Few cars are as iconic as a Porsche 911. Instantly recognizable, the famous sports car from Stuttgart is a dream car for many. But reality sets in firmly when the most basic un-optioned new 911 retails for $135,600. For that large sum, you get one of the best sports cars ever conceived, but few have the sort of income that could facilitate such a luxurious purchase.
There is a way, however, to get some of the 911 experience in a new car while spending nearly four times less. The Subaru BRZ and its twin, the Toyota GR86, are two of the best sports cars on the market. When you consider that a base BRZ starts at under $35,000 and that you don’t need to add any options, it becomes even more attractive.
The Porsche and the Subaru also share similarities that might not be immediately apparent to the casual observer. Here are five parallels between the humble Subaru BRZ and the legendary Porsche 911.
Boxer Engines
Also known as flat or horizontally opposed, Porsche and Subaru are the only major automakers still using boxer engines. Porsche has used a boxer engine in the 911 since it was introduced in 1964. Subaru uses them in all its cars, including the BRZ.
The pistons in a boxer engine are located on either side of the crankshaft and move horizontally through the combustion chamber, like a boxer throwing a punch. A boxer engine is inherently smoother than an inline or V-engine and doesn’t require balance shafts or counterweights to quell vibrations. They can also sit much lower in the engine bay due to their pancake-like design, lowering the centre of gravity and improving handling. The 2.4-litre boxer four-cylinder engine in the BRZ makes 228 hp and lives in the front of the car, not in the back like in a 911.
Practical Sports Cars
The Porsche 911 may be a sports car, but it’s still easy to live with as a daily driver. It has a handy front trunk that can fit a couple of carry-on-sized bags and a large parcel shelf behind the rear seats. And, yes, 911s still have rear seats, though they’re probably best suited to a small child.
The BRZ’s trunk is a useful size for a vehicle with such compact proportions and will happily hold weekend luggage. Its rear seats are vestigial at best, but having them is better than not, a sentiment that also rings true for the Porsche.
Design Purity
While a 911 is one of the most distinctive and classically styled automobiles, the BRZ shares more than a few elements with it: a long, flat hood that dips below prominent front fenders, dramatic rear haunches that call out its rear-wheel-drive layout, and a sleek fastback silhouette. It even has a small ducktail spoiler moulded into the leading edge of the trunk.
The 911 and the BRZ are unapologetic sports cars with a purposeful and functional shape that leaves little wasted space. Their design is pure and timeless. Porsche has held on to the 911’s shape because it was designed perfectly the first time. And when it came to the redesign of the BRZ, Subaru and Toyota left it mostly intact and made minor but noticeable tweaks, just like Porsche has always done with the 911.
Both are Rear-Wheel Drive
The 911 is a rear-engine car, which means the engine is behind the rear axle. Power gets sent directly to the rear wheels unless all-wheel drive is equipped.
The BRZ also sends its power to the rear wheels, but the engine is in the front and all-wheel drive isn’t an option.
Both are Phenomenal to Drive
A Porsche 911 is the benchmark for what a modern sports car should feel like. It transmits just the right amount of road feel up through the seats, the steering wheel, and the pedals as you drive, but it never feels harsh. It’s predictable at speed and can make a novice driver feel like a pro behind the wheel. Like a samurai sword’s perfect edge, the 911 has been honed into a refined jewel over the past 60 years.
A BRZ might start at a much (much) lower price than a 911, but the feels it gives you from behind the wheel are reminiscent of the Porsche. It has that razor-sharp feel to the steering and similar levels of road feedback through the seats and controls. The BRZ also comes standard with a manual transmission, which the 911 dropped for the 2025 model year. It might not be as powerful or nicely finished as the Porsche, but the humble Subaru is a thoroughly accomplished sports car that transcends its low price tag.
