2022 Subaru BRZ First Drive 

Just love it, my second BRZ (2022) is being delivered tomorrow 😁

Excellent report, best detailed one I have heard by far! Thank you. I too Prefer the BRZ, Slightly over the GR 86. For several reasons, but one minor but significant for appearances is the red stitching in the BRZ over the grey in GR 86 , grey appeared dull, however small, but noticeable. Thanks for your very detailed evaluation.

I'm definitely partial to the BRZ than its twin cousin. Just from what you described with the suspension work that they'd done and a few other things. Thanks for a great review, Alex.👍

So much detailed information packed into a 21 minute video. Bravo!

This was a great video! Thanks for helping make my decision to get the BRZ easier!

Great review Alex! Very well done 👌🏼

I love the BRZ and great video and info as always Alex. The heart and soul of this vehicle is Subaru. I like the automatic as they are getting better and better at making wise shifts and you also can paddle shift.

Dude your delivery is impeccable

Man, this is a great looking little sports car. Subaru has done a great job with the styling, the interior and the improved performance. Perfect car for that younger person who wants a whole lotta fun, mixed in with a decent amount of practicality, and all for a reasonable price.

Best review yet. Thanks !

Great review as always bro

Awesome car and video Alex.

I think the best colors for the new BRZ is WR blue and silver. The only color I like for the GR86 is red. I think the BRZ looks more high end than the 86, but would have to see both in person.

This thing, looks like an absolute blast! I own a sports car, but I am going to test drive one of these. Good review.

Alex thanks for the great review. I am planning if ordering a new brz. Did you notice that the center console is pushing on your right leg, was there enough room for you leg And center console. I drove a Mazda cx8 and I was annoyed by how big the center console was and my right foot was hurting by the end of the test drive..

You had me at donuts.

Just bought a 2022 BRZ Ltd. I like the front end better than the super aggressive GR86 grill - which just doesn't look aerodynamic at all. The extra love Subaru gave the suspension is a gift that keeps giving smiles. It makes me sad that 70% sold are automatics. You just can't have as much fun in an automatic, your left foot just sits there while the right hand is on the wheel the whole time instead of dancing on the pedals with both feet and grabbing gears on the tight turns. This is a car that's all about fun sporty driving. I live in the hill country and this car is more fun than rollercoaster to drive on a twisty back road. The rear steps out and comes back very politely without snapping back and forth by simply easing the throttle a wee bit thanks to the wonderful stability control system. Can't wait to get on an autocross course and open it up a bit more.

@Alex on Autos, as usual, a superb review. Your automotive technical ingenuity is astounding; I’m always impressed with your car reviews because your not only objective, but you’re a professional automotive journalist. Again, your automotive expertise shines through ALL the time. Unlike so many channels on RU-vid, filled with these novice, pseudo journalists that know barely anything, and will completely bash a car, all for the sake of trying to sound profound, when in all actuality they just sound, well……stupid. As a result, they’re not objective, hence forth I put no credence in their reviews. Alex, you are an amazing journalist! Bye the way, I absolutely LOVE this new Subaru BRZ/ Toyota GR86. Superb powertrain; 228 horsepower and 184 Ft Lb of torque out of a naturally aspirated flat 4 cylinder engine: IMPRESSIVE. In addition, the work Subaru put forth into engineering this 2.4 liter power plant is magnificent. They took a good engine and replaced it with an excellent engine: A naturally aspirated 2.4 liter with 228 horsepower and 184 ft lb of torque that now peaks at just 3700 rpm, compared to the old 2.0 liter, which needed 6400 rpm to produce 156 pound feet; that old 2.0 must of been a screamer to get her moving with and gusto which is not how most people drive. This new 2.4 liter engine now makes great power throughout its entire rev range. Useable power you can have fun with in low speed driving. Car and Driver magazine recorded a 5.4 second time from 0-60 mph for both the BRZ, and the GR86. Love everything about this this little sports car !

