Subaru BRZ vs Mazda RX-8 — Lightweight RWD Legends Face Off in FH6
Two of the purest lightweight RWD sports cars ever made. The BRZ brings 228hp from a naturally aspirated boxer four with razor-sharp handling. The RX-8 counters with a 232hp rotary engine that revs to 9000 rpm and sounds like nothing else on earth. In FH6's B class, both deliver the kind of driving purity that modern turbo cars have forgotten. But which one deserves your garage space?
These are the cars driving purists worship. The BRZ is Subaru's return to the affordable RWD sports car formula — low center of gravity from the boxer engine, perfect weight distribution, and a chassis that communicates every detail of the road. The RX-8 is Mazda's last rotary-powered production car — a rev-happy oddball with suicide doors and an engine that needs to be driven hard. Both are cheap. Both are fun. Their philosophies couldn't be more different.
Subaru BRZ — Boxer Precision
228hp boxer four, ultra-low COG, razor-sharp chassis — the modern affordable sports car.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed | 6.5 |
| Handling | 8.2 |
| Acceleration | 6.8 |
| Launch | 6.5 |
| Braking | 7.5 |
| PI (Stock) | 610 |
Pros
- Chassis is telepathic — responds to every input instantly
- Boxer engine gives incredibly low center of gravity
- Massive aftermarket support with endless engine swaps
Cons
- Torque dip in the mid-range is annoying
- Boxer engine sound isn't for everyone
- Not as special as a rotary — just another flat-four
Best Events
| Event Type | Rating |
|---|---|
| Road Racing (B) | S-Tier |
| Drift Zones | A-Tier |
| Street Scene | A-Tier |
Mazda RX-8 — Rotary Soul
232hp 1.3L rotary, 9000 rpm, suicide doors — the last of its kind.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed | 6.5 |
| Handling | 8.0 |
| Acceleration | 6.8 |
| Launch | 6.5 |
| Braking | 7.2 |
| PI (Stock) | 610 |
Pros
- Rotary sound is intoxicating — buzz-saw scream to 9000 rpm
- Perfect 50:50 weight distribution, rotates like a top
- Unique in FH6 — not many people drive these
Cons
- Zero torque below 5000 rpm, launched off the line
- Rotary engine swap options are limited
- Heavier than the BRZ, feels it in transitions
Best Events
| Event Type | Rating |
|---|---|
| Road Racing (B) | A-Tier |
| Drift Zones | A-Tier |
| Speed Zones | B-Tier |
Head-to-Head
| Spec | Subaru BRZ | Mazda RX-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Handling | 8.2 | 8.0 |
| Acceleration | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| PI (Stock) | 610 | 610 |
Verdict
The BRZ is the objectively better sports car — sharper handling, lighter, and more responsive in every situation. It's the smarter purchase and the faster lap time for most drivers. But the RX-8 is the more memorable experience — the rotary engine is a genuinely unique driving sensation that the BRZ's boxer can't replicate. The BRZ is the rational choice for winning B-class races. The RX-8 is the emotional choice for enjoying every single corner. If you can only have one, the BRZ will make you faster. But if you already have a fast car, the RX-8 will make you smile more. Buy both — at these prices, why wouldn't you?
How to Get Each
Subaru BRZ: 30,000 CR. Best value sports car in the game.
Mazda RX-8: 18,000 CR. Rotary fun for pocket change.