Verdict
These are both CBU, rear-drive petrol coupes with manual gearboxes and five-year warranties, but they sit in different tax brackets and budgets. The Lotus Emira costs RM1,131,800 against the Subaru BRZ’s RM249,245, and the extra RM882,555 buys a 3,456 cc engine, 400 hp and a 4.3 s sprint. The BRZ counters with four seats, 226 litres of boot space and RM767 road tax, useful numbers if this coupe has to live with Klang Valley parking, tolls and family excuses.
Pick the Lotus Emira if you want the harder-hitting manual sports car, with 400 hp, 420 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want rear-drive manual fun with four seats, a 226-litre boot and much lower yearly road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Emira RM1,131,800; Subaru BRZ RM249,245
- Engine: Lotus Emira 3,456 cc; Subaru BRZ 2,387 cc
- Output: Lotus Emira 400 hp and 420 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Emira 4.3 s; Subaru BRZ 6.3 s
- Seats and boot: Lotus Emira 2 seats and 151 L; Subaru BRZ 4 seats and 226 L
- Road tax: Lotus Emira RM4,182 per year; Subaru BRZ RM767 per year
Emira
- Much stronger 400 hp and 420 Nm outputs
- Quicker 4.3 s 0-100 km/h time
- Last internal-combustion Lotus, with a manual gearbox
- Only two seats
- Smaller 151-litre boot
- RM4,182 yearly road tax
BRZ
- Four seats give it more daily use
- Larger 226-litre boot
- Lower RM767 yearly road tax
- Slower 6.3 s 0-100 km/h time
- Less power at 234 hp and 250 Nm
- Auto emergency braking is not listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,131,800 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,182 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, supercharged (Roots) with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 3,456 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 400 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Six-speed Manual | — |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.3 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,412 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,225 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,405 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 151 litres | 226 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Touring or Sports Suspensions Available | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android, KEF Reference Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Automatic Front Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | No | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Emira & BRZ for sale
Emira vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Lotus Emira or Subaru BRZ better?
The Lotus Emira is better for outright performance, with 400 hp, 420 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The Subaru BRZ is better for everyday compromise, with four seats, a 226-litre boot and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emira is RM882,555 dearer than the Subaru BRZ. That gap sits alongside a bigger 3,456 cc engine, 400 hp output and much higher RM4,182 yearly road tax.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Subaru BRZ is more practical on paper. It has four seats, 226 litres of boot space and a 50-litre fuel tank, while the Lotus Emira has two seats and 151 litres of boot space.