2019 Subaru BRZ Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Built on the same platform as the 2019 Toyota 86, the 2019 Subaru BRZ is among the most affordable sport cars you'll find. It's a great option for the drivers who are trying to have fun on a limited budget. Handsome styling and sensational handling make the Subaru BRZ especially appealing. Although the BRZ is a small coupe, it still manages to comfortably accommodate taller drivers.

for good reason, the Subaru BRZ is steadily becoming a popular choice among amatuer racers. When the rear seat has been folded down, there's just enough room in the trunk to fit a set of track tires.

For 2019, Subaru offers an updated navigation system with over-the-air Wi-Fi updates. You also have access to a new Series.Gray trim, which boasts some exclusive exterior treatments. Let's take a look at how the three available BRZ trims compare to each other.

Compare the 2019 Subaru BRZ Premium vs Limited Trims. What is the difference?

Priced at $25,795, the Subaru BRZ Premium is considered to be the base model. It's a great choice for first-time sports car owners. Powering the BRZ Premium is a Subaru-built 2.0-liter, DOHC four-cylinder engine. Total output stands at 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed, close-ratio manual gearbox is the only transmission available on the BRZ Premium.

Like every new BRZ, the base Premium trim sends power to the rear wheels. There are also some performance-enhancing goodies on the BRZ Premium. A Torsion limited-slip differential aids the coupe's razor-sharp handling. Summer tires further enhance the BRZ's responsive road manners. A quick-ratio electric steering system and a stability control system with track mode also come standard.

Subaru does not offer many advanced safety technologies on the new BRZ. However, a backup camera and ventilated disc brakes come standard. You will also benefit from traction control, brake assist, and tire pressure monitoring.

The base Subaru BRZ Premium certainly doesn't sacrifice much in the styling department. LED headlights and a nice trunk spoiler help give this coupe an upscale appearance. A set of 17-inch black-finished wheels come standard as well. A total of six different paint colors are available for the BRZ Premium: WR Blue Pearl, Pure Red, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Gray Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, and Crystal Black Silica.

On the inside, the BRZ Premium has the look and feel of a traditional sports car. Performance gauges with coolant temperature readings give the cockpit a racy character. While cloth upholstery wraps the seats, simulated leather with accent stitching covers the dashboard. You'll also receive a leather-wrapped steering wheel with multifunction controls and a leather shift knob. Meanwhile, a folding rear seatback enables you to easily expand the available trunk space.

While the BRZ Premium's main focus is delivering driving enjoyment, it still packs plenty of modern features. The biggest highlight is Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, which provides a 6.2-inch touch screen with smartphone-streaming audio apps like Pandora and iHeartRadio. Some of the other standard features include Bluetooth streaming, an eight-speaker stereo system with satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio jack.

If you want to ride with more luxury, step up to the BRZ Limited. It has a higher MSRP of $28,645. Drivers definitely appreciate the BRZ Limited's additional creature comforts. Alcantara/leather-trimmed upholstery comes standard. Heated front seats make driving in cold weather more enjoyable. Other upgrades include dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless access with push-button start, and dual USB ports.

Upgraded technologies add to the BRZ Limited's appeal. Integrated navigation comes with the larger 7.0-inch infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensure easier smartphone integration. You can also take advantage of the 4.2-inch driver information display, which provides more performance data. An anti-theft security is another one of the BRZ Limited's upgrades.

Although the Subaru BRZ Limited may look similar to the Subaru BRZ Premium, there are just a few differences. LED fog lights are found on the BRZ Limited. When leaving home on a frosty morning, the heated outside mirrors will prove their worth. The same exterior colors are available for the BRZ Limited.

In terms of performance, the Subaru BRZ Premium comes equipped with the same DOHC four-cylinder engine. However, you can opt for a six-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles. Moving up to the Limited trim also gives you access to a performance package. While SACHS performance shock absorbers further hone the coupe's handling, heavy-duty Brembo brakes provide extra stopping power. To further set apart the BRZ Limited with the performance package, Subaru paints the brake calipers red. A unique set of 17-inch gray wheels are included as well.

