Subaru BRZ

Which Subaru BRZ Version Should You Buy?

The Subaru BRZ choice comes down to two engines and two transmissions. The first-generation and restyled first-generation cars use a 1998 cc Gasoline engine producing 200 hp, while the second generation moves to a 2400 cc Gasoline engine with 228 hp. Every listed BRZ is a Coupe with RWD, a front longitudinal Opposite four-cylinder engine, no boost, and a 6-speed transmission.

The Subaru BRZ choice comes down to two engines and two transmissions. The first-generation and restyled first-generation cars use a 1998 cc Gasoline engine producing 200 hp, while the second generation moves to a 2400 cc Gasoline engine with 228 hp. Every listed BRZ is a Coupe with RWD, a front longitudinal Opposite four-cylinder engine, no boost, and a 6-speed transmission. The 2.4 MT is the performance pick: it reaches 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, versus 6.8 seconds for the 2.4 AT. Buyers prioritizing the lowest listed kerb weight should consider the original 2.0 MT at 1240 kg. Fuel-consumption figures are available only for the restyled 2.0 versions, where the 2.0 AT records 8.0 L/100 km combined and the 2.0 MT records 8.6 L/100 km.

Subaru BRZ generations and versions

The first generation ran from March 2012 through July 2016 as a Coupe. It offered two versions: 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. Both produce 200 hp at 7000 rpm and 205 Nm at 6600 rpm from 1998 cc. The important purchasing difference is transmission and weight: the 2.0 MT has a 6-speed Manual and weighs 1240 kg, while the 2.0 AT has a 6-speed Automatic and weighs 1260 kg.

The first-generation restyling ran from August 2016 through January 2021 as a Coupe, although the listed 2.0 AT ends in December 2020. It again includes two versions, 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. Both retain 200 hp at 7000 rpm from 1998 cc, but the 2.0 MT has 209 Nm at 6400–6600 rpm, compared with 205 Nm at 6600 rpm for the 2.0 AT. The restyled 2.0 MT therefore gains 4 Nm over both original first-generation versions, while power remains unchanged.

The second generation began in September 2021 and is listed without a stop date. Its two Coupe versions are 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT. Both use a 2400 cc Gasoline engine producing 228 hp at 7000 rpm and 249 Nm at 3700 rpm. Compared with the restyled 2.0 MT, either 2.4 version adds 28 hp and 40 Nm, while displacement increases by 402 cc. The torque peak also moves from 6400–6600 rpm in the restyled 2.0 MT to 3700 rpm in both 2.4 versions.

Subaru BRZ engine specs and transmission comparison

The 1998 cc engine delivers approximately 100.1 hp per litre in every 2.0 version. The 2400 cc engine delivers 95 hp per litre in both 2.4 versions. Although its specific output is about 5.1 hp per litre lower, the 2.4 supplies 14% more total power than the 2.0 and at least 40 Nm more torque than the restyled 2.0 MT.

Fuel delivery varies within the supplied specifications. The restyled 2.0 MT and both 2.4 versions use Direct injection (direct), while the restyled 2.0 AT uses Distributed injection (multi-point). Fuel-system data for the original 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT is not measured. Every version uses 98 fuel.

Compression ratio is 12.5 for all 2.0 versions and 13.5 for both 2.4 versions. Bore and stroke are 86 × 86 for the 2.0 versions and 94 × 86 for the 2.4 versions. The restyled cars and second-generation cars have 4 valves per cylinder; that figure is not measured for the original first-generation versions.

Subaru BRZ performance, acceleration and fuel economy

The Manual is quicker in every directly comparable pair. The original and restyled 2.0 MT reach 100 km/h 0.6 seconds sooner than their respective 2.0 AT counterparts. In the second generation, the 2.4 MT is 0.5 seconds quicker than the 2.4 AT. Moving from the restyled 2.0 MT to the 2.4 MT cuts the listed acceleration time by 1.3 seconds; moving from the restyled 2.0 AT to the 2.4 AT cuts it by 1.4 seconds.

