Subaru BRZ

There was nothing fancy about the earlier Subaru BRZ and the new-generation model continues to be pretty straightforward and easy to use. The cabin allows the driver to focus on driving. The dashboard is placed rather low and is dominated by an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The low-profile engine lends the BRZ a low hood line. This further enhances forward visibility.

While Subaru has updated the BRZ interior, those who have driven the earlier version are likely to find it familiar. The suede and leather seats along with the steering wheel have been retained. The dashboard’s architecture is almost similar. The seats of the new-generation Subaru BRZ have solid bolstering and are also comfortable for long-distance driving. According to the Tokyo-headquartered company, the seats are now placed slightly lower than in the earlier version to free up more cabin space, particularly for tall drivers. That was a complaint from drivers of the earlier-generation model. The redesigned door trims have also freed more knee room on the driver’s seat.

Subaru has used a lot of hard plastics in the BRZ cabin to increase durability and keep production cost low. But that doesn’t affect the travelling experience. The plastic merges well with the rest of the interior upholstery.

Passenger and boot space

Ride quality was not a high point with the previous-generation Subaru BRZ. It has only marginally improved for the second generation. The 2022 Subaru BRZ is more for driving around the town than long highway trips. The ride quality is on the firmer side, with the low-profile tires generating a lot of noise.

The rear seats of the car, like in the previous model, are almost unusable. There’s less than 30 inches of legroom behind the two front seats. While a small child may fit in there, it’s almost impossible for an adult to find a comfortable travelling position. Even medium-height teenagers have to squeeze into the rear seat. Though Subaru claims that the BRZ is a four-passenger car, in reality, it’s fit only for the two persons seating in front. Even the cargo room is only 6.3cft. 

The two front bucket seats are of course highly comfortable. They have ample bolstering and complement the body contour. The seats have impressive back and under-thigh support. Both seats have heating function but come with six-way manual adjustability only. The Subaru BRZ is more for a personal driving experience than carrying passengers.

The car has 201 liters of boot space.

Comfort and entertainment

The 2022 Subaru BRZ comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen system. It runs of Subaru’s Starlink infotainment software. While the touch responsiveness has improved, the interface still lags. The menu and graphics options aren’t crisp. The infotainment unit does feel dated. It supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are some practical storage spaces in the cabin. The cupholders are placed much behind the driver’s right arm. So there’s no risk of bumping into them while driving. The rear seat is mostly used to keep backpacks, jackets, and other small items. All seats come with anchor points but accessing them are a bit difficult. 

The air-conditioning is powerful and cools the cabin within minutes.

The 2022 Subaru BRZ looks athletic from all angles. It’s aerodynamic and seems poised to perform. The design is fluid and conforms to a sports coupe design aesthetics. Subaru hasn’t tinkered much with the car’s exterior. But the second-generation car, overall, has a much cleaner design. The upturned front bumper and dimple-style vents enhance the looks. The headlights are sharper and slimmer than the earlier model. The 18-inch alloy wheels run on perfect-fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires that lend great traction. Coupled that with the low ground clearance, the 2022 Subaru BRZ almost bites the road and moves.

The body siding of the new Subaru BRZ has better detailing. The haunches at the back merge seamlessly into the rear-end. The ducktail spoiler on the trunk lid caps off the design. From the profile, the 2022 Subaru BRZ sports coupe look like a high-tech running shoe.

What are the dimensions of the 2022 Subaru BRZ?

The car measures 4,265mm in length, 1,310mm in breadth, and 1,775mm in height. The wheelbase dimension has increased to 2,575mm. 

What is the ground clearance of the 2022 Subaru BRZ?

The 2022 Subaru BRZ has a ground clearance of 130mm. Sports cars typically have a low ground clearance to aid aerodynamics. This also leads to minimum body roll. 

The fuel economy of the Subaru BRZ is decent. It’s wrong to expect great mileage from a sports car that has a 2.4-liter powertrain. The sports coupe returns a mileage of around 10kmpl in city driving conditions. 

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2022 Subaru BRZ?

The car comes with a 50-liter fuel tank.

The 2022 Subaru BRZ is among the best handling cars in its class. The adjustable steering wheel is light and nicely balanced. It’s accurate and promptly obeys driver commands. The brakes are nice and act instantly but are likely to become softer with prolonged use since the Subaru BRZ is a sports car. They have great bite and stops the car instantly. If used for daily commuting, since the BRZ is a mass market sports car, the brakes will last longer.

