2019 Subaru BRZ

The 2019 Subaru BRZ starts at an MSRP of $25,795 in base Premium trim excluding tax, licensing, registration, and an $885 destination fee, making it one of the least expensive sports cars on sale. The Limited version will set you back $28,645 in manual guise and you'll pay $29,530 for the auto. The special edition Series.Gray will cost you $30,140, but dealerships are responsible for their own pricing, so you may be able to find a great deal if you're willing to look.

Before the BRZ platform was released, fans of affordable, lightweight, sporty rear-wheel-drive cars hadn't been catered to in a long while by any brand aside from Mazda. Historically cars like Toyota's AE86 combined rear-wheel-drive dynamics, a lightweight chassis and a rev-happy engine to create an accessible sports car that taught the driver to focus on driving capability and maintaining momentum through the bends, instead of relying on brute power to mask driver error. And if the occasion arose, a bit of tail-happy drifting could easily be achieved.

The BRZ was designed to put a smile on your face, whether you're a seasoned driver with track experience or a first-time sportscar buyer; the capability of the BRZ to make any driver feel like a pro is what makes it so great. When pushing the BRZ through a set of corners, the driver gets excellent feedback as to what the front wheels are doing, and more importantly, where the limits of adhesion are. The BRZ is such a finely tuned machine that even a novice can read and correct steering inputs to get the most out of the car. The modest power outputs suit the chassis almost perfectly, making it incredibly exploitable, but a few more ponies would be welcomed with open arms by keener drivers.

On-road ride comfort is firm but not overly so, and gives the driver a great balance between road surface feedback and bump soaking suppleness. The chassis and suspension setup has been fine-tuned to the point that it becomes telepathic in a sense, and every input you give as the driver translates into a tangible reaction from the car. The only problem with the BRZ's handling prowess is that it will always egg you on to take a corner just a little faster.

The BRZ and its siblings breathed new life into the sports car scene, and will likely be considered classics at some point in the distant future.

The reason for its success is the fact that it doesn't pretend to be something it's not. This is a superbly balanced driver's car that gives you feedback from every tangible area; from the moment you step into the car, to the moment you sling it around a bend, you'll immediately realize that the BRZ is a purist's car. It teaches you to use your gears effectively, maintain momentum, and rely on the mechanical grip through corners, and the fact that you can wring its neck, and still be traveling at reasonably safe speeds is one if its greatest hallmarks. For the keener drivers in safe environments, the ability to tread the line between balance and oversteer with the BRZ is an added bonus.

It's not the most comfortable car to live with, and it might not be as practical as a Camry or even a Honda Civic, but for what it was built to do, the BRZ can be a fairly frugal and comfortable daily driver. The sum of these parts come together to deliver something truly special: a driver's car for the people.

The three models on offer each have their merits. If you're looking for a no-nonsense sports car, the Premium will do fine. Add the performance package and you'll have a strong track day performer. The Limited adds a touch of maturity and comfort, which doesn't detract from the car's sporty nature but adds to its daily liveability. For those who need that extra bit of individuality, the Series.Gray is a cool limited edition offer which should age well. Our choice would be the Limited model, with the added performance package, of course, blending the performance the BRZ is becoming renowned for with the added creature comforts to make it a suitable daily companion.

The legendary Mazda MX-5 doesn't need an introduction. Since 1989, this little Japanese sports car has captured the hearts of millions across the world and has been a gateway drug for keen drivers looking to get into motorsport events of all kinds. In terms of daily driving, the Mazda gives a softer, more balanced ride than the BRZ, the same goes for road noise and gearing. The BRZ feels like it's on the edge and ready to go, whereas the Miata has a more laid back approach. The BRZ handles better at ten-tenths and feels capable of handling more power, whereas the Mazda feels more at home at nine-tenths.

In practical aspects, the BRZ offers semi-usable rear seats and a larger trunk, while equipment and specification levels are closely matched. Both cars are extremely well matched in terms of outright performance, and even the price points are closely matched. Getting the hardtop RF version will see the Miata's base price shoot past that of the BRZ, but in standard soft top trim, the Miata isn't far off from the BRZ's low starting price of just under $27,000. Decide how many seats you want and then buy appropriately.

When comparing the BRZ and 86, people always ask how different these two cars can actually be. Well first off, the similarities. They both share a rear-wheel-drive layout, 2+2 seating and a profile that some could mistake as being identical. They are both assembled at Subaru's assembly plant and share the same engine. So what truly separates them? Firstly the price: the base sticker price for the 2019 BRZ is $25,795 for the Premium trim with a manual gearbox whereas the 86 starts at a base price of $26,505. Interior comfort and quality and cargo space are an even match, but the BRZ's interior features take first place, mainly due to the fact that the 86 does not feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The BRZ is slightly quicker in the acceleration department and also returns better gas mileage numbers. The 86 is, however, the better car to throw around the track, thanks to its superb TRD Special Edition trim. Overall it must be said that the BRZ offers more value, but you can't really go wrong with either.