Subaru BRZ Ownership Cost Calculator 2026
Pre-filled with real Subaru BRZ specs. Estimate your Subaru BRZ 5-year cost of ownership — depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, loan, and residual value — then compare against same-class rivals side by side.
Year-by-Year Cost Breakdown — Subaru BRZ
| Year | Start Value | Depreciation | Fuel | Insurance | Maint. | Reg | Loan Pmt | Yr Out-of-Pkt | Cumulative | End Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,000 | −$4,650 | $2,215 | $3,500 | $1,600 | $150 | $6,316 | $13,781 | $19,980 | $26,350 |
| 2 | $26,350 | −$2,790 | $2,215 | $3,500 | $1,600 | $150 | $6,316 | $13,781 | $33,761 | $23,560 |
| 3 | $23,560 | −$2,790 | $2,215 | $3,500 | $1,600 | $150 | $6,316 | $13,781 | $47,541 | $20,770 |
| 4 | $20,770 | −$2,480 | $2,215 | $3,500 | $1,600 | $150 | $6,316 | $13,781 | $61,321 | $18,290 |
| 5 | $18,290 | −$2,170 | $2,215 | $3,500 | $1,600 | $150 | $6,316 | $13,781 | $75,101 | $16,120 |
| 5-yr total | — | −$14,880 | $11,073 | $17,500 | $8,000 | $750 | $31,579 | $75,101 | — | $16,120 |
Combined 22 MPG (EPA). Depreciation uses a sports segment-average retention curve (editable). Figures are estimates for planning, not a quote.
Subaru BRZ — Base Parameters
Powertrain
- Engine2.4L H4 (FA24D)
- DrivetrainRWD
- Fuelgas
- Market years2022-2024
EPA Efficiency
- City20 MPG
- Highway27 MPG
- Combined22 MPG
- Source year2022
Trims & MSRP
- Base (entry trim)$29,000
- Popular (mid trim)$31,000
- Top (fully loaded)$33,000
Same-Segment Cost Comparison
Every model below is modeled with identical assumptions (Popular trim, 20% down, 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles/year, national average tax & insurance). This apples-to-apples view is exclusive to VehCalc — manufacturer sites and KBB do not show it side by side.
| Model | Popular MSRP | 5-Yr Cost to Own | Avg / Year | Residual (5 yr) | Cost / Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru BRZ (this car) | $31,000 | $58,981 | $11,796 | $16,120 | $0.98 |
| Toyota GR86 | $30,000 | $56,954 | $11,391 | $15,600 | $0.95 |
| Ford Mustang EcoBoost | $33,000 | $59,456 | $11,891 | $17,160 | $0.99 |
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | $33,500 | $58,055 | $11,611 | $17,420 | $0.97 |
| Ford Mustang | $41,500 | $65,395 | $13,079 | $21,580 | $1.09 |
Subaru BRZ Reliability, Fault Codes & Maintenance Specs
Model-specific diagnostic data for the Subaru BRZ (2022-2024 (2nd Gen ZD8), 2022-2024): known OBD-II trouble codes, symptom-to-fix mapping, model-year issues, and the factory maintenance specification sheet. Print it and hand it to your technician.
OBD-II fault codes
5 codes logged for this platform, with the cause most often seen on the 2.4L H4 (FA24D).
| Code | Description | Common cause here | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0171 | System Too Lean (Bank 1) | Dirty MAF sensor, cracked intake boot, PCV valve leak | Medium |
| P0420 | Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) | Aging catalytic converter or degraded rear O2 sensor | Low |
| P0128 | Coolant Thermostat Below Regulating Temperature | Stuck-open thermostat or low coolant | Low |
| P0300 | Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected | Worn ignition coils, fouled spark plugs, carbon buildup | High |
| P0456 | EVAP System Very Small Leak Detected | Loose or faulty fuel cap, cracked EVAP line | Low |
Symptoms, causes & fixes
What owners actually report, what it turns out to be, and what the repair involves.
| Symptom | Root cause | Fix | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valve spring failure recall | Valve spring defect | Replacement under recall | 2022-2023 |
| Carbon buildup | GDI carbon | Walnut blast at 60k | 2022-2024 |
| Carbon buildup (GDI) | Direct injection carbon | Walnut blast at 60k miles. | 2022-2024 |
| Oil temperature at track use | High operating temperature | Oil cooler upgrade; shorter sessions. | 2022-2024 |
Model-year issues
Problems tied to a specific production window rather than the whole generation.
| Years | Issue | Fix | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Valve spring failure recall | Valve spring replacement under recall | Resolved in later build |
Common problems owners report
Recurring complaints for this model, summarized from owner-reported fault patterns.
