AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9.0/10
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Safety9.0/10
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PRACTICALITY7.5/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8.0/10
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FEATURES7.5/10
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POWER10.0/10
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COMFORT7.0/10
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DRIVING FEEL10.0/10
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FUEL ECONOMY7.5/10
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VALUE9.0/10
A couple years after the arrival of the second-generation version of this fun and affordable sports car, the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS represents a substantial update to the automaker's offering.
While not a full-fledged STI version of the BRZ, tS stands for “tuned by STI.” It’s enough to make it a potent performer with improved cornering abilities to go with enough power to be fun, and a trunk that’s big enough to make the BRZ usable every day.
Styling: 9/10
Subaru’s traditional sports car gets a bold styling treatment that’s much sleeker than anything else in the lineup. While some of the hard edges of old have been rounded off, the overall look gives the BRZ an eager stance, as if it’s ready to tackle a twisty mountain road at any given moment. At the same time, it’s not overly aggressive and will likely age well.
Features: 7.5/10
The Subaru BRZ tS comes only with a six-speed manual transmission, as well as steering-responsive headlights, heated front seats, power-adjustable heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. It rides on 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels, plus there are Brembo brakes front and rear, and upgraded dampers at all four corners. As simplicity is often the name of the game for sports cars, there's no option for a sunroof or heated steering wheel — what you see is what you get.
Safety: 9/10
Subaru’s driver-assistance suite is the most significant addition to all 2024 BRZ trims. It includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning (but no steering assist). On all but the base trim, there's also blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. While the tS comes only with a manual transmission, an available six-speed automatic elsewhere in the lineup adds reverse automatic braking and pre-collision throttle management. (Until this year, only automatic-equipped cars got those safety systems.)
User-Friendliness: 8/10
The BRZ has a driver-centric cabin that remains simple. There are plenty of hard buttons, switches, and knobs for all major functions, which minimizes distractions. The infotainment screen has a matte surface which better resists glare and fingerprints, and while the interface feels a bit outdated, it's easy to use and isn’t especially complex.
For smartphone mirroring, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included. The instrument display is configurable to show G-forces, oil temperature, and other vehicle information, although it's confusing that the controls for the left side of the cluster screen are mounted on the right side of the steering wheel. Despite the low-slung coupe profile, visibility in all directions is fairly good, while the blind-spot monitoring system lends a helping hand.
Practicality: 7.5/10
The Subaru BRZ tS has a decently sized trunk coupled with seating for four. Average-sized occupants will fit up front just fine, but folks with wider or taller proportions may have more trouble getting comfortable. The back seats are reserved for only the smallest of people and aren’t usable if the front seats are slid further back.
Fitting a child seat takes a degree of contortionism. Kids fit best in the passenger-side rear position, with the front seat pushed as far forward as possible. Outings with one adult and one child are easily doable, but fitting more passengers in this configuration will be a challenge. At the rear, the 178-L trunk is big enough to accommodate a small stroller or fold-up wagon. With the rear seats folded, the BRZ can accommodate a set of wheels and tires, which is useful for either Canadian winter tire changeovers or weekends at the track.
Comfort: 7/10
The tS model’s suspension gets unique shock absorbers that provide extra damping performance without being overly stiff. While it's no luxury car, it's mostly manageable on all but the roughest roads. The cabin is loud at highway speeds, with plenty of road noise making it into the interior. There isn’t a lot of sound insulation, and while that helps keep weight down, it doesn’t do any favours for noise, vibration, and harshness isolation. At the same time, the engine and transmission are refined and easy to live with when driving at a normal pace. (Subaru actually pumps in artificial sounds at higher revs because the engine is too quiet.)
The synthetic suede inserts on the leather seating have aggressive bolsters that help keep occupants in place during hard cornering. Most people will also find the seats comfortable enough to commute daily with. As far as other creature comforts go, the lack of a heated steering wheel won’t be fun in the winter, but the automatic climate control works well on hot summer days.
Power: 10/10
Every 2024 BRZ gets a naturally-aspirated 2.4L boxer four-cylinder engine that makes 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Peak torque arrives at 3,700 rpm, meaning there’s plenty of low- and midrange pull, while the high-strung redline provides plenty of room for fun all the way to 7,500 rpm.
The engine delivers the best of both worlds, offering great street manners and excellent performance at the same time. While the amount of power may not seem like that much, it's mated perfectly with the chassis and suspension, making this car a complete package. It may not win drag races against many of today's turbocharged machines, but it handily takes home the trophy for the smiles and satisfaction along the way.
Driving Feel: 10/10
The six-speed manual transmission is a precise and easy-to-modulate unit. The shifter and clutch combo isn’t a huge pain to use in traffic, and the pedal layout encourages heel-toe downshifts. Compared to the base setup, the tS is a little bit more tail-happy in slow corners, which can be very advantageous on twisty roads or an autocross course. With Brembo brakes at all four corners, the pedal is firm and inspires confidence with short stopping distances. The BRZ’s Michelin summer tires offer plenty of grip, although stickier rubber has the potential to really unlock what this little Subaru can do. Compared to the Toyota GR86 that’s all but mechanically identical, the BRZ rides better in daily driving, but the Toyota features slightly sharper handling. For the most part, you'd only be able to tell by comparing them back to back.
Fuel Economy: 7.5/10
At 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 8.8 on the highway (10.5 combined), the official Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) fuel consumption figures are relatively high for a light vehicle with a four-cylinder engine. In addition, 93-octane fuel is recommended, which means even more expensive trips to the pumps. Thankfully, real-world world consumption seems to be better than the nominal figures, with observed consumption of 8.2 L/100 km during a test that skewed towards highway driving.
Value: 9/10
At an as-tested price of $38,490, it's tough to beat the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS when it comes to value, and the suspension and brake goodies are worth the $1,400 upgrade over the Sport-tech trim. It’s also priced several thousand dollars less than the closest comparable Toyota GR86 trim, which is the Trueno Edition.
A comparably equipped Mazda MX-5 GS-P with the Sport package costs even more but offers open-roof motoring as a roadster. Subaru's own WRX offers more doors and power for a similar price but will get left behind by the BRZ on a curvy backroad on a dry, sunny day. The Ford Mustang is more practical, but it no longer comes with a manual transmission with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, nor is it nearly as precise in the handling department.
The Verdict
With upgraded suspension, brake, and safety stuff, the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS is a worthwhile update to an already great entry-level sports car. While hot hatches and larger coupes are more practical, they cannot offer the precision and playfulness found here. It wins the twin comparison by default as a better value than the Toyota GR86, and Subaru is building the tS in higher production numbers than the 50 Trueno Editions destined for Canada.
| Engine Displacement | 2.4L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Boxer 4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 228 hp @ 7,000 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 3,700 |
| Fuel Economy | 12.0 / 8.8 / 10.5 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 178 L (coupe) |
| Model Tested | 2024 Subaru BRZ tS |
| Base Price | $36,295 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,095 |
| Price as Tested | $38,490 |
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Optional Equipment
None
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