Given the BRZ’s specs—rear-drive, 200 horsepower, manual gearbox, less than 30 grand—we began our 40,000 miles of study long before it and the Scion formally secured 10Best trophies for 2013. The Subaru was always our first choice, as the company handled the bulk of the engineering, including the fitment of one of its emblematic flat-four engines.

Our long-term 2013 Premium model in WR Blue Pearl was a fine cake that needed no frosting; even the base car comes well equipped with an excellent si