2024 Subaru BRZ tS: A Precision Tool for the Driver’s Driver

When you’ve been covering cars as long as I have, there are a few nameplates that become personal. The Subaru BRZ — and its early twin, the Scion FR-S — is one of those cars for me. I was at the U.S. launch of the FR-S back in 2012, caught up with the platform again in 2017 with a review of the BRZ Limited and its performance package, and now I’m behind the wheel of the most focused iteration yet: the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS.

This isn’t just a new trim. It’s a love letter to the enthusiasts who want to feel every corner, every input, and every bit of road texture. It’s a car that doesn’t chase lap times through brute force, but rather through balance and finesse. So how does it stack up in the real world? Let’s dig in.

What is the BRZ tS?

In the BRZ lineup, the tS sits at the top, above the Premium and Limited trims. What sets it apart is not flash, but function. STI (Subaru Tecnica International) has sprinkled a bit of track magic here by way of STI-tuned Hitachi dampers, Brembo brakes at all four corners, and subtle design cues like matte gray 18-inch wheels and blue interior stitching.

Under the hood, you still get the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated flat-four engine pushing out 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. No turbos here. No hybrids. Just a boxer engine paired to a 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, and a limited-slip differential. This is a car built for purists.

The Drive: Backroad Bliss Meets Daily Stiffness

The best way I can describe the tS experience is this: surgical.

On a tight back road or a spirited on-ramp, the tS shines. The additional damping makes the car incredibly planted, with confidence-inspiring turn-in and a chassis that communicates everything. The Brembo brakes are phenomenal — smooth, powerful, and perfectly matched to the BRZ’s lightweight feel. It’s not just that it stops well, it’s how consistently it stops. You feel in control.

That said, the tradeoff is clear when you get out of the corners and onto everyday pavement. The ride is stiff. Maybe too stiff for my tastes in a daily driver. You feel every bump, crack, and ripple in the road. For track days and mountain roads? Perfect. For running errands in Dallas traffic? It gets a bit harsh.

Highway Behavior: Still Not a GT Car

Once you settle into sixth gear and hit highway speeds, you’ll notice the BRZ is still spinning at over 3,000 RPM at 70 mph. That’s something I pointed out in my 2017 review, and it hasn’t changed.

Combine those revs with noticeable road noise and a slightly bouncy front end, and it’s clear this isn’t a grand tourer. It’ll do the long drives, but it prefers the short, exciting ones. If comfort is high on your list, this probably isn’t the car for you.

Interior & Tech: Focused, Flawed, Familiar

The inside of the 2024 BRZ is a familiar space for anyone who’s been in one of these cars over the last decade. Subaru has made some updates, but this is still very much a driver-first cabin.

You get a digital gauge cluster, an 8-inch touchscreen, and physical climate controls — thank goodness. The seats, despite the stiff ride, are comfortable and supportive, and the driving position is excellent.

Where it falters is in the tech execution. There are only USB-A ports — no USB-C. The backup camera looks like it came from a 2009 Forester. And while Bluetooth worked great, I couldn’t get Apple CarPlay working, largely because I didn’t have a USB-A cord on hand. If it has wireless CarPlay, it wasn’t cooperating.

Also worth mentioning: Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist tech isn’t available on the tS, because this trim is manual-only, and EyeSight doesn’t work with manuals. That won’t bother the purists, but it’s something to know.

Practicality: Surprisingly Useful

You wouldn’t expect a small RWD coupe to be all that practical, but the BRZ continues to surprise. The trunk is actually usable, and during my week with it I packed it full of groceries, soccer gear for the kids, and all my camera equipment for this review. It’s tight, sure, but not impossible to live with.

Back seat? Still more of a 2+1 than a true 2+2. Adults back there will suffer. But you can squeeze in a kid or two in a pinch.

Full Circle: A Platform with History

As someone who drove the FR-S in Vegas at its U.S. debut, then the BRZ in 2017, I’ve watched this platform evolve. My biggest gripe back in 2017 was that the 2.0-liter just didn’t have enough torque. In 2024, the 2.4-liter solves that. You feel it especially coming out of corners. It’s not blisteringly fast, but it’s satisfying.

What hasn’t changed is the sense of connection you get behind the wheel. It’s the same feeling I praised in 2017: go-kart handling, confidence on twisty roads, and a car that rewards skill without punishing you for pushing it.

Verdict: For the True Believers

The 2024 Subaru BRZ tS isn’t perfect. It’s noisy. It’s stiff. It still feels a step behind in tech.

But it’s also incredibly fun, beautifully balanced, and engineered for people who value driving above all else. It’s a car you buy not for your commute, but for your weekends. For the twisties. For that early-morning run on a country road.

If that sounds like your kind of fun, the tS might just be your perfect BRZ.

Specs Recap – 2024 Subaru BRZ tS

• Engine: 2.4L NA flat-four
  
• Power: 228 hp @ 7,000 rpm
  
• Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
  
• Transmission: 6-speed manual only
  
• Drivetrain: RWD w/ limited-slip differential
  
• Suspension: STI-tuned Hitachi dampers
  
• Brakes: Brembo front and rear
  
• Wheels: 18″ matte gray alloy
  
• MSRP (est.): Low-to-mid $30K range
  

Pros:

• Sharp, communicative handling
  
• Strong, smooth Brembo brakes
  
• More torque than previous BRZ
  
• Still surprisingly practical
  

Cons:

• Harsh ride on daily roads
  
• Outdated tech
  
• Not ideal for highway comfort
  

Final Score: 8.5/10 for Enthusiasts