2019 Subaru BRZ — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sports

2019 Subaru BRZ

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $26,150–$30,937
Fuel Economy 23 MPG
Seating 4 passengers
Category Sports
Est. Annual Fuel $2,283/yr
The 2019 Subaru BRZ scores 7.8/10 at Carivo, ranking #121 of 316 sportss, with 1 NHTSA recall on record and an estimated $2,283/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2019 Subaru BRZ

Engine2.0L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG24 / 33 MPG
Combined MPG27 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$2,750
CO₂ Emissions322 g/mi
Seating Capacity4 passengers
Body StyleSports
Base Price$26,150–$30,937

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2019 Subaru BRZ

Our scoring places the 2019 Subaru BRZ at 7.8/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sports. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.3/10, while Technology at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 8.1/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.3/10. The Subaru BRZ delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $26,150–$30,937, 23 MPG, seating 4, the Subaru BRZ sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.2/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Our take: The 2019 Subaru BRZ is a solid, well-rounded sports that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is technology — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sportss

The 2019 Subaru BRZ ranks #121 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 62% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $26,150 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 43%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2019 Subaru BRZ

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$11,415 ($2,283/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which BRZ Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2016 Subaru BRZ scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.8 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 8.1/10$31,687 Read review →
2025 8.1/10$31,687 Read review →
2024 8.1/10$30,765 Read review →
2023 8.0/10$29,842 Read review →
2022 7.9/10$28,919 Read review →
2021 7.9/10$27,996 Read review →
2020 7.9/10$27,073 Read review →
2019 (this review) 7.8/10$26,150
2018 7.7/10$25,227 Read review →
2017 7.7/10$24,304 Read review →
2016 7.6/10$23,381 Read review →
2015 7.5/10$22,458 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2019 Subaru BRZ

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Competent performance that satisfies most everyday driving demands

✗ Where it falls short

  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Brand resale values vary — check current market data before committing

NHTSA Recalls — 2019 Subaru BRZ (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump
29/07/2021 · 21V587000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2019 Subaru BRZ that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2019 Subaru BRZ

Is the 2019 Subaru BRZ reliable?

We rate the 2019 Subaru BRZ's reliability 8.1/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru BRZ have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2019 Subaru BRZ worth buying?

It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #121 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 62% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2019 Subaru BRZ cost?

The 2019 Subaru BRZ starts at $26,150 and ranges up to $30,937 across trims (MSRP when new). At 23 MPG, expect roughly $2,283/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which BRZ years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest BRZ years we've rated are 2015 (7.5/10), 2016 (7.6/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.1/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2019 Subaru BRZ have?

The documented issues for the 2019 Subaru BRZ are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Fuel system, gasoline (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Subaru BRZ

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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