Compare the 2019 BRZ Limited vs. Series Gray Trims. What is the difference?

The Series.Gray trim is a limited-production model. Prices start at slightly more than $30,000. You'll immediately notice its unique exterior appearance. Subaru gives it an exclusive Cool Gray Khaki paint color. Blacked-out trim and a special set of 17-inch black wheels also help separate the BRZ Series.Gray from the other trims.

All of the Limited trim's available features come standard on the Series.Gray trim, including the Performance package. However, a few special touches are found on the inside. A frameless rearview mirror comes standard.

Final Thoughts

If you want a budget-friendly sports car that's inexpensive to maintain, you can't go wrong with the base Subaru BRZ Premium. Although the BRZ Premium may not be able to hang with costly performance machines like the Porsche 911 and the Nissan GT-R, dynamic handling makes it incredibly fun to drive. Remember, you can only get the base Premium trim with a six-speed manual transmission. This issue shouldn't bother the drivers who love changing gears.

While the inside of the BRZ Premium has a quality feel, no one will mistake it for being a luxury car. Power seats are not available. However, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a leather-wrapped gear shifter do come standard. You'll also appreciate the BRZ Premium's sleek, eye-catching appearance. Furthermore, most people have no big complaints about the standard eight-speaker sound system. The only key downside to the base BRZ Premium is its dated 6.5-inch infotainment display.

Nearly $3,000 separates the base BRZ Premium and the more luxurious BRZ Limited. Driving enthusiasts who don't desire any extra day-to-day comfort will be more than happy with the base BRZ Premium. Depending upon your budget, the money saved may give you a bit more financial freedom.

On the other hand, some buyers will crave the additional creature comforts found on the BRZ Limited. You'll certainly get more enjoyment out of the BRZ Limited's upgraded 8.0-inch navigation screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In contrast to the base BRZ Premium, the BRZ Limited can be equipped with an automatic transmission. Aside from making the BRZ more pleasurable to drive in heavy traffic, Subaru's automatic transmission also improves fuel efficiency.

You certainly can't forget about the BRZ Limited's optional performance package. The upgraded suspension and Brembo performance brakes are certainly worth the money. Red brake calipers and unique wheels sweeten the deal.

Atop the lineup sits the new 2019 Subaru BRZ Series.Gray. A starting price of $30,140 makes it thousands of dollars more expensive than the base model. For some buyers, the extra cost will simply prove to be a waste of money. However, this limited-edition model may become a future collector's item. Only around 250 units are planned to be produced.

Exclusive exterior styling gives you another reason to consider the range-topping BRZ Series.Gray. You also get the Limited trim's optional performance package as a standard feature on the BRZ Series.Gray.

When shopping for a new 2019 Subaru BRZ, think hard about what you truly desire in a sports car. The base Premium trim's affordability shouldn't be overlooked. It looks attractive, delivers a fun driving experience, and comes loaded with just enough standard features. Meanwhile, stepping up to the BRZ Limited rewards you with more luxury. If cost is not a factor, don't hesitate to buy the limited-production Series.Gray trim.

2019 Subaru BRZ Key Features

All versions of the 2019 Subaru BRZ come equipped with the same engine. However, the upper two trims can be equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. To experience the best possible performance, choose the six-speed manual transmission. Manual-equipped BRZ models offer noticeably quicker acceleration. On the bright side, getting the automatic transmission will save you more money at the pump. While the automatic BRZ can return a combined 27 mpg, manual models deliver a combined 24 mpg.

Subaru offers two different versions of its Starlink infotainment system. According to some testers, the base 6.2-inch touch screen is a bit dated. Not only does the display lack Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone support, but it also suffers from slow response times. The upgraded 7.0-inch touch screen with navigation is far better.

Unfortunately, the available performance package is not offered on the base BRZ. Nevertheless, it transforms the Limited and Series.Gray trims into more capable performers on the track. Even if you stick to only driving on the street, you'll greatly appreciate the grippier handling and improved braking power.