With a clean bill of health, the BRZ reported to South Haven during the first week of October along with 26 of its new-for-2013 peers. We can't reveal how the BRZ acquitted itself during AOY testing until we announce the winner on November 1, but we can share some of the notes our staff made after lapping GingerMan on the track portion of our test:
"I am now absolutely certain I want to buy and own a Subaru BRZ (or a Scion FR-S; I'm not picky). Having driven the car on the track at GingerMan and then halfway across the state, I am in awe at just how well-rounded this car is. Not only was it an absolute riot on the track -- almost as much fun as the Boxster--it also proved surprisingly quiet and comfortablehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png on a 250-plus-mile trip back home. I averaged 29 mpg between South Haven and Ann Arbor, and that included a stopover to visit a friend in downtown Grand Rapids." - Jake Holmes, associate Web editor
"I have no qualms in saying this was the best driver's car we brought to AOY testing. Heck, it may even be the best driver's car on the market. How so? It's communicative, engaging, and rewarding to drive right. That can also be said of the Boxster S, 911 Carrera S, and RS5 we also had at hand, but the Subaru excels where the others don't. The BRZ challenges you to learn -- to perfect driving lines, power application, shift points, brake points -- in order to extract the car's full potential." - Evan McCausland, associate Web editor
"The engine is somewhat gritty sounding but I cannot understand people who contend that this car needs more power. The BRZ is definitely a fun track tool. What a difference coming out of the (quite good) Focus ST and into a rear-wheel-drive car. It's a whole different experience, and one that's quite rare at this price point." - Joe Lorio, senior editor
"As McCausland points out, the joy in driving the BRZ is to wring every bit of power and performance out of the relatively simple yet very athletic chassis and engine. And the BRZ definitely does enjoy being wrung out, whether on a racetrack or a serpentine stretch of road." - Joe DeMatio, deputy editor
We're obviously quite smitten with the Subaru BRZ on a road course. But it's important to remember Automobilehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png of the Year is about a whole lot more than how a car behaves at the limit. Be sure to check back on November 1 to find out if the BRZ managed to bring home our most prestigious trophy. Win or lose, we look forward to eight more months of adventure in this sporty coupe.
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