Nearly identical to the Subaru BRZ sport coupe, the rear-drive Scion FR-S offers the same sporty handling and energetic acceleration. The suspension has slightly different tuning, giving it an ever-so-slightly more compliant ride. But other than that—and a different nose job and trim—the two cars are just about interchangeable.

Sold as the Toyota GT-86 in other markets, the Scion FR-S uses the same Subaru four-cylinder, 2.0-liter boxer engine found in the BRZ that's good for 200 hp. Transmission choices are the same six-speed manual or automatic; we opted for the slick-shifting manual in ours.

Other than that, the Scion is even simpler to buy than the Subaru, with only one trim level and no options other than the transmission choice. The interior is snug but roomy enough for two, with well-bolstered seats and a basic-but-solid look and feel. The climate control knobs will be familiar to anyone who has spent some time in any Toyota, and like other Scions, the cheesy radio looks like something from a discount electronics store. (Unfortunately for Subaru fans, the BRZ gets a similar radio.)

While factory options may be limited, the FR-S is offered with a long list of accessories available through the dealer, and more are likely to be coming soon.

Our FR-S rang in at $25,025 including a $730 delivery charge, slightly less than our BRZ. Some upscale options, like a leather interior, aren't available to Scion buyers. But the fun-to-drive factor is yours, either way. Our full report will be coming soon, after a few more grin-inducing break-in miles, some of them experienced—no doubt—on our track.

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