7 Best Subaru BRZ Interior Upgrades for 2013–2020 and 22+

The best Subaru BRZ interior upgrades improve the parts of the car you use on every drive. A better-shaped shift knob, a refreshed steering-wheel surface, a supportive seating position, and well-matched trim can make a larger difference from behind the wheel than an exterior part you rarely see. The goal is not to fill the cabin with accessories. It is to make the controls feel better, keep the design cohesive, and preserve the safety systems that make the car suitable for the street.

Fitment must come first. The first-generation BRZ sold in the United States for the 2013–2020 model years uses the ZC6 chassis, while the second-generation 22+ BRZ uses the ZD8 chassis. They have different dashboards, steering wheels, center consoles, electronics, and trim dimensions. The BRZ also shares many components with the Scion FR-S, Toyota 86, and GR86, but a shared platform does not guarantee that every interior part fits every year, trim, or transmission.

Best BRZ Interior Upgrades at a Glance

Start with the controls that are already worn, uncomfortable, or distracting. A coordinated two-part change usually looks more intentional than replacing every panel at once. It also gives you time to judge whether each new material works with the factory plastics, stitching, and lighting.

First-Generation vs Second-Generation BRZ Interiors

The first-generation BRZ has a straightforward cockpit with conventional analog gauges, a central tachometer, physical climate controls, and a fold-down rear seat. Its simplicity makes it easy to personalize, but the oldest examples now have more than a decade of wear on leather, plastics, switch coatings, seat bolsters, and audio components. Refreshing damaged touchpoints can make the cabin feel substantially newer without changing its original design.

The 22+ BRZ has a more modern foundation. Subaru added a configurable 7-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch multimedia display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, revised seats, and a completely different steering wheel and center console. The second-generation car needs fewer technology corrections, so its most effective changes tend to focus on touch, material consistency, driving position, and subtle trim.

Do not treat “FR-S/BRZ/86” or “GR86/BRZ” in a listing as universal confirmation. Read the full fitment range and compare the product photographs, mounting points, connectors, and options with the car. Mid-generation revisions and trim packages can change details even when the dashboard looks similar.

1. Choose a Shift Knob That Fits the Driver and Transmission

A shift knob is one of the highest-value BRZ interior changes because the driver feels it during every manual gear change. Shape determines how naturally the knob fits the hand. Height changes leverage and reach. Weight can make the lever carry more momentum through the gate, while material affects temperature and grip. None of those traits is universally best, so choose around the way you hold and move the shifter.

For a first-generation manual BRZ, a tapered stainless-steel design gives the hand a defined grip and adds mass without requiring a complete shifter assembly. Verify the knob’s thread engagement and reverse-lockout clearance, then make sure the shift boot sits cleanly once installed.

PERRIN BRZ/FR-S/86 Brushed Tapered 1.8in Stainless Steel Shift Knob (PERPSP-INR-131-7)

The second-generation manual BRZ uses a different application, so a 22+ specific knob is the safer choice. A barrel profile works well for drivers who prefer a side grip and want a substantial contact surface. Stainless steel can become hot or cold with cabin temperature, which matters if the car sits outside.

PERRIN 2022 BRZ/GR86 Manual Brushed Barrel 1.85in Stainless Steel Shift Knob (PERPSP-INR-133-2)

Automatic cars need automatic-specific fitment. A manual knob that physically threads onto a lever may still interfere with a release mechanism, boot, or indicator. Whatever the transmission, test every gear and reverse with the engine off before driving. Confirm that the knob remains tight without using an adhesive that makes future service unnecessarily difficult.

2. Improve the Steering Wheel Without Ignoring the Airbag

The steering wheel defines both control and visual balance in the BRZ cabin. If the factory leather is glossy, peeling, or uncomfortable, a properly installed wrap or compatible replacement can restore grip. Trim changes can also alter the look without disturbing the wheel rim. The correct path depends on whether the goal is repair, tactile improvement, or appearance.

