Skip advert
Advertisement

Subaru BRZ (2012 - 2021) review – design

Traditional sports car lines sullied slightly by iffy detailing. These cars are built to be modified though, and a different set of wheels would transform it

Evo rating
Price
from £31,995
  • Excellent driving position, wonderfully immersive chassis
  • Naff exterior details, low-rent interior, low-grip tyres

The BRZ is a car that pairs great sports car proportions, a low-slung stance and a generally tidy design, with an unfortunate number of ungainly details. Pre-2017 models weren’t bad in certain colours, but the 2017 facelift introduced some awkward angles into the front bumper, just as it did with Toyota’s equivalent.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The rear spoiler equipped on all BRZs is pretty naff too; however effective it might be, we’d be inclined to remove it to tidy up the otherwise pert styling at the back. A set of more serious, less ornate-looking wheels wouldn’t go amiss either, and you could enhance the styling further with a slight drop from an aftermarket suspension set-up.

However, one of the worst offenders when it came to tarnishing the BRZ’s exterior were the Lexus-style rear lights. Thankfully the 2017 model replaced the front and rear lights with LED units that are much classier.

Once again though, the Subaru BRZ looks much like the Toyota GT86. A slightly different shaped front end and some Subaru badges are all that really separate the two. However, you can’t get the Toyota in the same Subaru Mica blue, for it to match Imprezas of old. All it needs is some gold wheels...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Cheap fast cars 2024 – the best budget performance cars on the market
Best cheap fast cars 2024
Best cars

Cheap fast cars 2024 – the best budget performance cars on the market

If you buy right and do your research, you can bag a genuine performance car for as little as £2500. Here are our top second hand picks
27 Sep 2024
Ferrari 12 Cilindri 2024 review – 819bhp super GT tested on road and track
Ferrari 12 Cilindri
Reviews

Ferrari 12 Cilindri 2024 review – 819bhp super GT tested on road and track

Ferrari describes its 819bhp, V12-powered 12 Cilindri as the most complete GT it’s ever made. We try it for the first time at its international launch
1 Oct 2024
Audi RS6 (C6, 2008 - 2010): a V10 family car with supercar power
Audi RS6 C6
In-depth reviews

Audi RS6 (C6, 2008 - 2010): a V10 family car with supercar power

The C6-generation Audi RS6 is a V10-powered sleeper with supercar pace and in 2024, a bargain price
1 Oct 2024