2025 Subaru BRZ tS Review

Subaru is selling a two-wheel drive vehicle again. It’s the same name as before, the BRZ, only this is much improved.

Years ago at a Subaru launch, the company said it would not sell the BRZ sportster here because it didn’t conform to its AWD ethos. Well, it did briefly, 12 units sold in 2012. But it couldn’t match the pricing of Toyota’s largely identical GR86. 

Back then the Toyota was $56,990 but now the least expensive variant is $59,990, a six-speed auto. The six-speed manual is a Hakone version which costs $61,990.

And wouldn’t you know it? Subaru has once again made an exception to its AWD-only rule, selling a special tS version of the BRZ locally. It sports some STI bits and is available as a manual-only variant in WR blue. While it undercuts GR86, selling for $59,990, only 10 are available. 

It’s that lovely blue hue

We were lucky to snaffle a test drive of the BRZ tS before they’re all gone. Under the hood is an atmo 2.4 flat four, bringing with it more torque that’s vastly more accessible. Even without a turbo it pulls smoothly and easily from 1500rpm so you can mooch around the burbs in top gear at 50km/h handily. And there are palpable lifts in engine output at 2500rpm, 3500rpm and 4500rpm. Things get hectic from there to the 7500rpm redline. 

It’s quicker than the original too. An 80-120 takes just under four sec where before it was nearer 4.5sec. That’s thanks in part to its 1286kg wet weight. How light that seems in an increasingly electrified world. There’s no electrification for BRZ or GR86. And the tS feels almost old school with its quaint eight-inch integrated screen, separate physical controls for the HVAC system and a handbrake lever. No modes as such, just a Sport button that adds sparkle. It’s great for overtaking.

What makes it tS?

TS means tuned by STI. The tS version features STI-fettled front and rear dampers, gold-coloured Brembo brakes with four-piston front callipers, and uprated pads and rotors. It also comes with attractive 18-inch alloys shod with 215/40 R18 Michelin Pilot 4 tyres.    

Finishing it off are front and rear tS badges and a red BRZ logo in the headlights. There are also black door mirror caps and a matching shark fin antenna.

Inside is red and black Ultrasuede and leather-accented upholstery, complete with STI-embossed front seats. Sports pedals are well-placed for heel and toe changes. The cabin also features a red start button and an instrument cluster bearing the STI logo and red highlights. Each vehicle evidently has a numbered presentation key box.

Better safety spec  

A new feature is EyeSight Driver Assist technology, previously unavailable on manual transmission cars, but introduced in WRX recently. It means that the Adaptive Cruise Control continues to operate when you shift gears, which is handy. It drops out at slower speeds, around 30km/h. 

There’s also Lane Departure Warning which you’ll want to cancel in out-of-town running (annoying beeps), Lane Sway Warning, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, Pre-Collision Braking System, Pre-Collision Brake Assist and Brake Light Recognition.

Like its rebadged GR86 sib, this is updated in both the engine and body departments. There’s a 5mm wheelbase stretch, the rear track is out by 10mm, and ground clearance increases by 5mm. Underpinning BRZ are struts up front and double wishbones at the rear. Extra use of high strength steels improves torsional rigidity by 50 per cent.

Significantly more torque 

This feels pretty nippy, and with 45Nm more torque delivered almost 3000rpm earlier it is not so needy. That translates to ease of everyday use. You can skip gears in both directions if you want. Gearing is really short too, with 100km/h corresponding to 2700rpm in sixth. Not quite so good for economy perhaps, stated at 7.3-13.3L/100km, highway to urban, respectively. Long term was in the eights, combined is 9.5 (Rightcar reckons 10.6) and we saw into the sevens at best on cruise control.

From cold the gear shift feels notchy and the brakes require a little too much heft for not quite enough retardation. But once well oiled the shift quality improved, and the brakes seemed to warm to the task. They still require a reasonable amount of leg work. Maybe they just weren’t quite bedded in after only 2500km of use. You can’t argue with the results produced, a best 100 to zero stop of 32.64m better by a couple than the GR86.

Great dynamics

Dynamics are the BRZ’s thing. Steering this reminds you of how ordinary most front-engined, front-wheel drive vehicles are to helm. It turns true and quickly, aided by a short wheelbase. While not that talkative there’s nothing untoward here. Being compact, you have more road to play with too which is helpful. As you up the ante, it scarcely moves off line, even when the tyres are starting to voice their disapproval. Helping are its proximity to the road surface (GC of 130mm) and the quality of the rubber. Steering assistance is sweet, with good heft. Pushing on it will run wide but instantly returns to its line with a brief lift. Or you can head in slower, shift down a few gears and round it up into the corner on the gas. 

Despite the STI damping retune, this still rides in a relatively civilised manner, at open road speeds especially. There’s a bit of initial roll and then the tS takes the set and hangs in there. It’s so fast A to B that you’ll forever be held up by others so pick lonely roads to extract the best from this little demon.

Elephant, room

It’s such a fun overall drive the tS. So yes, a bit of a mish to enter and exit, but you expect that with a dedicated sportster. There’s more cabin room than in a similarly expensive MX-5 but boot space is almost as tragic. That’s because the full spare sits midfloor, poking up. I’d much rather have a can of gloop and make better use of the 201L available. As it is, I could just shoehorn my fold-up golf trundler through the boot lid opening. Clubs go in the passenger seat, if you’re wondering. The rear seats are good for not much; essentially the guff that won’t go in the boot.

We mentioned something that not all will appreciate, and that’s the clamour coming from those sticky Michelins. Even on hot mix they can be vocal but they become noisy on chip seal, especially freshly laid surfaces. It was the same deal with the GR86, both with SPL measurements peaking into the 80s. 

So use earplugs for chipseal and just enjoy. It’s really rather like an MX-5 only on a larger, more potent scale (for similar outlay). Not much more poke but noticeably more. We love the view out through the windscreen which reminds strikingly of a 911 with the fender flares either side. And it’s so easy to operate in a world where touchscreens rule everything. 

So Subaru, you’re forgiven for making an exception to the all-paw rule. It’s a semi-sensible sportster for road and track day fun.  

Subaru BRZ tS
$59,990 / 9.5L/100km / 217g/km
80-120 km/h 3.99s (114m)
100-0 km/h 32.64m
Speedo error 98 at an indicated 100km/h
Ambient cabin noise 79.5dB@100km/h
Engine 2387cc / FLAT 4 / DI
Max power 174kW@7000rpm
Max torque 250Nm@3700rpm
Drivetrain 6 speed manual / RWD
Front suspension Mac strut / swaybar
Rear suspension Wishbones / swaybar
Turning circle 10.8m (2.5 turns)
Front brakes Ventilated discs (326mm)
Rear brakes Ventilated discs (316mm)
Stability systems ABS, ESP
Safety AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size f/r-215/40R18
Wheelbase 2575mm
L/W/H 2865 / 1776 / 1310mm
Track f-1520mm r-1550mm
Fuel capacity 50L
Luggage capacity 210L
Tow rating Not rated to tow
Service intervals 12 months / 15,000km
Warranty 3yrs / 100,000km
ANCAP rating Not rated yet
Weight (claimed) 1286kg