Subaru BRZ 1st Generation 2013-2020 (ZN6/ZC6) Review

A facelift rarely includes updates to the drivetrain, but in 2017 Subaru tried to make the BRZ a little faster via tweaks to the engine, gearbox, and suspension. The small power bump from 200 horsepower to 205 (only applicable to the manual) is not significant enough to notice, but keen drivers may notice the subtle changes to the gear ratios and suspension setup.

Honestly, it's best to just accept that the BRZ does 0-60 mph in around seven seconds. Getting bogged down with that figure completely misses the point of the car, however. If you're here for straight-line speed, might as well leave now and have a look at a used Mustang.

With the 2017 update, the front was handed just a few alterations to create a more modern and dynamic appearance. The most distinctive changes are the new kono-ji-style LED headlights¹and a front bumper that appears a bit wider than before thanks to more aggressive rakes at the ends². A pair of new LED foglamps further modernize the sportscar's face³.

Subaru updated the light cluster with a new layout, incorporating LED lights¹. Look closely and you'll notice the sleeker, even sportier spoiler on the trunk². Also take note that the Subaru badge located on the left side of the trunk cover has been removed³. Subaru kept the integrated diffuser and dual exhausts.

The most notable change made to the side are the new alloy wheel designs¹. From this angle, you can also notice the revised headlights², front bumper³, and redesigned taillights⁴. The fender vent is restyled and is nearly all color-coded, losing most of the black plastic of the pre-facelift car, with thinner slits⁵.

To adapt the BRZ for the age of digitalization, Subaru added a new multifunction steering wheel¹and 3.5-inch TFT information display to the revised instrument cluster². A more advanced touchscreen infotainment system is included to complement this³. To elevate the sporty feeling of the cabin, the updated BRZ also features new faux-carbon fiber trimmings along the doors⁴and more contrast red stitching on the doors and dashboard⁵. The ventilation control knobs are no longer hexagonal, but round, with a knurled finish to be easily gripped by one's fingers⁶.

The BRZ is only available with one engine. It's a FA20 naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four that will happily rev to 7,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a slick Aisin AZ6 six-speed manual, but the A960E six-speed automatic transmission is available. We wouldn't bother with the automatic transmission unless your personal situation requires a self-shifter.

There are two different opinions on this engine, and both are valid. There are those who feel that it's asthmatic and requires forced induction in order to fully unlock the BRZ's potential. To others, it's simply part of a perfectly balanced driving machine. We accept both arguments as valid, but we've always enjoyed the BRZ as is. Yes, it's not the most powerful engine, but we love the immediate throttle response that you can only get from a naturally-aspirated engine. The suspension is also tuned for low-speed hooliganism, and doubling the power just makes the BRZ more of a handful.

Subaru and Toyota designed this car so even ham-fisted enthusiasts can get the tail out at 30 mph. It even has an in-between setting for the traction and stability control that will help you slide a bit. That same system will eventually intervene, which means you don't end up in a YouTube fail video compilation.

The manual transmission is a joy. Throws are short and positive, and the pedals are perfectly spaced for heel-and-toe action. If you couldn't be bothered, you have the automatic option. It's nowhere near as fun and slower than the manual. Having said that, the self-shifter is tuned for fun driving. It will even rev-match when you shift down. The rest of the drivetrain is sublime. All of the power is sent to the rear wheels only, also known as right-wheel-drive. The front end of the car is nimble, and the steering is wonderfully communicative. Even though the BRZ is razor-sharp, the suspension never feels too hard to live with daily. One thing you have to keep in mind is sticking to the OEM tires. There will be more affordable or grippier options, but the BRZ's inherent balance relies heavily on the right tire/wheel size and choice.

The automatic may be slower, but it comes with more impressive fuel consumption figures. Normally, when it comes to sports cars, we wouldn't care. But the BRZ is a budget sporty vehicle like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, so a prospective buyer might be persuaded to go the automatic route considering the lower fuel cost. Both models have a tank size of 13.2 gallons. The estimated driving range for the manual is 317 miles, while the auto can drive up to 370 miles between refills.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

The BRZ is a driver's car, so the main safety feature is the person behind the wheel. You do get a rearview camera, ABS, traction and stability control, automatic bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, and a powerful set of brakes to help you out. The traction and stability control is adjustable. There's a setting that will allow you to play around up to a certain point, or you can switch it off entirely. The Limited adds fog lights. The 2016 lineup gains a backup camera and the 2017 model gets hill start assist.

Because of the late original launch, the NHTSA only tested the 2014 BRZ. It's the exact same car as the 2013 model, so the result is still applicable. The most recent comprehensive results are available for the 2016 model. The results are extremely impressive, especially given the small dimensions Subaru and Toyota had to work with.

The launch year of the Subaru BRZ didn't come with much diversity as it was only available in Premium and Limited trims. The 2.0-liter flat-four mill came standard with the six-speed manual on both cars, but the automatic was an optional extra. Local dealerships did offer accessories such as a fuel door cover and sportier exterior trimmings like a rear diffuser and trunk spoiler. An auto-dimming mirror with a compass and HomeLink garage and gate controls was also available. For the audiophiles, Subaru would even install a Kicker 10-inch subwoofer with a 100-Watt amplifier at the cost of some already minimal trunk space. Apart from the addition of a more comprehensive infotainment system, standard specifications barely changed throughout the BRZ life cycle.

