Few cars in today’s market make such an unapologetic case for driving fun as the Toyota GR86. The formula of the small, 2 door, rear wheel drive sports car is usually reserved for the second car, the toy that gets used on the weekends. But, by pairing it with an automatic gearbox, Toyota wants to retain that same DNA, but with a daily-driving layer of convenience. After living for a while with what is one of my favourite brand new cars, this balance between old-school spirit and modern usability becomes clear — and also that the GR86 still very much knows where its priorities lie.
It picks up the torch from the GT86, which became something of a cult classic for enthusiasts who wanted lightweight purity over outright power. The second generation evolves the formula with a bigger, more powerful engine, tighter styling, and a chassis fine-tuned for balance. From the outside, Toyota (and Subaru) nailed the proportions. The car sits low and wide, with a stance that signals its intent. As I grow older, the boy racer-ness of it is less and less a match to my lack of hair, but I still appreciate deeply how much more mature the new design is. The spec tested here, with the Sapphire Blue paint, red Brembo calipers, and a red-accented interior just works brilliantly.
The GR-specific tweaks, from subtle aero detailing to lightweight wheels, keep it grounded in motorsport flavour. It’s playful without being garish, the kind of combination that makes people stop and look twice. I’m more than 180 press cars in, and never before had I had three separate occasions where people gave me the “nice car, bro” nod the same day, and as a car person, you know how much that means.
The cabin is a big step up over the previous generation. The suede elements on the dash and door cards bring tactility, sportiness and some refinement, while the aforementioned red upholstery lifts the atmosphere and pairs beautifully with the exterior paint. It’s still a compact interior, though: the back seats are realistically useless for adults, and even tight for children. That said, the boot is more practical than expected: someone once claimed the trunk was designed to hold a spare set of wheels and tyres for track days, and this isn’t marketing fluff, I could transport a set of track wheels with zero issues. That single design decision shows how well Toyota understands its core demographic.
And then we must talk tech, but I suspect the GR86 would rather we didn’t. The infotainment system looks and feels aftermarket, with graphics and menus that seem a generation or two behind any competition. It is easy to use just because of muscle memory, and with wired phone projection and a just-okay stereo, I’m happy it is extremely trivial to replace should you want to. The cluster, too, is functional rather than polished, and there are welcome indicators of battery voltage, oil temperature, and even a lap timer and G meter.
But in truth, I don’t perceive this as a dealbreaker. I personally see the GR86 as a blank canvas for personalisation, and Toyota seem to agree, leaving plenty of scope for aftermarket upgrades in all arenas. In short, the basics are there, but the tech won’t win any awards. The safety suite, part of Subaru’s EyeSight system, is more eager to jump in for the rescue with emergency braking, but it can easily be tweaked and you can then rely on its benefits. The same can’t be said, however, about adaptive cruise control: same as with the GR Corolla I had just before this, it cannot handle stop-and-go traffic, disengaging after a full stop. It’s a missed opportunity, especially for a version that aims to be the more commuter-friendly option.
Under the bonnet sits the 2.4-litre flat-four, that in this new gen delivers more power and, more importantly, more torque than the GT86 of old. It is at a sweet spot, offering enough grunt to feel responsive, but not so much that it overwhelms the chassis.
On the drive, the GR86 remains a massively rewarding sports cars on the road, regardless of transmission. The ultra-low centre of gravity and stiff suspension make it feel nailed to the asphalt, and while repeated undulations can unsettle the ride, the trade-off in cornering precision is worth it, even though you need to calibrate your expectations.
The automatic gearbox fitted here aims to give the car a broader appeal. This isn’t a CVT, it’s a conventional auto with paddle shifters, and while it sacrifices some immediacy compared to the manual, it still keeps the car engaging despite some hiccups. It is programmed to hold gears if you downshift from Drive to engine brake or to maximise torque in certain situations, but shifts between leaning on the throttle and coasting constantly lead to an unexpected neck bobbing upshift.
The steering is a highlight, with weighting that doesn’t feel artificial, high (for today’s standards) levels of feedback and an open invitation for some opposite lock, which the GR86 will give you every time if you know how to ask: the LSD behavior is linear, engaging and a pleasure to deal with. As a previous owner of two MX-5s and an M2, for me, the mix of reasonable power and a properly calibrated differential found on the GR86 makes it for one of the best cars to learn about car balance, oversteer and control over the sharp blade of grip limit. This car is an incredible teaching tool for those wanting to hone their skills, and it is no surprise at all that there is an one-make category for these in motorsport.
It is a daily driving friendly car, packing comfort and usability that are not too far off a hatchback should rear seats be mostly an afterthought for you. With heated seats, a noise floor that never gets in the way, acceptable storage solutions and the ability to put a grin in your face at every city turn you can take without lifting, or every intersection where the mix or Sport and Track mode (that alleviate traction control) just must be activated.
The automatic proves that you can add (some) convenience without diluting (all the) character. It’s still raw, still engaging, and still unapologetically a driver’s car. Don’t get me wrong, the manual is still better, but the automatic makes the car more accessible without losing the core experience. With its improved interior, clever practicality touches, and sublime dynamics, the GR86 remains a standout in a shrinking segment. It’s a car designed to put smiles first, spreadsheets second, and that’s exactly why I like it so much. Thanks, Toyota, for the opportunity, and thank you for reading this far!
