2025 Toyota GR86 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a reviewPros
Stylish design
Great handling
Manual transmission available
Cons
Cramped back seat
Outdated technology
This two-door coupe is both fun and affordable.
There aren’t too many inexpensive sports cars available these days. Sure, you can always head to the Porsche dealership and spend six figures to get a car with so much power it really belongs on a racetrack, but who has that kind of money? For the rest of us, there is the 2025 Toyota GR86. This affordable sports car offers up plenty of thrills without breaking the bank, and it’s just as comfortable on a twisty mountain road as it is running weekend errands.
Now in its second generation, the 2025 GR86 gets a few performance upgrades as well as a limited-production Hakone Edition that pays homage to the Hakone Turnpike in Japan, a road popular with driving enthusiasts. While the Hakone Edition served as our tester for this review, there is still plenty of fun to be had with the base and Premium trims.
Verdict: The 2025 Toyota GR86 is a nimble little sports car, perfect for those who want cheap thrills, good looks, and a manual transmission option.
The GR86 is a twin to the Subaru BRZ. Once in a while, car companies will pool their resources on a vehicle. While each manufacturer will add or subtract small features to make the vehicle as on-brand as possible, they are essentially selling the same car. As such, you’ll find Subaru-specific switches on the car you drove off the Toyota showroom floor.
Our Hakone Edition gets a stunning Ridge Green exterior colour with 18-inch satin bronze wheels, but the standard colours are great as well. Every sports car should have a good red option and Toyota provides. Regardless of colour, this curvy two-door looks great with its tight proportions, rear spoiler, and standard dual exhaust.
The GR86 is a 2+2, which means it has rear seats. However, good luck sitting back there. With under 759 millimetres of legroom, it’s hardly feasible for kids, let alone full-size adults. You’re better off using it as a place to store your bag or groceries. Having said that, it’s possible for someone who is over six feet tall to fit behind the wheel of the GR86. It might take some slouching to fit with the 940 mm of headroom, but move the six-way adjustable driver’s seat all the way back and down and you might make it work.
The only interior colour option is black, but there are some different material choices for the seats. The base trim sports cloth seats, while the GR86 Premium and Hakone Edition get Ultrasuede and leather trimmed seats. Regardless, the bolstering strikes the perfect balance between support and comfort. It keeps you snug in your seat on a twisty road, but the seats are still comfortable and easy to get in and out of.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel is small in both diameter and thickness. It feels great in your hands, but we wish there was an option for suede over leather as it gives your hands more grip during spirited driving.
Showing the Subaru influence, the GR86 sports a 2.4-litre boxer-four engine under the hood making 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Start it up and the engine emits a deep growl that sounds nothing like your average small powerplant. The boxer engine sends its power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
While our U.S.-spec Hakone Edition test car has an automatic transmission, this version is available only with the manual transmission in Canada. But if you opt for the Premium AT configuration, you’ll find the automatic transmission still has some fun in store thanks to its quick shifts and a set of paddle shifters for when you want a bit more control. Still, you’ll zip from zero to 100 km/h a bit slower in the automatic. Toyota says it takes 6.6 seconds if you let the car do its own thing or 6.2 seconds if you row your own.
Regardless of which transmission you have, there is no doubt that this car is a peach when the road turns twisty. The nimble chassis takes every turn with aplomb. The Hakone Edition’s Brembo brakes do their job confidently, getting the car slowed down without the tail wiggling back and forth. Add in a standard limited-slip differential, and the GR86 eats mountain roads for breakfast and goes back for a mid-morning snack. You’ll likely find yourself taking the long way home often. As an added bonus, Toyota equips the GR86 with a mechanical handbrake, so you’re ready to take your car out drifting.
There are modes for Sport, Snow, and Track, and drivers can turn off the stability control should they want to be more in command. Some might say the GR86 is underpowered, but we say the sub-250 ponies are a selling point. This car is all about momentum. One mistake and you’ll fall behind quicker than a cat pounces on its morning meal. You have to drive this car to its full potential at all times, but at the same time it’s not overwhelming. The power is accessible, and you can wring out every ounce of it even on public roads. Anyone can be quick in a 500-horsepower Porsche. Not everyone can be quick in this little coupe.
However, there are some trade-offs. While the sport-tuned dampers shine on the back roads, some might find them a little too stiff for rougher city streets. The quick steering ratio that is a joy in the corners can feel twitchy on a daily commute. These are the kinds of compromises you have to make with an inexpensive sports car like this. If you want a ride that’s cushy on the commute and sporty on curvy roads, you’ll need to upgrade to something with adaptive suspension like the Toyota GR Supra.
Most of Toyota’s development effort went into the driving dynamics of the GR86, so you won’t find many fancy-pants features. All models get one-touch power windows, dual-zone climate control and push-button start. The top two trims get heated seats and an eight-speaker audio system.
However, to complement the driving experience, Toyota includes a bunch of performance gauges so you know exactly what’s going on with the car. You can check out your horsepower and torque curves, monitor engine, coolant, and oil temperatures, see how many g-forces you’ve experienced while turning, and even time your laps around the track.
