Driven: 2024 Subaru BRZ tS Is Light On STI But Heavy On Fun

Boxer engine, Rear-wheel-drive, Zenith: that’s what the 2024 Subaru BRZ stands for. This is a two-door sports car from Subaru, built in collaboration with Toyota (sold as the GR86), which is now in its second generation as of the 2021 model year. Subaru and Toyota have each released various “sportier” versions of their respective sports cars, though neither has introduced more power via forced induction, like a turbocharger.

Following in the trend of making the BRZ more track-focused without making it faster in a straight line, Subaru has released a new tS (Tuned by STI) trim level that sits above the standard model. The tS adds handling upgrades such as Brembo brakes and Hitachi dampers, which should improve handling beyond the BRZ’s already excellent athleticism. DrivingOnRoad spent a week with the 2024 BRZ tS to find out if it’s worth the upgrade over a lesser model, or if you should save a few grand to get a lower trim. Subaru has already revealed pricing for the 2025 BRZ, which includes the tS as a carryover model.

Exterior: STI-Ish

There are no changes to the 2024 BRZ’s exterior, except with the addition of a new tS trim level. 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels come standard, while the Limited upgrades to an 18-inch wheel with a matte gray finish. You can spot a tS via front and rear badges, gold-painted Brembo brake calipers, and Crystal Black Silica accents (mirrors and shark fin antenna). Subaru did not limit your color choice on the tS, offering the full spectrum of World Rally Blue, Crystal Black Silica, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Ignition Red, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, and Sapphire Blue Pearl. If you wait for the 2025 model, Subaru will add a Series.Purple model that comes in a new hue called Galaxy Purple Pearl, which is also available on the WRX tS.

The original Tuned by STI BRZ featured a massive rear wing, though it was later replaced by a smaller spoiler. It seems like Subaru wanted this new tS to appeal to a wider audience who could always add boy-racer upgrades on the aftermarket if they so choose.

Interior: Keep It Simple, Stupid

For the price, the BRZ features a simple but sporty cabin that doesn’t overwhelm with luxury or premium materials. You get black cloth seats with red stitching on the Premium trim, while the Limited steps up to a leather/suede combination with heated front seats and more red accents. The tS is mostly the same as the Premium inside, but it swaps all the red accents and stitching for blue ones. There is also a red STI starter button and a small STI logo on the seven-inch digital gauge cluster. We would have liked to see a special STI shift knob, which will be included in the aforementioned Series.Purple special edition.

Driving the BRZ for a week reminded us how modern infotainment has ruined many sports cars. This car just keeps it simple – in the best way. An eight-inch touchscreen includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with plenty of buttons and knobs to control volume and tuning. No task is more than a quick click or two away, which is refreshing in a world full of menus and annoying touch controls.

Practicality: It’s Small, Duh

If you absolutely need a car with a back seat, the BRZ does technically have one. Subaru says there’s 29.9 inches of rear legroom, but if your passengers have legs, they will struggle to fit back there unless they sit crisscross applesauce style. More importantly, those seats can be folded as one piece to create additional storage. The trunk fits 6.3 cubic feet, which isn’t massive, but it’s significantly larger than a Mazda MX-5 Miata. With the seats dropped, the BRZ can swallow up four tires for your next track day. We wouldn’t call the BRZ practical, but it makes the best use of its limited space.

Performance: Fun Doesn’t (Always) Require Speed

Every BRZ gets a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer-four engine, which produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That power goes out to the rear wheels only with a Torsen limited-slip differential via a six-speed manual transmission or an optional (Limited trim only) six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. We’ve driven the automatic before, and it’s among the best we’ve driven recently. With so few gears, the transmission never feels caught off guard, and it shifts quickly during spirited driving. That being said, the manual transmission is among the slickest on the market with a light clutch that’s easy to use in traffic – and it’s the option we’d recommend for the BRZ.

This is a light car (based on modern standards), tipping the scales at around 2,820 pounds (2,883 pounds max). Some tests have clocked the BRZ under six seconds to 60 mph, which is believable considering we measured the sprint in 6.01 seconds. There are quicker cars out there, but the BRZ makes its mark with stellar handling and driver engagement. Since it’s light with a small engine, fuel economy is impressive, too, at 20/27/22 mpg city/highway/combined.

Driving Impressions: They Don’t Make ‘Em Like This Anymore

Aside from the Mazda Miata, the Subaru BRZ (and its Toyota twin) represents the most fun you can have for less than $40,000. In fact, we have driven many vehicles that cost over $100,000, and can confidently say that the BRZ is more entertaining than most of them. Subaru’s steering is perfect, and many companies could learn from this setup. The electric power-assisted system is tuned to feel like an old-school hydraulic unit, a trick that even BMW and Porsche (in some configurations) struggle to execute perfectly. The driver gets feedback from the road with lightning-quick response. It’s magical.

At slow speeds, the boxer engine can emit some rough sounds, but it starts to make more pleasant noises higher in the rev range. Easy solution: just drive it harder. As you approach the redline, the four-cylinder buzzes like a hive of angry bees, a pretty thrilling sound that does benefit from some speaker enhancement. Rowing through the gears on the six-speed manual transmission is a holy experience with perfectly placed gears, a light clutch, and a shifter that falls nicely into hand. This is a sports car that you can actually drive at full throttle without risking a prison sentence.

The Subaru BRZ tS comes with the following upgrades over the regular model:

• STI-tuned suspension
• High-performance Brembo braking system
• Model-specific interior and exterior elements

Though the tS isn’t quicker in a straight line, the front and rear Hitachi dampers get STI tuning that helps it handle better than a lower trim. Subaru left a bit of lean in the suspension, meaning the car still feels playful mid-corner. We are glad Subaru didn’t go too aggressive with the suspension, meaning the BRZ tS still rides well on rough roads and functions as a daily driver. If you do plan to track your BRZ, the Brembo brakes (four-piston front and two-piston rear) help stop the car with more immediacy and a firm pedal. Would more power have been appreciated? Sure, but it might go against the lightweight and simple nature of this car.

Pricing & Verdict: Attainable Thrills

The 2024 BRZ is among the last attainable sports cars, starting at $30,195. Upgrading to the Limited brings the price to $32,695 or $33,645 with the automatic. Don’t get the automatic. As for the tS, it’s the priciest at $35,345, which is a fair price given the upgraded suspension and brakes. If you fancy yourself a car enthusiast, the tS is the superior version of the BRZ in its current generation.

If you’re looking to cross-shop, the Toyota GR86 is the most obvious comparison, as it’s essentially the same car. It’s slightly cheaper, starting at $29,300, while the comparable Trueno Edition is $34,720. The 2025 model year will reintroduce the Hakone Edition, a green exterior with a tan interior, priced similarly to the tS at $35,270. Pick whichever one you can get a better deal on or if you prefer Toyota’s color options. Convertible fans might choose the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but it’s less practical than the BRZ. Finally, there’s the Ford Mustang EcoBoost, which is quicker, more powefu, and more livable than the Subaru, but less engaging to drive.

It’s easy to read about the BRZ’s specifications and decide if it’s too slow or too impractical. Perhaps those people have never piloted one on a curvy road, because specs don’t make smiles, good cars do. If you stop worrying about 0-60 times and just focus on enjoyment, there aren’t many cars that outshine the Subaru BRZ tS.