Subaru BRZ review

The BRZ is not a massively fast car. Developing 200bhp and a meagre 151lb ft of torque, it hits 60mph in 7.6 seconds. It’s light though, and Subaru has at least worked what little torque there is really hard: almost all of it is available before 3,000rpm. This means it picks up well when you put your foot down at low revs and, although it tails off in the mid range, it becomes very keen and energetic in the final 2,000rpm. The noise is suitably interesting too, really smooth and slightly offbeat. 

The engine isn’t the best thing about it though. The handling is. The BRZ drives as if in perfect harmony, almost totally neutral and with little apparent roll, pitch or dive. It steers like it has no weight to deal with and, when nearing the limit, you get loads of warning before things get critical. Even the steering, despite being electrically assisted, is impressive: the springy weighting is lovely and it delivers real sensations back to your hands. It’s simply great fun, easily better to drive than a VW Scirocco.