SAFETY | 9 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Top Safety Pick; 'good,' frontal, side, and rear impact; 'good,' roof strength
IIHS
Not yet rated
NHTSA
Visibility in all directions is much better than most sports cars.
Car and Driver
Since the 2013 Subaru BRZ is an all-new model, built with an entirely new structure, we can't yet verify its standards for occupant protection. But Subaru emphasizes that the BRZ's structure does have safety as well as weight savings in mind, with a structure that extensively uses high-tensile-strength steel and borrows the safety-ring structure that's used in other models from the brand.
So far it's already proven itself well, as the BRZ has already earned Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
In addition to a multi-mode stability control system, four-channel ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, Brake Assist, and Brake Override are all included, and although the BRZ doesn't have all-wheel drive like the rest of the Subaru lineup, we'll wager that its responsible and predictable handling is bound to be an asset in accident avoidance.
For a sports car, outward visibility is reasonably good in the BRZ—thanks to a reasonably low beltline and plenty of window space.
Conclusion
The Subaru BRZ handles well and has a full roster of safety equipment--plus it's one of the only sports cars that's an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