The restyled 2.0 MT and 2.4 MT share the highest measured top speed at 226 km/h. The 2.4 AT reaches 216 km/h, which is 6 km/h above the restyled 2.0 AT’s 210 km/h.

The restyled 2.0 AT uses 0.7 L/100 km less in the city, 0.6 L/100 km less on the highway, and 0.6 L/100 km less combined than the restyled 2.0 MT. Consumption is not measured for the original first-generation versions or either second-generation version, so the supplied data cannot establish whether a 2.4 is more or less economical than a 2.0.

Subaru BRZ weight, ground clearance, tank and wheel sizes

The original 2.0 MT has the lowest kerb weight at 1240 kg and carries 6.20 kg per horsepower. The original 2.0 AT carries 6.30 kg per horsepower. Those figures become approximately 6.31 kg per horsepower for the restyled 2.0 MT and 6.42 kg per horsepower for the restyled 2.0 AT.

Despite being heavier, the more powerful second generation improves the weight-to-power calculation. The 2.4 MT carries approximately 5.68 kg per horsepower and the 2.4 AT approximately 5.77 kg per horsepower. The 2.4 MT is 34 kg heavier than the restyled 2.0 MT, but its extra 28 hp reduces weight per horsepower by about 0.63 kg. The 2.4 AT is 32 kg heavier than the restyled 2.0 AT, while improving the same calculation by about 0.65 kg per horsepower.

Ground clearance is 130 mm on the restyled 2.0 MT and both second-generation versions. It is 120 mm on the original 2.0 MT, original 2.0 AT, and restyled 2.0 AT. Tank capacity is 50 L for every listed 2.0 version and not measured for either 2.4 version. Wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version.

Subaru BRZ problems, reliability, price and availability

Engine problems, reliability records, replacement costs, prices, and cars for sale are not measured in the supplied data. These factors therefore cannot support a version recommendation here. The comparison can establish differences in specifications, performance, consumption, and weight, but it cannot determine maintenance risk or market value.

Which Subaru BRZ version should you buy?

Choose the second-generation 2.4 MT if acceleration and power-to-weight performance matter most. Its 228 hp, 249 Nm, 6.3-second 0–100 km/h time, 226 km/h top speed, and approximately 5.68 kg per horsepower give it the strongest measured performance in the range.

Choose the second-generation 2.4 AT if an Automatic is required without giving up the 228 hp and 249 Nm output. It is 21 kg heavier than the 2.4 MT and reaches 100 km/h 0.5 seconds later, but it is 1.4 seconds quicker and 6 km/h faster than the restyled 2.0 AT.

Choose the restyled 2.0 MT if you want the strongest listed 2.0 specification. It combines 200 hp with 209 Nm, 4 Nm more than the other 2.0 versions, and matches the 2.4 MT’s measured 226 km/h top speed. Its 8.6 L/100 km combined consumption is measured, unlike consumption for the second generation.

Choose the restyled 2.0 AT when the priority is the lowest measured fuel consumption. Its 8.0 L/100 km combined figure beats the restyled 2.0 MT by 0.6 L/100 km, although its 8.2-second acceleration time is 0.6 seconds slower and its measured top speed is 16 km/h lower.

Choose an original first-generation 2.0 MT if minimum kerb weight is the deciding specification. At 1240 kg, it is 20 kg lighter than the original 2.0 AT, 21 kg lighter than the restyled 2.0 MT, and 55 kg lighter than the 2.4 MT. The original 2.0 AT provides the same 200 hp and 205 Nm with an Automatic, but it adds 20 kg and needs 0.6 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h.

The data does not include prices, so it cannot quantify what the extra purchase money buys. On specifications alone, the move from a restyled 2.0 to the equivalent 2.4 buys 28 hp, at least 40 Nm, and substantially quicker acceleration, while adding 34 kg with the Manual or 32 kg with the Automatic.