What are the differences? | Subaru WRX | Subaru BRZ |
Rear view
We started here because this is the most common view of a sporty Subaru! |  |  |
Front End
WRX looks similar to the Impreza that gave it life. BRZ looks like a shark ready to bite your head off. |  |  |
Engines and Power
Both use four-cylinder Boxer engines with direct fuel injection and Subaru Dual Active Valve Control System. Turbocharged WRX achieves maximum torque at a freakishly low 2,000 RPM for rail-gun acceleration in every gear. |  2.0 liter
268 horsepower
258 lb.-ft torque
|  2.0 liter
205 horsepower
156 lb.-ft torque
|
Drivetrain
It's hard to beat the cat-like reflexes of an all-wheel drive vehicle, especially in rain and other slippery road conditions. | Symmetrical All Wheel Drive with Active Torque Vectoring | Rear wheel drive with limited slip differential |
Manual Transmission
Most people prefer the silky snick-snick in the BRZ. |  Six Speed | Six Speed |
Automatic Tranmission
Fanboys look down their noses at pulley transmissions but the automotive press has been really impressed with the sporty "high torque" CVT that Subaru installs in the WRX. The more traditional six gear auto in the BRZ feels so crisp that Subaru sells 30% of BRZs with an automatic transmission. |  Sport Lineartronic CVT with stepped manual and automatic shift modes controlled with steering wheel paddle switches. Comes with Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE), a throttle management system that allows driver to choose from among three selectable modes: "Intelligent," "Sport" and "Sport Sharp." |  Six speed with steering wheel paddle switches |
0-60 Time and Top Speed
This looks like a blowout victory for the WRX but it's a little deceiving because the BRZ's rev limiter cuts second gear off at 59.2 mph, requiring a time-consuming shift into third. WRX goes like a scalded cat in every gear. (Don't worry, we love cats.) | Manual: 5.2 Seconds
Automatic: 5.7 seconds
Top Speed: 155 mph | Manual: 6.4 seconds
Automatic: 7.7 seconds
Top Speed: 143 mph |
Wheels and Tires
Both wear summer shoes so you'll want to invest in snow tires for the winter. |  WRX's Dunlops stick like bubble gum on your shoe. They generate higher absolute cornering forces than the BRZ's skins but require more skill at the limit. (Note: pictured is a Hankook; we were experimenting with different tires. If you had a fleet of high performance Subarus and an eighteen bay shop, you'd have some fun too!) |  BRZ's Michelins howl at you in the corners and finally break free progressively and predictably. |
Suspension
Both get stabilizer bars front and rear. WRX understeers mildly in most every type of corner, including weird off-camber stuff. BRZ's rear wheel drive allows you to steer a little with the throttle through sharp turns. | 
REAR:
Double Wishbone with lateral link pillow-ball joint bushing FRONT:
Strut-type with aluminum lower L-arm with pillow-ball joint bushing | 
REAR:
Double wishbone FRONT:
Strut-type with lower L-arm |
Trunk
Rear seats can fold down in both cars to accommodate longer items. BRZ trunk is surprisingly capacious for a little coupe, but the opening is narrower than in the WRX. Meet our greeter, Blue, in the WRX, and his little buddy, Pabst, in the BRZ. (You would guess that our third Greeter dog would be named "Ribbon," but it's actually "Milo.") |  |  |
Rear Seat
WRX swallows up six footers and lots of krap. BRZ grudgingly accepts kids if they have skinny legs. |  |  |
Front Seats
Both cars offer lateral support galore. BRZ sits very low and requires healthy knees for ingress and egress. |  |  |
Instruments
WRX looks more whiz-bang, like the cockpit in a video game. BRZ instruments are laid out like a race car with a big tach at dead center. |  |  |
Pricing
| WRX starts at $28,395
See pricing and models. | BRZ starts at $29,745
See pricing and models. |
Dynamic Brochures
Video, glossy photos, and spec listings worthy of an eye chart. |  WRX |  BRZ |