A surprise here is the size of the trunk. At 178 litres, it is huge for the overall size of the car. You can easily fit a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, and the opening is nice and wide. Fold down the rear seats and you can easily fit luggage for two people.
Interior storage is limited with just the glovebox and a tiny centre console. The cup holders are placed well away from the shifter, so there isn’t much risk of your road soda getting in the way of your gear changing.
This second-generation GR86 has been around since the 2022 model year, and the infotainment system is starting to show its age. The eight-inch touchscreen certainly is easy to use, but the graphics are comically bad and functions basic. The screen lets drivers control the audio system and a few other settings, but that’s it. There isn’t a native navigation system here, which is fine as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. However, we found that the native infotainment system sometimes didn’t mesh well with Apple CarPlay and was slow to respond to icon taps.
One odd feature we found in the infotainment is the ability to record birthdays and anniversaries. Start the car on the appointed day and you’re met with a lovely greeting. This comes from the Subaru side of things, as does the particularly terrible rearview camera. You’ll be able to see blobs and basic shapes behind you, but you’ll have to guess as to what they really are.
The GR86 is first and foremost a sports car, so don’t expect the same safety features you’d find in say, the family-focused Highlander. Automatic high beams are standard, but to get features like forward collision warning and pre-collision braking, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, you’ll need to opt for the Premium AT trim (AT stands for automatic transmission). The forward collision warning system was pretty sensitive, calling out warnings when we were nowhere near danger.
The adaptive cruise control is awkwardly placed on a stalk on the steering column, not on the steering wheel itself. You’ll need to take a minute to memorize the functions as they may not be visible from your driving position. And keep in mind that this adaptive cruise system doesn’t have any stop-and-go functionality. The system will disengage once it brings the car to a stop, so be ready to put your foot on the brake lest you roll into the person in front of you.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are only offered on Premium and Hakone Edition models, but these are welcome additions. For a small sports car, rearward visibility is pretty bad thanks to the wide rear C-pillar. This feature alone is enough to warrant skipping the base model.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) had not given the 2025 Toyota GR86 an overall safety rating at the time of publication. However, the organization said the forward collision warning, lane departure warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support met its performance criteria. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the GR86 top scores of “Good” in crashworthiness as well as crash avoidance and mitigation. It gave the car a mid-score of “Acceptable” for child seat anchors.
Unlike other sports cars with larger engines, the GR86 is far from a gas guzzler. The automatic transmission does it best with a Natural Resources Canada fuel rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.8 highway, and 9.7 combined. You take a bit of a hit with the manual, but it’s not too bad. Look to get 12.0 L/100 km city, 8.9 highway, and 10.6 combined. Even with all our spirited driving with the automatic, the car managed 7.8 L/100 km during our week with it. Huzzah!
Toyota’s warranty coverage is average for the class. You’ll get a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty and a three-year/60,000-kilometre new vehicle warranty. Toyota will also provide 24-hour roadside assistance for three years.
The 2025 Toyota GR86 starts at $35,399 in Canada including destination, but our top Hakone Edition sits at $40,364. When you look at horsepower per dollar, the GR86 is a stellar buy. However, you can’t look at the GR86 without also taking a look at the Mazda MX-5. Yes, it is down on power but it’s lighter, roughly the same price, gets better fuel economy, and it’s a convertible.
If the GR86 is a little underpowered for you, the Nissan Z sports 400 ponies under the hood and starts in the mid-$50,000 range. You could also look at the Ford Mustang with the 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but it’s much heavier and is only available with a 10-speed automatic.
If you’re someone who enjoys a good back road drive, you won’t be disappointed with the 2025 Toyota GR86. It’s a car that rewards drivers with exceptional handling and adequate power, wrapped up in a pretty package with an affordable price tag. Sure, you won’t be as quick as a Porsche 911, but you’ll be crying all the way to the bank.
User reviews for 2025 Toyota GR86
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2025 Toyota GR86 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: simulated alloy · Floor Material: carpet · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Easy entry: manual driver and passenger seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.91 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rocker panel color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: automatic high beam dimmer · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: one-piece · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 13.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 15 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Toyota Connected Services · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: polished aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: simulated alloy · Dash trim: faux suede · Door trim: suede · Floor Material: carpet · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Easy entry: manual driver and passenger seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.10 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: decklid · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rocker panel color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: rear · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: one-piece · Upholstery: contrast stitching · Upholstery accents: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 13.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 15 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Toyota Connected Services · Smart device app function: security event/collision alert
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.8 · Front brake width: 1.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 12.4 · Rear brake width: 0.79 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Cargo area floor mat material: carpet · Dash trim: faux suede · Door trim: suede · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Easy entry: manual driver and passenger seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.91 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: decklid · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rocker panel color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: flat · Upholstery: contrast stitching · Upholstery accents: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 13.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 15 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Toyota Connected Services · Smart device app function: security event/collision alert
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse