2018 Subaru BRZ review
Subaru BRZ highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Balanced and forgiving handling make for an easy and fun drive
- Excellent steering feel and response
- Comfortable and supportive front seats
- Better tech than what's offered by its Toyota 86 twin
Cons
- Modest acceleration with no available engine upgrade
- Significant highway noise
Mileage (EPA estimate)
20 city, 27 highway, 23 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Shop with your budget in mind
The 2018 Subaru BRZ is the go-to sports car for those on a budget
Many cars try to be all things to all buyers, but some, like the 2018 Subaru BRZ, have a singular focus. In the case of the BRZ, it’s a sports car targeting those on a budget, and it does this exceptionally well. The four-cylinder engine powering the rear wheels puts out modest power, so the BRZ isn’t fast in a straight line. But the steering, suspension and braking are all wonderfully balanced, making the BRZ a delight to drive on a twisting canyon road. The limited edition tS trim introduced for 2018 features enhanced suspension, brakes and body structure. Limited and tS trims get an audio system that incorporates Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ for the 2018 model year.
Visibility is outstanding, and the driver and passenger seat are both surprisingly comfortable. Granted, the BRZ is noisy on the road, and it doesn’t have sports-car acceleration. But if you’re looking for a fun-to-drive coupe with an almost-usable rear seat, the BRZ is tough to beat.
All Subaru BRZ years
What is new for the 2018 Subaru BRZ?
- The BRZ is available in a new trim called the TS.
- The Series.Yellow trim has been discontinued for 2018.
- BRZ trims have been upgraded with Parking Sensors, Android Auto, Navigation System, Apple CarPlay, and 8508 as standard equipment this year.
2018 Subaru BRZ trims
Premium:
- 205-hp, 156-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Rear Defroster
- Cruise Control
- Cloth Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- View our Subaru BRZ Premium inventory
Limited:
- Includes all features available on the Premium
- 200-hp, 151-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Leather & Suede Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Smart Key
- Navigation System
- 8508
- Automatic Transmission
- View our Subaru BRZ Limited inventory
TS:
- Includes all features available on the Limited
- No significant upgrades found on the TS
- View our Subaru BRZ TS inventory
Subaru BRZ photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Subaru BRZ
What We Like:
Steering and handling: The steering is quick and razor sharp, and the suspension for the BRZ strikes an excellent balance between sporty handling and a compliant ride around town. If you don’t mind a little extra road noise, the BRZ is the kind of car that you can enjoy driving to the grocery store and work every day, but also enjoy wringing out on your favorite canyon roads on the weekends.
Practicality: Part of the BRZ’s mission is to be a weekend track car, and to that end the rear seats fold down to expand the cargo area to accommodate a full set of wheels and tires, plus a tool kit. Of course, you can also put a week’s worth of groceries back there, or other large items. The takeaway is that despite its compact exterior dimensions, the BRZ is surprisingly practical.
Manual transmission: Driving enthusiasts will always gravitate towards a manual transmission, and the stick in the BRZ doesn’t disappoint. With quick throws and excellent gearing, it enhances the driving pleasure without being a chore to drive in traffic.
What Needs Improvement
Power: Since day one, the BRZ’s achilles heel has been its modest power output. With 205 horsepower it’s not exactly slow, but it’s not as quick as you’d expect from the extroverted styling.
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Subaru BRZ an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Subaru BRZ 24th out of 27 among Subcompact Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Subaru BRZSubaru BRZ features and specs
Limited 2WD 2D Coupe
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leather & Suede Seats
- Navigation System
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- 8508
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
200
Torque (ft-lbs)
151
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
13.2
Wheelbase
101.2"
Overall length
166.7"
Width
69.9"
Height
50.6"
Leg room
F 41.9"/R 29.9"
Head room
F 37.1"/R 35"
Front tires
P215/45WR17
Rear tires
P215/45WR17
Seating capacity
4
Transmission
Automatic
2018 Subaru BRZ FAQ
The 2018 Subaru BRZ is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Limited: 24 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway
- Premium: 21 MPG City and 29 MPG Highway
- TS: 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
The Subaru BRZ received a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Subaru BRZ as 23 out of 27 among Subcompact Car
The 2018 Subaru BRZ has received an average 5.0 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Subaru BRZ, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Subaru BRZ Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Subaru BRZ:
- TS
- Parking Sensors
- Navigation System
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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