2015 Subaru BRZ Series Blue
2015 Subaru BRZ Series Blue Review
Blue Is the Funnest Color.
Web2Carz Contributing Writer
Published: November 17th, 2014
The Subaru BRZ deals mostly in fun. Like its fraternal twin, the Scion FRS, the BRZ is for driving, as in actually driving, with two feet and two hands and eyes always on the road. Unlike the FRS, the BRZ is a bit more refined in appearance, but just as much fun behind the wheel.
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Exterior
The BRZ may be the FRS's more polite relation, but that doesn't mean that it looks like a typical Subaru. The BRZ is plenty tough-looking, and the limited edition Series Blue edition enhances that don't-mess-with-me character with the addition of spoilers all around, beefier wheels, and red STI brake calipers.
These upgrades give the BRZ a touch of that over-the-topness that it stops just short of having in its usual trim, but remains less goofily aggressive than the FRS. And that's a good thing, because speed is not the BRZ's main appeal.
The Series Blue BRZ is available in two colors, surprisingly: blue and white. As classic as the Blue Pearl finish is, we actually preferred the White Pearl our tester came in. The pearlescent flakes give it the depth and richness that are otherwise missing from white cars.
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Interior
The already spartan interior of the BRZ doesn't get much less plain, but it does get a few nice sporty touches, like the blue-trimmed sport seats and the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The carbon-fiber-patterned dashboard is a little on the cheesy side, as well as a lot on the cheap-looking side, but it's a comfortable interior that does what it is supposed to do: it keeps your attention on driving. Because that's what you came for.
There Series Blue includes a nav/infotainment screen, but it seems a bit like an afterthought, which, let's be honest, it is. Those things are for commuters. This, let's not forget, is a car for drivers.
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On the Road
The BRZ, like many cars, attempts to strike a balance. In this case it's the between practicality and what, for the purposes of this review, we'll call "smackticallity." The BRZ wants to be both the car you take your loved ones for a ride to the ice cream parlor in, as well as the car you take out and smack the shinola out of.
It's a car that wants to peel out from the grocery store parking lot and lay patches in front of the suburban DMV. "Take that, society! And can I have my plates renewed, please?" That kind of thing.
But rather than being a mass of ridiculous contradictions, the BRZ is actually a very refined affordable sports car. Or maybe it's a rather speedy sedan. From whichever angle you approach it, it works.
The Series Blue edition doesn't buy you much by way of a power upgrade, which is too bad, because it certainly looks the part. We would have insisted on a little more juice if we were Subaru and we were trying to sell something that looked this sporty.
Aside from the meaner-looking trim, this limited edition BRZ only offers upgraded brakes, by way of some rather fetching red STI calipers. It's a fine addition to an already good car, but it only makes us wish for a true STI BRZ. -
Conclusion
The BRZ is a perennial favorite, perfectly balancing affordability, utility, and a ridiculous amount of fun-to-drive. The Series Blue edition, however, may be of interest to collectors only, as its inflated price doesn't come with any major mechanical upgrades. Although it does look plenty good, and it is a gas to drive, so as hard as it may be for us to recommend the Series Blue BRZ wholeheartedly, we would guess that anyone buying one would not spend a single day regretting it.
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Specs & Prices
Engine: naturally aspirated flat-four
Transmission: six-speed manual
Drivetrain Layout: front-engine, front-wheel drive
Power Output: 200 hp / 151 lb-ft
Fuel Economy (mpg): 22 city / 30 highway
Price (base): $29,490
Price (as tested): $30,280 (includes $795 delivery fee)
Available Features:
Blue Series Package: STI front, side, and side/rear under spoilers, 17-inch STI alloy wheels, STI red brake calipers, leather- and Alcantara-trimmed interior with blue highlights and stitching, carbon-fiber patterned trim, undercover insulator
• For more information such as specs, prices, and photos of the 2015 Subaru BRZ, click here: 2015 Subaru BRZ.