The Toyota GR86 is a sports coupe in the classic mould with a stiff and lightweight chassis, rear-wheel drive (RWD), and an engine that needs to be thrashed to get the best from it. It was co-developed with Subaru, and the Subaru BRZ shares most of its design and mechanical parts with the GR86.
Confusingly, the GR86 started life in North America as the Scion FR-S, a product of Toyota’s now-defunct "youthful" sub-brand. It was introduced in 2012 but was renamed to Toyota 86 from the 2017 model year onward after the Scion brand was abandoned in 2016. That name had a special meaning to Toyota fans who grew up with dreams of the Corolla GT-S AE86 of the 1980s. The launch of the second-generation model for the 2022 model year saw the name change to Toyota GR86. The GR
In all its guises, the model’s powertrain is a boxer engine designed by Subaru with input from Toyota. It sends power to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. With its sporty and aerodynamic shape, energetic RWD drivetrain, limited-slip differential, and excellent handling, the Toyota GR86 continues to appeal to buyers who don’t mind giving up a roomy rear seat and lots of trunk space for a lightweight sports car with ideal weight distribution that’s just as adept at commuting as it is blasting along twisty backroads.
Our buying guide covers the Toyota GR86 in all its forms, from its inception as the Scion FR-S to the later Toyota 86 and Toyota GR86 models.
Toyota GR86 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Toyota GR86 years are the best?
All of Toyota’s GR86 models have proved reliable, which means used shoppers can simply search for the sports coupe they want at a price they can afford. GR86s from 2022 through 2026 are desirable because they come from the latest and current generation. For those interested in a GR86 with the optional automatic transmission, the larger 2.4-litre boxer engine’s extra torque over the older 2.0-litre unit is noticeable.
What are the worst Toyota GR86 years?
There aren’t any Toyota GR86 model years to avoid, and the number of problems listed on sites such as CarComplaints.com is almost negligible. Look out for cars that have seen track use, though, since these will have had more stress on their engines, brakes, and suspension systems.
Is a used Toyota GR86 a good deal?
Yes. The Toyota GR86 has long been considered a bargain for buyers interested in a traditional sports car driving experience. Used Toyota GR86 models in the $20,000 range offer a lot of bang for the buck, and newer models from the current generation (starting with the 2022 model year) still represent a significant saving over the new examples in Toyota dealerships.
Toyota GR86 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fun to drive
- Manual transmission available
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Cramped back seat
- Outdated technology
- Firm ride
Toyota GR86 Generations
Toyota GR86 First Generation (2022-Present)
The second generation of the car that became the Toyota GR86 debuted for the 2022 model year. It kept everything that was good about the first one but added extra power, newer tech, and a more modern look inside and out. It also had a name change from Toyota 86 to Toyota GR86. As before, it was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe, offering a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters as well as a small rear seat for occasional use. Under the hood was a new 2.4-litre boxer engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That’s roughly 18% more hp and 11% more torque than the previous iteration, and it was tuned to peak earlier.
The GR86 was offered in a base trim level with 17-inch, 10-spoke machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels wearing Michelin Primacy HP tires. Up front were six-way adjustable seats upholstered in black fabric with textured vinyl and sport fabric trim on the dash, doors, and steering wheel. A new 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system was standard along with a six-speaker audio system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
The 2022 GR86 Premium trim got upgraded 18-inch, 10-spoke black aluminum alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and wore a large duckbill spoiler at the rear. A pair of black and silver accented six-way adjustable front seats offered two-level heating and perforated Ultrasuede upholstery with leather side bolsters. Those black and silver accents also adorned the leather steering wheel, the shift boot, and the handbrake. The 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system came with eight speakers on the GR86 Premium. The 2022 GR86 was offered in a choice of seven exterior colours, and exterior badging included a redesigned GR86 logo along with a Toyota GR emblem.
The 2022 Toyota GR86 was estimated to return 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.7 on the highway, and 10.5 combined with the standard six-speed manual transmission. The six-speed automatic returned 11.1 L/100 km city, 7.7 highway, and 9.6 combined.
