2020 Subaru BRZ TS Coupe

The STI division by Subaru gets its hands on the BRZ again for the 2020 model. This is not a full-blown STI like the WRX, it sports the tS badging which stands for "tuned by STI". The only 2-door Coupe from Subaru gets even more exciting and sporty! 

With new front and rear bumpers and the spoiler at the rear, the BRZ tS looks much more aggressive. But the cosmetics aren't the only thing that STI has changed in the BRZ. It gets better suspensions, brakes, and tires for a better grip and handling dynamics.

 

The BRZ tS holds its ground in differentiating it from the standard trim with exterior and interior updates apart from the underlying mechanism. The quality of materials used in the interior has been bumped up as well. One thing, however, is most certain, this is not the standard BRZ in any way.

Trim	Subaru BRZ tS
MSRP	$31,495
Key Features	Sport-Tuned STI Suspension
	Torsen Limited-Slip Rear Differential
	Brembo Performance Brakes
	Heated Front Seat
	Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel and Shifter Knob
	StarLink Multimedia and Navigation System
	Configurable 4.2-inch Driver-side TFT Display

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With just 300 units making it to the US, the buying decision will have to before they are sold out. With a single trim option with various features as standard, the BRZ tS is a good buy for the kind of handling dynamics it has to offer. An extra amount of $900 has to be paid for delivery.

The 2020 BRZ tS houses the flat-four or the Boxer engine which is developed along with Toyota and it powers it's extended cousin the Toyota 86 as well. The 2.0L Boxer is capable of producing 205 horses with 156lb-ft of torque which is the same as the standard Coupe. 

STI has not meddled with the engine which is why it is not considered a full-blown STI machine. Like the standard, the tS version does not get any turbochargers to enhance performance. This is the reason why this naturally aspirated Boxer engine in the BRZ ts is responsive and has a grunt to it.

The choice for the availability of only a manual transmission did seem to be in favor of all enthusiasts. The engaging drive experience keeps the driver occupied. The clutch is smooth to operate and the gear shifts leave an enthralling impression.

Models	Subaru BRZ tS	Toyota 86 GT	Nissan 370Z Sport	Chevrolet Camaro 3LT
MSRP	$31,495	$30,115	$33,820	$32,495
Engine	2.0L Boxer-4	2.0L Boxer-4	3.7L V6	3.6L V6
Transmission	6-Speed Close-Ratio Manual	6-Speed Close-Ratio Manual	6-Speed Manual	6-Speed Manual
Drive	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
Power output(hp)	205	205	332	335
Torque(lb-ft)	156	156	270	284

Both Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are essentially the same car with different badges. The engine on both these cars produce similar power figures and offer similar performance, its the other mechanical aspects that affect the drive and feel of the car.

The Camaro with its massive V6 overpowers all its competition. The Nissan houses a V6 as well and makes the second-highest power figures on the charts. All these cars come with a rear-wheel drive train where the engine is front mounted.

Acceleration

The power on the BRZ tS remains similar to its standard variant, this is not a car that would impress on drag strips. It takes a lethargic 6 seconds to get to the 60MPH mark. It is one of those sports car which handles well and is a purist in terms of drive.

The acceleration is linear with no abrupt power surges as this is a naturally aspirated engine. A lot was expected from Subaru in terms of making the BRZ faster and better, they did listen to the voices and made the BRZ better with help from STI, just better.

Model	Subaru BRZ tS	Toyota 86 GT	Nissan 370Z Sport	Chevrolet Camaro 3LT
0-60 mph	6.2 sec	6.4 sec	5.0 sec	5.1 sec
Quarter mile	14.5 sec	14.8 sec	13.1 sec	13.7 sec
Engine	2.0L Boxer-4	2.0L Boxer-4	3.7L V6	3.6L V6
Emissions(Tons/yr of CO2 at 15k mi/yr)	6.2	6.2	8.9	7.8

Nissan takes this round with its naturally aspirated V6 pushing the car past speeds of 60MPH in just 5.0 seconds with the Camaro just one-tenth of a second behind.

The twins take the same time to make it to the 0-60 and quarter-mile mark all in the rearview of the Nissan and the Camaro. These cars handle well, that's about all there is to them.

Braking

With bigger Brembo performance brakes, the Subaru BRZ tS has enhanced its braking over the Limited trim. Although the car’s heavier body takes away a portion of the advantage, it is still capable of going up against most sports coupes out there.

It sports four-piston calipers up front and dual-piston calipers in the rear discs, the 2020 Subaru BRZ tS comes to a complete stop from 60 mph in 103 feet. The brakes are responsive and invigorate confidence, they give the complete control of the car irrespective of the road conditions.