First-generation owners who like the factory wheel can begin with a model-specific carbon trim piece. It changes the central appearance while retaining the original rim, airbag, buttons, and overall geometry. Test-fit the piece before removing adhesive backing, clean the mounting surface with a material-safe product, and confirm that no edge interferes with a switch or airbag seam.

Rexpeed Carbon Steering Wheel Trim (13 - 21 BRZ/FRS)

For a 22+ BRZ, a model-specific replacement wheel can provide a reshaped rim and a different leather or carbon treatment while being designed around the factory architecture. Confirm which factory components transfer over and whether options such as buttons, trim, paddles, heating, and the airbag remain compatible with the exact trim and transmission.

Rexpeed Custom Steering Wheel (22+ GR86/BRZ)

Steering-wheel work involves a supplemental restraint system. Follow the factory service procedure, disconnect power for the specified period, handle the airbag correctly, and torque the wheel fastener to specification. If you cannot verify the clockspring position, connector locks, airbag condition, or warning-light operation, use a qualified installer. Removing a street car’s airbag for appearance is not a sensible interior improvement.

3. Fix the Driving Position Before Buying Racing Seats

A seat should hold the driver securely without creating pressure points or compromising pedal and steering-wheel control. Before replacing anything, adjust the factory seat so the clutch or brake can be fully depressed with a slight bend in the knee. Set the backrest upright enough that the wrists can reach the top of the wheel without lifting the shoulders. Then evaluate headroom, thigh support, lateral movement, and visibility.

Factory BRZ seats are supportive enough for many street and occasional track drivers. A worn bolster can often be repaired, and upholstery work may preserve airbags and factory comfort better than a low-cost replacement seat. Drivers seeking more support should treat the seat, side mounts, base, sliders, belt mounting, and occupant electronics as one system rather than unrelated purchases.

Aftermarket seats can change seating height in unexpected ways. A tall side mount or slider may raise the driver even when the seat shell looks thin. Fixed-back seats can also complicate rear access and daily comfort. Measure the desired hip position, helmet clearance, shoulder-belt path, and door clearance before ordering components.

JDC fitment note: A seat bracket fitting the floor does not confirm that the complete seating system is safe. Airbags, occupancy sensors, seat-belt anchors, slider locks, harness geometry, and local rules all need to be addressed.

A multi-point harness is not a stand-alone street improvement. It must be selected as part of a properly engineered safety system and used with compatible seating, mounting, rollover protection, and event requirements. For most street-driven BRZ builds, retaining the factory three-point belt and functioning airbags is the better choice.

4. Use Interior Trim to Create One Consistent Theme

Trim works best when it repeats an existing material or color rather than introducing a new finish on every panel. Choose one primary direction, such as dry carbon with black trim, titanium accents with neutral upholstery, or an upholstery color carried across the wheel, boots, and console. Mixing several carbon weaves, gloss levels, anodized colors, and stitch colors can make even expensive parts look disconnected.

For 2013–2020 cars with worn or mismatched soft-touch pieces, a coordinated interior kit can refresh several visible surfaces at once. Select the exact year range and desired material, inspect the original parts underneath, and keep the stitching direction consistent across the cabin.

Auto Interior Technic Interior Kit (2013-2020 BRZ/FR-S)

A smaller metal accent can work as a focal point without changing the entire console. On a first-generation car equipped with the applicable heated-seat controls, a titanium bezel adds color and machined detail around a factory touchpoint. Verify that the car has the matching switch layout and install it without restricting switch movement.

JDC Titanium Heated Seat Control Bezel | 13-21 FRS/BRZ/86

The second-generation dashboard has larger, more integrated surfaces. A dry-carbon overlay around the stereo can create a clear focal area while retaining the original display and controls. Test-fit every edge, verify access to buttons and vents, and position the piece before committing the adhesive.

