Ford Mustang vs Toyota GR86

The 2024 Ford Mustang underwent a subtle yet impactful style refresh, with nearly every body panel reworked. The front end featured a larger grille and narrower headlights, giving it a more aggressive appearance. The nose was more upright, suggesting a bold charge into the wind. The classic long hood and shorter tail profile remained, but the rear fender flare became more angular and pronounced. The back end showcased a deep-cut bevel, creating a sharply angled fascia and taillights, which became the most distinctive exterior trait. Inside, the Mustang received a significant makeover, moving away from the traditional dual-cowl dashboard to a modern design with a striking glass panel enclosing the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The centre console and doors retained a similar look to the previous model, but with improved materials quality, replacing hard plastic surfaces with lightly padded sections for a more upmarket impression.

The 2025 Toyota GR86, a twin to the Subaru BRZ, was a testament to collaborative automotive efforts. The Hakone Edition boasted a stunning Ridge Green exterior with 18-inch satin bronze wheels, while standard colours, including a vibrant red, were equally appealing. The GR86's curvy two-door design, tight proportions, rear spoiler, and dual exhaust contributed to its sporty aesthetic. Despite being a 2+2, the rear seats were impractical for passengers, offering under 759 millimetres of legroom, making them more suitable for storage. However, the front accommodated taller drivers with a six-way adjustable seat. The interior featured a single black colour option with varying seat materials, from cloth in the base trim to Ultrasuede and leather in higher trims. The leather-wrapped steering wheel was small and comfortable, though a suede option would have provided better grip during spirited driving.

The 2024 Ford Mustang offered a range of performance options, starting with the EcoBoost 2.3-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, a 5-horsepower increase from its predecessor. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, driving the rear wheels. For a more traditional muscle car experience, the Coyote 5.0-litre V8 in GT models delivered 480 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, with an optional Active Exhaust system boosting output to 486 hp and 418 lb-ft. The GT came standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with the 10-speed automatic as an option. The top-tier Ford Mustang Dark Horse boasted 500 hp and additional performance enhancements. The EcoBoost engine, while not as explosive as the V8, was expected to reach 100 km/h in about 5.0 seconds, while the GT could achieve it in less than 4.5 seconds. The manual transmission with rev matching enhanced driver engagement, and the EcoBoost's handling, especially with the High Performance package, was nearly as impressive as the GT's. The Mustang's ride quality balanced comfort and handling, with the optional MagneRide adaptive suspension offering subtle differences between Sport and Normal settings. The new Electronic Drift Brake feature added a fun element for controlled conditions.

The 2025 Toyota GR86, influenced by Subaru, housed a 2.4-litre boxer-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine's deep growl set it apart from typical small powerplants. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The Hakone Edition test car featured an automatic transmission, but in Canada, it was available only with a manual. The automatic offered quick shifts and paddle shifters for added control, though it was slower to 100 km/h, taking 6.6 seconds compared to 6.2 seconds with the manual. The GR86 excelled on twisty roads, with a nimble chassis and Brembo brakes providing confident stopping power. A standard limited-slip differential enhanced its mountain road prowess, and a mechanical handbrake was ready for drifting. The GR86's sub-250 horsepower was a selling point, emphasizing momentum and accessible power. However, the sport-tuned dampers could be stiff on rough city streets, and the quick steering ratio, while enjoyable in corners, felt twitchy during daily commutes.

The 2024 Ford Mustang's front seats were accommodating for larger occupants, offering ample cushioning for long-distance comfort. The available cooling feature was effective on hot days. The rear seats were cramped, better suited for cargo overflow than passengers, though useful for short trips. The convertible top was easy to operate, providing a classic open-air experience, albeit with reduced cargo capacity. The Mustang Convertible offered 291 litres of cargo space, while the Fastback held up to 376 litres. Interior storage was limited, with average-sized cupholders, door pockets, and a small centre armrest bin. A rubberized tray with an available wireless charging pad kept phones secure.

The 2025 Toyota GR86 focused on driving dynamics, with fewer luxury features. All models included one-touch power windows, dual-zone climate control, and push-button start. The top trims added heated seats and an eight-speaker audio system. Performance gauges complemented the driving experience, displaying horsepower and torque curves, engine temperatures, g-forces, and lap times. The trunk, at 178 litres, was surprisingly spacious for the car's size, accommodating a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. Folding the rear seats expanded luggage capacity for two people. Interior storage was limited to a glovebox and a tiny centre console, with well-placed cupholders away from the shifter.

The 2024 Ford Mustang featured a large 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. Base models had separate screens, while Premium models combined them in a single enclosure. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered sharp graphics and a logical menu structure, though responses could be slow. Primary climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, but remained accessible at the bottom of the screen. A physical volume knob and a button for performance features were appreciated. The customizable gauge cluster included themes, such as a nostalgic nod to the Fox-body Mustangs. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included a native navigation system and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system.

The 2025 Toyota GR86's infotainment system, dating back to the 2022 model year, showed its age. The eight-inch touchscreen was easy to use, but graphics were poor and functions basic. The system controlled the audio and a few settings, with no native navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though the system sometimes struggled with Apple CarPlay integration. An odd feature was the ability to record birthdays and anniversaries, offering greetings on the appointed day. The rearview camera, a Subaru feature, was subpar, displaying indistinct shapes.

The 2024 Ford Mustang's crash test results were unavailable, but the previous generation received five stars from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the driver-side small overlap test. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a safe passenger exit warning. All features functioned without false alarms or glitches.

The 2025 Toyota GR86, as a sports car, offered fewer safety features than family-oriented vehicles. Standard features included automatic high beams, while the Premium AT trim added forward collision warning, pre-collision braking, lead vehicle start alert, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning was sensitive, and the adaptive cruise control was awkwardly placed on a stalk, lacking stop-and-go functionality. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on Premium and Hakone Edition models, addressing the car's poor rearward visibility. The NHTSA had not rated the GR86, but its safety features met performance criteria. The IIHS awarded top scores in crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with an "Acceptable" rating for child seat anchors.