Most affordable sports cars went automatic. The 2027 Subaru BRZ didn't get the memo

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Introduction

Ten years ago, a buyer shopping for a fun, rear-wheel drive sports car under $40,000 had some decent choices. Today, that list has shrunk, and the ones that remain have largely shifted to automatic transmissions as the standard treatment. In some cases, a manual may be offered, but only as an upgrade for enthusiasts willing to pay for it. The 2027 Subaru BRZ goes the other direction. The six-speed manual is standard. The automatic is the upgrade. Subaru has announced pricing on the 2027 BRZ, with the Limited starting at $36,140 and the performance-tuned tS starting at $38,770. Both arrive at Subaru retailers this fall, and both come standard with a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission paired with a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. In the current sports car market, the announcement of a manual transmission has become a big deal. BMW is sending off the sixth generation of the M3 with a limited-edition manual, the CS Handschalter, precisely because news of a manual M3 qualifies as a rare and noteworthy event. Meanwhile, Cadillac built a 685-horsepower manual transmission sedan in a run of just 26 units as a collector’s piece. In essence, the stick shift has become a statement and something you design a special edition around. Unless, of course, you are the Subaru BRZ, and a manual transmission is just part of everyday life.

Base Trim Engine

2.4L Boxer 4

Base Trim Transmission

6-speed manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

What you get with the 2027 BRZ Limited

Standard features that go beyond the basics

The Limited trim covers a lot of ground for its price, coming standard with 18-inch matte gray alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires. Other standard features include keyless access with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights and taillights, and Subaru’s eight-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Inside, black Ultrasuede upholstery is paired with red leather bolsters and contrast stitching, along with a seven-inch customizable digital instrument panel. Heated front seats are part of the All-Weather Package, a nice touch for cooler drives on a late fall afternoon.
Quiz8 Questions · Test Your KnowledgeSubaru BRZRead on and test your knowledgeFrom its Boxer engine to its legendary handling—how well do you know the Subaru BRZ?PerformanceHistoryDesignTechRivalsBeginIn what year did the first-generation Subaru BRZ go on sale to the public?A2010B2011C2012D2013Correct! The first-generation Subaru BRZ went on sale in 2012, debuting alongside its twin, the Toyota 86 (sold as the Scion FR-S in North America). It was a landmark moment for affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars.Not quite. The first-generation BRZ launched in 2012 as part of a co-development project between Subaru and Toyota. It revived the spirit of the classic AE86 for a new generation of driving enthusiasts.ContinueWhat type of engine layout does the Subaru BRZ use, which contributes to its low center of gravity?AInline-fourBV6CRotaryDHorizontally opposed flat-four (boxer)Correct! The BRZ uses Subaru’s signature horizontally opposed boxer engine, which sits low and far back in the chassis. This layout dramatically lowers the center of gravity, giving the BRZ its famously nimble and balanced handling.Not quite. The BRZ uses a horizontally opposed flat-four boxer engine — a Subaru hallmark. Because the cylinders lie flat rather than upright, the engine sits much lower in the car, which is a key reason the BRZ handles so sharply.ContinueWhat displacement is the second-generation BRZ’s engine, introduced for the 2022 model year?A1.6-literB2.0-literC2.4-literD3.0-literCorrect! The second-generation BRZ received a bigger 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine, producing around 228 horsepower. This was a significant upgrade over the first-gen’s 2.0-liter unit, answering enthusiasts who had long called for more power.Not quite. The second-generation BRZ, launched for 2022, stepped up to a 2.4-liter boxer engine making roughly 228 hp. Subaru listened to fan feedback and bumped the displacement to close the performance gap critics had pointed out for years.ContinueWhich Toyota model is considered the closest twin to the Subaru BRZ, sharing the same development platform?AToyota SupraBToyota MR2CToyota GR86DToyota CelicaCorrect! The Toyota GR86 (previously sold as the Scion FR-S and then Toyota 86) is the BRZ’s platform-sharing twin. Both cars were co-developed by Subaru and Toyota, sharing nearly identical chassis, engines, and dimensions while offering slightly different tuning.Not quite. The Toyota GR86 is the BRZ’s mechanical twin. Co-developed by Subaru and Toyota, the two cars share the same platform and boxer engine but are tuned slightly differently to give each brand its own character and feel.ContinueWhat does the acronym ‘BRZ’ stand for in the Subaru BRZ’s name?ABoxer Racing ZenithBBold Rear-drive ZealCBoxer engine, Rear-wheel drive, ZenithDBalanced Rear-drive ZoneCorrect! BRZ stands for Boxer engine, Rear-wheel drive, Zenith — representing the three core pillars of the car’s identity. It’s a deliberate nod to Subaru’s engineering philosophy and the car’s ambition to be the pinnacle of accessible sports car driving.Not quite. BRZ officially stands for Boxer engine, Rear-wheel drive, Zenith. Each letter highlights a defining characteristic of the car — Subaru’s signature engine layout, the driver-focused rear-wheel-drive platform, and the aspiration to reach the zenith of sports car fun.ContinueWhich company co-developed the BRZ platform alongside Subaru?AMazdaBHondaCNissanDToyotaCorrect! Toyota partnered with Subaru to co-develop the BRZ platform, with each company producing its own version of the car. This rare cross-brand collaboration brought together Toyota’s sports car heritage and Subaru’s expertise with the boxer engine.Not quite. Toyota co-developed the BRZ with Subaru, resulting in one of the most celebrated inter-brand partnerships in modern automotive history. Toyota contributed sports car DNA while Subaru brought its flat-four boxer engine expertise to the project.ContinueHow does the Subaru BRZ’s suspension setup primarily contribute to its sporty reputation?AIt uses an air suspension system for adjustable ride heightBIt features a MacPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear setup tuned for sharp handlingCIt uses a live rear axle for maximum tractionDIt features a full independent multilink setup borrowed from the Subaru WRX STICorrect! The BRZ uses MacPherson struts up front and a double-wishbone rear suspension, both tuned specifically for sharp, responsive handling rather than ride comfort. This setup gives the BRZ its celebrated ability to communicate feedback clearly to the driver.Not quite. The BRZ rides on MacPherson struts at the front and a double-wishbone setup at the rear. The entire suspension was tuned with driver engagement as the priority, contributing to the car’s reputation as one of the most communicative and fun-to-drive sports cars at its price point.ContinueWhat is a notable feature of the BRZ’s torsen limited-slip differential (available in some trims)?AIt locks both rear wheels completely under accelerationBIt automatically transfers torque to the wheel with more grip, improving cornering tractionCIt disconnects the rear axle at highway speeds to save fuelDIt is an electronically controlled unit borrowed from the Subaru OutbackCorrect! A Torsen (Torque Sensing) limited-slip differential automatically biases torque toward the wheel with more grip during cornering. This allows the BRZ to put power down more efficiently, reducing understeer and making the car feel far more planted when pushing hard through corners.Not quite. A Torsen LSD works by sensing torque differences between the rear wheels and redistributing power to the wheel with better grip. This mechanical system enhances the BRZ’s already impressive cornering ability without needing electronic intervention to function.See My ScoreChallenge CompleteYour Score/ 8Thanks for playing!Try Again