Great overview and I always learn something different in your videos over other reviewers. Autocross is my primary driving focus, along with being a reasonable daily driver. I liked but didn't love the previous gen 86, choosing the sugar rush of turbo power in a MK 7.5 GTI (recently sold). The new revisions seem like a perfect fit, but I wonder if (like many others) I'm spoiled by the addition to the torque of modern turbo drive trains. I loved my Miata test drive though, and this looks like the best blend of what made that experience fun with enough practicality to provide a great, long-term ownership experience.

Great review

Subscribed 👏🏻

Excellent review as always. How's the fun factor vs Miata?

nice thanks! any news on a performance package w/ brembos?

Always good reviews Alex. I went for the BRZ. Cost less than the Toyota, I know my local dealer.

Learning to drive a manual transmission is a right of passage for someone just starting out.....to the enjoyment of driving especially a car like the BRZ.

@Alex, thoughts on the new BRZ or 86 for regular daily driver duties? Thinking about NVH, ride, etc. Thanks!

I ordered mine in red! Cant wait!

Hey Alex, Subaru designed the back seats with a specific person in mind: your mother-in-law!

Great review on a great car I’m waiting for performance pack to be released before I purchase

Thanks for adding comparing these two with the Mustang/ Camero because they do intercept price-wise at the high end of the BRZ and the low end of the mustang. Good to know that Subro/Toyota found a neince and I think I would like the BRZ better due to it's tighter tune, looks and the platform is mostly Subro anyway... I did get an ecoboost mustang premuim over the last gen BRZ and I love it even though it's nearly as big as my 2002 Suberban.... Which does give it more space in the back seats/ trunk as well as the 0-60 time... also always wanted a mustang.

4:39 CrossTrek on the grass: "yo wut up~" lmao

How do you feel about this BRZ vs the Ecoboost mustang for daily driving, and some fun curves around home?

Alex can you please give a full review score on this automatic since I'm interested in buying it.theres not alot of reviews on the auto. Thank you!

@Alex on Autos, FYI the compression ratio on FA24D is 12.5:1, and on the FA24DIT (turbo) is 10.6:1; Higher compression ratio on FA24D is not the best for aftermarket turbocharging (supercharging perhaps), but running an aftermarket turbo on stock pistons would probably significant reduce the lifespan of a stock engine...

That Ignition Red looks damn good

I am a “chocolate with sprinkles” guy myself. Great work as usual.

Man, I couldn't have asked for a better BRZ review!

Hope everyone has a great day!

MT or AT？is the at have the same fun as the mt? i am torn 。is the at as good as mx-5 ‘s

Stumbled on a brand new 2023 BRZ and couldn't say no after test driving it... Toyota dealers around me are charging markups on the GR86 even in 2023 and they are requiring pre-ordering...

I prefer the looks of the Toyota GR86, but I think I'd prefer the driving characteristics of the BRZ. Really want to get one of these, but I may wait a year or two until they include one with a better brake package (every sports car I've owned has had factory Brembo brakes, and that includes a 2018 BRZ).

In all honesty I was disappointed by Subaru not having a single BRZ with their iconic blue paint and gold rims, she would be a stunner. Anyway as an entry level sports car the BRZ and the GT86 look quite promising and I wouldn't mind buy one as a soon to be Euro expat on US soil (mainly for the manual and the fact that, being alone, such a car is practical enough)

Nice looking exterior! Looks great in red.

So what is the weight difference between the lightweight BRZ and the Toyota?

Love to see comparison b/w the 86 & Brz

Great review. Front reminds me of G37. Back reminds me of Genesis coupe.

Superb

How does this compare with the MX5? Is it more fun?

Plan on ordering the new BRZ in blue. But it has to be the 6 speed manual.

Great video - as always - Alex! Look forward to you getting one and putting it through the paces in CA. I was hoping we'd see a version of the 2.5L Turbo from my beloved 2004 Forrester XT - but it still looks like a winner. Seriously considering one. Keep up the great work!

