Model research hub
Subaru BRZ
Car and Driver rates the BRZ 10/10 as an Editors' Choice and 10Best winner, saying its mission is simple: provide all the necessary ingredients for pure and unadulterated driving fun and forget everything else, with a light and limber chassis that makes its 2.4-liter flat-four feel surprisingly strong despite a relatively paltry 228-hp output, and its thrills-per-dollar ratio one of the highest of any new car, more practical than the Mazda Miata since its rear seats fold down for cargo like track-day tires. MotorTrend says born from the same Subaru-Toyota collaboration that also produced the GR86, the BRZ is a rear-wheel-drive sports car designed for driving enthusiasts who value balance, precision, and pure fun behind the wheel, standing out in a segment where excitement often comes at a high price as a spirited choice that's accessible without compromise, rivaling the Ford Mustang and Mazda Miata; for 2026 the lineup gains a limited-run, 350-unit Series.Yellow edition while the Premium trim is discontinued.
Pure driving fun, forget everything else
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) rates the BRZ 10/10 as an Editors' Choice and 10Best winner, saying its mission is simple: provide all the necessary ingredients for pure and unadulterated driving fun and forget everything else, with a light and limber chassis that makes its 2.4-liter flat-four feel surprisingly strong despite a relatively paltry 228-hp output, calling its thrills-per-dollar ratio one of the highest of any new car.
More practical than the Miata
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the BRZ is more practical than the Mazda Miata since its rear seats fold down for cargo like track-day tires, and it and its Toyota GR86 mechanical twin help keep the barebones enthusiast car alive.
A Series.Yellow edition for 2026
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says born from the same Subaru-Toyota collaboration that also produced the GR86, the BRZ stands out as a spirited, accessible choice rivaling the Ford Mustang and Mazda Miata; for 2026 the lineup gains a limited-run, 350-unit Series.Yellow edition while the Premium trim is discontinued.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the Subaru BRZ have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 228 hp from its 2.4-liter flat-four.
What's new on the 2026 Subaru BRZ?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says a limited 350-unit Series.Yellow edition, while the Premium trim is discontinued.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2027 Subaru BRZ is built around 2.4L flat-four, rated at 228 horsepower across its sports coupe body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2027 U.S. lineup has 2 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2027 BRZ seats 4 and is a Sports coupe.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2027 BRZ.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2027 Subaru BRZ
Every BRZ trim shares the same 228-horsepower flat-four; Limited is the entry trim and the only one offered with the six-speed automatic, and tS adds STI-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
3 indexed Subaru BRZ model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Subaru BRZ | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Subaru BRZ | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Subaru BRZ | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Subaru BRZ.
The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ are 2+2 sports cars jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, manufactured at Subaru's Ōta, Gunma assembly plant. The 2+2 fastback coupé has a naturally aspirated boxer engine, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive configuration, 53/47 front/rear weight balance and low centre of gravity; it was inspired by Toyota's earlier AE86, a small, light, front-engine/rear-drive Corolla variant widely popular for Showroom Stock, Group A, Group N, Rally, Club and drift racing.
Source: Toyota 86 (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Subaru BRZ at a glance
- Production
- January 2012 – present
- Model years
- 2013–present
- Assembly
- Japan: Ōta, Gunma (Subaru Corp. Gunma Plant)
- Class
- Sports car (S)
- Body style
- 2-door fastback coupé
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
- Also called
- Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT86 (Europe, 2012–2021), Scion FR-S (North America, 2012–2016), Toyota GR86 (2021–present), Toyota FT86 (Brunei, Nicaragua and Jamaica)
Subaru BRZ generations
The Subaru BRZ has been redesigned in 2021, gaps of 9 years, an average of 9.0 years between generations. The current generation (second generation, ZN8/ZD8) began in 2021.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | ZN6/ZC6 | 2012–2021 | The production Toyota 86 debuted at the December 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. |
| Second generation | ZN8/ZD8 | 2021–present | The second-generation BRZ debuted on 18 November 2020 and went on sale in the US in late 2021. |
Year by year
The Subaru BRZ across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Subaru BRZ | 22–25 | $3,200–$3,650 | 2 | |||
| 2026 Subaru BRZ | 22–25 | $3,100–$3,500 | 2 | |||