The 2023 GR86 Special Edition was added to the lineup for the following model year and was limited to just 20 units in Canada. It stood out with Solar Shift paint, unique 18-inch alloy wheels in black, a GR Performance cat-back exhaust, and some blacked-out exterior features.
For 2024, a Trueno Edition debuted with SACHS dampers and Brembo brakes as well as a two-tone paint job in the buyer’s choice of Halo (white) and black or Track bRed and black. Only 50 units were available in Canada. Additionally, Toyota’s active safety suite — which included features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, sway warning, lead vehicle start alert, and high-beam assist — was extended to GR86 models with a manual transmission. It was previously only offered with the automatic transmission.
New for the 2025 model year was the GR86 Hakone Special Edition, named in tribute to the Hakone Turnpike in Japan. It wore Ridge Green exterior paint paired with 18-inch satin bronze-finished wheels, a duckbill rear spoiler, black accents, and Hakone badging. The SACHS dampers and Brembo brakes were included on the Hakone Edition. Only 30 units were sold in Canada with the manual transmission. All GR86 models for the 2025 model year came with retuned shock absorbers and revised throttle mapping.
For 2026, Toyota replaced the Hakone with a new GR86 Yuzu Edition that wore bright yellow exterior paint, 18-inch matte-black wheels, and blacked-out badging. Inside, the Yuzu offered black Ultrasuede sport seats with yellow perforation, along with yellow contrast stitching on the steering wheel, parking brake handle, and door trim.
At the time of writing, the 2026 GR86 carried an MSRP of $35,947 (including destination and fees) as a new car. The GR86 Premium starts at $38,947 (or $40,912 with the automatic) and the Yuzu edition costs $48,077. Used prices start at roughly $30,000 in Canada. You’ll find most cars are summer-driven and have well under 80,000 kilometres on the odometer.
Toyota 86 First Generation (2017-2021)
Unlike the closely related Subaru BRZ, the Toyota GR86 has had two name changes over the course of its life. Introduced as the Scion FR-S in 2012, it was rebranded as the Toyota 86 for the 2017 model year. While it may seem that nothing changed but the name, the transformation from Scion to Toyota was more than skin deep. Power from the 2.0-litre boxer engine increased from 200 horsepower to 205 hp and torque to 156 pound-feet (cars with the automatic transmission stayed at 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque). Revised gearing for the rear differential (a Torsen limited-slip unit for most models) meant the 86 was a tad quicker than the old FR-S.
Along with the small performance upgrades, the new Toyota 86 got a subtle exterior makeover. LED headlamps and taillights became standard, and the front and rear bumpers of the car were restyled for a more aggressive look. Uprated specs included 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, suspension tweaks, and a thicker rear anti-roll bar. The car’s electronic stability control system was also recalibrated, and a Track mode replaced the previous Sport mode.
The 2017 Toyota 86 was offered in one trim level. This base model came standard with an eight-speaker audio system, a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat.
For 2018, a new GT trim level was added. Base model cars stayed the same as before, and the GT got a rear spoiler along with other aerodynamic aids, leather-trimmed heated front seats and a 4.2-inch digital gauge in the instrument cluster.
Used prices range from about $16,000 for higher-kilometre cars to about $25,000 for well-looked-after examples.
Scion FR-S First Generation (2013-2016)
The Scion FR-S debuted for the 2013 model year at the same time as the equivalent Subaru BRZ. Rather than being high-performance sports cars to go up against muscular competitors such as the Ford Mustang or the Chevrolet Camaro, the so-called Toyobaru twins were designed to blend sufficient power with excellent driving dynamics. This was made possible by a lightweight chassis and a boxer engine and drivetrain nestled as low as possible to facilitate a low centre of gravity.
Production of the Scion FR-S ran through the 2016 model year, after which the Scion brand was discontinued. The FR-S received several meaningful upgrades and was reborn as the Toyota 86 for the 2017 model year.
As of this writing, prices ranged from about $12,000 for high-kilometre examples to about $18,000 for those with fewer digits on the odometer.
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