TEST DRIVE: Toyota GR86

Toyota has had a bit of a rebirth over the last few years when it comes to performance cars.

It wasn’t that long ago that Toyota seemed content with just building Camrys and Corollas but with some help from other manufacturers, they’re back in the game. The Supra is back of course, with help from BMW, and Toyota will be making some serious updates to that car for 2023, including a manual transmission option.

There’s also a new GR86 that Toyota builds in partnership with Subaru, which may just be a better driver’s car than the Supra.

The GR86 (which is essentially the same car as the Subaru BRZ) has been around for a while and it’s always been fun to drive, but there are some meaningful updates to the affordable rear-wheel-drive coupe for 2022.

A new design gives the car a more cohesive and aggressive appearance than its predecessor, with nice proportions and lines, and aluminum was used in the roof and fenders to help keep weight down.

Speaking of weight, the curb weight on this car is a svelte 2,868 pounds. for the Premium model that has more options, or 2,811 pounds. for the base model.

A new 2.4-liter flat-four boxer motor has around 20 percent more displacement than the previous car and puts out 228 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque.

A flatter torque curve improves acceleration and helps the car to power better out of corners. The GR86 also has the kind of hardware that’s commonplace in more expensive sports cars, like a Torsen limited slip differential, a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear, and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport tires wrapped around sporty ten-spoke wheels.

Buyers have an option of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions (with paddle shifters on the automatic), but it only comes in rear-wheel drive. You’ll lose out on some fuel mileage with the manual, as it delivers 20mpg city and 27 mpg highway versus 21/31 with the manual.

Toyota also offers some cool accessory options or the car, including a GR performance exhaust, a higher-flow air filter and bronze 17” wheels.

The GR86 is a lot of fun to drive on a twisty back road. It’s a momentum car that is at its best when you carry a high rate of speed through corners to keep your rhythm, and this car likes to dance.

Toyota did a great job with the chassis and suspension, as the car has sharp turn-in, well-controlled body motions and excellent communication to the driver through the steering wheel and the seat. The seats are also supportive yet comfortable.

The gear action with the manual transmission is also precise and the clutch pedal is nicely weighted. It’s also easy to adjust the balance of the car with the throttle, which brings driver skill into the equation and makes you feel more involved in the process.

The brakes also have good pedal feel, though I have heard from some who’ve driven it on the track that they tend to fade quickly. That’s easily remedied with a brake upgrade if you plan to take this car to track days.

The GR86 is also a relative bargain, with an MSRP of $27,900 for the base model, or $30,500 for the Premium model, which adds larger wheels (18” vs. 17”) and some other standard features.

All in all, if you’re looking for a fun rear-wheel drive sports car, the GR86 is a great choice.

Frankly, it’s more involving and fun to drive than the Supra on a twisty back road, but the Supra is a bit more comfortable for highway travel. The GR86 even has a back seat you can use in a pinch.

Toyota is also taking the GR86 in the footsteps of the Supra by taking it racing. The GR Cup is a new racing series sanctioned by SRO that will visit seven U.S. race circuits with two races per weekend in 2023, with drivers all competing in race-prepared GR86s.

Race modifications include a 6-speed sequential transmission, Alcon brakes, adjustable shocks and a custom Borla exhaust, as well as the requisite safety and aerodynamic updates.

The first race of the GR Cup will be at Sonoma Raceway on the weekend of March 30 – April 1.