| 2025 Subaru BRZ | 22–25 | $3,100–$3,500 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2024 Subaru BRZ | 22–25 | $3,100–$3,500 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 2023 Subaru BRZ | 22–25 | $3,100–$3,500 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2022 Subaru BRZ | 22–25 | $3,100–$3,500 | 2 | 1 | 10 | |
| 2020 Subaru BRZ | 23–27 | $2,850–$3,350 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2019 Subaru BRZ | 24–27 | $2,850–$3,250 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2018 Subaru BRZ | 23–27 | $2,850–$3,350 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2017 Subaru BRZ | 24–27 | $2,850–$3,250 | 2 | 7 | ||
| 2016 Subaru BRZ | 24–28 | $2,750–$3,250 | 2 | 3 | 5 stars | |
| 2015 Subaru BRZ | 24–28 | $2,750–$3,250 | 2 | 3 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Subaru BRZ, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 to 2022 | 3 to 2 | 25.0 to 23.5 | Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI | Labels: BRZ tS; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI |
| 2019 to 2020 | 2 to 3 | 25.5 to 25.0 | Labels: BRZ tS | |
| 2018 to 2019 | 3 to 2 | 25.0 to 25.5 | Labels: BRZ tS | |
| 2017 to 2018 | 2 to 3 | 25.5 to 25.0 | Labels: BRZ tS | |
| 2016 to 2017 | 26.0 to 25.5 |
Buying used
What the Subaru BRZ recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | exterior lighting (turn signal) | None |
| 2019 | 1 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2018 | 2 | visibility (rearview mirrors/devices); fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 13 | 42% | 2022 (6) |
| unknown or other | 5 | 16% | 2017 (3) |
| fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 10% | 2017 (1) |
| exterior lighting | 3 | 10% | 2022 (3) |
| suspension | 2 | 6% | 2016 (1) |
| wheels | 2 | 6% | 2016 (1) |
| Model year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Trim by trim
Every 2027 Subaru BRZ trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited | RWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | 228 | 184 | 2,886 | – | – | $37,385 |
| tS | RWD | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | 228 | 184 | 2,855 | – | – | $40,015 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2027 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Subaru BRZ model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | 228 | 2,855–2,886 | – | 13.2 |
| 2026 | 3 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | 228 | 2,851–2,881 | – | 13.2 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | 228 | 2,820–2,881 | – | 13.2 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | 228 | 2,820–2,846 | – | 13.2 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | 228 | 2,815–2,835 | – | 13.2 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | 228 | 2,815–2,835 | – | 13.2 |
| 2020 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 205 | 2,798–2,833 | – | 13.2 |
| 2019 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 205 | 2,789–2,817 | – | 13.2 |
| 2018 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 205 | 2,789–2,842 | 2,700 | 13.2 |
| 2017 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 205 | 2,785–2,793 | 2,700 | 13.2 |
| 2016 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 200 | 2,764–2,778 | 2,700 | 13.2 |
| 2015 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 200 | 2,762–2,776 | 2,700 | 13.2 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Subaru BRZ.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2025 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2024 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2023 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2022 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Subaru BRZ: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | 3 | ||
| 2023 | 1 | ||
| 2022 | 1 | 10 | exterior lighting |
| 2021 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 2 | ||
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | fuel system |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | fuel system, visibility/wipers |
| 2017 | 7 | ||
| 2016 | 3 | ||
| 2015 | 3 |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Subaru BRZ?
Federal recall records don't single out a best Subaru BRZ model year: recall counts across the 3 published model years checked here stay within a normal range of this nameplate's own average (about 1.3 recalls per year), with no year standing out as notably higher or lower. Recall count is one input, not a purchase verdict. It says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record.
Q02What are common recall-related problems on the Subaru BRZ by model year?
2022: exterior lighting. 2019: fuel system. 2018: fuel system, visibility/wipers.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Engine and cooling, Climate and electrical.
Compared with
Models this Subaru BRZ is most often compared with.
Nearest Subaru models
Other Subaru models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2027 BRZ come in?
The 2027 Subaru BRZ (sports coupe) comes in 2 trims: Limited, tS.
Q02What are the 2027 BRZ trims?
The 2027 Subaru BRZ trims are Limited, tS, listed from the entry Limited up to the top tS.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2027 BRZ use?
The 2027 Subaru BRZ is built around 2.4L flat-four, rated at 228 horsepower across its sports coupe body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2027 BRZ have?
The 2027 Subaru BRZ is rated at 228 horsepower (2.4L flat-four).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2027 BRZ?
The 2027 Subaru BRZ is offered with RWD.