2014 Subaru BRZ

The trim range of the 2014 Subaru BRZ is small as it only comprises two trims. The base Premium trim and upper Limited trim share the same engine and come with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, but on Limited trim with an extra $1,000, 6-speed automatic transmission is also available. RWD is standard on the 2014 BRZ. The base trim has features such as cloth seats, manual tilt and telescopic steering column, manual climate control, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, LED taillights, 6.1-inch touchscreen with a navigation system, engine immobilizer, auto-on/off headlights, brake assist, and cruise control. 

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It is better to go with the Limited trim in which you have the option to choose from the manual and automatic transmission. The majority of the features are the same in both trims, but the level of comfort is more in the Limited trim due to dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and Alcantara and leather-trimmed upholstery.

The 2014 Subaru BRZ has only one engine option available. A 2.0 liter naturally aspirated flat-4 engine, which is engaged to a 6-speed manual transmission, but on the Limited trim, you can get an optional 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine churns out 200 HP and 150 lb-ft of torque. The power gets transferred to the rear wheels, just like any other car in the competition.

With the above arrangement, the 2014 BRZ can sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds. However, it is not enough to make it the fastest coupe in the segment. The BRZ offers exceptional control and great feedback while driving, but it is not made for those who want to set tires on fire and do all sorts of tricks. The suspension is on the softer side, while BRZ’s rival and twin, the FR-S, has a stiffer suspension.

The most powerful engine belongs to the Mustang, therefore it is obvious that not only it has the highest power figures but it is also sitting on top as the fastest coupe. Following the Mustang’s lead is Hyundai Genesis which finishes the 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds. That said, the Scion FR-S is 0.2 seconds faster than the BRZ despite sharing the same engine output. 

According to the EPA evaluation, the BRZ with the 2.0L mill and manual transmission returns a fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. These figures get increased by 3/4/3 mpg in city/highway/combined if the automatic transmission is selected. The fuel tank offered on the BRZ is the smallest one, which translates into poor range despite having better mpg as compared to rivals like Mustang and Genesis.

Since FR-S and BRZ share the same engine, their fuel economy figures are also the same, making both the most fuel-efficient coupe. Next comes Mustang, which returns 19/29/22 mpg in city/highway/combined, while Genesis has 2/2/1 mpg less in the city/highway/combined as compared to the Mustang. Nonetheless, the biggest fuel tank in the bunch belongs to Genesis.

The interior design of the BRZ is simple yet elegant at the same time. It is the habit of manufacturers to just fill the cabin with hard plastic, but Subaru has taken a different approach. There is soft-touch plastic all around the cabin. The steering wheel and gear shifter are covered in leather, and seats are covered in the standard cloth upholstery which can be upgraded to Alcantara and leather-trimmed upholstery. The dashboard is sleek, and the infotainment screen is rightly placed. Additionally, pedals have aluminum-alloy covers.

The front row has performance-design seats with height-adjustable head restraints. The driver seat has a 6-way manual adjustment, while the passenger seat has only 4-way adjustability. The second row has flat-folding rear seats. Keyless ignition is standard on the Limited trim but not available for the Premium trim. Other standard cabin features on base trim include front row power windows, manual tilt/telescoping steering column, 12-V outlets, and manual climate control. Dual-zone climate control and heated seats are given on the Limited trim.

The 2014 Hyundai Genesis has the lead in terms of passenger volume. Next in line is the Mustang which is behind with a passenger volume difference of 7.8 cu-ft. However, the Mustang has the least legroom in the competition, but on the bright side, it has the biggest trunk as compared to other rivals. Both BRZ and FR-S share the same interior dimensions and space as well, and they have the least cargo space in the segment. Major interior features include:

• Cloth seats
• Manual tilt and telescopic steering column
• Heated seats
• Manual climate control
• 3-spoke Leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching
• Keyless Access & ignition

How intuitive is the 2014 Subaru BRZ’s infotainment unit?

STARLINK system with Aha connected service is standard. The 2014 BRZ comes with a 6.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with a navigation system. An 8-speaker sound system is given for you to enjoy blasting your favorite playlist. Some other infotainment features include a single USB port, Bluetooth, HD radio, and SiriusXM. Highlights of the infotainment system include:

• 6.1-inch touchscreen
• 8-speaker sound system
• Navigation system
• HD radio
• SiriusXM satellite radio

Developed alongside Toyota, the exterior design of the 2014 Subaru BRZ really makes a car enthusiast’s heart flutter. From sleek design on the sides to sweeping look at the front and sporty design features on the backside to smooth curvy roof at the top, BRZ’s appearance looks more luxurious and sporty despite the cost. At the front, high-intensity discharge lights are given, whereas on the backside, LED taillights are present.

Fog lights and trunk spoiler are dealer-installed features but come standard on the Limited trim. The rear bumper has an integrated diffuser, and the color-keyed power side mirrors are standard on both trims. However, the heating function is added to the side mirrors on the upper trim. Dark gray with machine finish, 17-inch multispoke aluminum alloy wheels help BRZ run.

From the above table, we can infer that Mustang is the biggest coupe in the segment, and Genesis is following its lead, which has the biggest wheelbase of the bunch. The BRZ and FR-S are identical twins as they share the same exterior dimensions. The ground clearance of every car in the competition is in a similar ballpark. Major exterior features are:

• Multi-spoke 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
• LED taillights
• HID headlights
• Fog lights
• Dual stainless-steel exhaust tips

In the safety department, the 2014 BRZ sure lacks the advanced safety features and driving assistance functions, but despite this fact, it has managed to secure an overall 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and majorly ‘Good’ ratings in crashworthiness tests conducted by the IIHS. That said, IIHS crowned the 2014 BRZ with the ‘Top Safety Pick’ title. Some noticeable standard safety features are given below:

• Electronic cruise control
• Brake assist
• Tire pressure monitoring
• Brake Override System 
• Traction and vehicle stability control

The 2014 Subaru BRZ coupe is an excellent car with good fuel economy, but in other areas, it really takes a beating from the Hyundai Genesis and Ford Mustang which not only have better performance but also provide a more spacious interior and cargo space. Therefore, after evaluating everything, the 2014 Ford Mustang will be your best alternative against the Subaru BRZ.