WRX Vs BRZ: Which Should You Choose???

[@BC01300]

Purchased a '22 BRZ as a commuter to/from work. From behind the wheel it's seriously the most fun manual car I've owned. Literally put a smile on my face every time I drove somewhere. Unfortunately, my wife hated it and it was too small to ride together as a family with our kids. Traded it in for a '23 WRX. The WRX is more practical for my family and despite having more power, the driving experience isn't as enjoyable as the BRZ and a part of me will always miss it. However, I get to have more fun traveling with my family in the WRX so it was a worthwhile trade.

[@matthewwain9958]

I have a VA STI, and my wife loves it... so 2022+ WRX or 2022+ BRZ is a hard sell to her. I can't decide between the two anyway.

[@User2djdb]

Didn’t WRX transmission bother you?

[@BC01300]

@@matthewwain9958, personally, I don't like the look of my '23 wrx. I'm not a fan of the plastic cladding and the rear bumper is the ugliest thing I've ever seen. It's like they didn't know what to do with the design so they keep extending its length. However, the new BRZ is a pretty nice looking car. Most of the lines make sense and it presents itself as a poor man's Porsche, haha.

[@BC01300]

@@User2djdb, yes! There are moments when I can't stand it. Plus second gear is bizarre and redlines at an odd road speed, compared to the BRZ, which had a stellar gearing in my opinion.

[@matthewwain9958]

@@User2djdb yes, the transmission feel did bother me. But at the end of the day, it isn't an STI, only the WRX. The shifter on the BRZ felt fairly notchy like the STI. The sensible option is WRX for sure. BRZ is nice though, definitely way better feel in it.

[@jedwin4816]

Subaru knows: you buy a BRZ when your young with no kids. Then- BAM! You now have kid(s) or they're on the way so you trade it in for the WRX and thank the God of your choice you don't have to drive the mini-van. Then SOA sells your used BRZ to the next guy with no kids....😅. A time proven business plan.

[@rallysportdirect]

Quite the business plan indeed 😅

[@brandensworld3646]

Legit I’m torn, want the brz but with a kid I think a wrx it is 😂

[@kaydens6964]

@@brandensworld3646 brz backseat is for kids!

[@13jeffandtrish]

You might be on to something my kids have grown and my BRZ will be here soon.

[@J.R.F.23]

Unless you’re RETIRED. Then the backseat isn’t that important. I ordered a 2024 BRZ to replace my 2018 Crosstrek.

[@dankoebel7603]

Excellent comparison review! You conveyed the different driving dynamics articulately and in an entertaining way. Well done!

[@youtubeaccountlol4942]

I had a Legacy GT in high-school. Got an S14 as my daily in college while the Legacy sat at home. Then my brother got a Legacy GT too so I HAD to build mine. Now I have a GR86 and it feels like a combo of the S14 and LGT and I couldn't be happier. Sarah-n-Tuned said "these cars will single handedly improve your mental health." (I'm glad I still have my LGT and S14 tho, nothing like an old car)

[@btcman0494]

“More sensitive then my generation” couldn’t agree more 😭😭

[@cgmiller82]

Well... I already chose the 2022 WRX. The BRZ was second on my list... but, kids. Tall one's. No regrets. My first mods will be a rear sway bar and some poly mounts for the squishy bits. I will mod this car until my kids hate it. The last kid to hate it will be my favorite. :)

[@rallysportdirect]

Now that's what i call parenting!

[@krisd636]

As my daily driver with kids.. I love my cbs wrx. It has enough power for me to play around yet comfortable enough for the kids. The ride is a little crappy in WV roads. The back bumper…. I’m patiently waiting for the aftermarket but I do love driving my VB.

[@CentralGARacing]

My wife bought the 2022 WRX GT, it’s nice with Recaro seats. Yes a CVT but probably the best one I have ever driven.

[@joannachampion4543]

Ernie is the Man! Thank you for sharing this experience with us! Happy New Year

[@sao007]

In Québec Canada its impossible to have juste one car to do all .. wrx is what is the closest to this impossible mission 😉😊

[@rallysportdirect]

c'est une voiture à tout faire! 😅

[@sao007]

@@rallysportdirect bilangual en plus .. you rock guys!!! 😉😉

[@Tlxmiami305]

I chose the brz love it as my daily driver! Great vid bud and merry christmas!

[@TheRicardoMilos]

Merry Christmas Ernie! Love you bro! Thank you for all the entertainment and education this year.

[@rallysportdirect]

Love you man! We’ll keep it rolling next year!

[@Justforfun-ek7et]

Plastic fenders don’t rust and like you said the plastic doesn’t need to be painted or touched up, it is a rally car after all.

[@imnottellinudontwannaknow3188]

Yeah and I do like how they look in some colors. Mine is blue with black trim

[@Justforfun-ek7et]

@@imnottellinudontwannaknow3188 that is a great color combination! Subaru rally blue?

[@ronjohnson557]

Very simple: Do you have ice and snow where you live? WRX for AWD. Do you need 4 doors? WRX. Don't need either? BRZ.

