25 MPG combined, thanks to the 2.4-liter boxer engine and automatic transmission, places the 2025 Subaru BRZ where its target audience expects it to be: a driver-focused, accessible sports car that prioritizes engagement over outright efficiency. Its mission isn’t to set economy records, but rather to deliver grin-inducing performance without punishing the wallet at every fill-up. This figure reflects a balance, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the BRZ’s dynamic capabilities on a regular basis.

City and Highway Performance

Looking at the EPA figures, the 2025 BRZ with the 2.4L engine and automatic transmission achieves 21 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. The city figure, at 21 MPG, is respectable for a naturally aspirated sports car designed for spirited driving. Stop-and-go traffic, the bane of many performance cars, doesn’t completely nosedive the BRZ’s economy, thanks to its well-tuned automatic and the efficient nature of Subaru’s boxer engine. Highway cruising is where the BRZ stretches its legs, hitting 30 MPG. This isn’t groundbreaking for a compact car, but for a rear-wheel-drive coupe that revels in twisty roads, it’s a strong showing. Long road trips are not only possible but enjoyable, without constant pangs of guilt about fuel consumption. The engineers struck a balance, understanding that the BRZ isn’t just a track toy; it’s often a daily driver for those who value driving purity.

Annual Fuel Cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of exactly $2,300 for the 2025 Subaru BRZ 2.4L with the automatic transmission. This figure is calculated based on an assumption of 15,000 miles driven per year, split between city and highway driving, using national average fuel prices. For a car that brings this much joy to its owner, $2,300 per year represents a very reasonable operational expense. It’s a transparent number that future owners can factor directly into their budgets, confirming that the BRZ remains a financially accessible choice for performance enthusiasts. Compare this to many higher-output sports cars, which can easily double or even triple this annual cost, and the BRZ’s appeal as an everyday performance machine becomes even clearer.

Real-World Expectations

In the real world, the 2025 BRZ’s fuel economy tends to align closely with its EPA ratings, provided the driver isn’t consistently exploring the redline. This is a car that thrives on being driven, and that often means enthusiastic acceleration and confident cornering, which will naturally dip below the 25 MPG combined figure. However, even with spirited driving, maintaining a combined average in the low 20s is achievable. On extended highway runs, drivers often report exceeding the 30 MPG figure, especially with a light foot and proper cruise control usage. The inverse is true in heavy urban congestion; expect city mileage to drop into the high teens if you’re frequently in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The key takeaway is that the BRZ’s fuel economy is consistent with its mission, to be a fun, engaging driver’s car that won’t bankrupt you at the pump, even when you’re having a bit of fun.

How it Compares

When evaluating the 2025 BRZ’s fuel economy, its direct competitor is undeniably the Toyota GR86, which shares its powertrain and chassis, and thus offers identical BRZ MPG across all years. Beyond that, the competitive landscape widens slightly. The Mazda MX-5 Miata, a well-equipped 2024 MX-5 Miata RF with its 2.0L engine and automatic transmission achieves 29 MPG combined (26 City / 35 Highway). The Miata clearly wins on highway efficiency thanks to its lighter weight and smaller engine, but the BRZ counters with more horsepower and a fixed roof, appealing to a different subset of enthusiasts. A more powerful, albeit pricier, alternative might be the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback with its 2.3L turbo engine and 10-speed automatic, which delivers 24 MPG combined (21 City / 32 Highway). Here, the BRZ holds its own, nearly matching the turbocharged Mustang’s combined figure with a naturally aspirated engine, but offering a different driving character. For those considering hot hatches, a 2024 Honda Civic Si Sedan (manual only) manages 31 MPG combined (27 City / 37 Highway), showcasing the efficiency advantages of front-wheel drive and a smaller turbocharged engine. This comparison highlights that while some vehicles offer better outright economy, the BRZ’s 25 MPG sits squarely in the sweet spot for a dedicated, rear-wheel-drive sports car that still offers Subaru’s renowned engineering. For more information on all Subaru fuel economy data, you can explore our database.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency

Maintaining proper tire pressure is one of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure your BRZ achieves its optimal fuel economy. Check your pressures weekly, especially with temperature fluctuations, and always inflate to the recommended levels found on the door jamb placard.

While the BRZ encourages spirited driving, consciously practicing smooth acceleration and braking can yield significant improvements in city and combined mileage. Avoid aggressive starts and sudden stops, letting the momentum of the car work for you instead of against you.

The automatic transmission in the BRZ is designed for efficiency and performance; using its manual mode during highway cruises or downhill sections can further optimize fuel consumption by allowing you to proactively manage gear selection and engine RPMs.

Regular maintenance, including timely oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug checks, ensures the 2.4L engine is breathing and performing as designed, directly contributing to its efficiency. Neglecting these basics can lead to a gradual but noticeable drop in MPG.

Minimize unnecessary weight in the trunk or cabin, as every extra pound requires more energy to move. While not a massive factor, for a lightweight sports car like the BRZ, attention to detail like this can contribute to maintaining peak efficiency.