Best 2022-2025 Toyota GR86 & BRZ Cat-Back Exhausts

The best cat-back exhaust for the 2022-2025 Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ wakes up the FA24 flat-four with a richer boxer growl, trims several pounds of dead weight, and cleans up the flat, muffled note the car leaves the factory with. The second-generation twins (chassis codes ZN8 for the GR86 and ZD8 for the BRZ) run a 2.4-liter FA24 engine making 228 hp at 7,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft at 3,700 rpm – a real step up from the 205 hp 2.0-liter FA20 in the first-gen cars, but an engine that still begs for a proper exhaust. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, we ship these systems every week, so below we ranked five of the strongest bolt-on options across every budget, from a $499.99 axle-back to a $2,190 full titanium-tipped cat-back.

Why the FA24 GR86 & BRZ Needs an Exhaust

The 2022-2025 GR86 and BRZ leave the factory intentionally quiet. The FA24 boxer produces a flat, subdued note through a heavy stamped-steel cat-back and a restrictive muffler, and Subaru even runs a sound tube to pipe engine noise into the cabin because the exhaust itself is so tame. A cat-back or axle-back upgrade is the single most cost-effective way to fix that: it opens up the boxer rumble enthusiasts buy these cars for, drops meaningful weight, and adds a broader, more urgent midrange feel.

Be honest about power, though. On a naturally aspirated FA24, a cat-back alone typically frees only a few horsepower – roughly 3 to 8 wheel horsepower on most systems, and more once you pair it with an unequal-length header, a high-flow intake and a tune. The real, repeatable wins are sound, weight and throttle response. That is why we focus this roundup on tone, drone control, material and fitment rather than chasing dyno hero numbers that a bolt-on muffler cannot deliver on its own.

Best GR86 & BRZ Cat-Back Exhausts at a Glance

Here are our five picks compared side by side. Cat-back systems replace everything from the catalytic converter back and change the tone the most; axle-back systems swap only the rear muffler section for an easier, cheaper install. Every option below retains the factory catalytic converter, so it stays 50-state street legal.

1. HKS Hi-Power SPEC-L2 – Best Overall Cat-Back

The HKS Hi-Power SPEC-L2 is our top pick for the 2022-2025 GR86 and BRZ because it nails the classic deep, low HKS tone without turning into a drone machine at highway speed. It is a full cat-back built from SUS304 stainless steel with a single large-volume canister muffler and finished with HKS's signature blue-burnt titanium tip. It is JASMA-approved for street use and carries a genuine JDM pedigree that resells well.

2. AWE Track Edition – Best Refined Cat-Back

The AWE Track Edition cat-back is the pick for drivers who want a noticeably louder, more purposeful note but still need to live with the car every day. AWE engineers its systems around drone-cancelling technology, so the Track Edition delivers an aggressive tone under throttle while staying civil at a 70-80 mph cruise. It is built from 304 stainless steel and finished here with chrome silver tips, and it is backed by AWE's lifetime exhaust warranty.

3. Invidia N2 Titanium – Lightest Full Cat-Back

If shaving weight is the priority, the Invidia N2 titanium cat-back is the value titanium play. Full titanium construction makes it the lightest system in this comparison – titanium exhausts commonly save 10 to 15 pounds versus a heavy OE stainless cat-back, which is unsprung, rearward weight you can feel. The 60mm single-layer piping and burnt-titanium tips give it a raspier, more aggressive character than the deeper HKS, all for right around $1,100.

4. Remark Axle-Back – Best Easy JDM Upgrade

The Remark axle-back is the smart middle ground for owners who want the popular JDM look and a healthy bump in volume without pulling the whole system. Because an axle-back only replaces the rear muffler section, it installs in well under an hour with basic hand tools and clamps onto the factory mid-pipe. This 304 stainless kit for the 2022+ GR86 and BRZ uses single-wall tips for a clean, purposeful rear-end look.

5. MBRP 2.4L Axle-Back – Best Value

At $499.99, the MBRP 2.4L axle-back is the best value exhaust for the second-gen GR86 and BRZ, hands down. It is a purpose-built 2022+ FA24 (2.4L) design – not a first-gen part forced to fit – using T304 stainless steel with a 2.5-inch dual split rear exit and 5-inch OD carbon fiber tips. MBRP backs many of its stainless systems with a lifetime warranty, and right now it also carries an extra 10% off promotion.

Cat-Back vs Axle-Back: Which Should You Buy?

A cat-back exhaust replaces the entire system from the catalytic converter back, including the mid-pipe, resonator and muffler, so it changes both the volume and the character of the sound the most and shaves the most weight. An axle-back replaces only the rear muffler section behind the rear axle, which makes it cheaper and far easier to install while still adding volume and a better tip appearance.

For the biggest transformation in tone on the 2022-2025 GR86 and BRZ, choose a cat-back like the HKS Hi-Power SPEC-L2, AWE Track Edition or Invidia N2. If you want a fast, affordable upgrade you can bolt on in a driveway afternoon, the Remark or MBRP axle-back is the smarter buy. Either way, browse the full range in our performance exhaust collection.

How to Choose the Right Sound and Avoid Drone

Drone – that resonant boom you feel at a steady 65 to 80 mph cruise, usually around 2,500 to 3,000 rpm – is the number one complaint owners have about aftermarket boxer exhausts. Systems engineered with resonators, a crossover or Helmholtz chamber, and multi-wall tips keep drone in check, which is exactly why the drone-cancelling AWE Track Edition and the refined HKS Hi-Power land at the top of our list. Single-layer titanium systems like the Invidia N2 sound sharper and more race-inspired but can resonate more on the highway.

Our advice from the shop: match the exhaust to how you actually drive. Daily commuters and long-distance drivers should prioritize drone control and a refined cat-back. Weekend and track drivers who want the loudest, most visceral boxer soundtrack will love the lighter titanium and single-wall options. Pairing any of these with an unequal-length header changes the classic Subaru boxer rumble even further.