Scion FR-S Sports Coupe Cheaper, Subaru BRZ Arrives Sooner +VIDEO

Auto Central April 26, 2012; Scion says its FR-S sports coupe arrives in June, priced $1,335 less than the mechanically similar Subaru BRZ. The FR-S starts at $24,930 for the manual transmission model, $26,030 for the automatic. BRZ: $26,265 and $27,365.

According to USA Today, the main equipment differences appear to be navigation system and headlights. Subaru lists navi and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights as standard in the base-level BRZ. Scion's list of features doesn't include navi or HID lights. Subaru also offers a deluxe model, called Limited, with more features. Scion lists only a single model.

Key hardware – engine, transmissions, tires – is the same, because the two cars are the products of a joint venture between Subaru and Scion's parent, Toyota. The cars are made in Japan by Subaru's corporate parent, Fuji Heavy Industries.

Subaru expects its West Coast dealers to start getting cars this month, and forecasts that all dealers will have them by late next month. Scion says the FR-S won't be on sale until June. The BRZ/FR-S is a buzz-mobile, attracting lots of pre-sale interest and positive critical commentary. They are triggering the same kind of excitement that the original Mazda Miata did.

Click here for the latest details on both vehicles.