2022 Toyota GR86

Test Drive Notes Library

Pros
Competition for the Miata. When you review a niche car, you really have to compare it to its direct competition. And there’s not much competition for the Toyota GR86 (Subaru sells its own, very similar, slightly softer riding version of this car called the BRZ). The GR86 is a legit bargain, rear drive, two-door sports car. It’s not over-powered, it’s not fancy. It just delivers true sports car connectedness with the road for a starting price around $28,000. In terms of price and purpose, that makes the Mazda Miata it’s only real competition.
More comfortable than the Miata. The Miata is a more pure roadster, with a convertible top option, no rear seat and a Lilliputian trunk. The GR86 is more of a car you could live with every day. It’s a step up in comfort from the Miata, with storage (a prehensile back seat), but more importantly, a rear hatch that allows you to fold down those rear seats and carry far more than two bags of groceries. It’s quieter than the “inches off the ground” Miata, it’s roomier, and less buzzy, and less terrifying on the highway.
Sports car experience. Like the Miata, what you get is a bunch of parts that work well together. The naturally aspirated 2.4L, 228 hp engine is plenty for this lightweight coupe. Paired with either a six speed automatic with paddle shifters or a six speed manual transmission, the GR86 feels plenty powerful, and the power is smooth and linear. Handling is balanced and predictable, steering is precise, and cornering and road holding get top marks. It has just enough of everything to make it lots of fun at a low price (our GR86 Premium lists for about $33,000, including delivery).
Sports car cockpit. If you like to be surrounded by your controls — and your windows and roof — you’ll like the strapped in feel of the GR86’s cabin. While not as minimal as the Miata, it’s designed to give you the feeling the car is wrapped around you, as opposed to you just sitting in it. Seats are form fitting, and you sit low to the ground. The idea is to hold you in place and put all your controls within easy reach while you’re zipping through mountain roads.
Controls mostly good. The basic controls are fine. There are hard switches for the important stuff, and only the entertainment system and settings reside behind the screen.

Cons
Compromises. If a sports car is what you want, this is a bargain basement one, and a good one. There’s really nothing else like it. If you want a convertible, you’ll have to get a Miata. But if you’re a hardtop person, the GR86 is a much easier car to use everyday than the Mazda. However, if you’re not committed to driving a sports car — if that’s not your priority -- you’ll find the cockpit small, the ride low and hard, and the noise level high.
Safety suite automatic only. The suite of advanced safety systems that comes with most new cars now is only available on GR86s with automatic transmissions.
Infotainment system. Unfortunately Toyota let its GR86 partner Subaru handle the infotainment software. Subaru’s infotainment systems are notable for always feeling 10 years out of date, and this one is no different. You can make it work for you, but it’s hardly state of the art.