
The Subaru BRZ doesn't have many rivals, but what a collective set.
It includes the Toyota 86, the BRZ's twin, recently renamed from its Scion-badged days.
It's very closely related to the BRZ—interchangeable in most ways—but it costs just a little bit less, with fewer standard items and just a slight difference in tuning.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is otherwise the top rival to the BRZ, and while it's a convertible it offers a quite comparable driving experience, with a great weight distribution, high-revving engine, and basic interior; in both models, too, you don't need to go fast to have fun.
If you're looking for more power and speed, though, the Nissan 370Z is fun, although it lacks the perfect balance and the lean driving manners that the exterior suggests.
The Ford Mustang is now offered in turbocharged 4-cylinder form, as well as with a V-6; in either of these layouts the Mustang has a surprising amount of athleticism and refinement this time around—even though it feels like a big touring coupe next to the BRZ.
The engineer in charge of the BRZ's handling drives a Porsche Cayman, which is renamed this year as the 718; it's one of the absolute best-handling cars on the planet, and a good target to aim for.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2017 Subaru BRZ is a great-handling sports car with big value for the dollar; it's just not very fast. |
From base to Shelby, the 2017 Ford Mustang reminds us why America loves its pony cars so damn much. |
The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata offers back-to-basics sports car fun in the classic roadster or the new RF body styles. |
The 2017 Nissan 370Z has a classic sports-car shape, excellent sports-car handling, and a tuned Nismo track weapon in its lineup. |
The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman remains some of our favorite performance cars; they're thrilling to drive, and in base form they're exceptional sports car value, too. |
The 2017 Toyota 86 isn't about power, but it is about fun, and it has just enough creature comforts to make it livable as a daily driver. |
MSRP From | |||||
$25,495 | $25,185 | $24,915 | $29,990 | $53,900 | $26,255 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
21 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Premium Unleaded H-4 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Premium Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded V-6 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded H-4 | Premium Unleaded H-4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Minicompact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Two Seaters | Two Seaters | Two Seaters | Minicompact Cars |
Style Name | |||||
Premium Manual | V6 Fastback | Sport Automatic | Coupe Manual | Coupe | Manual (GS) |
Drivetrain | |||||
Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Coupe | Fastback | Convertible | Coupe | Coupe | Coupe |
Transmission | |||||
Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2017 Subaru BRZ vs. 2017 Ford Mustang | 2017 Subaru BRZ vs. 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 2017 Subaru BRZ vs. 2017 Nissan 370Z | 2017 Subaru BRZ vs. 2017 Porsche 718 | 2017 Subaru BRZ vs. 2017 Toyota 86 |