The mark of any true sportscar is properly terrible cupholders. Take the current Mazda MX-5 and its wonky reconfigurable holders: they’re either tucked back between the seats or stuck in the passenger’s footwell. Likewise, the parallel cupholders in the new 2022 Subaru BRZ are just awful, designed by somebody who apparently thinks human beings absorb fluids with their elbows. Or maybe they just expect you to keep both hands on the wheel.
But bad cupholders equals good car. It’s a simple formula, and one rarely seen in a world where we are more often passengers than drivers. The BRZ is one of a shrinking breed: a small, relatively lightweight, affordable sports car, designed around driver feedback rather than convenience. Initially launched for the 2013 model year, this new 2022 version sees Subaru comprehensively polish their recipe, fixing almost every problem present in the first-generation cars.
Disclosure: while Subaru has already held first drive events for their cars in the U.S., there hasn’t yet been a Canadian event yet. But you can buy the new BRZ in Canada, if you’re willing to wait. Which is what I did.
Pricing for the 2022 Subaru BRZ starts at $29,495, or $32,495 for this manual-transmission Sport-Tech, plus freight. That’s roughly the same price as a four-cylinder Mustang, and not insignificantly cheaper than a Mazda MX-5, probably the BRZ’s closest rival. Subaru has bundled together its Eyesight suite of safety features with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, for a $2,400 price increase on both grades.
Sitting in the Subaru showroom, the BRZ is closely matched pricewise to the WRX. The latter is a far more practical vehicle, and you are going to be giving up performance if you go with the BRZ. For the cost of a BRZ, your new Subaru could have all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine, not to mention two more doors and a decent trunk.
2022 Subaru BRZ Photo by Brendan McAleer
2022 Subaru BRZ Photo by Brendan McAleer
2022 Subaru BRZ Photo by Brendan McAleer
2022 Subaru BRZ Photo by Brendan McAleer
2022 Subaru BRZ engine Photo by Subaru
2022 Subaru BRZ Photo by Subaru
2022 Subaru BRZ Photo by Subaru
2022 Subaru BRZ taillight and spoiler Photo by Subaru
But how exactly do we measure performance? Despite the new 2022 Subaru BRZ’s larger engine and horsepower bump, there are plenty of quicker cars on the market. The difference is that those cars deliver the numbers, where the BRZ delivers the fun.
Admittedly, numbers do tell part of the story. Under the BRZ’s hood is a new 2.4L flat-four-engine making 228 hp, 23 more than the previous 2.0L, and coincidentally almost exactly what you got in the old 2002 “Bugeye” WRX. The mild increase in power isn’t the story, it’s the way the larger displacement engine provides more torque sooner in the rev range. The old engine required significant thrashing to squeeze out power, while this new one makes nearly 30 lb-ft more torque, peaking at 3,700 rpm.
Thus, while the horsepower peak is still up at a lofty 7000 rpm, the BRZ actually picks up its heels when you nudge the throttle at cruising speeds. This makes it more livable day-to-day, but still plenty thrilling on your favourite winding road. Further, there’s now enough acceleration on tap to make a quick, safe pass on the motorhome that’s cluttering up your view.
Those cars deliver the numbers, where the BRZ delivers the fun.
Overall power delivery falls right in that not-too-fast-for-its-own-good sweet spot. In most places, speed limits haven’t changed in decades, which makes the performance of many modern sports sedans and sports cars something of a legal liability. The 2022 Subaru BRZ isn’t slow — Car and Driver clocked it at a half-second quicker than an MX-5 through the quarter-mile — but you can wind out the engine without feeling completely sociopathic.
Grip, too, has been gently improved without losing balance. Subaru says the chassis is more rigid, though the previous model wasn’t lacking in that department, and new optional Michelin Pilot 4S sit on 18-inch wheels. The base model still comes with 17-inch wheels and less grippy tires. It should be pointed out that the 4S is a perfectly fine tire, but those looking to track their BRZ regularly will likely want a stickier summer tire.
2022 Subaru BRZ interior full dash Photo by Subaru
2022 Subaru BRZ seats Photo by Subaru
2022 Subaru BRZ interior Photo by Subaru
2022 Subaru BRZ manual transmission shifter Photo by Subaru
2022 Subaru BRZ Photo by Subaru
2022 Subaru BRZ gauges Photo by Subaru
As it stands, the 2022 BRZ is now punchier, more composed in the corners, and still half-practical. Kids and booster seats will just barely fit in the tiny rear seats, and the rear seat still folds down flat. Subaru has kept some of the curb weight down by skipping the space-saver spare, but there appears to be enough space under the trunk floor to fit one.
The seating position is still excellent. The pedal placement is still perfect for practicing your heel-toe downshifts. The gearbox is a quick shifting delight. The quick steering ratio makes for nimble response. Mazda’s MX-5 still barely has an edge in driver satisfaction, but that’s mostly because its roof comes off. Overall though, the ’22 Subaru BRZ is a much more cohesive vehicle than the previous version, and it is immense fun to drive.
Never mind picturing yourself on a perfect spaghetti-strand of wiggling tarmac, this thing makes a run to the grocery store enjoyable. And, if you used to be really good at Tetris, the folding rear seats will accommodate the odd big-box store trip.
Technology-wise, the 2022 BRZ gets essentially the same infotainment layout as the Crosstrek. Subaru’s other models are pivoting to huge central screens, and it’s a relief that they’ve kept the distractions out of the cockpit here. There are no throttle-sharpening drive modes, but traction and stability control have a few settings, including a Track Mode that allows for a lot of rear-swinging leeway but will keep you out of the crash barriers.
2022 Subaru BRZ Photo by Subaru
The Toyota version of this car — the GR86 — is reportedly a little more eager to pivot, but the Subaru BRZ is thus a little more predictable on the road. It’ll still give you that rear-wheel-drive squirm as you feed it throttle out of a corner exit. Drivers may even occasionally find themselves muttering “Whee!” under their breath.
Complaints are few: the ride is still unrefined over larger bumps, and cabin noise is an issue. The 2.4L engine is slightly thirstier than the old 2.0L, as you’d expect. The cabin is still pretty tight, and those rear seats are kid-size only.
Overall, however, the second-generation BRZ is improved enough to take its place in the pantheon of truly great Japanese sports cars. All of which, by the way, also had terrible cupholders. Be happy that Subaru’s engineers concentrated on the priorities here. If you’re enthusiastic of agile, lightweight, modestly-powered sports cars, the new 2022 Subaru BRZ will make your cup runneth over.
Keyword: First Drive: 2022 Subaru BRZ