2026 Subaru BRZ
Independent review & score by Carivo
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 | $3,000 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 362 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $31,687–$40,337 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2026 Subaru BRZ is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 8.1/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.6/10, while Technology at 7.2/10 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 7.7/10 — 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 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $31,687–$40,337, 25 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. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2026 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 2026 Subaru BRZ ranks #41 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 87% of the segment. Its 8.1/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $31,687 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 31%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$10,500 ($2,100/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Varies 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.
Across the BRZ model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 8.1/10 | $31,687 | |
| 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 | 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 → |
We rate the 2026 Subaru BRZ's reliability 8.4/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 8.1/10 overall, ranking #41 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 87% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2026 Subaru BRZ starts at $31,687 and ranges up to $40,337 across trims (MSRP when new). At 25 MPG, expect roughly $2,100/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
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.
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Explore the full lineup of Subaru models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.