2022 Subaru BRZ review (inc. 0-100): Is it different enough from the old one?

One of the reasons I hated the Toyota 86 when it first launched was because I drove an automatic. It was soul destroyingly slow and ran on Prius tyres. BUT, when I drove the manual, it ALL started to make sense again. So I was naturally excited to drive the 2022 Subaru BRZ with the bigger engine and of course, the manual transmission. Is it any good? Paul Maric finds out!

Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior 01:08
Interior 03:43
Infotainment 05:19
Safety Tech 06:52
Practicality 07:53
On Road 11:47
0-100 km/h 16:02
Verdict 17:17

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CarExpert:

Paul Maric:

#subaru #brz #review

[KipsanBeck]

in his spare time, Paul Maric puts on an American accent, and creates Family Guy, hosts Comedy Central Roasts, hosts the Oscars and ocassionally makes movies like Ted. Onya fella, Aussie made good.

[CarExpertAus]

Hi everyone, apologies for the typo at the start on the AUD to USD conversion. The correct figure should be ~$29, 000 USD. Thanks for pointing it out! - Igor

[deswa]

How I miss manual transmissions! Great review Paul

[MFitz]

Picked mine up on January 15th just before the supply ran out. Same color as in the vid.

Drives brilliant. Been several decades since my last proper rear drive sports car. Almost forgot what I have been missing. Suspension tuning is a perfect balance between ride and handling, rotates nicely. Steering is wonderful.

Never drove the earlier version because reports of the lack of torque put me off. Not an issue here. 2nd gear starts are even possible. Required in snow. Very drivable. Compares well to the torquey car it replaces - a 03' Sentra SE-R Spec V.

Choice between the Subota and the Toybaru came down to availability (there simply weren't any GT86 around) and the heated seats on the Zed being fabric, not leather. The styling differences were irrelevant to me other than the more prominent rear spoiler on the GT86 which I felt was too shouty.

Using it 365 in Minnesota. With 205/50R17 Michelin XIce Snow tires driving it winter is as normal as can be. No worries.

[davidquick]

I've had mine (identical to test car) for two months now and absolutely love it. Seriously, that missing safety tech is no big deal. If it was there, it would just be more crap I'd have to figure out how to turn off. Paul your review was so much better than Jenny's. You identified the niche this car sits in and weren't critical when the car performed or made appropriate noise to meet that niche and you didn't favour '...the more desirable automatic...' I almost choked when she spruked that utter BS.
Great review of a very worthy vehicle.

[bigbadbull]

Just bought a manual BRZ. I used to own a Mazda MX-5. I absolutely love the BRZ, the gear shifting is fantastic and the vision is much better in the BRZ. I thought the MX-5 was good but the BRZ takes it to a whole new level. Very enjoyable and puts a smile on your dial!

[imanenigma]

I will be ordering one in the next few days,
this exact car unless I go the pearl white.
Turning sixty in April, so why not.
Hope to get it before Xmas.
Good review as always, thanks.
Front engine, rear wheel drive, manual, bravo!🙂

[wasimali]

You should do more sport car reviews Paul. Really enjoyed this one. Cheers!

[moldyrefrigerator]

Just bought a 2023 BRZ, it's such a great car! Get the manual if you're in the market for one. You won't regret it!!

[NaTe-Von]

Paul, I think I'm too used to you reviewing giant trucks/utes and SUVs, it makes this car look comically small when next to you standing up on camera 😂

[aimanfitriiv]

i love the looks especially in this blue colour i can't wait to see in person and i can drive this in virtual

[jamesmoros]

I had the old GTS 86, it was a lovely polarising car. I enjoyed it for 5 years then sold it, when this newish BRZ came out I took it for a test drive.. The quality built and performance is markably better.
The main difference I found is that the power comes early and actually feels fast ☺️
The disappointment is that the Design is a bit too close to the old one, I’d prefer the car to feel and look different. So don’t think I will go for it again. Great review Paul as always 🙂

[ubernoob]

Been waiting for this. Awesome stuff.

[DT]

TBH the exterior stylings of the previous gen was way better. Hope you get a chance to review the new Zed when it arrives, that’ll put a smile on your face 😎

[klougemosquito]

PAUL ALWAYS WITH THE AMAZING CONTENT I LOVE IT <3 !!!!

[AbrahamArthemius]

In terms of exterior styling i definitely prefer the GR86 front look compared to the new BRZ. It just look cleaner and simpler in a good way.

[Bnm-fkfi]

Great review as always but can someone please buy Paul some Aeroguard? All that Aussie saluting was driving me nuts 😊

[lordcaptain]

I really like the outside except for the back, someone on CE once said it looked like a Hyundai Tiburon from the rear and I can’t unsee it. The car fits its brief perfectly and most aftermarket turbo kits fit almost like the engineers left exactly the right amount of room on purpose 😉

[-TJ-]

This is a very cute looking car. I like it.

I would appreciate a video which highlights the differences between this and the GR86, because I really can't see much more beyond which service centre is more convenient for you.

[KiraOniiChan]

I really hate how Toyota charges us $425 for White and Red while Subaru offers every color for free.