carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.4L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 21 / 30 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,250 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 362 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $29,842–$38,652 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2023 Subaru BRZ is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 8.0/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.6/10, while Technology at 7.1/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.4/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.6/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $29,842–$38,652, 27 MPG, seating 4, the Subaru BRZ sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. Its value score of 8.4/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2023 Subaru BRZ will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sports should — quietly and competently.
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 →
The 2023 Subaru BRZ ranks #68 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 79% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $29,842 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 35%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Subaru BRZ scores 7.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 8.0 — 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.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 (this review) | 8.0/10 | $29,842 | |
| 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 | 7.8/10 | $26,150 | Read review → |
| 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 → |
Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.