For the past decade, the grassroots motorsports scene has been dominated by the Subaru BRZ and its near-twin, the Scion FR-S/Toyota 86. These compact sports cars are incredibly engaging and communicative, and best of all, do not require a professional driver to be driven fast. This recipe of lightweight, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, and a manual transmission may seem simple at first, but it is one most manufacturers not named Subaru, Toyota, or Mazda seem to have forgotten. This week, we’re sampling an extra spicy one: the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS.
To create the BRZ tS, Subaru leaned on its in-house performance division for help. It’s not a full-blown STI model, but rather “tuned by STI”, hence its tS badging inside and out. As well, it wears gloss black accents all around, and dark grey 18-inch wheels. Look closely and you will also notice gold-painted Brembo brakes peeking from behind the wheels, adding a pop of colour — and a nod to past STI models — to the already great-looking BRZ coupe. Unlike the previous-generation BRZ tS and its dry carbon fibre rear wing, the 2024 model’s ducktail-style deck lid is a bit more subtle.
The BRZ tS’ powertrain and output remains the same as the standard car. Its 2.4-litre normally aspirated Boxer engine may put out “only” 228 horsepower, but we feel that is the perfect amount of power for this application. The BRZ feels quick but not overpowered; peak acceleration may take a bit of patience given its lack of a turbocharger, but unlike the 2.0L unit in its predecessor, there is a good mid-range punch from this revised engine. Hardcore driving enthusiasts will rejoice at the fact that the BRZ tS is manual-only; the clutch-and-shifter combination is easy to read and offers good mechanical feel.
Part of what made the original BRZ and FR-S/86 so popular in grassroots motorsports circles in that they let you know well in advance when you’re approaching its limits. That’s still apparent in this new model — the chassis is oh-so-communicative, the steering offers excellent feel and precision, and the Brembo brakes offer plenty of bite and solid pedal feel. Plus, even when you make a mistake, the BRZ tS is relatively easy to save and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires are more than enough for street use.
Fuel consumption is rated at 12.0 L/100 km in the city and 8.8 on the highway, which is right around what we observed after a week of real-world driving. The city figure skews a bit on the high side for a small four-cylinder engine, but given we spent most of the week with a heavy right foot, the smiles-per-gallon were worthwhile. Premium fuel is required for the BRZ’s 50-litre tank.
Inside, the BRZ is pretty driver-oriented. Most of the controls are well within reach, and lots of buttons and knobs mean quick, distraction-free adjustments on the fly. An eight-inch touchscreen delivers the infotainment, but you still need to plug in your phone to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The tS features the upgraded eight-speaker sound system from the Sport-tech trim, as well as contrast blue stitching, suede-like accents on the instrument cluster and upper door panels, and STI logos here and there.
The most noteworthy addition this year — not just to the tS, but the BRZ lineup as a whole — is the incorporation of Subaru’s excellent EyeSight suite of driver assists on cars with three pedals. Now, all BRZs have adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane-departure and sway, and more, regardless of the transmission you pick. The WRX also receives this update for 2024.
A base BRZ starts at $31,895 for 2024, and the tS model here slots in near the top of the lineup, at $36,295 as-tested. It is a real bargain in our eyes, considering an MX-5 with a metal roof starts above $40,000 and comes with two fewer seats, and anything else offering this much driving joy either costs a lot more, or is much older on the used market.
And that particular reason explains why the BRZ — and its Toyota twin — is so prominent among driving enthusiasts and grassroots motorsport fanatics. The combination of low price, simplicity, and engaging driving dynamics makes the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS the perfect companion for anyone who wants to enjoy driving, at any skill level.