Been waiting for this (and the 86) review from Alex. The upgrades, especially much lower RPM of max torque and the near elimination of the infamous midrange torque "dip," greatly improve the appeal to me. (I owned a Mazda RX-8 with the torque curve of a small Japanese motorcycle and while exciting to drive at 7000 RPM and above it was a dog in daily driving.) A small but usable +2 back seat for my (flexible) teenage daughter or my big dog, the lack of which in a Miata sadly eliminates it for me. BRZ vs 86? I'm torn. In terms of looks, I find the 86 front end slightly more appealing. But from the rear the BRZ has a major edge for me. In general, simpler designs age better as the timeless look of the E-type Jaguar demonstrates. Every time I look at the Toyota's spoiler I'm reminded of Donald Duck. All in all, the BRZ wins on that score. Otherwise, my track days are spent on two wheels rather than four and even if that were not the case, I'm inclined to choose a vehicle for the experience on public roads, specifically the secondary mountain roads in the Pacific Northwest. At least according to Alex, the choice for that use case is the BRZ. MT vs AT? Again, I'm somewhat torn. The half second 0-60 advantage of the MT is a nit as far as I'm concerned but much like the Miata, these cars seem to demand a manual transmission. And having driven MTs for many years it would be nice to have one, especially in an RWD car again. On the other hand since my teenage daughter would be driving the vehicle occasionally, I value the safety and driver assistance features that come with the Subaru "Eyesight" system on the AT versions of both cars. (It's a Dad thing. What can I say.) If the 86/BRZ had a DCT with the manual control provided in my GTI's DSG, it would be an easy choice. I love that "automated manual" transmission. I think I'll have to try the AT version of each car to see whether it would be too much of a sacrifice. Bottom line? At this point I'm inclined to agree with Alex and favor the BRZ. I've purchased a couple of vehicles in the last decade based in part on the views he has expressed and have found him to be uncannily accurate. (That explains my willingness to throw a few bucks each month to support this channel.) I don't buy cars sight unseen, however, so I'll try each when they show up at my local dealers.

@3:55, did you say the upcoming BRZ and 86 are going to use some different front suspension materials? Specifically, Aluminum vs. Steel front suspension bits (I.e. knuckle) respectively? In any case, great video as always!

They have a good platform, a reskin is fine; it let's them work on other things to make it better. It has a gated auto shifter because it's the only Subaru using a torque converted auto; that is an Aisin unit used in FR Toyota/Lexus applications, the manual is also an Aisin unit. -better engine (for my money, I'm still waiting on a turbo or more cylinders, ~3/4 scale Mustang/Camaro is what I'm after) -more aluminum in the structure & suspension (without increasing cost, as costs associated with development of the chassis have been recouped) -better suspension tuning out of the box - in the case of the BRZ revised rear suspension -better interior materials (I mean slightly) -better gear ratios/revisions to the transmission I think BRZ/86/Miata people would really enjoy this iteration, and between the two, currently, I think the Subaru is the better option (more aluminum in the suspension & a revised rear suspension).

The last BRZ was very tempting - this one wow even more so! I'm bummed that they downgraded the brakes, but that's a typical move. Most likely two or more model years before they change that, but maybe 2023.... we'll see. I am very, very interested in buying one.

You need to review chocolate donuts in your area. Lol.

Alex, the 2002 Subaru Impreza had a gated shifter for its automatic transmission.

The front end makes it look like a mini Porsche Panamera. I'm not a big fan of boxer engines but this engine sounds fantastic. Is the 6 speed manual a short throw shifter with downshift rev-matching? This car looks like it would indeed be loads of fun to toss around.

All the info on the BRZ and GR86 seems to be conflicting, other videos I watched on the brz said that the wheelbase was a few mm longer and wider than the previous generation. Also from a gr86 video the weight distribution was a even 50/50

I also prefer the BRZ's looks and suspension over the 86. I wish Subaru offered this drive train in the Impreza hatch without the WRX trim, a sleeper between it and the base model. I tested an Impreza in 2012 but the Mazda 3 with a few more HP and 6 speed was a cut above. It bugs me that Japanese cars often don't have the optimal final drive for top speed. Of little value here but in Yurrup its a selling point, and just "feels right" to me. The BRZ and 86 need a 3.4 overall final drive ratio to yield 150 at 7000 rpm....they can probably reach 155.

