Cars

Review: Subaru’s BRZ, a rare, fun, affordable sports car

Taking the grandson out for a BRZ test drive.

By Bill Griffith

October 8, 2016

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So I’m sitting in front of the computer with a patch over my left eye, compliments of recent eye surgery.The patch would have been a great accessory on Sept. 19—Talk Like a Pirate Day—but it has curtailed my driving for a few days.Normally, that would be a downer.But, looking on the positive side, it’s given me an inner vision.That’s making it easy to remember my impressions of today’s test car, the 2016 Subaru BRZ Hyper Blue Edition.Both eyes were working quite well earlier in September when we traversed one of my favorite roads, the 17-mile stretch of Rte. 190 in Connecticut from I-84 that passes through Stafford Springs and on into Somers and eventually Enfield, CT.We drove that route both coming and going for grandparent duty with our grandson.Trouble is, the BRZ is basically a two-seater. Oh, there’s a back seat, but it’s not enough to accommodate even a nine-year-old.So Mrs. G got dropped off at our daughter’s house, and I got to pick up our grandson after school.One of his favorite games is trying to pick out whatever I’m driving in the parking lot. He immediately pounced on the BRZ, a sleek, low, sports coupe sitting amid rows of small and medium-size SUVs and sedans.Riding in front was another unusual pleasure for a youngster who’d just graduated from a lifetime of backseat booster seat.He immediately asked if “we” could get up early the next morning and take the backloads trip to the bagel shop we frequent.As much as he enjoyed riding in the BRZ, I enjoyed driving it even more.In an era when every automaker strives to have a vehicle in every market segment, the BRZ (and its sibling, the Scion FR-S) stand alone as basic, affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports coupes.The cars are a seriously nice product from a Subaru-Toyota collaboration.From a driver’s viewpoint, the vehicles are well-balanced and feature outstanding cornering ability.That’s helped by having precisely calibrated steering with electronic power assist.Making it all work even better is an extremely low center of gravity thanks to Subaru’s 2.0-liter, horizontally opposed Boxer engine, which sits low in the chassis thanks to the engine’s shape.But wait, there’s more.Our test vehicle was a Hyper Blue Edition, one of only 500 built, which makes this a possible future collectible as well as a standout on the highway.Maybe best of all is that this edition comes as a package with a bottom line price of $28,485, including the $795 destination charge.The basic premium trim level features keyless ignition, LED running lights, rear camera, 6.2-inch Starlink information screen, and limited slip differential.Move up to the Limited package and add fog lights, rear spoiler, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated outdoor mirrors and seats, and a nice combination of leather and Alcantara seating materials. The Hyper Blue pack adds the signature blue paint that’s a bit darker but reminiscent of  the blue color Ford used on its original GT-40 supercars.There’s also some aero-look body parts, signature black wheels and badges, black and blue stitching, and carbon fiber simulated interior trim.The seats are comfortable with plenty of adjustment options, blue stitching, and a stitched BRZ logo.No car can offer all things to all drivers, and so it is with the BRZ. The 2.0-liter (non-turbo) Boxer engine puts out 200 horsepower, more than enough to propel the light BRZ (2,784 pounds) in all situations, but hardly on a par with today’s turbocharged and supercharged, tire-screeching, performance options.Instead, this is a vehicle for those who enjoy carving some curves on their commutes or weekend drives.Our test vehicle had a close-ratio 6-speed manual that was a pleasure to use around town. Only the sixth gear was an overdrive. The optional 6-speed automatic version is rated at 34 mpg in highway driving as opposed to the manual’s 22 city, 30 highway, and 25 combined. We had fun driving the manual and averaged a satisfying 31.3 mph in a week of fun driving.Facing the driver is a large central tachometer with a digital speedometer insert. There’s also an analog speedometer to the left and fuel and temperature gauges offset to the right.We missed steering-wheel controls but the touch screen was easy to reach and worked well as did the sound system.The bottom line is that this is a fun car to drive, one that will put a smile on your face, and not only make you want to leave early but also take the long way to your destination over back roads.It also fits into another attractive category—the one that says this car is a lot of bang for the buck.2016 Subaru BRZ Hyper Blue EditionTHE BASICSPrice, base:$28,485. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 22 city, 30 highway, 25 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 31.3. Drivetrain: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, 6-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive. Body: 2-door sports coupe.THE SPECIFICSHorsepower: 200. Torque: 151 lb.-ft. Overall length: 166.7 in. Wheelbase: 101.2 in. Height: 50.6 in. Width: 69.9 in. Curb weight: 2,784 lbs.THE GOODHandling, ride, steering, overall value.THE BADUnusable rear seat, no steering-wheel controls.THE BOTTOM LINEA fun-to-drive, affordable, basic, sports coupe.ALSO CONSIDERScion FR-S, Ford Focus ST, Mazda3 five-door hatchback, Mazda Miata, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen GTI.Bill Griffith can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MrAutoWriter.