In 2023, I had a very short drive on the Toyota GR86. I remember I had driven my MX-5 to that review, and when driving the 86 I got too fixated on the things that my small convertible exceeded. In the end, I liked it, but maybe not to the level I had built it up in my head, considering how great I wanted it to be. Fast forward all these months, and I got the opportunity to test the other twin, but not just the vanilla version, if you can even call it that. This time, I have the Subaru BRZ tS, which stands for tuned by STi, is limited to 10 units here in New Zealand and boy, did it change things.
In the design department, it would have been really easy for the two brands to lean too much into the looks of the 2020s, go too aggressive and overdo this new shape. And I’m so glad they didn’t – the lines of the new gen are organic, dynamic, and, more importantly: simple. Draped in that signature metallic blue that practically screams “rally heritage,” the BRZ nods to Subaru’s strengths without shouting. The updated shape over the previous generation brings a welcome dose of modernity, with the Subaru-specific front bumper giving it just enough visual distinction from its Toyota twin, and the tS badge of this new trim level being one of the few differences.
Slide into the driver’s seat and you’ll immediately notice one of the BRZ’s standout features – those fantastic seats, which in the tS read “STi” on the side bolster. They’re comfortable, supportive, heated, and nicely bolstered for spirited driving. The overall interior represents a significant step up from the previous generation, borrowing cues from what used to be reserved for only the top-spec models.
The driving position is spot-on, even for taller drivers, though I found myself wishing the gear selector was a touch shorter for more natural hand placement. Rear seat space remains a token gesture, for kids or emergency-only situations. That said, the rear seats fold flat, and combined with a decent boot, you’ve got just enough room for four track-day tyres. This specific tS had a full-size spare tire mounted in the boot in a way that compromises space. I totally get it, and it was still practical enough to pick up plenty of MDF for a DIY project of mine, but for my personal ownership I would probably swap that for a space-saver or tyre inflation system.
Tech-wise, it gets the job done. You get the essentials: wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, auto emergency braking, and, surprisingly, adaptive cruise control on a manual car – which is part of the updated EyeSight system and it works great. The reverse camera is grainy, there are no parking sensors, and the infotainment setup is a bit dated. It feels very aftermarket, which honestly is a good thing in this car – the lack of integration with the other systems in the car makes it easy to swap this out for another solution, and that could include an upgrade to the audio system, which is above average, but won’t win any awards.
The digital cluster in front of the driver uses a digital screen in the shape of a boxer engine, and changes according to driving modes (Normal, Sport and Track). You can check power figures, driving telemetry, a stopwatch, G-metre, and even battery voltage and oil temperature. They know their audience.
Under the low bonnet lies the FA24 engine – a 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder that pumps out 174kW and 250Nm of torque. Figures are not crazy, and the tS package doesn’t mess with this formula, and that’s perfectly fine. What makes this engine special isn’t raw power (though it’s certainly adequate), but rather how it delivers that power. Going with forced induction would have meant more complication, more cost, more weight, and I will die on the hill that affordable sports cars need none of these things.
That is because the actual highlight of the BRZ is what wraps all of that: its chassis. Assisted by revised dampers, the tS feels solid, eager and compliant and the best ways possible. Steering is predictable, as communicative as it gets for 2025. It comes with that mix of softness and control that only a light car can offer, and is so refreshing in today’s market. Brakes are also improved if you’re one of the 10 lucky owners, with the golden Brembo calipers showcasing there is plenty of stopping power at your disposal, with a brake pedal that feels progressive and offers great feedback while doing its job.
I had this car during the rainy Easter holiday, which meant empty and damp roads, that I drove for 300km for no explicit reason other than enjoying the car. Torque builds early and climbs in a beautifully linear fashion all the way to redline – there’s no sudden surge or drop-off, just a progressive, predictable delivery that makes the car feel alive without being intimidating – you can watch it yourself from the dashboard, like on a dyno pull. The boxer layout gives it a distinctive character, though the sound isn’t exactly spine-tingling. With the help of pumped audio, it builds to a decent crescendo as you climb through the revs, but don’t expect amazing symphonics.
The six-speed manual transmission took me some getting used to. Initially, the high take-up point of the clutch can make for jerky progress, but after putting some miles on the clock, you develop a rhythm with it. It’s clearly not as slick as what you’d find in a Mazda MX-5 or Honda Civic Type R, but it is still good to interact with. It is not as easy to heel-toe downshift as in those cars, but it can still be done gracefully.
The tS is, as are other trim levels, equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, and they are a great fit for the car. They bring an acceptable amount of noise for a low, light car, reassuring grip and performance, but will still allow the BRZ to break loose when asked to. When it happens, the Cusco limited slip differential leads to beautiful slides that are predictable, controllable, and quite honestly, a hoot. From my MX-5 to my M2, I have not had a car this fun to slide around, this is a great combination of engine power and performance hardware.
In a world increasingly dominated by heavy, isolated, high-horsepower monsters with autonomous technology, the BRZ stands as a refreshing reminder that sometimes, less is more. It’s not about how fast you can go, but how much fun you can have getting there. And by that measure, the BRZ tS takes this to the next level and delivers in spades. It’s the Goldilocks of sports cars – not too much, not too little, but just right for those who still believe in the simple joy of driving.
These cars have always been a blank canvas for customisation, and this time Subaru basically did a group-buy for all the best bits on their customers’ behalf. If you’re not planning on going deep into making a BRZ your own, going with the tS might be a great way to have something limited, special, and that definitely delivers on the purpose.
This platform, and this car, is exactly what it should be. It doesn’t need more power, and it definitely doesn’t need more complication. Having spent this extended amount of time with the car was what was needed to , and now I find myself checking listings of these more often than I’d like to admit. Thanks, Subaru, for the opportunity, and thank you for reading this long!