Rexpeed Carbon Stereo Overlay Interior Trim (22+ GR86/BRZ)

Adhesive-backed trim is only as good as the preparation. Work at the temperature specified by the manufacturer, remove dust and protectants, and avoid household chemicals that attack plastic or factory coatings. Do not place overlays over warning labels, airbag deployment paths, movable switches, vents, or panels that need routine service access.

5. Upgrade Infotainment for a Specific Reason

Infotainment is most valuable when it corrects a daily frustration. On an early BRZ, that may mean adding current phone integration, improving call quality, or replacing a failing display. On a 22+ car, the factory 8-inch system already supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so replacing it is harder to justify unless the build has a defined audio or data requirement.

A first-generation head-unit installation may need more than a dash kit. Determine whether the car has a factory amplifier, navigation, steering-wheel controls, USB input, microphone, or reverse camera. Use vehicle-specific harnesses where possible rather than cutting the factory wiring. Confirm that the new unit dims with the lights, retains camera operation, and shuts down normally with the ignition.

For better sound, begin with system setup before replacing every component. Correct source levels, equalization, speaker polarity, panel rattles, and loose door hardware can reveal what the system actually lacks. Better speakers may need more power to perform correctly, while a large subwoofer adds weight and consumes the cargo space that makes the fold-down rear seat useful.

Sound deadening can reduce resonance, but full coverage is not automatically better. Apply material strategically to panels that ring or vibrate, keep drains clear, and avoid trapping moisture. A track-focused owner may prefer less added weight and more mechanical sound, while a commuter may value a quieter floor and doors.

6. Keep Pedals, Mats, and Driver Visibility Functional

Pedal changes should improve foot placement without reducing grip or travel. Confirm that every cover is mechanically secure and that the accelerator, brake, and clutch return fully without contacting carpet or trim. A loose pedal cover is a safety problem, not a cosmetic flaw. Drivers preparing for track use should practice heel-and-toe technique gradually rather than using an oversized extension to mask poor foot position.

Floor mats must engage the factory retention points and remain clear of the pedals. Do not stack mats. Check fit after moving the seat because a poorly shaped mat can slide forward over time. All-weather liners make sense for a daily car, while a clean lightweight mat may suit a weekend build.

Interior lighting should help occupants see without reflecting in the windshield. Extremely bright footwell lights, exposed LED points, and illuminated trim can become distracting at night. Match color temperature across the cabin and confirm that replacement bulbs dim, switch, and shut off correctly.

Keep the windshield, mirror, and airbag zones clear. Gauge pods, phone mounts, and cameras should not block the driver’s view or sit in a curtain-airbag path. The cleanest installation is the one that remains readable, stable, serviceable, and unobtrusive during normal driving.

7. Build Around How the BRZ Is Actually Used

Daily-Driver Interior

Prioritize a comfortable steering-wheel surface, a temperature-appropriate shift knob, secure phone integration, quality floor protection, and repaired seat wear. Keep factory airbags and belts functioning. Choose materials that tolerate sun, skin oils, and repeated cleaning rather than finishes that only look good in photographs.

Street and Show Interior

Select a restrained material and color system, then repeat it across two or three areas. For example, use carbon around the steering wheel and center stack with a single titanium accent. Hide wiring, align weave direction where practical, preserve panel gaps, and keep original parts so the cabin can be returned to stock.

Autocross Interior

Driver position, pedal access, and secure storage matter more than visual changes. Remove loose objects before an event, use a legal number-mounting solution, and confirm that mats cannot move. A supportive factory seat, proper posture, and clear sightlines may be all the interior preparation the car needs.

Track-Focused Interior

Start with the event organizer’s rules and a complete safety plan. Seat, belt, helmet, head restraint, rollover protection, fire safety, and electrical changes interact with one another. Do not remove airbags, interior padding, or rear trim simply because dedicated race cars do. A dual-purpose street car has different risks and requirements.

