In the world of EV torque this and turbo-super-twin charged that, the Toyota GR86 stays true to the formula that the first generation of the Toyota-Subaru mashup that debuted some 12+ years ago. Something lightweight, rear wheel drive, naturally aspirated engine in a tidy coupe with an available manual transmission and still relatively affordable. Can I get an AMEN!?
For transparency, I owned a first generation model of the Toyobaru twins, a 2014 Subaru BRZ to be exact. I bought that BRZ for a little over $20,000, and that translates to roughly $30,000 in today dollar, which is right where the GR86 price stands now.
Today, the GR86 provides a bigger engine than the model I had. This results in a bit more solid and consistent punch of torque during acceleration. For the record it puts out 228 horsepower at a lofty 7,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at a more accessible 3,700 rpm. It’s still not going the light your hair on fire, 0 to 60 is reportedly in the 6-second range. When 3 ton+ family haulers are sub-3 seconds this doesn’t sound impressive, but if pure acceleration is your goal, then the GR86 might not be for you.
Where the GR86 excels and overdelivers is in the Smiles Per Gallon metric. Still present is a sense of lovely and direct handling. With minimal mass (how many cars are still under 3,000 pounds today?) some sticky tires (Michelin Pilot Sport 4s!) and low center of gravity this is an absolute blast if you can find some twisty roads to connect through. Even around town you can wring it out and still be at some very street legal speeds. Fitting that adage of it’s better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
A Torsen limited slip differential is standard on all GR86’s while the up level Sachs dampers and Brembo brakes are optional on the GR86 and GR86 Premium, standard on the Hakone edition. I also appreciate that they saw fit to cap the OEM wheels at 18″. This helps preserve mass and should help keep tire costs down over the life of ownership.
Inside the GR86 is still pretty no frills, although it does oddly come with available dual-zone climate control. In a cabin this tiny and narrow, I’m not all too sold on the ability to deliver there. The Premium trim does add some niceties like heated front seats (good for those of you over 40 years old to cope with getting in and out of something this low to the ground) and illuminated vanity mirrors. All GR86’s come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, something where I kind of miss the button-free wheel on the original FRS/BRZ twins.
The trunk is still tiny but yes the rear seatback does fold down. It’s still not as suitable for only car duties as maybe a BMW 2-Series coupe, but it’s also $10,000 cheaper than the 230i, and still a bit more practical than say a Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Will the GR86 and BRZ live to see a third generation? Will Toyota ever succumb to throwing some turbo powered goodness into this rear wheel drive delight? Who knows, but for now we’ll be glad this keep it simple and keep it affordable option lives on.
