The entry-level Toyota GR86 sports car will be more expensive than the equivalent Subaru BRZ when it touches down in Australia – and pack less safety kit to boot.
Pricing for the base GR86 GT kicks off at $43,240 before on-roads regardless of which transmission you choose. That makes the cheapest manual 86 a not insignificant $2950 more expensive than the base Subaru BRZ manual, which costs $40,290.
The equation changes with the automatic however, because Subaru charges a premium. The base BRZ automatic ($44,090) is $850 more expensive than the 86 GT automatic – but unlike the Toyota it features blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The BRZ and GR86 are built at the same factory by Fuji Heavy Industries, and are almost identical mechanically.
With a sticker price of $45,390 before on-roads, the range-topping GR86 GTS is $3800 more expensive than the equivalent BRZ with a manual ($41,590), but is priced identically with an automatic transmission.
The 2023 pricing is a far cry from Toyota’s headline-grabbing launch of the first GT86, which kicked off at just $29,990 before on-road costs in 2013 as part of the brand’s push to make sports cars more affordable.
The GR86 joins the GR Supra and GR Yaris in the Gazoo Racing stable, and will soon sit alongside the GR Corolla hot hatch.
Toyota Australia has secured around 1100 units of the new GR86 coupe for the first 12 months of sales – which is unlikely to come close to matching demand if history is any kind of guide.
Pricing
- 2023 Toyota GR86 GT: $43,240
- 2023 Toyota GR86 GTS: $45,390
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engine
Power in the Toyota GR86 comes from a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine, driving the rear wheels.
Peak power is 174kW and peak torque is 250Nm, up 22kW and 38Nm on the old car.
Buyers are able to choose between a six-speed manual or six-speed torque converter automatic.
The 100km/h sprint takes a claimed 6.3 seconds in the manual, and 6.8 seconds in the automatic.
Fuel Economy
The GR86 has a 50-litre fuel tank, and drinks 98 RON premium unleaded. Claimed fuel economy is below:
- GT manual: 9.4 litres per 100km
- GT automatic: 8.7 litres per 100km
- GTS manual: 9.5 litres per 100km
- GTS automatic: 8.8 litres per 100km
Dimensions
At 4265mm long, 1775mm wide, and 1310mm tall on a 2575mm wheelbase, the 2023 GR 86 is 25mm longer and 15mm lower than the outgoing model, with a 5mm longer wheelbase.
The GR86 GT manual is the lightest variant at 1287kg (kerb), and the GTS automatic is the heaviest at 1312kg.
Boot space is a claimed 237 litres.
Safety
The 2023 GR86 GT manual won’t feature any active driver-assist equipment.
Opting for the GT automatic gets you a more generous safety suite, including:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-departure warning
- High-beam assist
- Reverse autonomous emergency braking
Opting for the GR86 GTS adds the following to the existing list of standard inclusions:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-change assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ haven’t been crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Servicing and Warranty
Like the wider Toyota range, the GR 86 will be backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Maintenance is required every 15,000km or 12 months, and Toyota caps the price of the first five services. They’ll each set you back $280 regardless of which transmission you opt for, significantly undercutting the BRZ.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment in the GR86 GT includes:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Black fabric front seats
- Leather steering wheel and shift knob
- Dual-zone climate control
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- Keyless entry and start
- Autonomous emergency braking (auto only)
- Lane-departure warning (auto only)
- Seven airbags
- Tyre-pressure monitoring
- Cruise control
Stepping to the GR86 GTS gets you:
- Matte black 18-inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive headlights (turn with steering wheel)
- Ultrasuede interior trim
- Heated front seats
- Aluminium pedals and scuff plates
- Lights for sun visors
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind-spot monitor
Colours
- Storm Black
- White Liquid
- Magnetic Grey
- Ice Silver Metallic
- Apollo Blue
- Rapid Blue
- Spark Red
MORE: Everything Toyota GR86