Used 2020 Subaru BRZ

The 2020 Subaru BRZ is real fun in the real world. This small, light, rear-drive coupe is a reminder that some people in car companies still want their customers to enjoy the act of driving, to relish the twisting road or the demanding track. Although the BRZ only comes with 205 horsepower, its balance, immediacy and rawness still have a way of tickling the senses. Yet fuel consumption is more than bearable.

Along with the Toyota 86, the other fruit of this collaboration with Toyota, the BRZ is in a sparsely populated category of value-filled cars with an emphasis on driver appeal. It’s not that practical, although it is possible to fit a set of four racing wheels and tires into the back with the small rear seats folded. Which illustrates where the BRZ’s intentions lie. If anyone wants fun as well as functionality, there’s always the Volkswagen Golf GTI, but it’s not going to be anything like the same.

Most enthusiasts subscribe to the notion that it’s more satisfying to squeeze every bit of performance out of a less powerful car than to have some horsepower-on-steroids beast whose full potential can never be explored, at least not this side of a racing paddock.

The BRZ is not endowed with amazing muscle, but it’s a perfect amount in a light car that employs rear-wheel drive. Get into some demanding turns and the back end can be made to drift slightly out, rotating the car enough to clip the apex and allowing the driver to maintain momentum through the exit. The stability control’s Track mode provides just a little more leeway for steering input before intervening.

The BRZ’s steering is spot-on, its brakes dependable, and the engine revs freely right up to the 7,000-rpm redline. The ideal transmission is the standard 6-speed manual with rev-matching on the downshifts, but at least the optional 6-speed automatic is not a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is often a budget alternative and has as much business being in a driver’s machine as a food blender.

Officially, the Subaru BRZ is a 2+2, meaning room for two humans up front and, in the rear, perhaps a couple of people who can do that trick of folding themselves into suitcases. It’s probably better to fold the actual seats down and create extra cargo space. This isn’t supposed to be a practical conveyance, so all the best stuff happens up front, specifically behind the steering wheel.

Those supportive bucket seats set low to the ground are covered with leather inserts and Alcantara (a simulated suede). Taking pride of place in the center of the instrument cluster is the rev counter. The flat-4 in the BRZ develops its maximum power right about where the redline is, so it’s a good idea to be fully informed.

Things like the gearshift are also in the perfect position. In general, the ergonomics works well. Our only gripes would be the slightly dated infotainment system and the sparse sound insulation.

The profile is classic coupe — long hood with a short cabin dipping down to a curtailed rear end. The flat-4 engine allowed the designers to go with such a low-slung look.  The BRZ is about 10 inches longer than a Mazda MX-5.

Although virtually identical to the Toyota 86, the BRZ gets its own bumpers and wheel designs. LED headlights are standard, while twin tailpipes and an aluminum spoiler are the finishing touches at the rear.

The tS version is available only in Ceramic White, enlivened by a Cherry Blossom Red accent surrounding the grille and on the rear bumper. Special tS badges are in chrome and red. Where the fog lights would go in the Limited version, there are black inserts on this model. The rear spoiler is more understated than in the previous tS model.

LCD MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY
This ingenious addition sits just to the right of the center-mounted tachometer and can display steering angle, lateral g-force, brake force, oil and water temperatures, and even record lap times.

PERFORMANCE PACKAGE
This optional upgrade is a must for true enthusiasts. It upgrades the brakes and tires, brings a sportier suspension tune, and adds 17-inch alloy wheels finished in dark gray.

Formerly a step up from basic, the Subaru BRZ Limited now kicks off the range with lavish features like dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, 7-inch infotainment touch screen, keyless entry/ignition, navigation, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. This is in addition to the more crucial driver-oriented hardware like a Torsen limited-slip differential, 17-inch alloy wheels and sport front seats, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and parking-brake handle.

The tS version has 18-inch alloy wheels wearing summer tires, Brembo brakes, STI-tuned suspension featuring Sachs shock absorbers, STI coil springs, STI-tuned traction/stability control, various cosmetic additions (including red seatbelts), and some extra body bracing.

The main options for the 2020 BRZ in Limited trim are the automatic transmission and the Performance package, which costs $1,195. If buyers are able to use a stick shift (or are willing to learn), we’d say skip the former but seriously consider the latter, which is only available on versions with the manual transmission anyway.

This package includes bespoke alloy wheels with summer tires, Brembo brakes and Sachs shock absorbers. In other words, some of the equipment that comes standard in the limited-run tS model.

Safety features like dynamic cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking are not available.

Instead of four upright cylinders in a line (an incredibly common configuration), a flat-4 consists of two pairs opposed horizontally. This has the advantage of lowering a car’s center of gravity and therefore bringing benefits to the handling. Although this is a typical Subaru layout, Toyota added the fuel-injection system.

The 2.0-liter flat-4 in the 2020 BRZ develops 200 or 205 horsepower. This energy goes to the rear wheels through a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters mounted to the steering column.

Models with manual transmissions use different valves, camshaft, cylinder heads and intake/exhaust manifolds to produce slightly more horsepower and torque than the automatic-equipped counterparts.

Along with its lower price, greater driver involvement and (sadly) lower fuel economy, BRZ cars with the manual transmission also have a red intake manifold.

2.0-liter flat-4
200 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm (205 horsepower w/manual transmission)
151 lb-ft of torque @ 6,400 rpm (156 lb-ft w/manual transmission)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 mpg (manual), 20/27 mpg (tS trim, manual only), 24/33 mpg (automatic)