2024 Subaru BRZ tS - Review by Bruce Hotchkiss +VIDEO

Geezer Approved!

Bruce Hotchkiss

By Bruce Hotchkiss
Special Correspondent, Western Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL

Riffing on Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" Hey now, hey now. What's the matter with you? Geezers just wanna have fun now

Yessir, it may take me a little more time to get in or out of a car like the Subaru BRZ, and I guess I look like a fool with my contortions, but once settled behind the steering wheel, gearshit at hand, I am as happy as any kid if maybe a little more cautious.

The BRZ is not a mega-horsepower dragster; it is more like a big, enclosed go-kart.

The engine is a 2.4-liter, DOHC, opposed 4-cylinder that makes a decent 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. When the engine "gets up on the cam" (something us geezers used to say) it has a nice little scream to it.

Power was sent to the rear wheels by a 6-speed manual transmission. For those of you who don't know what that left pedal is for there is an automatic transmission. I'm sorry but this is one car that should never have an auto trans.

Don't expect blinding acceleration, that is not the BRZ's forte. That doesn't mean the BRZ is a slouch. Zero to 60 mph is 5.5 seconds, the 1/4 mile in 14.0 seconds and 101 mph, and a top speed of 140 mph (Car and Driver test results). That's the kind of performance you get with 228 hp in a car that weighs 2,846 lbs.

The test BRZ tS has brakes equal to more power - just the way I like it. Base BRZs have 11.6" rotors on the front, the tS ups these to 12.8" and adds four piston Brembo calipers. Tires on the tS are 215/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires.

The front seats were just what I expect in a car like the BRZ tS - supportive and comfortable. Subaru calls the BRZ a 2+2, meaning it is nominally a 4-seater. The back seats? There was no way I was even going to try. I'm sure there is some logical reason for them (insurance?), and maybe, just maybe you could stick some very small person back there but I'd just use it for cargo.

I liked this gauge layout. The tach is a traditional dial with the speedometer a digital readout dead center. Check out the older style cruise control - I found it much easier to use than those tiny buttons on so many other cars.

And there it is, the part that separates poseurs from those who appreciate the art of rowing. Sometimes I just shifted gears for the sheer joy of it.

Even with the low profile tires inflated to their max, and the STi tuned Hitachi dampers, I didn't find the ride overly harsh. Make no mistake this is not a luxury car, and you'd do well to avoid potholes but the ride did not rattle my teeth.

The steering seemed weighted just right but I found that on-center required almost constant correction, like the toe setting was off a tad.

There isn't a ton of trunk space but there is enough for a long weekend away - 6.3 cubic feet. Add in the space in the backseat and you'll be fine.

I'm going to quote 2025 prices. If you can find a 2024 it may be priced a little lower. A base BRZ Premium starts at $31,210, a Limited is $33,860, and a tS is $36,360. Prices are from subaru.com.

This geezer approves and recommends the BRZ tS for all legal ages.