Alex, is it more accommodating for taller drivers that the 86, or is it the same inside?

Alex - nice review as always Simple somewhat silly question - does the 86 or brz have home link? How would you compare to new VW GTI?

The flat 4 motor make sense in here.

I really like the look of the GR86 better, but I think I would prefer to have Subaru backing up the warranty.

I like them both. Would happily drive the brz. But I think the gr86 is going to be what I actually get. They are in many ways the same car. I just have better relationships with the Toyota dealers in my area. Having bought a Tacoma for myself, and a Corolla and a Camry for the wife. So we already have service credit and all that setup at Toyota. Toyota also sells a lot more cars here. Has much bigger dealerships. The sales teams get a lot more business and are happier and easier to work with. My local subaru dealer is like my local VW dealer. They act like they don’t want my business.

Looks good

I'm diggin' Alex's new hairstyle. Instantly makes him look cooler, more agile. Kudos to the styling team behind this.

I understand the Toyota marketting with the gr86 that will bring the customers to want one day a Supra ,but at Subaru, they don't offers a more expensive vehicle in their range with a similar dynamics , a wrx being a completely different beast.

The 2.4 naturally aspirated engine is right size for the outback

4:31 Are the head gaskets blown already? Seeing two streaks of fluid leaking out from the tail end.

Aluminum vs steel component up front is significant.

Great car!

It says Toyota on the engine cover because it uses their D4S duel injection system. No other Subaru engine comes with D4S.

I like the look of the GR86 better because of that big honking spoiler, plus it comes with a NASA membership which is nice, but the Subaru looks much more mature and seems to be priced a hint lower which is interesting?

The BRZ is a great little car. When I had my 2017 at the track it constantly surprised people by how fast it can actually be around a track without modifications. I think the primary gripe with the new model is the new tail lights that they stole off a Honda civic... Otherwise I'm either happy or indifferent about the changes made.

Maybe if the glovebox wasn’t protruding so much the passenger seat could be pushed forward giving place to at least one rear passengers leg room?

Since this car is light weight , it sure does stay flat in the sweepers :) Nice looking car for the money !

looks much better than the old one....

Looks like it is still the fun little car you can drive for not much money - if you can find one with the microchip parts shortage.

That is just crazy

I don't think the ducktail spoiler gives any *lift.* In fact, it provides downforce to help the car more stable when going fast.

My BRZ is coming.

Alex - how tight are the front seats for an average-width person? I sat in the Ford Fiesta ST Recaros a few years back, and those seats should come with a diet!! They were just too constrained!

"Must be able to store 4 spare wheels and helmet" = "We heard people really wanted to rally this thing."

I like it so

Bummed you can’t get all the driver convenience and safety features in the manual version. If Mazda can do it in the Miata and Nissan can do it in the upcoming 400Z come on you can do it too Subaru!

What? No Subaru CVT is available?

Can't wait to see what aftermarket does with this beast

Nice Buick Regal

the BRZ pffft imagine us british people only have the- andddd its gone in 90 minutes most of us missed the gr86 in the uk as its really in high demand amazing video tho

A BRZ for me. I wonder how it does in the snow?!

the trunk?

Wow 😳

Just curious, is it better than Integra DC5?

I would really have to drive both the BRZ and the GR86 back to back to see which one I like better.

you should use floor number

What more could you ask for? These powertrain options in a Forester.

With MX5, you can put the helmet on... It's a convertible!

Brz is nice but i prefer the gr86 because i like the sharper look of the front end and its also a toyota... my family is loyal to toyota nearly all of our cars are toyota

Is there or will there be a Nissan equivalent of this?

I’ll get a MX5 Quality and premium materials and being reliable is number one ❤️