2025 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe vs 2025 Subaru BRZ
Comparison Overview
The most significant divergence between the 2025 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and the 2025 Subaru BRZ is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), showing a substantial $16,440 gap, with the BMW starting at $49,650 versus the BRZ's $33,210. Performance metrics favor the BMW, which delivers 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque compared to the BRZ's 228 hp and 184 lb-ft. Efficiency is also a key differentiator; the 4 Series Gran Coupe achieves a 30 MPG combined rating (27/35 city/highway), substantially outpacing the BRZ's 22 MPG combined (20/27 city/highway). Furthermore, utility metrics heavily favor the German entry, offering 16.6 cu ft of cargo space, which is more than double the BRZ's 6.3 cu ft. The size difference is also notable, with the BMW measuring 188.5 inches in length versus the BRZ's 167.9 inches.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
The 2025 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe offers superior fuel economy at 30 MPG combined, which is significantly better for daily driving costs than the BRZ's 22 MPG combined.
2025 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
The 4 Series Gran Coupe, despite being a four-door vehicle, offers more than double the cargo volume at 16.6 cu ft compared to the BRZ's 6.3 cu ft.
2025 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ features a 6-speed manual transmission, appealing more directly to driving purists than the standard 8-speed automatic offered in the base BMW.
2025 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ delivers a 228 hp RWD platform for $16,440 less than the starting price of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Choose the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe if...
- You require better day-to-day running costs due to its 30 combined MPG rating.
- You need practical usability with 16.6 cu ft of cargo capacity and four doors.
- You prefer the smoother operation and consistent efficiency of an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Choose the Subaru BRZ if...
- Your primary focus is maximizing driver engagement via the standard 6-speed manual gearbox.
- You prioritize a lower initial investment, saving $16,440 off the base MSRP.
- You desire a more compact footprint, measuring 167.9 inches in length.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe | Subaru BRZ |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 188.5" | 167.9" |
| Width | 72.9" | 69.9" |
| Height | 56.8" | 51.6" |
| Wheelbase | 112.4" | 101.4" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | — |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Drying | ✓ | — |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | — |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm | 228 hp @ 7000 rpm |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Rear Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 27/35 MPG | 20/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 22 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 421.2/546.0 mi. | 264.0/356.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.6 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 14.9 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 205W | — |
| Speaker System | 10 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 12 months | — |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | — | 4 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass Extended | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.6 in. | 37.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.2 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 2-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Thigh Extension | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 2 | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 2-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Thigh Extension | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Front Hip Room | — | 52.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 36.6 in. | 33.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 34.9 in. | 29.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.3 in. | 51.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | ✓ | — |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 45.2 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8.5 in | 17 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Size | 245/45R H | 215/45R |
| Run Flat Tires | ✓ | — |
| Tire Type | — | Performance |
Suspension
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | BMW | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and 2025 Subaru BRZ.
How significant is the performance gap based on torque figures?
The 2025 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe provides 295 lb-ft of torque, which is 111 lb-ft more than the 184 lb-ft offered by the Subaru BRZ. This large difference suggests the BMW will have substantially stronger acceleration and mid-range pulling power.
Since both cars require premium fuel, which is more economical overall?
Despite both mandating premium unleaded, the BMW 4 Series is significantly more economical, achieving 30 MPG combined versus the BRZ's 22 MPG combined. This 8 MPG advantage heavily reduces long-term fuel expenditures for the BMW.
Does the Subaru BRZ's smaller size translate to lighter weight or better maneuverability?
The BRZ is notably smaller and lighter than the 4 Series Gran Coupe; it is 20.6 inches shorter in length and 3.0 inches narrower. While specific curb weights are not listed, this reduction in physical dimensions generally implies sharper handling characteristics preferred by driving enthusiasts.
What is the primary functional trade-off when selecting the Subaru BRZ?
The primary functional sacrifice is utility, as the BRZ offers only 6.3 cu ft of cargo capacity, compared to the BMW's 16.6 cu ft. Furthermore, the BRZ is strictly a two-door coupe, limiting passenger capacity.
How does the transmission choice affect driving feel between the two models?
The standard 2025 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission focused on smoothness and efficiency. Conversely, the Subaru BRZ features a 6-speed manual transmission, prioritizing direct driver control and mechanical engagement.
Is the horsepower difference of 27 hp the only metric separating their power output?
No, while the BMW has 27 more horsepower (255 hp vs. 228 hp), the torque disparity is much larger at 111 lb-ft, meaning the BMW's power delivery will feel more robust across the RPM range.
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