Every once in a while we need a strong reminder that the best motoring experiences often come in more basic forms. We need to hop into something that's outside the realm of complex, direct-injected turbocharged engines with clever electronically controlled differentials, advanced adaptive dampers, and luscious interiors featuring a laundry list of niceties and weigh-adding materials. Some of these might indeed be good fun to drive, like the 2021 BMW M3 and 2022 BMW M4 Competition, or Jaguar F-Type P450 (sans turbocharging), but they rely too heavily on, well, being heavy.

For those who miss the days of simple-yet-thrilling motoring, when cars weren’t as chocked-full of electronic gadgetry and instead focused on refining the basics, like weight, grip, center of gravity, chassis stiffness, weight balance, etc., the 2022 Toyota GR86 in the base trim might be the best option available right now in the new car market. I drove this 2022 sports car last Summer at its official press launch and was instantly infatuated. But I didn’t get the chance to drive it on my favorite Southern California roads, or for normal day-to-day action to get a good, solid feel for how it is as an all-rounder. However, recently I did, and it only further proved its worth as one of the best brand-new enthusiast cars that money can buy in 2022, and which also counters modern complexity with brilliant, ever-entertaining simplicity.

To climb into this base Toyota Trueno Blue 2022 GR86, fire up its enthusiastic 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine, and rip down the road to your little heart’s content, it’ll cost you $27,700 to start. There are various fun accessories available, but this press loan didn’t have any, so the only additional fee to throw in is Toyota’s $1,025 processing fee, which brings its all-day price to $28,725.

2022 Toyota GR86

9.50 / 10
Key Features
  • RWD
  • Manual Transmission as Standard
  • Torquey Naturally Aspirated Engine
Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: GR86
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: 2.4-Liter Flat-Four
  • Horsepower: 228 hp
  • Torque: 184 lb-ft
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual / 6-Speed Automatic
Pros
  • Playful Chassis
  • Excellent Visibility
  • Great Suspension and Steering
  • Strong Brakes
  • Excellent Power
Cons
  • Boxer Engine Note Isn't the Best
  • To Be Very Picky, the Shifter is Slightly Too Notchy
  • Tires Aren't Ideal

Brilliant Daily Sensibility

Trueno Blue Toyota GR86 Interior
Peter Nelson

Walking up to the handsome and chiseled GR86 for the first time since last Summer, I initially thought it’d be a bit painful to climb into as it sits so low compared to pretty much everything else I’ve driven in 2022, besides the 2021 Lotus Evora GT. After all, it features perhaps one of the most low-slung driving positions that money can buy on the new car market in 2022. But opening the door reveals a wide opening that’s easy to slide right through and into well-bolstered, comfortable cloth seats with manual adjustment, which are equally easy to slide right out of once you’ve reached your destination.

RELATED: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Toyota GR86

The GR’s massive frontal view is great for enthusiastic driving, which doubles as excellent visibility in day-to-day, a-to-b type of scenarios. Because you sit so low, the windshield is so massive, and the hood drops away so quickly, you’ve got excellent forward and side visibility. It’s also a very spacious place to be for a small sports car with 37-inches of headroom up front and 41.5-inches of legroom. My six-foot-three self fits in it so nicely, which is a rarity in any car these days. My tester wasn’t equipped with blind-spot monitoring sensors, but I didn’t feel like I needed them as being in something so small makes being aware of its surroundings so easy, and the over-the-shoulder blind spot that bugged me about the first-gen Toyobaru is gone from this one. Quick side note: Toyobaru, as in, it shares the same engine, chassis, and more with the 2022 Subaru BRZ. There are few differences between them.

Trueno Blue Toyota GR86 Interior
Peter Nelson

I didn’t get the opportunity to haul anything obscenely large in the 2022 GR86 during my week with it, but for daily-ability its trunk possesses more than enough space for a week’s worth of groceries, a quick weekend road trip, or a visit to a local track for a rousing HPDE weekend. After all, one of the 86’s high-cards is its ability to drop the seats and accompany a set of lightweight wheels with proper 200-treadwear-or-lower rubber and any additional tools, which expands from 6.26 cubic-feet. Even with the rear seats up, there’s plenty of room for most 2-3 person households’ weekly needs.

RELATED: Close, But Not That Close: Honda Civic Si Vs Toyota GR86

Then, getting up to speed on local streets and major highways is no bother at all for the GR86. Its torquey 2.4-liter flat-four, which I raved about back in August, has plenty of low-end torque in any situation. Combined with its excellent gearing that’s thankfully actuated by three pedals and a stick as standard, it’s a lot of fun to rev out in first and second gear, third if needed on the highway, then to fourth, and finally just skip fifth and slot the stick right into sixth. There’s plenty of passing torque in sixth on the highway, too. Regardless, the GR is effortless in the way it gets up to speed in any scenario, and doesn’t require revving out its sewing-machine-sounding, Subaru-sourced flat-four to get there. This is a major upgrade over the old model, which was really only truly happy above 4,500 RPM, though a very entertaining form of happiness it was.

