Subaru BRZ tS 2018 Review

What’s it all about?

Subaru's only rear-drive car, the BRZ is a joint-venture vehicle with the Toyota 86. Same engine, same gearboxes, but a few tweaks here and there – especially the new BRZ tS.

As the new flagship Subaru BRZ it's festooned with STi badges, promising a more dynamic drive. It certainly turns, grips, and brakes with more gusto now.

It looks pretty cool with new front bumper, a nuggety black wing at the rear, plus new 18-inch alloy wheels. Look a little closer and you'll see Brembo brakes and underneath new Sachs dampers and STi coil springs have been tuned to deliver a flatter cornering attitude.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres are designed to increase grip levels.

Inside there are a few upgrades too, such as STi logos here and there, including on the red starter button which is very cool, along with red seat belts and an STi steering wheel. The 7.0-inch touchscreen is pretty cool, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and the trip computer is upgraded with new graphical displays too, such as real-time torque and power levels.

Despite the STi badges, this vehicle is not packing heat. We had hoped the car would get the 225kW turbo engine from the BRZ STi concept trademarked in late 2015. Sadly, no dice.

It looks great, it steers well, it sounds okay. But accelerates like sea-cucumber.

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/180125_subaru_brz_ts02.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-237745" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/180125_subaru_brz_ts02.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

How much will it cost?

The car starts at $39,894 for the six-speed manual, the auto costs $41,894. It's one of a handful of Subaru models that can be purchased online along with 28 dealer fit accessories. These include things like a front lip spoiler ($926) and a Duracon shift knob ($185).

Like all new Subaru vehicles it has a standard three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty which lags behind the five-years increasingly offered by Japanese brands. One year roadside assist is also average. Service intervals are nine-months or 15,000km.

Why should I buy it?

The answer to that question, dear readers, is because it's good cheap fun. This won't cost you the same as a Porsche Cayman but for many drivers it'll deliver just as many smiles. The new dampers and springs combine with the grippier French tyres to deliver an impressive dynamic package.

The Subaru BRZ tS generates more grip than regular versions of the coupe, it sits flatter through corners and a deeper connection with the car develops as a result. I enjoyed diving deep into bends with the extra stopping power of the Brembo anchors and it tracks through corners with more clarity than before.

This is the car the BRZ could have been initially; a less taily, more serious apex animal.

But when it comes to blasting out of corners the excitement the STi suspension and badges create falls flat. Weighing 1295kg and packing the same lacklustre 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated boxer engine as every other Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ, 152kW/212Nm, it is slow by today's performance car standards.

It represents good value but those STi badges are somewhat misleading.

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/180125_subaru_brz_ts03.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-237746" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/180125_subaru_brz_ts03.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

When is it available in Australia?

The car is already on sale in Australia and I'm hoping beyond all hope that before this car is replaced Subaru will indeed drop a turbocharged engine under the sleek bonnet.

Although it sounds like a limited edition model, the Subaru BRZ tS is full-time model in the range now.

Who will it appeal to?

This car will appeal to buyers who want affordable fun. True, it has as much gristle as a vegan restaurant but the way it tracks through corners will get your happy juju pumping, have no doubt about that.

Realistically this is a two-seater. There are two back seats but good luck getting anyone without double-jointed hips in there. The boot is likewise very small but the back seats do fold down, opening up a bit more space. It can tow, but not much

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/180125_subaru_brz_ts01.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-237744" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/180125_subaru_brz_ts01.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>

Where does it fit?

The Subaru BRZ tS slots into the sports car category and its main rivals include vehicles such as the Mazda MX-5 – another great handling rear-driver that could easily handle a few extra herbs and spices under the bonnet.

2018 Subaru BRZ tS pricing and specifications:
Price: $39,894 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 152kW/212Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 194g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2012 rating)

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/180125_subaru_brz_ts08.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-237751" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/180125_subaru_brz_ts08.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>