2024 Subaru BRZ Review

MotoPickers Rating: 8.7/10

Subaru’s 2024 BRZ is a compact sports coupe starting at $30,195. Its relevance in the US auto market stems from its affordability, which emphasizes driver dynamics and handling via design aspects like a light and near-perfect weight distribution. Subaru has been manufacturing its BRZ since 2012.

The 2024 BRZ continues its legacy of offering a dynamic driving experience with its sleek and compact design, fun standard engine, and solid ride quality that’s financially accessible. While the 2024 BRZ has received widespread acclaim, our review will investigate its downsides to determine whether this praise is overstated.

Reported drawbacks to this Subaru include:

• A tight rear row
• Constrained storage
• Subpar cabin materials
• Excess road noise
• Low-quality audio
• Unimpressive tech

These downsides sound significant, but you can vicariously hop behind the wheel of this car with us to see whether they’re dealbreakers.

The 2024 BRZ’s primary competitors are:

• Toyota’s GR86
• Mazda’s MX-5 Miata
• Honda’s Civic Si
• Volkswagen Golf’s GTI
• Ford’s Mustang EcoBoost
• Nissan’s Z

Subaru and Toyota developed their respective BRZ and GR86 in collaboration with each other to share development costs while optimizing the vehicles via a shared platform. Toyota’s most significant contribution to this working relationship included tuning and production input, while Subaru offered performance tech like its boxer engine. Learn more about the 2024 Subaru BRZ with our review below.

Exterior spotlight

The 2024 BRZ’s exterior bears some resemblance to Nissan’s 350Z, which was produced from 2002 to 2009. This Subaru’s front grille appears bold yet refined, with elements like available tS trim badging and functional air curtains that look great. The hood and sides feature tasteful lines, while the car as a whole has balanced proportions. Its taillights are less attention-seeking, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing in the context of its overall exterior design.

Subaru’s tS (tuned by STI) trim is new for the BRZ’s 2024 model year, with exclusive features like 18” alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, and distinct accents differentiating it from the other two grades. Besides the tS’ dark gray metallic-finished alloy wheels, there’s a matte dark gray finish, high luster gray finish, and 17”-sized wheels.

Exterior colors for the 2024 BRZ include:

• Blue Pearl
• Crystal Black Silica
• Magnetite Gray Metallic
• Ignition Red
• Ice Silver Metallic
• Crystal White Pearl
• Sapphire Blue Pearl

LED headlights are standard on the base Premium trim, but the Limited and tS grades feature LED steering responsive headlights that adjust their direction and angle based on the car’s steering. This adaptability translates to increased visibility during cornering and night drives. Each 2024 BRZ trim contains a trunk spoiler, and the tS variant has Crystal Black Silica-finished side mirrors. Heated side mirrors are reserved for the tS and Limited grades.

Due to their shared platform, the GR86 naturally mirrors the 2024 BRZ’s proportions and use of functional components like air curtains, so if you’re seeking an alternative with a similar exterior, this Toyota is an excellent option. The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata differs with its convertible configuration, while the Honda Civic Si has a more conservative exterior with a traditional four-door sedan. Those preferring a hot hatch aesthetic can find what they’re looking for with the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Interior close-up

In a later section, we’ll dive deeper into the tech’s functionality, but this Subaru’s interior tech presentation is slightly dated. The rear row’s space isn’t something you’d want your worst enemy to endure, and we’re not a fan of the front row’s circular air vents on either side. However, the upholstery is sporty enough to compensate for these drawbacks, especially with its bold accent stitching.

The 2024 BRZ tS cabin pops with blue upholstery accents and contrast stitching. All BRZ trims contain bolstered sports seating, offering support in addition to sporty aesthetics, while pedals stand out with an aluminum cover and sport-style drilled design.

Premium and Limited trims have leather-wrapped steering wheels and shifter handles with red stitching, while the tS shares the same configuration except for using red stitching. Trunk storage is minimal at 6.3 cubic feet (cu. ft.), but you can fold the rear seatback to create more storage since pets are just about the only passengers who can comfortably fit.

Upholstery options include black cloth, black/red ultrasuede and leather, and black/blue ultrasuede and leather. The 6-way and 4-way front driver and passenger seats are manually adjustable, and heated seats are unfortunately missing from the base trim. While we’re disappointed to see a vehicle with a starting price above $30,000 missing heated seats within its entry-level grade, we recognize that the BRZ has to cut some corners to offer its sporty appeal at an accessible price.

Separate downsides are more than desirable road noise at highway speeds, and the materials could use an upgrade. Still, there’s a large presence of physical buttons to avoid forcing drivers to rely on touch-activated controls.

You’ll find a similar amount of physical buttons within Toyota’s GR86. Mazda’s MX-5 Miata opts for a two-seat configuration instead of fronting with a tight rear row, and Honda’s Civic Si and Volkswagen’s Golf present nicer interior materials. Ford’s Mustang EcoBoost prioritizes space along with the two-seater Nissan Z.

Power and performance

The 2024 BRZ contains a 2.4-liter direct-injection Boxer engine with 228 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. This Boxer engine has some pep, but we can’t help but desire more horsepower and torque with an available powertrain upgrade. In the previous section, we mentioned how the 2024 BRZ cabin can get a bit noisy at highway speeds. Still, the engine’s pistons move side to side, canceling each other’s vibrations for smoother operation across the rev range.

We also mentioned how this Subaru achieves near-perfect weight distribution. This optimized weight distribution partially stems from the Boxer engine’s compact horizontal setup, resulting in the motor possessing a lower and rearward position. Each 2024 BRZ trim is rear-wheel drive (RWD).

