Nearly a decade ago, Toyota wowed car enthusiasts with its all-new back-to-basics sport coupe. Co-developed with Subaru and initially sold as the Scion FR-S, the Toyota 86 was inexpensive, small, lightweight and very fun to drive. Now, for 2022, Toyota is back with its redesigned 2022 GR86. Significant changes include a more powerful engine and new styling, but most importantly the new GR86 improves upon the same principles that made the original so enjoyable.
Like its predecessor, the GR86 features a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine mounted up front. Along with a larger 2.4-liter displacement and improvements to the intake and exhaust, the engine produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft — an increase of 23 hp and 28 lb-ft compared to the previous model. Beyond the power increase, the difference in steering is immediately obvious. The GR86's wheel moves with more linearity and eagerness, providing a greater sense of directness to the driver than the previous model.
Of course there are other affordable, fun-to-drive cars on the market. On the rear-wheel-drive side, Mazda's MX-5 Miata continues to entertain drivers of all levels and Ford's Mustang offers a lot of performance, even with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Front-wheel-drive fun can be found in the scrappy Hyundai Veloster N or the more refined Volkswagen Golf GTI.
The 2022 Toyota GR86 is a two-door, four-seat sports car available in two trim levels: base and Premium. Powering the rear wheels of the GR86 is a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (228 horsepower, 184 lb-ft) through your choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Highlighted features include:
2022 Toyota GR86
2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Available with an easy-folding soft top or a power retractable hardtop, the Miata remains one of the best driver's cars on sale today. Fun for all skill levels, the Miata offers a relatively compliant ride and returns great fuel economy. But a cramped and noisy interior can make longer trips a bit uncomfortable, especially for taller drivers.
Even in base form, the Mustang packs a lot more muscle than the GR86. And when equipped with its optional Performance package, the Mustang will definitely give the GR86 a run for its money around turns. Its larger size opens up a bit more interior and cargo room too. But the BRZ is lighter, more communicative and less expensive.
Scrappy and fun, the Veloster N mixes funky styling with practicality and a lot of power to create a really enjoyable driving experience. It has a larger and more usable back seat than the GR86 as well as an easy-to-use hatchback cargo area. But the ride can be pretty harsh over uneven pavement.
Nearly a decade ago, Toyota wowed car enthusiasts with its all-new back-to-basics sport coupe. Co-developed with Subaru and initially sold as the Scion FR-S, the Toyota 86 was inexpensive, small, lightweight and very fun to drive. Now, for 2022, Toyota is back with its redesigned 2022 GR86. Significant changes include a more powerful engine and new styling, but most importantly the new GR86 improves upon the same principles that made the original so enjoyable.
The GR86 is the epitome of "fun to drive." Its simple combination of low weight and nimble handling encourages its driver to have fun, be it on a two-lane backroad or for timed laps on a racetrack. Its handling is welcoming and instructive to rookies, but also enjoyable to experienced drivers. While these characteristics are similar in the last-generation model, the 2022 GR86 has several key improvements.
Time limitations meant we only drove the GR86 on a racetrack, so we'll have to wait until we can test a car on local roads to assess ride quality and interior noise. For now, we can say that the 2.4-liter engine develops a pleasing sound near redline.
The GR86's interior continues to be fairly minimalist in design but functional. A digital instrument panel lies behind a thickly padded steering wheel that features a basic but straightforward set of controls.
The GR86 comes standard with an 8-inch central touchscreen that features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. A six-speaker audio system is standard, while the top-of-the-line Premium trim level gets an eight-speaker system.
The GR86's coupe profile offers minimal cargo space (6.3 cubic feet) when compared to similarly priced hatchbacks such as the Hyundai Veloster N or Volkswagen GTI. The space may look tight, but flip-down rear seats ensure there's enough space for four mounted wheels and the basic tools owners would use on a track day.
While Toyota hasn't formalized pricing information yet, brand representatives said the base GR86 will start "comfortably" under $30,000 before destination fees. That price lands the GR86 among other compact sporty cars including the Hyundai Veloster N, Mazda Miata, Subaru WRX and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Toyota says the GR86 will get 21 mpg combined with the manual transmission, which trails comparably equipped competitors by a sizable margin. The Miata, for example, gets 29 mpg with its manual transmission. The estimate increases to 24 mpg combined with the automatic, which falls to the middle of the pack among similar vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Edmunds saysThe soul of low-cost, fun-to-drive sport coupes lives on in the new 2022 Toyota GR86. Thanks to its revised styling and a much-needed power increase, this new 86 can put a smile on anyone's face, regardless of budget or skill level.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Toyota GR86:
The least-expensive 2022 Toyota GR86 is the 2022 Toyota GR86 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $27,700.
Other versions include:
