 2022.

Verdict

The alarming phase of the BRZ is over. The new car is a subtle refinement of the superb sports coupe formula. It has been modified in all the right places, inside and out, allowing it to attack the pavement with an updated and more grown-up accent. It even maintains an attractive price. What else would you like to ask?

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a catering manufacturer's guest.