[@drumbum9963]

Tbh I had the same dilemma. The tie breaker for me was we got employee discount on the WRX and not the BRZ lol have not regretted it since. I enjoy the practicality of actual back seats and 4 doors. The WRX is very daily friendly imo. Except for the gas mileage. But other than that it’s awesome!

[@rallysportdirect]

It really is! I feel like with this new platform you really can make this car into anything you want.

[@chrisx5127]

The both have the same mpg.

[@waltersobchak8080]

They very much do not

[@hahaadventures4838]

WRX is being pro-tuned to 350hp and 350tq on 91 octane. Gotta go WRX all day every day! I live at 5,000 elevation and the turbo keeps my WRX pulling just as hard as sea level!

[@dfunklegendfontdawg32]

Great review! Timely. I’m looking at these & trying to decide which way to go. Thanks!

[@karmahunden]

BRZ if you have one kid. If you have two, you need the WRX. Also, I pondered for a bit, having a second car which is the fam's SUV... whether I could still do a BRZ, and I could, but this was the compromise: 90% of my time i drive with the kids... would I be fine using the BRZ 10% of that time, or buy the WRX and drive more with both kids in it. As someone who enjoys driving, this is a true dilemma... 100% of the fun only 10% of the time, or 70% of the fun but more often!

[@PF-hm9uz]

Just stumbled across your video, I really enjoyed it. Currently lease a 2021 STI, but I’m considering the new BRZ ts. That car in WRB with the bronze brembo’s to me is beautiful. I’m 50 years old and live in Florida, So that car would be a perfect daily around town.

[@DingDongle5]

Thank you Ernie!!! People are afraid of change. I love my 22 VB.

[@KingNoahJM]

@rallysportdirect will you guys be covering the RTV issue found in the FA24 engines? Curious on your thoughts, suggestions or potential solutions. Thanks!

[@moldyrefrigerator]

No, stop worrying.

[@JL-yw3rf]

Wise choice. Get the BRZ while you still have a good back and don't need wifey's approval.

[@J.R.F.23]

I ordered a 2024 BRZ limited in silver. I am really looking forward to getting this car! Being retired, I wanted a car that I wanted more than needed. 🚘

[@zcmdzpp127]

The driving position of the BRZ is great..

[@sophisticatedcaveman2754]

The font bumper of the BRZ looks like its a big smile with dimples incoperated! The GR86 looks better to me !

[@Maxtopic069]

Autocross I would go for the BRZ plus larger aftermarket. With that said I would honest get the WRC to help sells and hopefully keep them making cool enough cars

[@TrojanRabbit521]

Cross shopped both of these. I’m a sucker for lightweight rwd. No problem getting large grocery order with rear seats down. Yeah WRX has more power but no tracks around me and BRZ has plenty of torque for fun especially in rain 😁

[@youtubeaccountlol4942]

Vin: "what trim did we get?" Scotto: "its the S16" As a 240 and Legacy GT owner, the BRZ/GR is the only way to go. The new WRX doesn't have the soul that the LGT has. It aims for the same sleeper market but still styles itself as a JDM Racer. If the current Legacy came with a turbo stick option, I'd say that's fair. But as it stands, the WRX is suffering an identity crisis. It doesn't look like a sleeper Legacy GT even if it feels the same, but it doesn't have the BLAM! of the STI's. The GR/BRZ honestly feels like a whatever I imagine a 2023 240SX feels like

[@TrojanRabbit521]

@@youtubeaccountlol4942 Had a 240sx and now BRZ so they are very similar. 240 had better steering feel. BRZ more power & better seats.

[@asdowo111]

@@TrojanRabbit521 are the rear seats of the 240sx useable or worst than the BRZ?

[@TrojanRabbit521]

@@asdowo111 240 has a bit more room but anyone stuffed back there will b uncomfortable still

[@awdtrailbossgt]

Previous car 2022 WRX GT current car 2024 WRX Base. BRZ reminds me of my old 5th generation Camaro. WRX is more practicality whereas BRZ more performance driver oriented.

[@ZibrayMusic]

Wrx for sure

[@Frisky_Panda]

I just moved to Minnesota and I’m cross shopping the gr86 or wrx. Haven’t driven in snow quite yet but I’d be a little scared about the brz even with winter tires

[@kevpersau950]

If your concern is snow, get the WRX 1000%. I picked mine up 4 weeks ago and here in Canada large amounts of snow is common, but when I say I have never driven a car that has had better traction in the snow than my 2023 WRX that isn’t an exaggeration. I have the manual premium with the lumbar seats and I absolutely love everything about the car. It puts more than enough power down to have a good time and it just feels great, it’s an improvement from the 22 model.

[@TheIndulgers]

Easy decision. A 2015-2021 STI.

[@bobknight6394]

Location and environment make a difference in the choice wrx for me IM in Canada..

[@jakeg7581]

I love my new WRX

[@imnottellinudontwannaknow3188]

Me too

[@t.k.morris]

Is the rear spoiler on the WRX bolted on or double sided tape stuck on?

