2022 Subaru WRX vs. 2022 Subaru BRZ - POV Comparison

2022 Subaru WRX Premium Manual Sedan
MSRP: $32,105
MPG: 19 city / 26 highway
Horsepower: 271 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Engine: 2.4 L 4-cylinder
Curb weight: 3,320 lbs
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Dimensions: 184″ L x 72″ W x 58″ H

2022 Subaru BRZ Premium Manual Coupe
MSRP: $27,995
MPG: 20 city / 27 highway
Horsepower: 228 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Engine: 2.4 L 4-cylinder
Curb weight: 2,815 lbs
0-60 mph: 5.9 seconds
Transmission: 6-speed manual

The audio in this video was recorded with in-ear binaural microphones, headphones are highly recommended!

Here's the equipment I use (with affiliate links):

I'm also the producer for the Winding Road YouTube Channel:

Thanks for watching!

[jonathanhughes]

One major difference not mentioned: driving position. In the BRZ you sit low and "in" the car, vs in the WRX you sit higher and "on top" of the car.

[harrybuhse]

The rev hang is the dilemma we know is fixed with a tune on the BRZ, but nobody wants to go and void their warranty, nor is that option even available yet. So I'll just say it's very impressive what they've done with the WRX. If it lost that weird tablet, the cladding and the rear-end look I think it would be an absolute home run.

[raiderfan]

Thanks for the comparison. I was highly debating getting the Gr86, but I needed something bigger with 4 doors. Sometimes I pick up my kids after work from school and putting them into the backseats with their oversized backpacks would be too much of a hassle. I’m loving my 2022 Wrx so far.

[mrniceguy]

The BRZ panel is so clean and organized. The WRX just slapped an iPad in the middle. They’re both Subaru products but I guess the interior was supervised by Toyota.

[Tonga]

I’ve owned 2 WRXs, my last one a 2021. I bought the 2020 BRZ and instantly loved it compared to the WRX. Then I traded in my 2020 for a 2022 BRZ. The RWD/BRZ is by far so much more fun to drive. Is it as practical as a 4 door sedan, no!!! It’s all about the engaging drive. Lucky for me my winter beater or summer hauler is the Outback XT.

[russhendrix]

I ordered a new WRX that should come in July/Aug. Its like waiting for Christmas.

[SerPurple]

3000 miles in a few months? I've put over 2000 miles on my bike and I only got it right before the new year!

Great video as always Topher!

[VitalJoe]

Absolutely brilliant review/insights. I appreciate both wrx and brz more because of the review. I really like how the brz revs out and looks awesome, seems like proper fun. Wrx is a great formula with awd turbo and just the more practical option for me with kids but I’d love a brz.

[adamleininger]

Just picked up my Trueno blue GR86 Premium. Having a blast! The look of the new WRX and the massive screen (I've spent a decent amount of time in the Outback) are deal-breakers for me personally.

[jmtcol]

I like the 22 WRX interior quite a bit. Definitely upgraded from previous gen. Styling is subjective.

[idokwatcher]

BRZ with WRX engine is what was needed. It would have obsoleted Cayman, Supra and ND Miata.

[RJTamm]

I'm getting some cold feet around my GR86 deposit, simply because the few times a year I actually need the space I truly need it. My 228 coupe is just enough. The twins are quite a bit smaller in the storage department.

[yayitsjepoy]

I feel like this video, is the video I always wanted. Thank you for the insights! :)

[riley]

My dad and stepmom have a 2023 BRZ and I have a 2023 WRX. While I do love the BRZ, the rev hang would drive me nuts eventually. I love that Subaru fixed that in the WRX. I drove the BRZ before and if I shift fast like I do in the WRX, while it's not as bad as in the Si (I had an Si before the WRX and the rev hang in that car was beyond horrible), it's still noticeable. It's one of the reasons I love my WRX so much. It makes the car a lot smoother and a lot more fun to drive. It's one of the reasons I got rid of the Si.

[trckster]

Love the Toph, awesome stuff. I owned a 16 WRX and it was pretty brutal with the rev hang and the harsh suspension, but it looks like they may have fixed that with the latest offering!

[Tonga]

Thanks Toyota for the Dual injection, port and direct. That is not available in any other Subaru. Carbon build up in the intake without the Port injection is inherent in most if not all only directed injected engines.

[extraglutenplz]

the tune on my 2019 wrx premium 6mt is what made me get rid of the car, and I wasn't about to flash the ecu considering I bought the car brand new and wanted a hassle-free warranty if I needed it.

[AsinineComment]

3:20 "They've reduced the trunk opening..."
Handling is the reason for that.
🤔
This BRZ/86 body has 50% more torsional stiffness than the original. When the road twists more, this newer car twists _less_, and steers more predictably. Pillars, subframes, roof, window adhesive, and even the trunk/boot aperture, all play a part in body rigidity.

[Ksport]

agree, the BRZ is a much less distracting cabin and puts the focus on driving; not flipping through apps/sxm channels, etc/climate control functions...however, it is much more difficult to put a Great Dane in the backseat of a BRZ. This is where the WRX comes in handy; especially if you need to haul a big/bigger dog. Granted the big dog may not have a lot of room to move around in the WRX, but it has better ingress/egress to the backseat vs the BRZ. I know this because I put a Great Dane in my WRX and he was cool with it.

[RR_]

I have a 15 BRZ and a 17 STI, lol, BRZ is fun in the canyons and the STI is a AWD Monster . STI is mentally and physically harder to drive, because it just wants to go straight. Nobody wants to race the STI but the BRZ gets picked on because Mustang Camaro Charger thinks it’s fast . Both are fun, but I prefer the AWD Turbo