Model	Subaru BRZ tS	Toyota 86 GT	Nissan 370Z Sport	Chevrolet Camaro 3LT
Front Brakes(in.)	12.8	11.6	12.6	12.6
Rear Brakes(in.)	12.4	11.4	12.1	12.4
Curb Weight(lbs)	2833	2776	3386	3448
60-0 mph(ft.)	103	104	111	103

The two cars with Brembo performance brakes steal the show and give us an idea of how capable these brakes are. The Camaro and the BRZ halt completely at the same distance with the 86 right behind. The 370Z takes the longest time to get to complete stop.

Ride and Handling

Handling is one of the strongest suits of the Subaru BRZ. It is not only enjoyable for hardcore drift fans but also provides a gateway for budding enthusiasts to handle much more powerful sports cars. The steering has a ratio of 13.1:1, which means the car switches directions with a slight flick at command. The driver never feels out of control and the car goes exactly where you want it to.

As for the ride, it is understandably harsh. More so in the tS that has STI suspension with Sachs performance dampers in the suspension. You can’t enjoy this car unless you have good tarmac. The cabin is filled with wind and road noise most of the time. Sadly, there is not even active noise cancellation with the sound system that can help quiet things down. While it may not bother the performance purists, casual drivers may not appreciate the constant groan during drive time.

The 2.0L engine and low power ratio makes the BRZ tS a rather frugal sports car. It returns a decent 27miles to a gallon on highways and a combined MPG of 23. This paired to the 13.2-gallon tank capacity gives the BRZ a good range. Everyday driving should not be a problem with this Coupe.

Model	Subaru BRZ tS	Toyota 86 GT	Nissan 370Z Sport	Chevrolet Camaro 3LT
MPG(City)	20	21	17	16
MPG(Highway)	27	28	26	27
MPG(Combined)	23	24	20	20
Fuel Tank Capacity(ga.)	13.2	13.2	19.0	19.0

The Toyota returns a little better MPG numbers owing to its lighter frame and curb weight. The Nissan and Chevrolet are almost similar in their fuel efficiency figures as well and return a better range owing to their bigger fuel tanks.

The BRZ tS gets certain updates in the interiors as well. The front seats are clad in Alcantara and leather with the tS branding. The seats are 6-ways adjustable for the driver and 4-way for the passenger. The seats have the red and black theme which is extended in the cabin as well. The front seats are heated for extra comfort.

The dashboard gets red stitching as well which adds some sporty zest in the interiors. The steering wheel gets the red bottoms and red stitching in the inside lines of the wheel. The door sills have the STI branding and they are visible when the doors are opened.

The rear seats too have Alcantara covers but these seats are rendered useless due to the lack of legroom available. They, however, have latch slots for toddlers, but it is a hell of a task to get them in. The best use of the rear seats would be as storage compartments or folding hem down to increase cargo storage.

Model	Subaru BRZ tS	Toyota 86 GT	Nissan 370Z Sport	Chevrolet Camaro 3LT
Passenger Capacity	4	4	2	4
Front(Head/Shoulder/ Leg)(in.)	37.1/54.5/41.9	37.1/54.5/41.9	38.2/54.4/42.9	38.5/55.0/43.9
Rear(Head /Shoulder/Leg)(in.)	35.0/51.7/29.9	35.0/51.7/29.9	-	35.6/50.3/29.9

The 370Z is the only sensible coupe here that does not have the unnecessary rear seats. Not only do they increase the weight but they also frustrate the owners as the seats are rendered useless. The Camaro is the most space in the cabin followed by the Nissan.

The BRZ and the 86, the twins have the same interior space available. All the 3 cars with the rear seats have similar space available, rendering the rear seats unusable.

Infotainment

The infotainment on the Subaru BRZ tS is managed by a 7-inch central touchscreen on the console that runs a StarLink system. It is easy to operate though not as swift as other contemporary systems you may find on Chevys or Hondas. For more convenience, you can utilize smartphone integration through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, while the StarLink navigation system provides an excellent backup when you are out of cell range. Some other infotainment features include:

• AM/FM Radio
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 4 months complimentary subscription
• 196-Watt 8-Speaker Sound System
• 4.2-inch Driver-Side TFT Digital Display
• 2 USB Ports
• AUX Cable Input
• Bluetooth Connectivity

Cargo Capacity

The car does not have sufficient room to store more than 1 large suitcase and 1 duffle bag. The small wheelbase can be attributed as the cause for the same. However, the rear seats can be used for storage to get some utility out of the space. The BRZ tS is meant to be driven for the sheer driving experience and not the utility it provides.

Model	Subaru BRZ tS	Toyota 86 GT	Nissan 370Z Sport	Chevrolet Camaro 3LT
Storage Volume(ft.3)	6.9	6.9	6.9	9.1

All Sport Coupes have one thing in common, they are not meant for utility. The Camaro here provides the best cargo storage followed by the BRZ, the 86 and 370Z having the same storage volume available. 