[@steve8803]

WRX easy choice. Much more practical, awd and extremely responsive to a simple tune.

[@AMT90]

Wrx for more potential, and the awd if you need it in your area.

[@Massacari]

WRX if you ever want more than one passenger.

[@RedPanda555]

Keep my 2006 STI or get a new BRZ??😅

[@sebastiantorres1358]

Brz for me I e driven both and the brz is just pure fun and a drivers car. The WRX just felt a little lifeless and I still can’t get past the horrendous look of the car compared to previous generations

[@jasonvern9514]

I would've gotten the brz however the wrx made more sense since I live in upstate ny and I work construction so sometimes I gotta park in the grass/mud/ sometimes snow at my bosses place when we need to get trailers by

[@KuyaPow626]

I don't have rear heated seats, what are you talking about??? I love all your tip videos but I don't think that's accurate for the Limited trim. If its there, please show me how!

[@rallysportdirect]

Hmmm after a bit of digging I think it may be a Canada only option. You can find a picture of the switches here: m.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=24179&Range=WRX&ModelYear=2022

[@PocketDrummer]

16:34 - Editor left the bad take in, umumumuuum!

[@peterga3658]

i like the WRX more .

[@SHARP1991]

the roll race was nit that close you pulled a lot in just one gear without a single shift over 3-4 gears it would be destroyed

[@ChazzyMcD]

Ernie is that dude

[@Young_Bourdain]

WRX and drive it year round! Plus it already comes with a turbo! Both great cars though! I personally would choose a GR86 over a BRZ for looks.

[@rallysportdirect]

I think I’d have to agree with you the more I think about it, also the GR comes with a much stiffer rear end!

[@BrzBoyz831]

Get the new brz 🫡 less power but more playful and fun

[@BrzBoyz831]

Get the new brz 🫡 less power but more playful and fun

[@shaundemarco4657]

I need your opinions because my heart is set on the new brz but my parents don’t think that it can be driven year round so they’re pushing me to get the Wrx. What do you all think? Should I get what my heart wants or suck it up and get a Wrx?

[@rallysportdirect]

Tell them the price difference will pay for winter tires for years to come!

[@shaundemarco4657]

@@rallysportdirect I’m probably going to, for now, get a new civic si or Elantra n or Jetta GLI. Then once I’ve settled into my own home I’ll get a brz if they hopefully still make them

[@chrisx5127]

@@shaundemarco4657 2016 WRX was my dream car, but then they had to change it with a mid-refresh. Since then, I hate the WRX and Subaru design team. This new version is hideous. Also the BRZ is ugly as well. Stupid C shape light when their Gen 1 was iconic.

[@joelgibbs23]

BRZ

[@atweber]

2 kids so Wrx by default 😅

[@chrisx5127]

0 kid and single. Miata by default.

[@leonogueira1636]

WRX besides looks it is better in everything

[@timothye5936]

I’m loving my ‘22 BRZ; special car with special handling…trying to talk the wife into replacing her SUV with a new WRX ! YeeHa!

[@billisdewillis5]

Obviously the WRX…if you want a fun RWD car you buy a MX-5 GS-P performance for a few dollars more than the BRZ and never look back…

[@VideoArchiveGuy]

Many of us taller drivers simply don't fit in any MX-5 - when seated I look OVER the top of the windshield in an MX-5 - but fit just fine in a BRZ (or WRX).

[@sa8nb]

good video though

[@sa8nb]

brz is better sorry, the wrx looks like a corolla lol

[@diallo1347]

Except it looks nothing like a corolla. Try again.

[@chrisx5127]

Still ugly compared to Gen 1 BRZ.

[@chrisx5127]

Subaru is a dumb company. They ruined the tail light. It was perfect in Gen 1.

[@fatman1288]

neither, the new wrx's are fucking hideous! and brz's/gt86 are slow and desperately need more power!

[@aloadinn]

You drove neither

[@fatman1288]

@@aloadinn why the fuck would i want to drive a hideous wrx and an underpowered brz???????

[@CentralGARacing]

Yep he enjoys his Chevy GP

[@jedwin4816]

If one looked better, and the other had more power- they'd both cost $15,000 more than they do now.

[@chrisx5127]

@@jedwin4816 Hard top convertible BRZ!

[@boost331]

BRZ all day. I never have just 1 car. I picked up my 22 BRZ in Feb 22. Although it is not the fastest thing it never disappoints with fun. I am now in the market to replace my daily driver mazda 3 that is getting all rusty and has almost 300k miles. I went to test drive a premium WRX with 6mt. I hated it. The feels bigger than it is. The trans is sloppy. It was way slower than expected. I left disappointed.

[@BC01300]

Agreed! My '22 BRZ was so much fun to drive and a perfect car for the 20-50 mph speeds.

[@chrisx5127]

Because only the 2016 WRX was good and pretty.

[@wrx77]

I got two big dogs, went with the WRX.