The 2013 model is equipped with a basic 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, HD radio, a USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity. Somehow, Subaru managed to get eight speakers in there. The 2014 model year brings smartphone app integration to the lineup and the 2015 model has retuned shock absorbers for better ride comfort while gaining larger, stainless-steel exhaust tips and a shark-fin antenna. 2016 finally sees the addition of a standard backup camera, as well as a 6.2-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with far more connectivity functionality. The 2017 facelift gains a little more power and revised gearing in manual-transmission guise, as well as automatic LED headlights across the board and hill-start assist. If you want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, search for a 2018 or later Limited or tS. The navigation system on 2019 models can be updated over the air.

Special Editions:

• 2015 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue: Limited to just 1,000 units, the Blue set itself apart from the standard lineup with its STI-specific 17-inch alloy wheels painted gloss black and accentuated by red brake calipers. It also features an STI aero kit, underbody covers, and unique trimmings in the cabin.
• 2016 BRZ Series.HyperBlue: The HyperBlue was a more exclusive variant of the Blue as it was limited to just 500 units, bearing specific paint with black badging, 17-inch alloy wheels, and fender trims. HyperBlue stitching is also applied to the interior for a more distinctive experience.
• 2017 BRZ Series.Yellow: The Yellow was also limited to 500 units but it is a bit more of an in-depth edition as it features uprated Brembo brakes and Sachs performance dampers. Visual highlights, apart from the yellow paint, are pretty much the same as the HyperBlue.
• 2019 BRZ Series.Gray: The Gray is a more limited variation of the Yellow at just 250 units produced with a Cool Gray Khaki exterior paint.

青铜是令人惊讶的是实用。斯巴鲁不design it for families, but if you're single or a childless couple, you could get away with this being the only car. The rear seats are useless for passengers, but they work as additional storage space. They fold forward as well, increasing the minuscule 6.9 cubic foot trunk significantly. If you are only two people, just keep the seats folded flat permanently. Interior storage space is adequate, and front passengers get two cupholders, door pockets, and a locking glove compartment.

The quality of the interior trim is better post-facelift, but the pre-facelift cars aren't bad. It's typical Toyota and Subaru trim. The trim may be on the hard side, but all of it is bolted together properly. Subaru's contrast stitching looks extremely good, and even the cloth upholstery on the Premium model appears to have aged well.

The Subaru BRZ is remarkably cheap to service. The eco-friendly low-grip tires are also cheap to buy. For a basic annual service, you can expect to pay roughly $230. For the high-mileage services, expect to pay around $1,300. Oil changes should be conducted every 6,000 as per Subaru's recommendations. The cabin air filter will need to be exchanged at 12,000 miles while the coolant will need a flush and refill at 30,000 miles. The 60,000-mile service is a major one as it will require new clutch fluid and spark plugs. The camchain should not give in if you ensure that oil changes are conducted as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Technical Service Bulletins according to the NHTSA. Check service book for:

There are remarkably few 2013 to 2020 Subaru BRZ recalls, but we suppose that's what happens when Subaru and Toyota team up. Still, 2013 models were part of a huge valve-spring recall. These first models have an engine valve spring that may fracture, causing the engine to stall. The first model year was also recalled for inaccurate airbag information in the owner's manual, so Subaru simply mailed new manuals to the 1,886 people affected by the recall.

2018 models were recalled for the rearview camera image not displaying, while 2018 and 2019 models were recalled for a faulty low-pressure fuel pump. There have been no recalls for the 2020 model.

Even more impressive is the number of complaints the BRZ received through its lifecycle. On average a truly terribly made car like the Jeep Wrangler receives several hundred official complaints per year. During its final year on sale, the Wrangler still received 532 complaints.

During its first year on sale, only 60 official complaints were lodged against the BRZ. From 2014 to 2020, the number of complaints never reached double digits again. That's a remarkable feat.

These are the error codes you'll most likely encounter when shopping for a 1st-generation Subaru BRZ:

• Code P0302 indicates a misfire in the engine. In this case, the "2" signifies the location of the misfire, which is on cylinder two. Codes P0301, P0303, and P0304 would indicate misfires on the other cylinders.
• Code P0018 shows that there is a problem with the crankshaft and camshaft alignment.

The best sales year for the BRZ was 2014. That year Subaru sold a total of 7,504 Subaru BRZ first-gen units in the USA. On average, Subaru sold roughly 2,500 per year. Considering the number of complaints lodged against the car, there are no common 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ problems. The worst problem we could find was a noisy gearbox that eventually failed. A grand total of three people complained about this problem. There are no known Subaru BRZ engine problems, which is what you want to see when buying a sports car.

There isn't a bad apple in the bunch. Honestly, we'd just avoid the automatic gearbox, if only because the manual offers a much better driving experience. There's nothing wrong with the automatic, however. If you absolutely have to have a self-shifter, go for it.

The tS is the obvious answer, but some might find it too compromised and hardcore. We think the best balance is a Premium model, built from 2018 onward. The only reason we choose this later model is the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which makes the touchscreen interface much simpler and easier to use.

It would be a bonus if you could get your hands on one of the limited-edition models, but the colors Subaru chose might not be to everyone's liking.

The 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ is an epic little sports car. It has no serious known problems and it is extremely enjoyable to drive. Thanks to years of depreciation, what was already an affordable fun car has now become one of the default choices for somebody looking for a fun car on a tight budget. To many, Miata is always the answer. But the BRZ is just as good of an answer, in this case.