Name: Toyota GR86 (2022 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Toyota GR86
Rating: 64.0

Summary

The Toyota GR86 is a compact sports car, only available as a 2+2 coupé. Arriving on UK roads in 2022, it replaced the similar GT86 coupé, which was discontinued in 2020.

Sitting below the more upmarket GR Supra in the Toyota family, the GR86 is the fruit of a collaboration with Subaru that also spawned the essentially identical Subaru BRZ (which will not be sold in the UK, unlike the previous generation). The coupé is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 228hp – 28hp more than the outgoing car. Both manual and automatic models are available.

The Toyota GR86 has been well-received by motoring journalists since its arrival, with British reviewers agreeing that it is a definite improvement over its GT86 predecessor – a highly-regarded model in its own right.

“It improves on the old car without losing any of the original’s charm”, Carwow concludes, while Evo says that “the GR86 just feels planted, potent, pliant and pure of purpose” when compared to “the rather crude and binary nature of the GT86”.

Car adds that the GR86 is also a rather “well-rounded and usable” model for day-to-day travel too, even if the rear seating area is quite tight and the interior trim includes some cheap plastics. The competing Mazda MX-5 RF range offers more interior quality and customisation options to customers, though Auto Trader says that the GR86 is the “more focused and serious” driver’s package.

A large majority of reviewers also agree that the Toyota GR86 is competitively priced – a sports car that Top Gear says delivers “real-world giggles at an affordable price”.

“The GR86 is perhaps the best affordable sports car you can buy”, Carbuyer agrees, “if you can get hold of one, that is”. Availability is certainly an issue at the moment. As of January 2025, the Toyota GR86 holds a New Car Expert Rating of C with a score of 64%.

GR86 highlights

Plenty of driver appeal
Strong petrol engine
Good levels of standard equipment
Great value for money

GR86 lowlights

Cheap-feeling interior
Rivals are faster
Cramped rear seating
Limited stock in the UK

Key specifications

Body style: Coupé
Engines: petrol
Price: From £32,495 on-road

Launched: Summer 2022
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The Toyota GR86 is a bargain sports car that’s both usable and thrilling.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“In the GR86, Toyota has all but perfected the already very good sports car that was the GT86, while keeping true to that car’s values. The only trouble? Getting one is easier said than done, and it’ll soon disappear.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If not as fast as a hot hatch, the GR86 instead delivers the feedback and rear-wheel drive balance keen drivers crave in a package more focused and serious than the Mazda MX-5 you might also consider for this money.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“This is a great sports car, period. And apart from making the 86 a greater entertainer, the evolution into the GR has made it more well-rounded and usable, too. A long journey in the GT86 could leave you drained but thanks to the stiffer structure and liquid-filled engine mounts, refinement has improved greatly.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The GR86 is perhaps the best affordable sports car you can buy… That is, if you can get hold of one.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you ironed out a Toyota GT86, you’d get the GR86. It improves on the old car without losing any of the original’s charm.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“To drive, some of the GT86’s strong character and charm have been sacrificed. That said, measured by any metric you care to choose, the Toyota GR86 is a faster, fitter and more roundly rewarding steer, hence its second-place finish in evo Car of the Year 2022, coming out ahead of the incredible Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren Artura as one of the finest performance cars on sale today.” (David Vivian)
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“2.4-litre engine provides more power than GT86 predecessor.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota GR86 is a great sports car. It’s a refreshing blast from the past – a reminder that as well as electrifying our everyday future, manufacturers should still serve the needs of those wanting a fun plaything for weekends. The GR86 offers beautifully judged performance without being profligate.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The Toyota GR86 is a driver’s car that’s much harder to find fault with than its predecessor – especially for the price. It’s hard not to drive it with a grin on your face. The fact that it acquits itself pretty well in other areas, and should be reliable too, is simply the cherry on top.” (Alex Robbins)
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“As a driving machine it’s without rival at the price and also at the relatively low speeds at which you can enjoy it.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Toyota GR86 is one of 2022’s very best cars. The antidote to overpowered, overweight, overcomplicated so-called sports cars, it’s like a sanitised, weatherproof Caterham. Able to deliver real-world giggles at an affordable price, but improved in key areas over the GT86 – the torque, the looks, the on-the-limit handling.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of January 2025, the Toyota GR86 has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Toyota GR86 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Toyota GR86 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the GR86, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	32 mpg	E	32 – 32 mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	200 g/km	D	199 – 200 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	42	D	39 – 45	C – D

The Toyota GR86 might be one of the most affordable sports cars you can buy, but it’s not going to be all that cheap to run according to whole-life cost information provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is very poor – especially considering the GR86 is a fairly small and light car. Insurance is also hefty, however we don’t currently have servicing cost data.