The Subaru BRZ is a two-door fastback coupe with a front-engine and rear-wheel drive. It is a 2+2 sports car and has two front seats and two separate backseats two accommodate four individuals in all.
It was developed and manufactured by Subaru in collaboration with Toyota. It is one of the top sports cars available in the market at its level, as it offers an extremely athletic driving experience while being cost-effective.
It comes with a 228-hp engine that is powerful enough. The Subaru BRZ’s stylish interior, 2+2 hatchback seating arrangement, and low center of gravity combine to make it an ideal sports car. It is also well equipped with advanced technological specs and makes both the driving and traveling experience more seamless.
The market for sports cars is quite large and numerous other vehicles compete neck-to-neck with each other. Read on to learn more about the various sports cars that are similar to the Subaru BRZ.
Cars Similar to Subaru BRZ
1. Nissan 370Z
Although the Nissan 370Z doesn’t compete well with the pricey sports cars, it offers great value for money and brings several attractive features along with it.
It runs on an alluring 332-hp V6 engine, thus offering a very smooth and enjoyable driving experience. The 370Z does have a few limitations, but it sums up to be a decent choice.
In its latest 2020-update, Nissan introduced two new packages for the 370Z series celebrating Z’s 50thanniversary. These special-edition packages include an updated set of technological features and a new look in terms of color combinations.
The 370 vehicles are heavier than some of its competitors such as the Toyota Supra and the Subaru BRZ. This takes a bit of its charm away, but the 370Z Sport model can be considered a good choice.
It comes with 19” wheels, a rear differential with limited slip, an improved braking system, and aerodynamic attachments. The 370Z Sport Touring model also has an auto-transmission engine available in it. The series also offers a well-designed 7” infotainment system and its seats have a leather finish.
2. Mazda MX-5 Miata
No other sports car offers a better driving experience than the Mazda MX-5 Miata at an affordable price. It is also the only budget-friendly sports car with a convertible roof. It is equipped with a robust four-cylinder six-speed manual transmission engine, with an option to opt for automatic transmission.
Most of this series’s models come with manually foldable soft-tops. But the high-end RF model comes with an automatic Targa power-folding hard-top. The MX-5 Miata also has a state-of-the-art infotainment system that is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The company has terminated the automatic six-speed transmission in all of the vehicles of the MX-5 Miata series barring its two most expensive models- the Grand Touring RF and the Club RF. Wherein one needs to pay $500 and $550 extra, respectively, to install the automatic transmission system.
They have also added a brand-new feature known as the Kinetic Posture Control, with the help of which a mild outward pressure on the inner rim of the rear wheels is applied by the brakes when the car takes a turn.
This helps improve the stability and balance of the car. The Miata Club RF comes with the Brembo BBS Recaro package that adds BBS wheels, Brembo brakes, and Recaro seats to the car.
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3. Ford Mustang
First released in 1969, The Ford Mustang is an iconic name in the game. Over the years Ford has manufactured several generations and models of the Mustang and remains a top player in the market to this day.
It comes in two varieties- the EcoBoost with the four-cylinder turbocharged engine, and the GT with the powerful V8 engine. The Mustang is either a coupe or a convertible; no matter which one, it is stuffed with top-notch features and technology.
In its latest 2021-update, Ford decided to relaunch the Mach 1 with sizeable upgrades in specs. It comes with a beastly 480-hp 5-liter V8 engine equipped with a six-speed manual transmission system or a ten-speed auto transmission.
This limited-edition model also includes an advanced cooling system and an aerodynamic update. Mach 1 is the most expensive model of the Mustang series, priced at around $54,000. Hence, you should go with the Mustang GT coupe to get the best value for money.
4. Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is built in order to revive the rally sports car aesthetic back to fashion. It offers a fine set of driving dynamics and its turbocharged 271-hp flat-four engine is quite robust.
The WRX also brings along a modern and advanced infotainment system with an 11.6” touchscreen. It also comes with an all-wheel-drive system.
The WRX Premium offers the best value for money, priced at $32,600, and is the most popular amongst buyers of the WRX series. With a manual six-speed transmission system, it makes for an incredibly smooth driving experience as well.
Its most expensive top-end model, the WRX GT comes packed with a host of advanced technological specs and an automatic six-speed turbocharged engine, adaptive dampers, and 17”-18” wheels that have high-performance summer tires.
5. BMW M3
The BMW M3 does justice to its brand image by being a powerful and athletic sedan loaded with exquisite features. Perhaps the only drawback about this car is its disproportionately large front grille which has drawn some criticism because of how it looks. But that is as minor as a drawback gets.
Its smooth six-cylinder 473-hp engine makes driving extremely pleasurable. The M3 Competition model has a sportier edge, a chassis that is tailor-made for the tracks, and a powerful twin-turbo 503-hp straight-six engine. This model is an all-wheel-drive, unlike the regular M3 which is a rear-wheel drive.