- Valve spring recall
- GDI carbon buildup
- Oil temperature
- Infotainment
Factory maintenance specification sheet
Spec-grade values for the Subaru BRZ. Verify against your owner's manual before service.
| Engine oil grade | 0W-20 |
| Oil capacity (with filter) | 5.1 qt |
| Oil change interval | 7,500 mi |
| Spark plug interval | 60,000 mi |
| Tire size | 215/40R17 |
| Tire pressure (cold) | 35 psi |
| Tire rotation interval | 5,000 mi |
| Air filter interval | 30,000 mi |
| Coolant service interval | 60,000 mi |
| Brake fluid interval | 30,000 mi |
| 12V battery group | Group H5 |
| Battery cold-cranking amps | 500 CCA |
Powertrain & drivetrain identity
Confirm your exact configuration before ordering parts or booking service.
| Engine / motor | 2.4L H4 (FA24D) |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Body style | Coupe |
| Generation | 2022-2024 (2nd Gen ZD8) |
| Market years | 2022-2024 |
| Original MSRP range | $29,000-$33,000 |
| Market | US/CA |
Data sources & methodology
- OBD-II code definitionsSAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standardized powertrain diagnostic trouble codes, with platform-specific causes matched against the model in this dataset. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Fuel economy & MPGeU.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy data (fueleconomy.gov), model-year matched where available. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Maintenance specificationsFactory scheduled-maintenance intervals, fluid grades, tire sizes, and battery group sizes compiled per model. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Defects, recalls & technical service bulletinsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defect and recall records. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
Methodology and citations are maintained by the VehCalc editorial team. Where an official schedule is not yet loaded, results are shown as model estimates and the source is stated as a reference.
Subaru BRZ — Common Ownership Questions
What is the Subaru BRZ 5-year cost of ownership in 2026?
Based on a Popular-trim purchase at $31,000 with a 20% down payment, a 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles per year, and national average tax and insurance, the estimated 5-year cost of ownership is $58,981 — about $11,796 per year — with an estimated $16,120 residual value after 5 years. Use the calculator above to tailor it to your state, down payment, and mileage.
How much does a Subaru BRZ depreciate each year?
The BRZ sits in the sports segment. Applying a segment-average retention curve, it is estimated to keep roughly 85% of its value after the first year and 52% after five years. Depreciation is typically the single largest ownership cost, which is why our calculator shows it year by year alongside every other expense.
What is the Subaru BRZ MSRP and which trims are available?
The BRZ ranges from $29,000 (Base (entry trim)) to $33,000 (Top (fully loaded)). Trims shown: Base (entry trim) ($29,000); Popular (mid trim) ($31,000); Top (fully loaded) ($33,000). Select a trim in the calculator to recompute costs instantly.
What are the Subaru BRZ real-world fuel costs?
EPA combined rating is 22 MPG (city 20 / highway 27). At the 2026 national average of $4.06/gal and 12,000 miles per year, fuel runs about $2,215 per year, or $11,073 over 5 years.
Does the Subaru BRZ qualify for any tax credits?
The BRZ is a gas vehicle, so federal EV credits do not apply. State-level incentives, if any, are listed on each state's page — select your state in the calculator to see local tax and fee impact.
How do Subaru BRZ ownership costs compare with rivals?
See the side-by-side comparison table on this page. We model the BRZ against Toyota GR86, Ford Mustang EcoBoost, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Ford Mustang using identical assumptions — same annual miles, down payment, and loan terms — so the difference is truly apples-to-apples. That is data the manufacturer's site and KBB do not show side by side.
What are the most common Subaru BRZ problems?
Owners of the Subaru BRZ (2022-2024) most often report: Valve spring recall; GDI carbon buildup; Oil temperature; Infotainment. Each is broken down with its root cause and the repair path in the reliability section above.
Which OBD-II codes does the Subaru BRZ throw most often?
The codes logged most frequently for this platform are P0171 (System Too Lean (Bank 1)), P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)), P0128 (Coolant Thermostat Below Regulating Temperature). The full list with the cause usually found on the 2.4L H4 (FA24D) and a low/medium/high severity rating is in the fault-code table above.
Why does my Subaru BRZ valve spring failure recall?
On this model the usual cause is valve spring defect. The typical repair is replacement under recall (reported on 2022-2023 cars). The symptoms table above lists every reported fault for this platform.
Are there model-year-specific Subaru BRZ issues I should check before buying used?
Yes — 2022-2023 cars are associated with valve spring failure recall. Recommended action: valve spring replacement under recall Later builds were corrected. The model-year table above lists all known production-window issues.
What are the Subaru BRZ service intervals and fluid specs?
Factory spec is 0W-20 oil (5.1 qt) changed every 7,500 miles, 215/40R17 tires at 35 psi cold rotated every 5,000 miles, air filter every 30,000 miles, coolant every 60,000 miles, spark plugs every 60,000 miles, and a group H5 battery at 500 CCA. The full spec sheet is above and printable.