A Sensible Order for BRZ Interior Upgrades

1. Repair broken switches, damaged upholstery, warning lights, water leaks, and loose trim.
2. Set the seat, wheel, mirrors, and pedals for a safe driving position.
3. Improve the control that bothers you most, usually the shift knob or steering-wheel surface.
4. Correct daily technology issues with phone integration, charging, audio setup, or a head unit.
5. Choose one visual theme and add a small number of compatible trim pieces.
6. Reevaluate the cabin in daylight and at night before adding more.
7. Use professional installation for airbags, seats, restraint systems, or wiring you cannot test properly.

This order prevents cosmetic parts from hiding unresolved problems. It also protects the budget from a common mistake: buying several pieces that look good individually but do not fit the same model year or visual direction.

Common BRZ Interior Upgrade Mistakes

• Ordering by “BRZ” alone without confirming 2013–2020 or 22+ fitment.
• Assuming manual and automatic shift-knob applications are interchangeable.
• Removing the steering-wheel airbag or defeating seat electronics for appearance.
• Using a universal seat bracket without verifying belt anchors, sensors, and seating height.
• Installing adhesive trim over dirty, protected, cold, or damaged surfaces.
• Mixing gloss carbon, dry carbon, forged carbon, several metals, and unrelated stitch colors.
• Cutting the factory audio harness when a model-specific adapter is available.
• Adding lighting or displays that reflect in the windshield or block the driver’s view.
• Stacking floor mats or allowing wiring to enter the pedal area.
• Buying every interior part at once without testing comfort and ergonomics between changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best first interior upgrade for a Subaru BRZ?

For a manual BRZ, a correctly fitted shift knob is often the best first change because it is affordable, reversible, and used constantly. If the steering wheel or driver’s seat is worn or uncomfortable, repairing that touchpoint should take priority instead.

Do first-generation BRZ interior parts fit a 22+ BRZ?

Most do not. The second-generation BRZ has a different dashboard, console, steering wheel, instrument cluster, and many revised trim dimensions. Always follow the product’s exact model-year range.

Are BRZ, FR-S, Toyota 86, and GR86 interior parts interchangeable?

Some are, but not all. Platform-sharing allows many common applications within the same generation, yet branding, trim, controls, transmissions, refresh years, and market specifications can change fitment. Confirm the complete listing rather than relying on a shared chassis family.

Is a weighted shift knob better for a BRZ?

A heavier knob can make movement through the gate feel smoother because it adds momentum, but some drivers prefer the direct feedback of a lighter knob. Shape, height, reverse-lockout clearance, material temperature, and secure installation matter as much as weight.

Can I replace the BRZ steering wheel and keep the factory airbag?

Some model-specific wheels are designed to reuse factory components, but compatibility must be confirmed for the exact year, trim, transmission, switches, and options. Airbag removal and reinstallation should follow factory service procedures, and professional installation is appropriate when the restraint system cannot be verified.

Should I install racing seats in a daily-driven BRZ?

Only if they solve a real fit or support problem and the complete installation addresses airbags, occupant sensors, seat belts, brackets, sliders, visibility, and comfort. Repairing or retaining the factory seat is often the better solution for a street car.

Does the 22+ BRZ have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes. The second-generation BRZ includes an 8-inch Subaru multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Owners should confirm connection behavior and software for their exact model year before replacing the factory unit.

How can I make a BRZ interior look more expensive?

Repair wear, deep-clean the factory materials, align panel gaps, and limit the cabin to one or two complementary finishes. A few well-fitted parts with consistent texture and color usually look more intentional than covering every available surface.

Final Thoughts

A strong Subaru BRZ interior build begins with ergonomics and fitment, then adds material and color with restraint. Improve what the driver touches, preserve the factory safety systems, and keep each change appropriate for the car’s generation and real use. That approach produces a cabin that feels better every day without losing the focused simplicity that makes the BRZ appealing.

Find generation-specific shift knobs, steering-wheel parts, trim, titanium details, seating components, and other options in the Subaru BRZ Interior Parts Collection.