Driven: Subaru BRZ - Telegraph Gladly, Subaru is back in the limelight with the BRZ, a joint venture with Toyota, which produces the almost identical GT-86. It's a back-to-basics coupé with rear-wheel drive, sleek styling, light weight, a low centre of gravity, sufficient rather than prodigious power and an emphasis on driver pleasure. The engine in both cars is Subaru's flat-four, 2.0-litre petrol unit developing 197bhp. It's quick enough, with 0-62mph taking 7.6sec, but it's the chassis balance that really impresses. You'll need a bootful of revs to get going, however, and this isn't the most refined of units in crawling traffic. Skinny tyres also mean it's easy to spin the rear wheels on damp or loose surfaces. The short-throw, six-speed manual transmission is so slick that I can't imagine many people going for the auto instead. Likewise the steering, which is beautifully weighted and enhances cornering precision. The BRZ is relatively firmly sprung but there's also a degree of compliance, helped by the car's low mass, that puts it so far ahead of its rivals. Driver and passenger have plenty of space but there's a chronic lack of legroom for anyone in the back. Also lacking is a preponderance of gadgets, which underlines its functionality as well as allowing Subaru to build it more cheaply. At this price, it has to be something of a bargain. Welcome back, Subaru. Price: £24,995