Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Subaru BRZ — Which C Class RWD vs RWD Is Better in FH6?
Two very different approaches to going fast. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is RWD with 181 hp, the Subaru BRZ is RWD with 228 hp. Here's which one wins — and why.
Putting the Mazda Mazda MX-5 Miata against the Subaru Subaru BRZ is one of those comparisons that doesn't have a clean answer until you've run real laps back to back. The Mazda MX-5 Miata puts down 181 hp from a 2.0L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 (Skyactiv-G), weighs 1,065 kg, and drives the RWD wheels. The Subaru BRZ counters with 228 hp from a 2.4L Naturally Aspirated Flat-4 (FA24), tipping the scales at 1,280 kg through the RWD wheels. On paper they look close enough that you'd think it comes down to preference. It doesn't — I've tested both extensively and the gaps are real, sometimes surprising, sometimes exactly where you'd expect.
In FH6 specifically, these two cars interact with the updated physics engine very differently. The tire model changes, the weight transfer rework, the differential behavior — all of it shifts the balance between RWD and RWD in ways that weren't true in FH5. I spent a full evening hot-lapping both on the same circuits back to back, and what I found changed which one I'd recommend depending on what you're trying to achieve.
Mazda MX-5 Miata — The Mazda Contender
The purest driving experience in Forza Horizon 6 — 181 hp, 1,065 kg, and a chassis that talks to you.
The Miata is a momentum car. It has the most communicative steering in FH6.
Full Specs — Mazda MX-5 Miata
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 5.0 | Strong performance at high speeds |
| Handling | 8.5 | Responsive and predictable cornering |
| Acceleration | 4.8 | Good power delivery through the rev range |
| Launch | 5.0 | Consistent launch with proper technique |
| Braking | 6.0 | Reliable stopping power |
| Off-Road | 3.0 | Capable off-road performance |
| PI (Stock) | 490 | Competitive C class rating |
Pros & Cons — Mazda MX-5 Miata
Pros
- Excellent handling (8.5/10) for its class
- Good tuning potential with various build options
- Competitive C class performer
Cons
- Performance Index of 490 requires careful PI management
Best Events — Mazda MX-5 Miata
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drift Zones | A-Tier | Light RWD with LSD upgrade = drift machine |
| Touge / Mountain Roads | S-Tier | Its natural habitat — tight downhill corners |
| Road Racing (C/B) | B-Tier | Competitive in low classes with the right tune |
| Dirt Racing | B-Tier | Light enough to be genuinely fun on loose surfaces |
| Speed Traps | D-Tier | 128 hp. What did you expect? |
| Drag Racing | D-Tier | You're not serious, right? |
Subaru BRZ — The Subaru Contender
I've spent way too many hours in this car and I'm not sorry about it. 228 hp, 2.4L Naturally Aspirated Flat-4 (FA24), and a chassis that talks to you.
Drive the Subaru BRZ like a rhythm game, not a racing game. Each corner is three inputs — brake, turn, throttle — and the timing between them is the entire skill. Brake too abruptly and the nose dives, the rear goes light, and the car won't rotate. Brake too gently and you overshoot. The sweet spot: firm initial pressure, then ease off as you approach the turn-in point. Weight transfers forward smoothly, the rear goes just light enough to rotate, and you're back on throttle before the AWD cars have finished understeering past the apex.
Full Specs — Subaru BRZ
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 5.5 | Upper end tapers off a bit — tune the final drive to fix this |
| Handling | 7.8 | Front-end bite is incredible. You can carry speed through corners that should be impossible |
| Acceleration | 5.5 | Loses a bit of steam above 120 mph. For circuit racing it's not an issue, but on long straights you'll notice |
| Launch | 5.8 | Needs a bit of throttle modulation, but once you find the sweet spot it's consistent |
| Braking | 6.5 | Consistent lap after lap. No fade even after 20 minutes of pushing hard |
| Off-Road | 4.0 | Ground clearance is the limiting factor. Everything else works, but you'll bottom out on big jumps |
| PI (Stock) | 620 | Decent for its class. Room to grow with upgrades |
Pros & Cons — Subaru BRZ
Pros
- Stock tune is surprisingly competitive. You can win races without touching the upgrade menu
- Gearing is spot-on out of the box. No awkward gaps in the powerband
- PI efficiency is excellent — punches well above its number in the right hands
Cons
- Oversteer on lift-off can catch you out if you're not paying attention mid-corner
- A bit one-dimensional. Excels at one thing, mediocre at everything else
- Understeer on corner entry when you carry too much speed. Trail braking helps but doesn't cure it
Best Events — Subaru BRZ
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road Racing | B-Tier | Middle of the pack. It'll get the job done, but there are better options in this class. |
| Street Scene | A-Tier | Strong choice. Not quite meta-defining, but you'll podium consistently with it. |
| Speed Zones | B-Tier | Usable, not optimal. You can win with it, but you're working harder than the competition. |
| Speed Traps | C-Tier | Technically possible. You'll be fighting the car more than the competition. |
| Drift Zones | A-Tier | Very capable. A few setup tweaks away from being truly elite. |
| Dirt Racing | C-Tier | Not its natural habitat. Bring it here for fun, not for wins. |
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Spec | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Subaru BRZ |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| Handling | 8.5 | 7.8 |
| Acceleration | 4.8 | 5.5 |
| Launch | 5.0 | 5.8 |
| Braking | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Off-Road | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| PI (Stock) | 490 | 620 |
Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?
Here's the honest answer after testing both cars back to back on the same circuits. The "better" car depends entirely on what you're driving for.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 Miata if: you prioritize cornering precision over straight-line speed. you enjoy the challenge of managing oversteer and want the higher skill ceiling. you're building for a specific PI bracket and want the best car per point.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if: you enjoy the challenge of managing oversteer and want the higher skill ceiling. you're building for a specific PI bracket and want the best car per point.
If I could only keep one, I'd pick the Subaru BRZ. Both are competitive in the C class meta though, and either one will podium consistently if you build it right. My advice: test both at the Autoshow, run a few laps on your favorite circuit, and trust the stopwatch. The numbers don't lie — even when your heart wants them to.
How to Get Each Car
Buy for 20,000 CR. Available from the start — the best early-game driver's car.
Very common drop. You'll own five by accident.
You can grab this one at the Autoshow for 30,000 CR. Good value considering what you get.
Was a seasonal playlist reward in Series 10. If you missed it, the Auction House is your best bet.
Wheelspin luck required. Pro tip: save your super wheelspins and open them in bulk. Doesn't change the odds, but it feels better.