Verdict
The RM37,000 step from the RM249,245 Subaru BRZ to the RM286,245 Subaru WRX buys a four-door, five-seat body, all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 271 hp/375 Nm boxer four. That matters if this is your only car: the WRX has a 411-litre boot against 226 litres and a 63-litre tank against 50 litres. The 1,289-kg BRZ is 221 kg lighter, rear-wheel drive and makes 234 hp/250 Nm, so it is the more focused two-door choice. Both retain a six-speed manual, 2.4-litre boxer power and seven airbags.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want the lighter 1,289-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe and can live with two doors, four seats and a 226-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you need five seats, four doors, all-wheel drive and 375 Nm from 2,000 rpm.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru BRZ RM249,245; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Power and torque: Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline: Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive.
- Kerb weight: Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg; Subaru WRX 1,510 kg.
- Practicality: Subaru BRZ has 4 seats and a 226-litre boot; Subaru WRX has 5 seats and a 411-litre boot.
- Fuel tank: Subaru BRZ 50 litres; Subaru WRX 63 litres.
BRZ
- RM37,000 cheaper
- 221 kg lighter
- Rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual
- Two doors and four seats versus the WRX's four doors and five seats
- 226-litre boot versus 411 litres
- 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the WRX's 271 hp and 375 Nm
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm turbo boxer engine
- All-wheel drive
- 411-litre boot and five seats
- RM37,000 more expensive
- 221 kg heavier
- 4,669 mm long versus the BRZ's 4,265 mm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM249,245✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | Coupe | Sedan |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM767 | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 86 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 226 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,265 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,775 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,310 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,289 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 226 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/40R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/40R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain) | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used BRZ & WRX for sale
BRZ vs WRX FAQ
Is the Subaru BRZ or Subaru WRX better?
The WRX is better as the practical all-rounder: it has four doors, five seats, all-wheel drive, 271 hp, 375 Nm and a 411-litre boot. Choose the BRZ for its 1,289-kg weight, rear-wheel drive and coupe format.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM37,000 more than the Subaru BRZ: RM286,245 against RM249,245.
Which has more boot space, the Subaru BRZ or Subaru WRX?
The Subaru WRX has the larger boot at 411 litres, 185 litres more than the Subaru BRZ's 226 litres. It also has five seats and four doors, against four seats and two doors in the BRZ.
