DecodedCars2018 Subaru BRZ
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Minicompact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Coupe
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 200 hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 24 city / 33 hwy
- Length
- 166.9 in
- Curb weight
- 2,765 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2018 minicompact car (22.9 MPG).
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Modest powerUp to 200 hp, versus about 270 hp for similar 2018 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Subaru BRZ is a minicompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 167 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 101-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,765 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 33 highway), 18% better than the 2018 minicompact car average of 22.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine and engine cooling.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 BRZ — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 BRZ →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Ota, Gunma
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2018 BRZ configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Coupe | 166.9 in | 70.1 in | 52 in | 101.2 in | 59.8 / 60.6 in | 2,765 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRZ | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 27 | +18% | $3,050 | 322 |
| BRZ | 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +5% | $3,400 | 369 |
| BRZ tS | 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | 0% | $3,550 | 384 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru BRZ 2 DR RWD | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 7.1% |
Similar 2018 minicompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru BRZ (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Toyota 86 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Nissan 370z | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Fiat 500e | 84 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Fiat 124 Spider | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 MINI Cooper | 32 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 MINI John Cooper Works | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jul 29, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices · Dec 31, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V935000 · 71,190 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
- Risk
- Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTZ-85.
Not every 2018 Subaru BRZ is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Subaru BRZ buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru BRZ. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other BRZ years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 BRZ | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 BRZ | 25 | 167.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 BRZ | 25 | 167.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 BRZ | 25 | 167.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 BRZ | 25 | 167.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 BRZ | 25 | 167.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 10 |
| 2020 BRZ | 27 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 BRZ | 27 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 BRZ | 27 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 7 |
| 2016 BRZ | 28 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 BRZ | 28 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2014 BRZ | 28 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →