Our 2023 Subaru BRZ made it through its first winter

Our long-term test vehicles face challenging conditions in Michigan, with wildlife encounters, poorly maintained roads, and harsh weather posing real threats.

Fortunately, our 2023 Subaru BRZ survived its first winter remarkably well, and we have no major issues to report.

The credit for its success goes mainly to the appropriate winter tires we equipped it with.

we swapped out the original-equipment Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires for narrower 205/55R-16 Michelin X-Ice Snow tires mounted on 16-inch steel wheels

Besides protecting the car’s stock 18-inch wheels from pothole damage and curb strikes, we all agreed that the low-slung sports coupe looked cool with the black steelies.

Although winters in the Detroit area have become milder in recent years, the snowfalls we did experience would have challenged any lightweight rear-drive sports car.