Power comes from Subaru’s 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder Boxer engine, producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque. The engine sends power to the rear wheels only, which differs from the majority of Subaru vehicles, which feature the brand’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive system. The dedicated rear-wheel drive platform, combined with the Torsen limited-slip differential, is one of many reasons why enthusiasts are continually drawn to the BRZ, or even Subaru as a brand. Subiefest, the annual Subaru fan festival that now spans multiple regions nationwide, regularly draws thousands of attendees. The BRZ is consistently one of the most-entered cars in its autocross events, in addition to being a featured vehicle at other industry auto shows.

What’s Included

Windshield Mount

Radar Band Detection

X, K, Ka

The Uniden R8 is a dual-antenna radar detector with directional arrows, known for its long-range detection and false alert filtering capabilities. Comes preloaded with red light and speed camera locations and supports firmware updates for ongoing performance enhancements.

The tS is where it gets interesting

STI tuning and Brembo brakes for the money

The tS adds STI-tuned Hitachi dampers to the BRZ’s already sharp chassis, along with a Brembo braking system featuring gold-painted four-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers and larger rotors. Visually, the tS carries its own identity. Crystal black silica mirror caps and a matching roof antenna set it apart from the Limited at a glance. Chrome and cherry-red tS badging appear on the grille and trunk lid, while the steering-responsive headlights project a red BRZ logo at startup. The 18-inch alloy wheels wear a dark gray metallic finish exclusive to the tS. New additions for 2027 include rear parking sensors, a practical feature given how low the BRZ sits and how difficult it can be to see from the driver’s seat at times.

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Safety tech on a sports car

EyeSight comes standard, even on the manual

Both the Limited and tS have the latest generation of Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist system, including a new wide-angle mono camera that expands the field of view. The EyeSight package for the BRZ includes features like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and lane sway warnings, blind spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adding modern safety tech to a sports car is not always a popular move among enthusiasts. But the BRZ keeps its Track Mode and TCS Off switch intact, so drivers who want to turn off the safety net for a track day still can. The EyeSight suite is there for the daily commute, not to get in the way when you are carving up a back road.
The BRZ’s place in a thinning field

The list of affordable, rear-wheel drive sports cars with a manual transmission is getting shorter these days.

The BRZ’s closest sibling, the Toyota GR86, shares the same platform and engine and also offers a manual. Mazda’s MX-5 Miata is another natural cross-shop here, and the two cars make very different cases for themselves. The Miata is lighter and likely costs less to maintain; the BRZ answers back with more power and a rear seat, albeit a tiny one. When the 2027 Subaru BRZ arrives at retailers this fall, the Limited will start at $36,140 with the six-speed manual and $36,990 with the automatic. The tS, which is manual only, starts at $38,770. Destination and delivery add $1,245 to all three. What the 2027 BRZ offers is harder to put a number on: a factory-built, rear-wheel drive sports car where the manual transmission is the default.

Conclusion

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Most affordable sports cars went automatic. The 2027 Subaru BRZ didn’t get the memo