Reviewed by Kelly HellwigKelly Hellwig
Overview
Small, agile, and quick, the Toyota GR86 is a fun-to-drive performance coupe with a reasonable price tag. A full redesign last year added more power, a nicer interior, and even sharper handling, so its value equation is better than ever. Available with a manual or automatic transmission, the rear-wheel-drive GR86 comes with a torque-rich, four-cylinder engine that's capable of launching it from zero to 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds. Combine that level of power with agile handling and precise steering, and it's easy to see why the GR86 is a true driver's car. Upgrades to the interior last year also improved the design and quality of the materials. It's purposeful and practical with dials for the climate controls and an easy-to-reach touchscreen. If the GR86 has an Achilles heel, it's the back seats. They're barely useful for passengers, and should be considered extra storage. The trunk isn't particularly large either, so the GR86 isn't much of a road-trip car. A vehicle like the Volkswagen Golf GTI is much better in that respect, but it can't match the GR86 for sheer driving pleasure on a twisty road.
Pros
Feels faster than its horsepower rating suggests. Responds quickly to driver inputs. Well-designed interior.
Cons
Rear seats are good for storage, bad for passengers. Exhaust note isn't very pleasing.
Verdict
Last year's redesign fixed the Toyota GR86's minor flaws and re-established it as one of the best sports-car bargains on the market. It still doesn't have much room inside, but if affordable performance is a top priority, there are few cars that deliver like the GR86.
What's New for 2023
A new Special Edition model is the only update for the 2023 Toyota GR86. It starts as a Premium trim and adds Solar Shift orange paint, black side graphics, 19-inch black wheels, a cat-back exhaust system, black chrome exhaust tips, and a leather- and suede-trimmed interior with special-edition badging.
Trims and Pricing
The 2023 Toyota GR86 is available in two trims: Base and Premium. The Premium is the popular model, and it's our recommendation as well. We'll explain why.
Standard
The standard GR86 starts at $28,925. Its features include 17-inch wheels, power-adjustable side mirrors, chrome-tipped dual exhaust, dual-zone automatic climate control, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, suedelike door trim, a leather-trimmed tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with silver contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped shift knob, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. When equipped with the automatic transmission, it also gets standard pre-collision braking and lane-departure warning. A 10-inch subwoofer is optional.
Premium
The Premium [$31,525] comes with an eight-speaker audio system, duckbill rear spoiler, LED headlights with adaptive front lighting, 18-inch wheels, a black and silver-trimmed steering wheel with red contrast stitching, black and silver-trimmed heated front seats, leather-trimmed parking brake and gearshift boot, suede-like and leather door accents, and aluminum sport pedals and scuff plates. It also adds a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and parking sonar with reverse automatic braking [automatic transmission only].
The Premium is our preferred model for the upgraded audio system and the additional active safety features for a modest price increase.
Engine and Performance
The Toyota GR86 is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It is paired to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. It's a responsive engine with strong acceleration. Toyota claims a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds with the manual and 6.6 seconds with the automatic. Manual transmissions get a Track drive mode, while automatic-equipped GR86 models also provide Normal, Sport, and Snow modes to better manage varying weather conditions. No matter which drive mode you select, expect a sporty, engaging ride. Road and wind noise are minimal, but you will hear the flat-four engine. The GR86 is a sports car, and it sounds like one in the best way possible. Handling is crisp and responsive, and the low center of gravity makes it easy to change direction through tight turns. The ride is generally smooth, but the sport suspension can feel harsh over rough road surfaces.
Comparatively, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is more relaxing to drive and has a compliant suspension. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has an upright stance that makes it feel less confident in the corners, but it provides an equally powerful and responsive engine.
Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota GR86 is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency to return 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission and 21/31 mpg city/highway with the automatic. The Mazda MX-5 Miata and Volkswagen Golf GTI are more fuel-efficient than the GR86.
Interior
The Toyota GR86's cabin is much nicer than the older Toyota 86 coupe. Materials are higher quality, with available leather and suede-like trims. Front seats are comfortable and supportive with heavy bolstering to hold passengers in place during quick turns. Large occupants may find the seat bolsters confining, but there's enough headroom and legroom for tall adults up front. Rear passengers aren't so lucky, as the GR86's backseat is extremely tight. Wind and road noise are minimal, but the engine note comes through loud and clear, adding to the GR86 experience.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has an attractive interior with premium materials, but it provides less legroom and headroom than the Toyota coupe. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has a comfortable cabin, with plenty of room for front and rear passengers.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Just last year the GR86 received a fresh infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, a USB port, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The GR86 Premium trim upgrades to an eight-speaker audio setup. A 200-watt 10-inch subwoofer is available for both models.
The GR86's system is simple to use, but it lacks a premium audio option, such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata's available Bose system. Smartphones are quickly connected, and the large screen size helps reduce driver distraction.
Safety
The 2023 Toyota GR86 has not yet been tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [IIHS], although the very similar 2022 GR86 was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.
Standard safety features for GR86 models equipped with the automatic transmission include pre-collision braking and throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, sway warning, lead vehicle-start alert, and high-beam assist. The GR86 Premium adds a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert for both manual and automatic transmission-equipped models and parking sonar with reverse automatic braking for the automatics.
Toyota GR86 vs. the Competition
The Toyota GR86 is an affordable performance coupe that combines all the fun of a sports car with key safety and convenience features. Its powerful and responsive engine is a huge improvement over the previous Toyota 86, and the exceptional handling makes it as fun on the track as it is on the open road. The GR86's interior adds visual appeal and comfort, though the rear seats remain tight. Good standard safety and key infotainment features round out the package, but there is a noticeable lack of premium audio options.
Sporty alternatives to the Toyota GR86 include the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which doesn't offer the same aggressive performance as the Toyota, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which combines performance with a larger interior.
Toyota GR86 vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Toyota GR86 vs. Toyota 86
Toyota GR86 vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI
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