There's something really special about sports cars. The look, the power and the feeling you get sitting behind one makes driving into an experience and not just a chore. Stereotypically, sports cars usually come with massive price tags and while that still remains true for the most part, it must be acknowledged that more and more automotive manufacturers are now producing smaller, cheaper sports cars that significantly more people can afford.
Sports car fans rejoice, enjoying potent performance without breaking the bank is now easier than ever before. Admittedly, there are a variety of different automotive manufacturers producing these small cars but two of the most prominent and consistent in the small-sized sports car category have been BMW and Toyota. Both manufacturers have created a variety of impressive small-body sports cars and are introducing new offerings for 2022.
So, let's pit the newest 2022 Toyota GR 86 against the newest 2022 BMW 230i and see which is the best out of the two. Read on to find out which should be your next sports car.
Here's What The Toyota GR 86 Offers
The Toyota 86 was very well received when it first hit the market, with performance enthusiasts even creating a whole new market for aftermarket modifications.
So what does the newest generation of the Toyota 86 offer?
First and foremost, a new, bigger and more powerful engine. The previous generation 2.0-Liter four-cylinder engine has been upgraded to a bigger 2.4-Liter four-cylinder engine that has significantly boosted power and torque, leading to a more fun and engaging driving experience as a result. This newest boxer engine has increased horsepower from 205 HP in the previous generation to 238 and has not only increased torque to 184 lb-ft but has also made the extra torque come in much earlier at 3,700 RPM instead of the previous 5,400 RPM. As a result, the driver feels the power of the car come in significantly earlier, making the car feel more responsive and sportier to drive. Furthermore, the car will come in either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, so stick shifters rejoice, the manual is not dead. Toyota has also made the body of the car more rigid, which will again improve the driving experience of this car.
Moving to the inside of the car, Toyota has kept it minimal yet stylish. No fancy buttons or features that you won't use, but plenty there, so you will have everything you need. Various leather adornments and digital cluster gauges add a modern touch while maintaining the sports car minimalism we know and love. Additionally, the newest Toyota 86 also features a host of intelligent safety and driver assistance systems that were not present in the previous generation. The car will feature Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Alert with Sway Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, and Automatic High Beams in the automatic models.
Here's What The BMW 230i Offers
So what does the newest BMW 230i have to offer?
In terms of powertrain, the BMW features a smaller 2.0-Liter four-cylinder engine, however, it is turbocharged unlike the GR 86 which was naturally aspirated. Consequently, the power and torque figures are slightly higher, as a result, the 230i boasts 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Like the GR 86 power is sent to the rear wheels only, making sure that delivery of power can be enjoyed whether the car is accelerating in a straight line or sliding sideways. However, the 230i does not have a manual transmission option and comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission instead.
In terms of the interior, the 230i emphasizes the German luxury that BMW is known for, irrespective of the fact that this is one of their most affordable cars. The infotainment system is just slightly larger than the GR 86's 8" touchscreen, coming in at 8.8" with an option to upgrade to a 10.3" unit. BMW has also included a variety of assistance systems such as Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Frontal Collision Warning.
Conquering Champion: The German Giant
So which car reigns supreme?
As much as the picture has given it away, there is still one key fact that has not yet been discussed: price. As you've already guessed, the BMW 230i costs more than the Toyota GR 86, which isn't much of a surprise considering European cars tend to cost more than Japanese cars. The standard GR 86 starts at $27,700 while the standard 230i starts at $36,350. So, what do you actually receive for almost an extra $10,000?
Well besides the obvious increase in power and torque, you get significantly faster acceleration, hitting 0-60 MPH in just 5.5 seconds for the 230i and 6.6 seconds for an automatic GR 86, with the option to drop that value to 6.1 seconds in a manual one. Admittedly, this is one of the most important aspects in deciding which sports car to buy. Furthermore, you get a more refined and luxurious interior in the BMW.
However, the GR 86 presents even greater value for money, with a dramatically lower cost per horsepower, making it the clear winner if you are on a budget.
Sources: HotCars, Toyota and BMW