A couple things to know about the BRZ sports car: It’s Subaru’s only model that isn’t all-wheel drive (it is of rear-wheel-drive power), and it is also the only slow-selling Subaru in Colorado.
Rear drive; slow sell; oh,well – the agility and maneuverability from its small stature make it one of the more fun cars to drive anywhere.
The BRZ is Subaru’s half of a split of twin models with Scion, which calls its little one the FR-S. The two cars were designed and developed jointly by Subaru and Toyota (Scion’s parent).
The BRZ looks the part of a sports car, from its low-slung front to a busy rear end featuring a carbon fiber wing and dual exhausts.
Inside are two well-bolstered sport seats (heated and cooled), and a rear seat that is squeezed into such tight quarters that only an infant might rest back there; no legroom whatsoever. The trunk? Forget it, only 6.7 cubic feet.
Drop into the driver’s side and concentrate on the coupe’s superb cornering, handling and precision steering. Forget the fact its 200-horsepower, 2-liter flat-4 has only moderate acceleration capabilities. The boxer power is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The rear-drive two-door averaged 26.7 miles per gallon; EPA estimate is as high as 30 on the highway.
The BRZ review model carried a designation as Series Blue Edition, which added Subaru STI front, side and side rear underspoilers; 17-inch STI black-finish alloy wheels with red-painted brake calipers; leather and alcantra trim with blue stitching.
All this and it’s affordable, too. Pricetag is $30,285, including among other amenities, side-curtain airbags, AM/FM/CD audio with XM/USB port/Bluetooth, automatic climate control, cruise, power locks/mirrors/windows, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
Here are the specifications for the ’15 Subaru BRZ:
- Capacity 2-passenger sports car
- Wheelbase 101.2 inches
- Length 166.7 inches
- Width 69.9 inches
- Height 50.6 inches
- Curb Weight 2,824 pounds
- Track 59.8 inches front, 60.6 rear
- Ground Clearance 4.9 inches
- Turn Circle 35 feet, 4 inches
- Drivetrain Rear-wheel-drive
- Engine 2.0-liter flat-4-cylinder
- Horsepower/Torque 200/151
- Transmission 6-speed automatic
- Steering electric power
- Suspension sport-tuned front strut, rear double wishbone
- Fuel mileage estimate 22/30
- Fuel mileage average 26.7
- Fuel Tank 13.2 gallons, premium
- Wheels 17-inch
- Tires Michelin 215/45R17
- Cargo Volume 6.9 cubic feet
- Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain
Competitors Scion FR-S, Mazda Miata, Mini Cooper S
Assembly Plant Ota, Gunma, Japan
Parts Content Japan 85%
Base Price of Lowest Model $27,695; Base Price of Review Model $27,695; Destination Charge $795; Sticker Price $30,285.