After months of teaser videos and surprise sightings, the 2022 Subaru BRZ has officially arrived. Rather than reinvent the wheel, the all-new BRZ builds on the recipe developed by the first generation. For starters, it’s still a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive two-seater. However, this new BRZ benefits from a brand-new engine and a tech-filled interior. Despite the massive changes, however, the 2022 Subaru BRZ is set to be even more fun than the original.

The 2022 Subaru BRZ looks significantly sharper

While the first-generation Subaru BRZ was by no means an ugly car, this all-new model sports a much sharper aesthetic. Upfront, the lower grille is wider and reaches the very bottom of the front bumper. Two large functional air intakes flank it. The headlights are now larger and feature a rounded design. The hood now features design lines that not only accentuate the bulge of the front fenders but carry into the front bumper.

The small wing of the original Subaru BRZ is gone, and instead, the trunk lid features a unique design that appears almost like a small spoiler. Additionally, the taillights have been completely redesigned. A line across the trunk unites them. Down below, we’ve got a much larger diffuser than in the first generation. While the first BRZ had its license plate mounted on the trunk lid, this new-gen has a place for it in the rear bumper.

If this BRZ looks slightly lower to the ground, that’s because it is one inch long and about half an inch lower than the previous generation. New 18-inch wheels are available, although they retain the narrow 215/40 tire of the original BRZ. The result is that despite the grown-up looks, you should still be able to slide it around quite easily.

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder now develops 228 hp

If there is anything fans of the Subaru BRZ have been yearning for is more power. In this regard, the BRZ gets some major improvements with the addition of a brand-new engine. The 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer four-cylinder develops 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. While the increased power figure is great, the real improvement comes in the torque department. That’s because you get max torque at 3,700 rpm. The first-gen BRZ developed its torque at 6,400 rpm. As a result, it felt quite slow in a straight line despite having 200 hp. Sadly it seems the BRZ will yet again have to live without a turbocharged engine.

Enthusiasts will be happy to learn that a six-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter comes as standard. However, a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is also available. Offered as standard for all BRZs is a limited-slip differential. To help performance, Subaru claims the BRZ’s chassis is now 60 percent more rigid than the outgoing model.

In terms of weight, the BRZ comes in significantly below 3,000 lb. The lightest BRZ available is the Premium trim with the six-speed manual, which has a curb weight of 2,815, while the heaviest is the Limited trim with the automatic transmission, tipping the scales at 2,881.

The interior is now filled with tech

One of the largest drawbacks of the original Subaru BRZ was its cheap-feeling lackluster interior. For 2022, the BRZ now gets a seven-inch digital instrument cluster. Buyers will be able to configure the screen to display whichever performance-related information they prefer to see. In photos, at least, the dashboard appears to be significantly taller, likely to make room for the new eight-inch infotainment screen. As you’d expect in any modern Subaru, you get Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity.

In terms of seats, there are very reminiscent of the first-gen seats. The Subaru BRZ’s seats are a combination of black suede, black leather, and red stitching throughout. If the previous generation is anything to go by, these accents will likely be red in most models, except special editions. Thankfully, it seems Subaru has kept the bucket seat design instead of opting for something more comfortable.

Interior refinement wasn’t exactly the Subaru BRZ’s strength, so it remains to be seen just how noisy the new model is while out on the road.

Here’s what we don’t know

While there is a lot we know about the 2022 Subaru BRZ, we still don’t know how much it will cost. However, if the price of the 2021 Subaru BRZ is anything to go by, expect to pay slightly above the current model’s $28,845 base price. Since the BRZ is expected to go on sale toward the end of 2021, we should see official pricing sometime in early to mid-2021.