We’re almost in 2026, and everything is getting more expensive. Especially cars! The Subaru BRZ, historically one of the only affordable paths to a rear-wheel-drive sports car, started at less than $29,000 when the coupe’s second generation arrived for the 2022 model year. Now, it will start at $37,055. No, seriously.
The Disappearance of the Premium Trim
This increase doesn’t just tell a story of rising prices or even import tariffs. What Subaru has done here is remove the base trim of the BRZ, which, frustratingly, was called “Premium.” For 2025, a BRZ Premium started at $34,380. The other two trims – the Limited (which is superior to the Premium, yes) and the tS, started at $37,055 and $39,555 respectively. These prices are not increasing, apart from what appears to be a $25 higher destination and delivery fee. Gotta keep up with inflation, right?
A Decision Justified by Sales
Reading Subaru’s press release, the justification for removing the entry-level trim isn’t explicitly given, but it is suggested. Subaru indicates that only one in ten BRZ buyers opted for the Premium last year; this represents about 210 of the 2,107 BRZs sold through August 2025.
A Harder-to-Swallow Entry Cost
So, of course – the BRZ that most people tend to buy remains in the catalog and doesn’t see its price increase. That’s good news, for now. Nevertheless, the rise in the entry cost is hard to swallow for what was once a cheap ticket to fun. Now, the cheapest BRZ you can buy has Alcantara seats. That’s nice, but there are probably BRZ fans who simply want a no-frills rear-wheel-drive sports car with a six-speed manual gearbox. The only options that interest them are mechanical.
What About the Toyota Cousin?
Regarding the BRZ’s cousin, the Toyota 86, we don’t know how much it will cost for the next model year, nor if Toyota will remove trims like Subaru did. In 2025, however, the 86 started at $31,595, while the higher Premium version cost $34,195. If these prices remain the same, then Toyota will have a clear value advantage heading into 2026. Which would be good news, especially since the GR Corolla’s price is now firmly in the $40,000 range.