The standard Subaru BRZ didn't sell, so it's no longer available.

      **Subaru**

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      As we approach 2026, prices are rising across the board, particularly for cars. The Subaru BRZ, long considered one of the most affordable options for a rear-wheel-drive sports car, debuted at under $29,000 for the 2022 model year. However, the starting price will now jump to $37,055. Yes, you read that correctly.

      This isn’t just a tale of increasing prices or tariffs. Subaru has eliminated the base trim of the BRZ, which frustratingly was named “Premium.” For 2025, a BRZ Premium started at $34,380. The other two trims—the Limited (which is above Premium, of course), and tS, now start at $37,055 and $39,555, respectively. Those prices remain unchanged, except for a slight increase of $25 in the destination and delivery charge. Gotta adapt to inflation, right?

      From Subaru’s press release, the reasoning behind removing the entry-level trim isn’t explicitly stated, but there are hints. Subaru notes that only one in ten BRZ buyers chose the Premium last year; that amounts to approximately 210 of the 2,107 BRZs sold through August 2025.

      So, yes—the BRZ model that most consumers tend to choose will still be available without a price hike. That’s a positive, for now. Still, the increased entry cost is hard to accept for what was once an inexpensive gateway to excitement. Now, the cheapest BRZ you can purchase features suede seats. While that's nice, there are likely some BRZ enthusiasts who simply desire a no-frills rear-drive sports car with a six-speed transmission. Their primary focus is on the mechanical aspects.

      Regarding its counterpart, the Toyota 86, the pricing for the upcoming model year remains uncertain, as does whether Toyota will remove any trims like Subaru has. In 2025, the 86 was priced starting at $31,595, with the higher-grade Premium (yes, in Toyota terms, that means what you might expect) costing $34,195. If those figures hold, Toyota will have a clear advantage in value as we move into 2026. This would be particularly appealing given the GR Corolla is now priced in the $40K range.

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