2023 Toyota GR86 Coupe

2023 Toyota GR86 Review

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Toyota GR86 is one of the most entertaining and engaging sports cars you can buy, a rare island of affordable fun surrounded by a vast ocean of SUVs and trucks. Its front engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and light curb weight offer good balance and thrilling driving dynamics. Sports cars like the GR86 aren't known for brutal straight-line acceleration, though. Instead, they excel at shredding curvy back roads. And the GR86 is perfect for drivers who want an enjoyable and inexpensive sport coupe and don't mind its small dimensions. 

　　Toyota redesigned the GR86 for the 2022 model year, adding a more powerful engine and updated tech in addition to new styling. For 2023, Toyota adds a Special Edition model that's limited to 860 units. The new GR86 Special Edition sports an exclusive orange Solar Shift paint color, a GR performance exhaust with black chrome tips, and black graphics on the rear roof pillar. The Special Edition model also gets distinct 18-inch black wheels with performance tires and an interior Special Edition badge. Since it's based on the Premium trim, it also packs all the niceties found in the range-topping model.

　　As with its predecessors, the Scion FR-S and Toyota 86, the GR86 is a sibling to the Subaru BRZ, which we named the zzdcar Top Rated Sports Car for 2022. It also competes with a longtime favorite among enthusiasts, the Mazda MX-5 Miata. And then there's an American rival, the ever-popular Ford Mustang. And fun front-wheel-drive cars like the Volkswagen Golf GTI are worthy alternatives. We like the Toyota GR86 and think it's a compelling sports car, but there are some drawbacks to consider, such as its tiny rear seats. Check out the zzdcar Expert Rating below to get our test team's full review of the GR86's performance, fuel economy and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

　　How does the GR86 drive? The best part of the GR86 is its sublime handling. The steering feel is excellent, and when the GR86 is equipped with the optional high-performance summer tires, grip and confidence are equally impressive. Balance is exceptional as well, but the GR86's somewhat stiffly tuned suspension makes it a bit of a handful on bumpy roads. As for stopping power, our test GR86 stopped from 60 mph in just 104 feet, which is a respectably short distance for a low-priced performance car.

　　Acceleration is improved with this latest-generation 86. The 2.4-liter engine gets it from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat with the manual transmission, which is half a second quicker than the previous-generation car. The shifter feels positive and precise in your hand as you move through the gates, and the pedals are well placed for heel-and-toe downshift rev-matching. The clutch pedal is light and has an easy-to-find catch point. Opting for the automatic transmission results in slower acceleration (6.9 seconds), but it's easier to live with in heavy traffic. It also comes with paddle shifters and provides quick downshifts when you select Track mode.

Comfort

　　How comfortable is the GR86? Toyota has given the GR86 slightly stiffer suspension tuning than the related Subaru BRZ. Of the two setups, we prefer the BRZ's. The 86 might feel more exciting at lower speeds, but the constant motion and jittering can start to wear on the driver after an hour or so.

　　The manually adjustable seats feature improved bolstering for your upper back and manage to hold you in place without being restrictive. Dual-zone climate control for such a small car seems like overkill, but it does the job and keeps both front passengers happy and comfortable.

　　Unfortunately, the 86 is a bit on the noisy side. Road and tire noise is near constant and very loud. And engine noise is more annoying than evocative.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below