Subaru BRZ Earns Spot On Car And Driver 2026 Editors’ Choice List

The Subaru lineup largely consists of practical models that carry people and cargo in a reliable, all-weather-safe, no-nonsense, cost-effective manner. And then there is the BRZ. It remains reliable and well-equipped with safety features, but as a pure light sports car, it isn’t aimed at practicality. It trades the all-weather practicality of Subaru’s almost universal all-wheel drive for the fun and feel of a front-engine, rear-drive layout. Plus, it is well regarded among automotive enthusiasts. Ewing Subaru of Plano is proud to tell you that the BRZ has earned a spot on the Car and Driver Editor’s Choice list for the third consecutive year.

Car and Driver’s expert reviewers evaluate, rate, and rank more than 450 vehicles across 47 categories to select the Editors’ Choice winners. A vehicle must earn at least 9 out of 10 stars to be considered for the award.

“The Editors’ Choice awards are designed to help overwhelmed car shoppers by giving them a list of the best cars on the market,” said Tony Quiroga, Editor-in-Chief of Car and Driver. “Every vehicle that earns an Editors’ Choice award should be a candidate for consideration.”

The BRZ is a small 2+2 coupe with a front-engine, rear-drive layout, designed with driving fun as its number one priority. This means trading top speed for agility and a feeling of oneness between the car and the driver.

Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine producing 228 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 184 lb-ft at 3,700 rpm. Power is managed by a fully synchronized 6-speed manual transmission, with a 6-speed automatic available on the base Limited trim. From the transmission, power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels.

This gives the driver a strong sense of what the car is doing. With the front wheels dedicated to steering and the rear wheels handling propulsion, the driver has direct control of the vehicle’s dynamics. Keeping the vehicle sure-footed are a standard TORSEN® limited-slip rear differential, sticky Michelin® Pilot® Sport 4 summer tires, sharp, linear throttle response, and electronic power steering tuned to provide driver feedback.

Of course, just because it’s built for fun doesn’t mean safety isn’t on board. EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology is standard on all models, including those with a manual transmission. The system and other safety features include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Pre-Collision Braking
• Lane Departure and Sway Warning
• Lead Vehicle Start Alert
• Blind-Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

“The Subaru BRZ delivers performance, balance, and superb driving dynamics at an affordable price we’re proud of,” said Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer of Subaru of America, Inc. “It’s an honor to be recognized for the third year in a row by the experts at Car and Driver.”

In their description on the list, they describe the BRZ as “A blast on twisty roads, more practical than a Miata, still reasonably priced.” They give this as their overall verdict: “The Subaru BRZ’s thrills-to-dollar ratio is one of the highest of any new car and one that keeps the fun, affordable sports car alive.”

Whether it is to liven up your daily commute or become your weekend indulgence, the BRZ is ready to make you fall in love with the art of driving. Visit Ewing Subaru of Plano for a very enjoyable test drive.