All 2024 BRZ grades have the same horsepower and torque, but the tS variant differentiates itself with front and rear high-performance Brembo brakes and an upgraded suspension fostering commendable ride quality and handling for its class. The Brembo brakes offer increased capability in areas like braking force and fade resistance with design components like larger ventilated rotors.

This sports coupe’s standard MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension excel during cornering, complementing the LED adaptive headlight tech. Subaru offers 2024 BRZ drivers the choice between a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a 6-speed manual transmission. The manual gets 20/27 city/highway MPG, and the automatic gets 21/30 city/highway MPG. A low center of gravity solidifies this vehicle’s sporty feel, and a limited-slip differential elevates road grip.

You likely saw this coming, but the 2024 Toyota GR86 shares the BRZ’s horsepower and torque output. Mazda’s MX-5 Miata and Honda’s Civic Si offer less horsepower than its Subaru counterpart, but the BRZ’s horsepower falls short of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Mustang EcoBoost, and Nissan Z. The 2024 Nissan Z delivers between 400 and 420 horsepower.

Tech overview

A 2024 BRZ features an 8” central infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present, they’re wired, and the 6 or available 8-speaker sound system is on the weaker side. Drivers more averse to touchscreen commands can use voice control for some features alongside physical inputs.

The LCD digital instrument cluster display measures 7” and displays drive modes like Track, Normal, and Sport, along with a G-force meter. A BRZ tS trim contains the same sized instrument cluster but offers additional sporty flair with red metallic accents. Remote vehicle commands are compatible with a smartphone, and dual-zone automatic climate control is standard within each trim, in addition to power side mirrors.

There aren’t too many noteworthy upgrades for the 2024 BRZ besides the optional auto-dimming mirror that adjusts to reduce glare from other cars’ lights. If you prioritize access to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, check out Mazda’s MX-5 Miata, Honda’s Civic Si, Volkswagen’s Golf GTI, Nissan’s Z, and Ford’s Mustang EcoBoost. Toyota’s GR86 doesn’t offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Displays are a pivotal part of many drivers’ buying decisions. Mazda’s MX-5 Miata is the only competitor with a central infotainment display smaller than the BRZ’s 8” version at 7”. Honda’s Civic Si has a 9” display, while Volkswagen’s Golf GTI contains a 10” touchscreen. On the driver display front, Ford’s EcoBoost impresses with a digital instrument cluster measuring up to 12”. Audio enthusiasts can look to Honda’s 2024 Civic Si for a more capable 12-speaker sound system manufactured by Bose.

Safety capabilities

Neither the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) nor the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) have yet rated the 2024 Subaru BRZ’s crash protection capabilities. However, the IIHS and NHTSA gave the 2023 BRZ its highest ratings of Top Safety Pick+ and Five Stars, respectively, indicating that the 2024 BRZ likely contains similarly high capabilities.

This Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist tech suite consists of the following safety features:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Pre-collision Braking
• Lane Departure and Sway Warning
• Lane Keep Assist

Adaptive Cruise Control applies automatic braking and acceleration to keep pace with traffic at a set speed and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Manual transmission 2024 BRZ models can use Adaptive Cruise Control at speeds of 20 MPH or more when the gear shifter is in second to sixth position. Pre-collision Braking mitigates or helps you avoid impacts with automatic braking when detecting an upcoming hazard via sensors and cameras.

Lane Departure and Sway Warning and Lane Keep Assist complement each other. The former provides audible and visual alerts of lane drifting without an active turn signal, while the latter implements automatic assistive steering to guide you back within your lane. High Beam Assist automatically turns your brights on and off to accommodate oncoming traffic at night, and Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are also standard.

Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are standard within Limited and tS trims, and Reverse Automatic Braking is optional for the Limited grade. Overall, the 2024 BRZ has a solid number of standard and available safety features that should provide peace of mind.

Trim guide and owner considerations

Below is a list of the 2024 Subaru BRZ’s three trims, along with their starting prices and some highlight-worthy features distinguishing each variant.

Premium – $30,195

EyeSight Driver Assist safety tech, the 228-horsepower Boxer engine, and limited-slip differential are all standard within the entry-level Premium BRZ trim.

Limited – $32,695

Moving into Limited trim territory gives you 18” wheels instead of the standard 17” variety, leather and ultrasuede-trimmed upholstery, and heated front seats that aren’t present within the base grade.

tS – $35,345

Brembo high-performance brakes, leather and ultrasuede-trimmed upholstery with blue accent stitching, and an instrument cluster with red metallic accents supply the tS trim with unique character.

Warranty info

Subaru offers 2024 BRZ purchasers a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, whichever comes first, and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage.

Final verdict

Subaru’s BRZ is one of, if not the best, options within its group of competitors thanks to exceptional handling, a sleek exterior design, and unique interior color schemes that help make up for subpar interior material quality. While it has some other flaws—like constrained storage space, a tight second row, and tech that won’t knock your socks off—you get a lot of driving satisfaction for the price to complement the stellar curb appeal.

If you’re wondering whether you should select the 2024 Subaru BRZ or the 2024 Toyota GR86, given that they share a platform, it mostly comes down to style preference, as these vehicles mirror each other’s performance specs. The 2024 GR86’s front grille is more prominent, but the BRZ’s front grille better accentuates the flanking air curtains. Toyota’s GR86 offers more dynamic design elements with features like side decals, but the BRZ appears more sculpted and refined from a side perspective.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either. The 2024 Subaru BRZ is fit for an 8.7/10 rating.