According to experts, it is a bit disappointing that the M3 Competition doesn’t come with a manual transmission as it is an absolute treat in the regular M3 model.
Additionally, the M3 series of vehicles offers two different packages- the M Drive Professional with an enabled drift analyzer and lap-timer, and the M Driver which offers a greater top-speed and better performance driving class.
6. Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman attributes its mesmerizing driving experience to its brilliant suspension system and its mid-engine arrangement. It comes in either a four or a six-cylinder engine.
If someone is looking for a more aggressive driving experience, then they must go with the six-cylinder engine. The 718 Cayman is unsurprisingly very expensive thanks to the Porsche brand image. But it isn’t overpriced for nothing. It brings the absolute best specs and performance to compensate generously whoever is capable of buying it.
The most expensive model of the Cayman series, the Cayman GT4 RS, carries the most excellent engine, the 493-hp 4-liter flat-six inspired by the 911 GT3. It also has an advanced aerodynamic built and an improved suspension system. Its mid-range model, the Cayman GTS 4.0, is arguably the best buy if prospective customers want the most value out of this luxurious series of vehicles.
All the GTS models of the series come with an attractive set of high-performance equipment, adjustable Sport Seats Plus seats, a motion-adaptive sport-tuned suspension system, 20” black wheels, and the Sport Chrono package.
This package includes a brake-based torque-vectoring system, a limited slip-differential clock on the dashboard that gives the front end of the cars’ interiors an exclusive look!
7. Mini Cooper Countryman
The Mini Cooper Countryman carries forward the lineage of its predecessors by being compact, spacious, and quirky in appearance. It provides an exceptional amount of trunk and leg space making it a perfect family car.
The Countryman comes in three ascending engines that have a plug-in hybrid. While its driving experience is more like that of a station wagon, it is actually a subcompact crossover. The insides of the car have the characteristic Mini design and come with an array of modern technological facilities that one might look for in a car.
In its latest update, the Mini Cooper Countryman has draped on a new look on its front, which is quite fashionable. It also pays homage to its British lineage through its back LED lights which display a Union Jack theme.
A change in the design of the wheels has also been noticed. They now come in two attractive new shades of Sage Green and White Silver. The brand has also integrated certain changes in terms of technology. Its infotainment system is now compatible with Amazon Alexa voice assistant.
Its steering column, too, has been updated as a digital gauge cluster sits on top of it. The Cooper S model should be the most sight after model from the series. It comes equipped with a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine than the other models which have a three-cylinder powertrain.
The Cooper S also has rear parking sensors, a wide sunroof, 18” wheels, and a steady pair of front seats that give its frontal interiors a sports-car-like demeanor. It also has an 8.8” infotainment touchscreen, forward collision warning, seat heating facilities, passive entry, and an automatic dual-zone climate control system.
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8. Toyota 86
Developed alongside the Subaru BRZ, the Toyota GR86 has maintained the same rear-wheel-drive system as its first-generation predecessor. It has a six-speed manual transmission with a four-cylinder engine. The new engine offers a horsepower of 228-hp which is 23-hp higher than its preceding model and has a 2.4-liter engine.
The GR86 Premium model comes with an array of new developments like 18” wheels with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, a back-end spoiler, aluminum pedal covers, and leather seats. It sports a manual six-speed transmission system and offers the option of opting for an automatic one.
The latest update also comes with an improved suspension system which clubs with the vehicle’s silky powertrain to give an exceedingly smooth driving experience.
Its interiors are designed in the 2+2 seating arrangement, just like the Subaru BRZ, and offer ample leg space while accommodating four adults. Some changes have also been observed in the dashboard surrounding the vehicle’s infotainment system.
9. Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette comes with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine that offers 430 horsepower and comes with an option to increase it to 436-hp by installing an exhaust system.
Car lovers would also love the steering wheel, as it bestows them with an enhanced feel.The engine is strong enough to make the vehicle accelerate from 0mph to 60mph in a matter of 4 seconds. The vehicle also offers side airbags, seat heating facilities, a Bose stereo system, and a power-telescoping steering wheel.
It offers a supremely comfortable driving experience with an excellent automatic climate-control system and a light clutch that comes with a shifter that enables the car to shift into gear smoothly.
The Corvette’s interiors are as spacious as it gets and it also has a 22 cubic-foot trunk area. Summing it up, the Chevrolet Corvette’s new upgrade has brought a better steering experience, a more powerful engine, and significant interior improvements.
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Conclusion
A two-door coupe with a 2+2 seating arrangement is a big hit amongst customers who are looking for a premium sports car experience. The Subaru BRZ is well-known for bringing that experience to a consumer. But the market for such vehicles is extremely competitive and multiple models and series of cars exist that are equally good, if not better.
Hence, conducting thorough research on as many such vehicles as possible is recommended before one makes the final purchase decision. A comprehensive overview of a few such vehicles has been given in this article. And if you are a sports car enthusiast looking to buy one, this article is sure to help!