The BRZ is unquestionably a compact sports car. The length is mostly utilized by its rather long hood which does give the car a feel of a long car. This makes up for short drive shaft which makes the power delivery that much quicker. It sits rather low and comfortable giving that much more. The BRZ is narrow enough giving the driver the confidence to park it in rather narrow spaces, making the city drives more convenient.

The Toyota 86 and Scion FR-S are all basically the same car sans the branding that each one sports. The dimensions of these cars and the engine, everything is basically the same. The design of these coupes is much appreciated by enthusiasts all around the world, however, the lackluster power remains the major complaint. The BRZ tS gets red accents on the front and rear bumper with a fresh design for both and the tS badge.

The sides have rather elegant curves that merge well with the rear wheels. The 18-inch wheels with the matte bronze color and STI badging give it a stylish form. These wheels are coated with Michelin 215/40 R18 85Y summer high-performance tires that support the drive and the wider stance aids the handling as well.

The rear gets the dual taillights and the subtle and small spoiler to give the coupe some more sporty charisma. The rear diffuser houses the dual exhaust setup which looks and sounds compelling. 

Model	Subaru BRZ tS	Toyota 86 GT	Nissan 370Z Sport	Chevrolet Camaro 3LT
Curb Weight(lbs.)	2833	2776	3386	3448
Length(in.)	166.7	166.7	167.5	188.3
Width(in.)	69.9	69.9	72.6	74.7
Height(in.)	52.0	52.0	51.8	53.1
Ground Clearance(in.)	4.9	4.9	4.8	3.5
Wheelbase(in.)	101.2	101.2	100.4	110.7
Track Width(in.) F/R	59.8/60.6	59.8/60.6	61.0/62.8	62.5/63.7

The Camaro is an American Muscle and it proves the same with its large dimensions that overshadow the others on this list. The 370Z comes in second here in terms of dimensions followed by the twins. It is noteworthy that the Toyota is almost 100 pounds lighter than the Subaru.

Exterior Features

• LED Headlights
• Crystal-Black Silica Finish Side Mirrors
• Heated Side Mirrors
• Two-speed windshield wipers with variable-intermittent mode and mist feature
• 18-inch wheels with 7.5-inch STI aluminum-alloy finish

The Subaru BRZ scored received a perfect score with the IIHS, receiving the highest rating of ‘Good’ overall. The NHTSA has partially tested the BRZ, giving it 4 stars for Rollover and Front crash tests.

As far as collision prevention is concerned, it is purely up to the driver to keep the BRZ out of dangerous situations. The car does help the driver with a few assists such as electronic stability control and ABS. However, it is the nimbleness of the BRZ that is its last line of defense in avoiding an accident.

Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control(ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact beams
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Airbags
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Dual-Stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st and 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts with Pretensioners
• Rear-View Camera

Subaru BRZ tS vs Toyota 86 GT

Both these cars are essentially the same which is why we refer to them as twins. However, Toyota 86 does get an edge over the BRZ owing to its lighter weight making it much more capable of attacking corners.

The Subaru is much better to drive and has a better engine response and performance. Apart from this, the BRZ has the capability for smartphone connectivity which is not available in the Toyota. The 86 is much more pocket-friendly but misses out on the performance when compared to the BRZ which is why the BRZ is a better overall pick.

Subaru BRZ tS vs Nissan 370Z Sport

The 370Z has been around for a while now, which is why it has a bigger fan base. It justifies its price tag with the performance it offers. The interiors are a different story. Nissan also has a bigger engine which can be further tuned for better performance. 

The only positive in the BRZ is the infotainment system that features smartphone connectivity. Apart from this, Nissan has a better range and performance making it the better pick out of the two.

Subaru BRZ tS vs Chevrolet Camaro

The 3.7L V6 and the length and muscular outlook give the Camaro an immediate advantage over the BRZ. The power and pure performance aspects of the Camaro are enthralling.  

The Camaro has a better infotainment system and creature comforts making it more appealing to the masses. The Chevy also offers a better range and more space for utility. This for us makes the Camaro a better pick in this head to head comparison.

The BRZ tS is one of those limited cars that have been made. It gives the owner the exclusivity and a better performing coupe compared to the standard and the limited variant currently available in the market. It is what the enthusiasts have been waiting for sans the sub-par engine performance.

It handles and drives better than the standard BRZ giving it an edge in terms of drive experience. It is one of those coupes that can go up to their redline limits and still be controllable, a purist if you may. One of the best cars for budding enthusiasts to get their hands on to get used to the high paced sports car world.

 

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