One Of The Most Fun Cars You Can Buy In 2022

Driving the 2022 Toyota GR86 on fun roads is where this plucky, lightweight sports car truly shines. Due to the laundry list of revisions that Toyota and Subaru did to the chassis, bumping power to 228 horsepower and 184 lb ft of torque (which peaks at 3,700 RPM), boosting chassis rigidity, lowering its center of gravity, retuning the dampers for improved rebound, and more; it’s a riot to play with on any twisty road or racetrack.

No matter the pace, either. Whether you’re in the mood for a chill sunset cruise, or are looking to rev out its angry little 2.4-liter heart before every corner entry, it’s so easy to develop an input-rich rhythm behind its wheel. Pardon the Cali-speak, but once you’re in the zone, the GR is so fun to vibe with.

RELATED: The Verdict Is In: Toyota Supra Or Toyota GR86

This is mainly due to the GR86’s inputs being so good. For a modern electric steering rack, the ratio is on-point, it builds up a nice weight in the corners, and even gives you a decent amount of feel. Pedal spacing is excellent and the manual shifter, while I’m thrilled it’s there, is just a hair too notchy for my taste, as it takes a bit more precision to snick it into place quickly. But that’s a very minor complaint. Finally, the brake pedal has great overall firmness and is in no way too grabby.

The 2,811-pound GR86’s 228 horsepower and 184 lb ft of torque is good for a 0-60 mph time of just 5.4-seconds, though its linear power curve and 7,400 RPM redline make it feel a bit faster. It’s quite addictive to launch, and with the Base model’s 215/40/17 Michelin Primacy HP tires mounted up, it’s easy to chirp second and third gear along the way, too.

A Brilliant Chassis

Trueno Blue Toyota GR86
Peter Nelson

I absolutely hated these tires on-track at the GR86’s press launch event at Monticello Motor Club. Ripping along at track speeds, they severely lacked communication and were way too squidgy under braking and high-speed cornering. However, they make excellent tires as daily fare. Besides riding comfortably and quietly, they help boost aural theatrics yet still have plenty of grip for street-level speeds.

RELATED: The 2023 Toyota GR86 Special Edition Has An Insane Dose Of Gazoo Magic

Then, these theatrics reach a whole new level of fun when you toss the 86 into a modest little slide. The new engine’s bump in torque and decently-long first gear ensures the easiest initiations, which quickly becomes a problem for those who’d rather not attract any unwanted attention from the authorities. Need to pull an extra-tight U-turn, or perhaps you’d like to preserve your brake pads and turn onto any ol’ 45 mph street a bit more sideways than usual? The GR86 is always up to the task. This is a testament to brilliant unity between the chassis, engine, and Torsen limited-slip differential: it’s such a slender, athletic little coupe that’s so easy to control.

Trueno Blue Toyota GR86 Side View
Peter Nelson

Then, when poise and precision are on the docket, these three come together with excellent brakes and damping to create an addictive driving experience on fun, twisty roads. The 86 eats up every corner in such a rewarding, precision-feeling way. Balancing the brake pedal and steering wheel is a joy, as you’ve always got a solid sense of where the weight is, where it’s going, and how much of a contact patch each tire has. The brakes have enough bite and endurance to take on repeated braking zones without issue, including diving well into the ABS to make the most of the new GR’s low-speed precision under load.

The new 86’s stiffer chassis, lower center of gravity, and excellent weight balance are quite apparent. Any corner, slow or fast, technical or more open and flowing, is good fun. Body roll is very well reigned in - the chassis has a slight sway to it, and that’s about it. Plus, because the engine sits so low and far back, the way the front-end so sharply and effortlessly responds to steering inputs is closer to mid-engined fare (such as the Lotus Evora GT) than you’d expect for a sub-$30K sports car.

I Hope Toyota Sells A Lot Of These

Trueno Blue Toyota GR86 Front Quarter View
Peter Nelson

I had a wonderful week with the base Toyota GR86. Formerly, I previously spoke of the slightly more expensive Premium trim as the way to go, but I’ve changed my mind. Though, with one caveat: buy a lightweight second set of wheels for anything requiring a bit more grip, such as on-track fun, time attack, and autocross. This is such a potent, balanced, and well-handling sports car from the factory, that it wouldn’t take much to experience reliable, thrilling motoring lap after lap, all day long.

I don’t really have any big complaints about the 2022 GR86. Below 4,500 RPM, the 2.4-liter boxer engine sounds like an annoyed sewing machine, and the shifter is just slightly too notchy for my liking. Oh, and the cupholders are awkward for those who prefer a 12 oz. coffee size. But that’s really it. I’m prepared to complain about a small car’s interior dimensions, too, like in the 2022 BMW 230i, but the 86's are great. Its connectivity/infotainment are quite good to boot, and it even returns 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway.

If you’d like a de-cluttered, lightweight, fast, and nicely refined sports car, which does great as a daily and handles incredibly well, and provides the best smiles-per-gallon of any new car on the market, skip everything else and pick one of these up. Cars like the 2022 Toyota GR86 might not be long for this world, and enthusiasts have a duty to ensure they stick around for as long as possible.