The first things you notice are the bulging fender flares, integrated ducktail rear spoiler and reworked front fascia. Then you discover that the added visual aggression is backed up by the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated SUBARU BOXER® engine under the hood. Updated from stem to stern for 2022, the BRZ continues its mission of delivering big thrills in an affordable package.
“We went out and surveyed BRZ customers, and they came back overwhelmingly loving the vast majority of its performance aspects,” says Michael Redic, Carline Planning Manager at Subaru of America, Inc. “But one thing they werenʼt in love with was the acceleration, so we set out to rectify that for the new generation.”
The new, larger power plant dishes out 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, gains of 23 hp and 28 lb-ft over its predecessor. But these numbers only tell part of the story. While the outgoing 2.0-liter mill needed to be wound out to 6,400 rpm to reach its peak torque figure, the 2.4 liter does so at just 3,700 rpm, in turn providing the second-generation BRZ with significantly more low-end grunt.
The acceleration times paint a clearer picture: At 6 seconds flat, the new BRZ is a full second quicker to 60 mph from a standstill with the standard six-speed manual transmission, while vehicles outfitted with the optional six-speed automatic reach that velocity in 6 1/2 seconds – a second and a half quicker than last year’s model.
But straight-line speed has never been the BRZ modelʼs primary focus. “We wanted a car that feels very precise and predictable,” Redic says. “We want that balance.”
To further refine the car’s balance and poise, Subaru also applied a number of chassis tweaks that translate to 60% more front lateral rigidity and 50% better torsional rigidity, while the spring rates have been revised to be 7% stiffer up front and 11% softer in the rear. More power, a stiffer chassis, stiffer springs up front and softer springs in the rear allow for hanging the tail out in earnest.
Despite all the upgrades, the 2022 Subaru BRZ still weighs in at a mere 2,815 pounds in its lightest configuration, thanks to the more extensive use of aluminum in the bodywork and suspension. The aluminum suspension bits create a significant reduction of unsprung weight over the previous generation car.
To find out how it all works in practice, we headed to Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, and put the new BRZ through its paces at the racetrack and on the street.
Behind the Wheel of the 2022 BRZ
Our day began on the rural roads of Amenia, New York, with the nose of the BRZ pointed in Lime Rock’s direction. During spirited stints on stretches of open tarmac, the additional oomph provided by the 2.4-liter engine was obvious, especially when digging out of slower corners.
Lightness is still the core principle, producing a sports car eager to change direction but without a punishing suspension. And thanks to a light clutch, excellent outward visibility and communicative steering, the BRZ remains a sports car that’s both fun to drive and easy to acclimate to.
Lightness is still the core principle, producing a sports car eager to change direction but without a punishing suspension. And thanks to a light clutch, excellent outward visibility and communicative steering, the BRZ remains a sports car that’s both fun to drive and easy to acclimate to.
Those characteristics also make the second-generation BRZ a total blast to wring out on a proper road course. A long-press of the Track button on the center console brought the tachometer and G-meter front and center on the new, customizable 7-inch digital gauge cluster while also loosening the reins of the traction and stability control systems.
If you’re looking for tail-happy antics while trail braking or when getting on the throttle out of slow corners, the new BRZ is your car. But there’s also plenty of warning as you approach the limits of grip, thanks to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires now standard in Limited trim. When you’ve exceeded the limits of their exceptional grip, it’s easy to bring the vehicle back in line.
We also scored a few lapping sessions with the six-speed automatic. Automatic-equipped BRZ models feature a Sport mode that’s designed to keep the gearbox in lower gears when it detects a certain amount of lateral force on the vehicle.
For those who prefer to maintain full control over the transmission, simply bumping the shifter to the left while it’s in Drive engages full-manual mode, which allows you to swap cogs at will via the shifter or the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The second-generation BRZ doesn’t seek to reinvent the breed, and that’s just fine by us. Instead, the array of upgrades on tap elevate the sports car to new heights of performance while also staying true to the original philosophy. With a starting price of just $27,995,* you’d be hard pressed to find a more compelling fun-per-dollar proposition.
*Manufacturerʼs suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice.
