We drive the new 2024 Subaru BRZ tS with its upgraded brakes and fancy new suspension

This is the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS which is the 2024 BRZ's top trim level and brings a revamped suspension, better brakes, stickier tires, new 18-inch wheels, and some badges. But what do these upgrades add to the driving experience? We’ll find out.

The first Gen BRZ/FRS twins were lauded as the perfect sports car but that really only applied on the track, on the road they were drastically underpowered for everyday use. The second-gen came along and sorted out those problems, more power (but not enough for most people), and an improved interior.

That car was missing something quite important, good brakes, the standard ones were insufficient for the job and overheated during spirited driving. Enter this tSS model which stands for “Tuned by STi”. The first you notice is the Brembo brakes, up front, you get gold-painted 4-piston front calipers, and at the rear gold-painted 2-piston rear calipers both with larger rotors.

Next up are STI-tuned Hitachi dampers. The front dampers include variable valving which allows the tS to absorb harsh impacts. The rear dampers have single-stage valves. The tS gets the upgraded Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires on 18-inch rims.

At the front, it gets a tS-specific grille a subtle red BRZ logo at the corner of the headlights, and black paint on the mirrors and roof antenna. At the rear of the car, you get tS trunk badging, dual exhausts, and an upturned ducktail rear spoiler.

No change under the hood

No increase in power here unfortunately, you get Subaru's 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve flat-4, with 228 hp @ 7,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm. The only transmission on this trim is a 6-speed manual. 0-60 MPH takes 5.8 seconds. Fuel economy for the six-speed manual tS is 20 city, 27 highway, and 22 combined. 

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:27 What's New?
2:24 Cargo Space
2:38 Under The Hood
3:04 Pricing
3:15 Rear Seat
3:24 Interior and Tech
4:41 Driving
11:49 Verdict

2024 Subaru BRZ tS Numbers

BASE PRICE:  $35,345
PRICE AS TESTED:  $36,465
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2 door coupe
ENGINE:  2.0 liter DOHC 16-valve flat-4
POWER: 228 hp @ 7,000 rpm
TORQUE: 184 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
TRANSMISSION:  6-speed manual
0-60 MPH: 5.8 seconds
CURB WEIGHT:  2,815 lbs
CARGO VOLUME: 6.9 ft³
FUEL ECONOMY Combined/city/highway: 25/20/27 mpg 
OUR OBSERVED: 21.7 mpg
PROS: Terrific handling, superb fun, improved braking 
CONS: Can be noisy on the highway