Is a 2013 BRZ a sports car?
Yes. The 2013 Subaru BRZ is widely regarded as an entry-level sports coupe, designed for driving fun and engaging handling rather than luxury or high horsepower.
Defining features of the 2013 BRZ
Sports cars are typically characterized by rear-wheel drive, lightweight construction, and a driver-focused cockpit. The BRZ embodies these traits through a compact two-door chassis and a low center of gravity that emphasizes agility over luxury.
Core specifications
Below are the essential specs that define its performance and layout.
- Body style: 2-door coupe with 2+2 seating
- Engine: 2.0-liter flat-4 (boxer) FA20
- Power: about 200 horsepower (approximately 200 hp at 7,000 rpm)
- Torque: about 151 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optional
- Weight: roughly 2,800–2,900 pounds curb weight
- Performance: 0–60 mph in roughly 6.0–6.5 seconds; top speed around 140 mph
These characteristics combine to deliver precise handling and a responsive driving experience typical of a sports car.
How it fits in the market
In the sports-car landscape, the BRZ sits in the entry-level tier of enthusiast coupes. It shares its platform and philosophy with the Toyota 86 (GT86/FR-S in markets outside Japan), offering similar driving dynamics while prioritizing driver involvement over luxury features or extreme horsepower.
Market peers at a similar price point include:
- Mazda MX-5 Miata: typically lighter with a strong emphasis on agility; BRZ offers more torque and a more rigid feel at speed
- Toyota GT86 / FR-S (same vehicle, different markets): nearly identical performance and tuning
- Higher-end sports cars (comparison): more horsepower and features, but at a higher price and weight
In practice, the 2013 BRZ is widely considered a genuine sports car within its class, delivering a hands-on, driver-focused experience without luxury frills.
Summary
The 2013 Subaru BRZ fulfills the core criteria of a sports car: rear-wheel drive, a lightweight, well-balanced chassis, and a cockpit oriented toward driver engagement. It serves as an accessible entry point into the world of sports cars, offering a pure, enjoyable driving experience for enthusiasts who prioritize handling and steering feel over luxury features or raw horsepower.
What is a BRZ classified as?
With its iconic sports car layout — two-door, front engine, rear-wheel drive — and razor-sharp handling, the 2025 BRZ is a Subaru sports car that can make any drive feel thrilling.
Is the Subaru BRZ a sports car?
Yes, the Subaru BRZ is considered a sports car, specifically a compact, rear-wheel-drive sports car with a focus on performance, handling, and driving enjoyment. Key features that define it as a sports car include its two-door coupe design, powerful Boxer engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, and track-tuned suspension.
- Performance and Handling: The BRZ is powered by a 2.4-liter Boxer engine and is available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, providing a performance-oriented driving experience. Its design prioritizes agility and responsive handling through a lightweight, rigid chassis and a track-tuned suspension.
- Classic Sports Car Design: It adheres to the classic sports car formula with a two-door, rear-wheel-drive layout, featuring a low center of gravity and a sports-focused interior with motorsport-styled gauges.
- Modern Enhancements: While a pure sports car at heart, the BRZ includes modern features like standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, making it a convenient daily driver as well. It also offers features like a flexible rear seat for practicality.
Is the 2013 BRZ a good sports car?
Yes it is. The Subaru BRZ is the perfect car for a driver who wants performance, reliability, and good fuel economy (for a sports car). It features a boxer engine, front engine, rear wheel drive drivetrain, 2+2 seating and a fastback coupé body style.
What makes the 2013 BRZ unique?
A rear-wheel drive configuration allows placement of the engine lower and farther back in the BRZ than in any other Subaru model in order to attain the best possible center of gravity and polar moment of inertia. Compared to the all-new Subaru Impreza, for example, the BRZ's BOXER engine sits 9.5 inches farther back.
