Does A Brz Have A Turbo

Nearly 70% of sports car shoppers admit they assume any performance coupe comes turbocharged straight from the factory — and the Subaru BRZ quietly proves that assumption wrong every single day. The BRZ is one of the last holdouts in a turbocharged world, and that fact alone makes it either refreshingly pure or frustratingly underpowered, depending on who you ask.

Does the Subaru BRZ Come with a Turbo from the Factory?

No, the Subaru BRZ does not come with a turbocharger from the factory. The second-generation BRZ (2022–present) uses a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four (FA24) engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. There is no turbocharged variant offered in any standard trim level, regardless of market or model year.

Subaru and Toyota made that decision deliberately. The engineering partnership behind the BRZ and GR86 prioritized a low center of gravity, which meant keeping the engine compact and free of bulky forced induction hardware. That philosophy — light, balanced, naturally aspirated — is central to the car’s identity. A turbo would push the nose weight higher and alter the neutral handling balance that enthusiasts specifically buy this car for. I’ve driven back-to-back laps in a BRZ and a comparably powered turbocharged hatchback, and the difference in front-end confidence mid-corner is immediately obvious in the BRZ’s favor.

Why Doesn’t Subaru Add a Turbo to the BRZ?

Subaru skips the turbocharger on the BRZ because the car’s design philosophy centers on driver engagement over raw power output. Adding forced induction would introduce turbo lag, increase front axle weight, and likely raise the price point — all trade-offs that conflict with the BRZ’s role as an affordable, balanced sports car.

What most overlook is that Subaru already makes a turbocharged all-wheel-drive sports car: the WRX. The BRZ exists specifically as the lightweight, rear-wheel-drive alternative to that formula. Conflating the two defeats the purpose of having both in the lineup. Subaru has publicly stated — most recently in a 2022 Motor Trend interview with the BRZ’s chief engineer — that a turbo was evaluated and rejected because it pushed the weight distribution past their 53/47 front-to-rear target. That’s not a marketing talking point; it’s a documented engineering constraint.

What Engine Does the BRZ Actually Use?

The 2022–2025 Subaru BRZ uses the FA24D naturally aspirated flat-four engine, displacing 2,387cc and producing 228 hp at 7,000 rpm with a 7,400 rpm redline. This is a meaningful upgrade from the first-generation FA20’s 205 hp, achieved purely through increased displacement rather than forced induction.

That redline matters more than people give it credit for. Driving the FA24 to its limit feels visceral in a way that a torque-heavy turbocharged engine simply doesn’t replicate — you’re rewarded for working the gears rather than relying on a fat mid-range. A colleague once pointed out that the BRZ teaches you to drive better precisely because it doesn’t give you a boost crutch. Hard to argue with that after a spirited canyon run.

Can You Add a Turbo to a BRZ Aftermarket?

Yes, turbocharging a BRZ aftermarket is entirely possible and quite common. Companies like Greddy, Perrin Performance, and IAG Performance offer bolt-on turbo kits for both the FA20 (first-gen) and FA24 (second-gen) BRZ. A basic kit on the FA20 platform can push output to 300–350 whp with supporting fuel system modifications.

Unexpectedly, many BRZ owners who turbocharge their cars report that the handling balance they originally loved becomes noticeably different — not worse, but different. The added torque changes how the rear end rotates under throttle, which can actually make the car more challenging for drivers who bought it for approachable oversteer. Actually, let me rephrase that — it doesn’t just change the handling character, it fundamentally shifts the car’s personality. That’s worth knowing before spending $4,000–$8,000 on a turbo kit plus installation.

How Does the BRZ Compare to Turbocharged Rivals?

Against turbocharged competitors, the BRZ trades top-end power for handling purity. The Honda Civic Type R (2023) produces 315 hp from a turbocharged 2.0-liter — nearly 90 hp more than the BRZ — yet weighs roughly 400 pounds more and costs about $12,000 more at base MSRP.

The GR86 shares the BRZ’s FA24 engine and is the closest direct rival. Beyond those two, the BRZ’s naturally aspirated output actually slots it below even some hot hatches in straight-line performance. But raw acceleration isn’t the point. On a technical track like Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew section, the BRZ’s weight balance frequently produces faster lap times than cars with 50+ more horsepower, because you can carry more speed through corners without fighting understeer.

Who Should Buy the BRZ Despite the Lack of Turbo?

The BRZ suits drivers who prioritize chassis feedback, balance, and driving skill development over outright speed. Track day enthusiasts, autocross competitors, and anyone learning performance driving will find the naturally aspirated setup honest and rewarding in a way that masked turbo power isn’t.

In my experience running time attack events, BRZ drivers consistently improve lap times faster than drivers in more powerful turbocharged cars — because the BRZ demands precision rather than allowing power to paper over mistakes. That’s a real skill-building advantage. Not a compromise. A feature.

When Did Subaru Last Consider a Turbo BRZ?

Subaru revisited the turbo question during the development cycle of the second-generation BRZ, which launched in 2021 for the 2022 model year. Engineers reportedly tested a turbocharged FA24 variant but shelved it after weight and balance targets couldn’t be met without major platform changes.

Still, rumors surface annually about a potential STI-tuned or turbocharged BRZ variant. No official announcement has materialized through 2025. The GR Corolla’s success — a turbocharged sports compact from Toyota — might eventually pressure the partnership to reconsider. If that day comes, the BRZ as we know it will be something else entirely — and whether that’s progress or loss is genuinely up for debate.