The response from the engine is a bit delayed. Remember, this is no high-performance sports car. But once it gets into the groove, the engine outputs steady power. Unlike the previous-generation model, there’s no slump in midrange power. Transmission with the six-speed MT is seamless. The AT of course, slows down acceleration. But it’s easier to operate in heavy urban traffic. The paddle shifters provide quick downshifts. The 2022 Subaru BRZ has a small turning radius. High-speed cornering is no problem at all. 

The 2022 Subaru BRZ is available in two versions in Malaysia. Both are hauled by a naturally aspirated, four-cylinder, 2.4-liter petrol engine that produces 237PS maximum power at 7,000rpm and 250Nm peak torque at 3,700rpm. The motor is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission (MT). The other model that comes with Subaru’s EyeSight technology has a six-speed automatic transmission (AT). Performance-wise, the AT attains 0-100 kmph speed in 6.8 seconds. The MT takes 6.3 seconds. Both transmissions have a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Affordability has always been Subaru’s focus with the BRZ sports coupe. That’s probably the reason the company ignored the increasing market demand of having a turbocharged powertrain in almost every other car. That would have added weight to the BRZ, besides pushing up the price. 

Chassis of the Subaru BRZ, which was the earlier version’s high point, now benefits from a redesigned structure. It has a stiffer unibody and comes with more seam welds. The front fenders and roof panels are made from aluminum to offset the weight gains in the rest of the car. The 2022 Subaru BRZ is mounted on a retuned suspension that offers a smooth riding experience. 

Is the 2022 Subaru BRZ available in diesel?

No. The car is available with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter petrol engine only.

The 2022 Subaru BRZ, for its price, comes with a number of driver-assist features. The car’s traction and stability system are among the best in class. Both are nicely calibrated for daily driving. The EyeSight suite comes with adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Even the entry-level MT model gets high-beam assist and automatic rear emergency braking. The EyeSight lane-departure warning system is over-sensitive and the high-pitch beep is irritating. It can be turned off via the touchscreen unit. 

How many airbags does the 2022 Subaru BRZ have? 

The car comes with five airbags. 

How many cameras does the 2023 Subaru BRZ have?

The sports coup comes with a single reverse parking camera. 

Value for money

The 2022 Subaru BRZ is certainly a value for money car. It’s among the most affordable sports cars in its segment. It isn’t a purely racetrack oriented vehicle but is meant more for daily commuting and casual speeding down the highway. It does offer the thrill of race car driving. For those who dream of owning a sports coupe but have limited means, the 2022 Subaru BRZ at a starting price of RM 249,245 is definitely a worthy buy. 

Warranty

The Subaru BRZ comes with a 5-year/100,000km warranty.

Are original spare parts of the 2022 Subaru BRZ available in Malaysia?

All genuine spare parts of the 2022 Subaru BRZ are available at the company’s workshops and service centers. 

2022 Subaru BRZ vs Infiniti Q60

The Infiniti Q60 is a direct competitor of the Subaru BRZ. The former comes with a 2.0-liter powertrain with 211PS output. The Infiniti Q60 is an attractively designed car and looks all set to perform. It comes with a premium interior with lots of driving aids. The car is known for its great handling and pickup. But like most two-door sports coupes, the Infiniti Q60 has limited space on its rear seats. However, the driving experience is unmatched in class. The Infiniti Q60 id priced at RM 291,362, higher than the Subaru BRZ.

2022 Subaru BRZ vs BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is arguably the best-driving car in its segment. It’s an urban friendly sports coupe that offers a superbly balanced ride. It’s also one of the best appointed cars in its class. While the two front seats are extremely comfortable, the rear seats hardly have any space. The ride quality of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is on the stiffer side. It’s priced lower than the Subaru BRZ at RM 217,320     

2022 Subaru BRZ vs Toyota GR 86

The Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ share the same powertrain. Both are hauled by a 2.4-liter petrol motor. Toyota has upgraded the GR 86 with a sleeker design. The car looks strikingly handsome from all angles. Compared to the exterior, the cabin looks rather plain. The GR 86 offers a nice driving and handling experience. At RM 295,000, it’s priced higher than the Subaru BRZ.

Is the 2022 Subaru BRZ worth buying?

The 2022 Subaru BRZ is an easy-going and enjoyable car to drive. Sports cars, over the years, have become more complex. At a time when most cars in this segment are packed with a plethora of features and cost the earth, it’s refreshing to find an affordable and basic sports coupe. The Subaru BRZ offers a nice balance and handling and is easy to drive on city roads. It’s not a true-blue sports car and certainly not meant for professional racers. It’s for those who have long desired to own a sports coupe without burning a hole in the pocket.