With the GT86 being on the market for the past ten years, Toyota finally gave the model a much-needed refresh in the form of an all-new second-generation dubbed the GR86. On paper, the new GR86 looks great and seems to do everything the old 86 did, but better. However, a closer look at the two cars is necessary to see what the real differences are.
Both the GT86 and GR86 share a boxer engine with the Subaru BRZ, both have extensive safety features, both handle great, and they both also weigh roughly the same. So what's the point of splurging that extra cash for a brand-new model if the old one is so similar?
In this list, we'll go in-depth discussing the pros and cons of both versions of Toyota's sports car and give you five reasons why we’d buy the Toyota GT86 over the GR86 and five reasons why the brand-new one is better.
10 The GT Is Cheaper
Although both have four-cylinder engines, (the GT 2-liter and the GR 2.4-liter) and many of the same built-in safety features that are now standard for all Toyotas, the prices for a used GT86 with low mileage starts at $22,000 and hits as high as $29,000.
The GR86 is close to that price when bought new, also starting at a $27,700 MSRP but can reach over $32,000 with dealer markups, especially when the premium trim is chosen. While this price difference might be negligible to some, in an economy with rampant inflation and supply-chain issues any difference in price is worth paying attention to. Plus, the GT86 is one of the most reliable sports cars to buy used, and a low-mileage one can barely be considered broken in.
9 The GT Has Incredible Handling
While the driver response and steering of the GR 86 are great, it was the GT and previous trims of the Toyota 86 that set the standard for the GR. For one thing, the interior positioning of the driver and steering wheel is comfortably designed and thick anti-roll bars.
There is also a traction control system that can be controlled by the driver and comes with a "track mode" option, which minimizes the traction control and allows the driver to play with the rear-wheel-drive more.
8 The GT Gets Better Gas Mileage
Despite having the same engine, the GT 86 gets 40 MPG in the city, 36 on the highway, and has a combined fuel economy of 38 MPG, making it a phenomenally fuel-efficient car. The GR86 however gets only 20 MPG in the city, 31 on the highway, and the total combined fuel economy is 25 MPG.
There are several reasons for this difference in MPG, one being that the GR 86, beginning the sports car that it is, is designed more for speed than it is for fuel economy.
7 The GT Has Better Aftermarket Support
Because the GT has been available longer and because it shares so many similarities with the Subaru BRZ, a cacophony of after-market mods are available, including Brembo GT M Brake Kits, Enkei RPF1 rims, coilover suspension sets, even turbo upgrades are available.
Used Toyota GT86 models can be found for between $25,000 and $30,000, so a car bought used and then modified can be made to be just as quick and efficient as the GR and can be a fun project for the owner.
6 The GT Is More Readily Available
Because they have been on the market for longer than the GR86, more options for the GT are available to the consumers, especially when bought used. GR 86, which by the way only comes in two trims at the moment, base and premium.
GR 86s have only been available for purchase since December of 2021, as of the moment this is written only 109 have made it to U.S. consumers.
5 The GR86 Has More Power and Torque
The GR86 boasts a new and refined 2.4-liter engine producing 184 lb-ft of torque and 228 horsepower. The GT86, on the other hand, packs a 2.0-liter producing just 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque (for the manual version). While both share their engines with the Subaru BRZ, the new 86 definitely has the upper hand when it comes to power. Not only does the GT has less torque than the GR86, but it also suffers from a notorious torque dip between 3,000 and 4500 rpm, which means that flooring the gas pedal in the GT86 will usually feel extremely disappointing.
Also, the GR86 has a specially designed lubrication system that helps the transmission change speed much easier. All of this combined, more power, more torque, and better lubrication leads to the GR86 having better acceleration and feeling much quicker on the road.
4 The GR86 Has The Most Safety Features
While Toyota has become famous for the amount of electronic and digitized safety features added to their cars, along with being a respectably rapid sports car the GR86 has more safety features than most. It has ABS driveline and traction control, ignition disabling, remote start, and an electronically monitored suspension system.
Automatic versions of the GR also have Eyesight Driver Assist Technology, including pre-collision safety and collision avoidance warning systems.
3 The GR86 Comes With Torsen Limited Slip Differentials
In addition to the name-brand LSDs which help with road grip and drivability, the car has a superior chassis to the GT86 with high-strength steel for the frame and aluminum roof and bumpers to reduce weight.
This all also adds up to the GR86 being faster and sturdier than the GT and several other earlier Toyotas, the lighter weight helps increase the car speed, but it did not compromise strength in the body frame to achieve that light weight.
2 The GR 86 Comes With All Kinds of Wonderful New Design Features
A duckbill spoiler, a brake cooling system, and built in cool-air intakes all help to make this car as fast and efficient as it could be. While the GR 86 still uses the same McPherson strut suspension and wishbone suspension for the rear, the "torsional rigidity" of the car is stronger than the GT and Toyota used stronger bonding techniques to create the car's chassis.
Despite being lower to the ground than the GT, the GR 86 still has more ground clearance which reduces the risk of undercarriage or axle damage.
1 The GR86 Has Better 0-60 Times
Thanks to its design features, its more aerodynamic design, Limited Slip Differentials, and higher torque, the car has faster acceleration times than the GT86. The difference is actually not that massive and is more than made up for with the GT86's lower price, but the GR86 shaves off at least 0.4 seconds from the GT86's 6.3-second 0-60 mph run (with manual transmission).
Some also report that the GT86 can be clunky and harder to manage when it brakes short or suddenly, and its handling suffers somewhat when driving at lower speeds.