2016 Subaru BRZ Series HyperBlue Update 1: Two Features I Want

As I mentioned inmy arrival story, I drove ourlong-term 2016 Nissan Maxima SRfor a couple months before swapping into the 2016 Subaru BRZ. The difference between a loaded full-size sedan and a sporty coupe are night and day—probably no one in car-buying history has ever cross-shopped these two—so there was a considerable adjustment period as far as features. (And yes, I will talk about the BRZ driving experience in depth in my next update, so hold your 200 horses.)

See All 12 Photos12

Of course I was spoiled and comfy in the Maxima, which has so many features that I could practically live in it. I didn't expect 95 percent of that luxurious stuff to carry over, as items such as leather-trimmed heated and cooled seats, "Liquid Chrome" interior accents, and ambient LED lighting aren't the point of the BRZ, whose reason for existence is the joy of driving. But I was immediately taken aback by the lack of two things: automatic door locks and hill start assist. When you're a girl, it's drilled into you that you must lock the doors the minute you get into your car to keep out potential rapists/ax murderers/carjackers. The last three long-termers I had locked the doors automatically as soon as the car was started. The BRZ, nope. You gotta do it yourself, and after years of having it done for me, I keep forgetting. And again, from three years of driving more luxurious vehicles, I forgot that not all cars have hill start assist until I was at a standstill on my steeply sloped apartment entryway waiting for the gate to open with another car close on my tail. I was still figuring out the clutch and very nearly backed into the other car. I've now got the hang of feathering the clutch without lurching backward, but I would not recommend a manual BRZ to anyone commuting on the meanly raked streets of San Francisco. If I were spending my money, I'd be willing to spring for hill start assist were it available, which it isn't on either BRZ trim.

See All 12 Photos12

See All 12 Photos12

The interior ergonomics are ideal for me, but I'm just over 5 feet tall. My 6-foot husband remarked that passenger seat legroom and headroom were adequate—which is to be expected of a small sport coupe—but when he had to scoot the seat forward to accommodate my 5-year-old niece in the back seat, his knees were touching the dash. Those back seats are really more of a suggestion, and I suggest unless you're 5, don't use 'em for bodies. The front seats aren't power adjustable, but even so I had no problem finding my perfect seating position, and I don't have to move the seat back to exit the vehicle, as I have to do in the 2016 Mustang.

One last note: When set on High, the BRZ's heated seats are HOT! We've had a cold spell here (yeah, that's what we call it when it's 58 degrees), and they heat up fast and are on the edge of being too hot.

I have a LOT to say about the driving experience (FUN!) and the infotainment system (not fun) for future updates. Stay tuned.

More on our long-term 2016Series HyperBlue here:

• Arrival
• Update 1: Switching Gears From a Fancy Sedan to a Fun Sports Coupe
• Update 2: The Automotive Stress Reliever
• Update 3: Not too fast and not too slow—the BRZ is just right!
• Update 4: Exploring Bluetooth-Streaming and Truck-Release Issues
• Update 5: Why We Like This Special-Edition Color
• Update 6: Shifting Through Rush-Hour Traffic
• Verdict

See All 12 Photos12