Subaru BRZ manual 2017 review | road test
- Price From $32,990
- ANCAP
- Seats4
- Fuel cons.7.8L/100km (combined)
What we like
- Terrific (updated) chassis
- Improved interior
- Good value
What we don't
- Engine sometimes a bit loud
- People who say it needs more power
- No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Key features
- 5 Star Safety
Peter Anderson road tests and reviews the 2017 Subaru BRZ with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
Subaru's BRZ is a bit of an oddity - it's as good a car as its Toyota twin, but there aren't that many around. There's bound to be corners of the internet that swear blind it's completely different under the skin to the 86, but it really isn't. And that's okay, because the BRZ is a good car because the 86 is.
Thing is, there's a ton of detail differences both inside and out and that might be enough to sway you to order the BRZ online through the Subaru website (yep, they're still doing that) rather than heading to your local Toyota emporium. Before you go, though, you might like to know what the recent mild refresh of both cars has meant to the Subaru.
Verdict
Everything in the cabin works, nothing is overdone and it feels dependable and unburstable. You can attack that same set of corners time after time, wet, dry or indifferent and you'll know exactly what's going to happen. The car encourages and rewards consistency, the much-maligned power 'deficit' working for the driver rather than against the driving experience.
Yes, it's a bit noisy and yes, as soon as you've parked up in the sun and turned off the engine it starts heating up immediately. More insulation means more weight and a certain amount of disconnection from the car that wouldn't suit its character. You'll live. The new BRZ is a better car than the old, with a better interior, better chassis and it might just be better value than its Toyota counterpart.
Toyota or Subaru? Or Fiat or Mazda? Let the debate begin (in the comments section below).
Specifications
- PriceFrom $32,990
- Fuel consumption7.8L/100km (combined), 181g/km CO2 Tank 50L
- Safety5-star ANCAP
- Seats4
- Warranty3 years/unlimited
- Service Interval9 months/15,000km
- Engine1.998L 4-cyl premium unleaded, 147kW/205Nm
- TransmissionManual, RWD
- SpareSpare Wheel - Full Size Alloy Wheel
- Turning circle10.8m diameter
- Dimensions4240mm (L), 1775mm (W), 1245mm (H)
Subaru BRZ manual 2017 review | road test
What we like
- Terrific (updated) chassis
- Improved interior
- Good value
What we don't
- Engine sometimes a bit loud
- People who say it needs more power
- No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Key Features
- 5 Star Safety
Sponsored
Comments