2020 Subaru BRZ

 Subaru has made this pretty easier as the Limited trim has a good standard equipment list. If you are fuel-conscious, go for the $1,100 automatic transmission. If you are a sports car enthusiast who wants to take the BRZ for a drag race, upgrade to the Performance package. 

Navigation is also standard in the BRZ, unlike its twin, the Toyota 86- Edmunds

With the discontinuation of Premium trim, just one trim is offered for the Subaru BRZ which is the Limited trim. It has a price tag of $28,845, excluding a $995 destination charge. Just one engine is available and RWD configuration is standard. Subaru offers all the necessary items on this trim level, though tech upgrades are not available. It also offers four different packages for the BRZ. 

The $1,195 Performance package adds Brembo brakes, performance shock absorbers, 17-inch alloy wheels. The Popular Package #1 includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror, alloy wheel locks, red footwell lights, and a rear bumper applique for $866. The Popular Package #2 includes the same items except it adds blue footwell lights instead of the red ones. 

The 2020 Subaru BRZ is only average in terms of efficiency but fares better with an automatic transmission- The Car Connection

The Subaru BRZ is quite a frugal drinker. it sips a gallon every 21 miles in the city, 28 miles on a highway, and 24 miles combined. Fuel-conscious people, opt for the automatic transmission as it returns 24 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on a highway, and 27 MPG combined. These MPG figures stand out in its segment. 

Unlike its rivals, the BRZ gets a small fuel tank that measures 13.2 gallons in size. When in full capacity, it delivers 317 miles in mixed proportions. The automatic version increases the range to 356 miles but still, it's less than the competition. Therefore, you may visit gas stations frequently but thanks to great efficiency, fuel costs are lower. 

The BRZ is the most efficient sports car here. Considering the power levels of the Ford Mustang, its fuel efficiency isn't bad either. The Chevy Camaro is the least efficient car but its large fuel tank contributes to the best driving range in this competition. The Dodge CHallenger's fuel estimates are similar to the Camaro and it is a bit more efficient too. 

The interior design trends spartan; this is a car focused on driving, and its interior reflects that- Cars.com

The Subaru BRZ is a proper two-door coupe. The cabin has a simple and clean look. Hard-touch plastics abound the interior but door panels and dashboard are covered with soft-touch materials. Like other sports cars, though it is marketed as a four-seater coupe, only two adults can be seated in comfort in the front row. The seats are treated with leather while the contrast stitching and Alcantara inserts make them look premium. 

The front seats are quite comfortable and accommodating. They are manually adjustable but they come standard with heated functionality. The three-spoke steering wheel looks bland but adds a pair of paddle shifters for a true sports car feel. Head and legroom are abundant in the front row. The rear seats are only there for show, and not even children would properly fit in there

On the infotainment front, you get a 7-inch touchscreen display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system has a straightforward interface but seems to be outdated compared to its rivals. The hard buttons below the screen are of good quality and are within easy reach of the driver. The system is paired with an 8-speaker sound system to keep your drives entertained. 

Coming to cargo capacity, only 6.9 cu-ft. of space is offered in the BRZ. Trunk space is barely enough for a week's worth of groceries. Thankfully, the rear seats can be folded down to accommodate much more luggage or even four full-sized spares for your track day antics. There are smartly placed cubby holes in the center console and on the inside door panels. Some other cabin features are :

• Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel
• Manually adjustable front heated seats
• Leather seats with contrast stitching & Alcantara inserts
• Push-button start
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors
• 7-inch touchscreen w/ Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• 8-speaker sound system
• Satellite radio
• Navigation system

The profile is classic coupe — long hood with a short cabin dipping down to a curtailed rear end- Kelly Blue Book

In terms of design, the little Subaru BRZ offers a brilliant package. It is a handsome little car and could be easily mistaken for a much faster car by the uninitiated. The aerodynamic styling is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally relevant. The sharp coupe line adds character to the side profile, as do the 17-inch alloy wheels. The simple yet elegant tail section completes the look.

For immense gains in maneuverability and nimbleness, the BRZ holds under just under 1.4 tons of metal and plastic together in a compact package. With length under 170 inches and width under 70 inches, you could drive this car on the sidewalk if you wanted to, not that it's recommended, ever. The 101-inch wheelbase is tiny, and with the slide happy tail, you could pull out stunts worthy of Hollywood features.

The Dodge Challenger hauls the most metal and consequently is the heaviest and the largest in here. The Chevy Camaro holds a comfortable middle ground here, being neither tiny nor enormous. The Ford Mustang's high ground clearance is good enough to prevent the underbelly from being scraped. Some other exterior bits of the BRZ are:

• LED headlights
• LED DRLs
• LED taillights
• Exterior entry lights
• LED fog lamps
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Black grille
• Dual exhaust tips
• Rear wing spoiler
• 17-inch alloy wheels

The safety levels on the BRZ are a contentious topic- Carbuzz

The Subaru BRZ scored well in the crash tests conducted by NHTSA  and IIHS. It received a 4-star overall rating by NHTSA. On the flip side, IIHS gave a 'Good' rating in four crash tests and an 'Acceptable' rating for the river's side crash test. Categories such as front crash prevention and headlights were not rated by IIHS. 

As far as safety features are concerned, the BRZ is a sports car and hence, no advanced driver aids are available. The only driver-assist feature available is a rearview camera which is standard. However, it does comes with six airbags for preventing serious injuries in the event of an accident. 

2020 Subaru BRZ vs 2020 Ford Mustang 

Cheaper than the BRZ, the Ford Mustang is more powerful and delivers agile acceleration. The fuel economy is similar to the BRZ. Inside, both the cars are equally spacious but the Mustang's infotainment system is user-friendly and intuitive. It is also more practical than the BRZ. You also get access to more safety techs in the Mustang. 

2020 Subaru BRZ vs 2020 Dodge Challenger

The Dodge Challenger houses a V6 that makes 100 hp more than the BRZ. However, due to its bulky size, it is slow in the corners. The V6 is a fuel sipper whereas the BRZ is the most efficient car here. The Challenger is a 5-seater car and is the most spacious inside. Its cargo capacity is also the best in the class. Safety-wise, the Challenger offers few driver-assist features. 

2020 Subaru BRZ vs 2020 Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevy Camaro is the most affordable car in this competition. It delivers quick acceleration owing to its powerful engine but it isn't fuel-efficient as the BRZ. The Camaro's cabin is spacious and packs an easy-to-use infotainment system. It offers more tech features than the BRZ. Its trunk volume is slightly more as well. Also, more active safety techs are offered in the Camaro. 

With the 2020 Subaru BRZ, they let go of the practicality by a fair amount and dialed up the fun to 11. The BRZ is one of the purest cars you will ever drive, and even if you don't already own one, you should at least drive one. The biggest pea under the mattress is the tiny engine. If you aren't a young enthusiastic driver, you'll outgrow the car pretty soon. You could go for aftermarket upgrades, but those void the warranty, and aren't really foolproof. A stock car will last longer, but your interest in it might not.