What Car Shoppers Need to Know
- A twin of the Subaru BRZ, the rear-wheel-drive Toyota GR86 sports coupe delivers performance in a value-oriented package.
- For 2026, the GR86 lineup adds a bright-yellow GR86 Yuzu Edition, featuring special wheels and blacked-out trim outside and yellow and black accents inside.
- A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with an automatic available for $1,100.
Is the 2026 Toyota GR86 a Good Sports Coupe?
As a solo joyrider, the Toyota GR86 was a blast. Once I added some real-life tasks, like carrying kids and groceries, things went downhill fast; this coupe isn’t daily-driver material. Best suited for shoppers looking for a little excitement on the side, the GR86 delivers the rare combination of cheap fun, though its single-mindedness is glaring in a couple of areas, including dated controls and a very firm ride.
Related: Honor Thy Father: 2026 Toyota GR86 Yuzu Special Edition Pays Tribute to Scion
The GR86 has been known by many names, starting as the Scion FR-S before coming under the Toyota brand, where it was known as just the 86 before being dubbed GR86. Throughout the years, it has retained its purity of purpose as an affordable enthusiast coupe.
For 2026, a Yuzu Edition joins the lineup, featuring a vibrant yellow exterior reminiscent of the Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0. The Yuzu Edition is based on the GR86 Premium trim, but it adds 18-inch matte-black wheels, a black interior with yellow accents and black Ultrasuede-trimmed sport seats with yellow perforation, as well as yellow stitching on the steering wheel, parking brake handle and door trim.
The GR86 has few direct competitors, but its Subaru BRZ twin is one. Another is the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which is a two-seat convertible that shares the same formula: lightweight body, RWD dynamics and basic tech.
Expert Rating: 5.6/10
- Powertrain: 7/10
- Ride quality: 3/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Steering feel: 8/10
- Driver comfort: 3/10
- Interior quality: 4/10
- User interface: 5/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall appeal: 6/10
- Fuel economy: 5/10
Our test vehicle: 2026 Toyota GR86 Premium
Base price (all prices include destination fee): $32,695
As-tested price: $41,783
Powertrain: 228-horsepower, 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder with six-speed manual transmission; RWD
EPA fuel-economy ratings: 20/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined
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What’s Good About the 2026 Toyota GR86?
It’s a bundle of joy on the road: If you need a pick-me-up, hop into the GR86; I haven’t felt this level of engagement and connection to the road in a while. Power is zippy from the 228-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and while it’s not aggressively fast, it’s fast enough.
The real star, though, is the six-speed manual transmission, which is an extra-special treat given manuals are almost extinct. It’s standard on the GR86, and its short throws and precise feel make it a delight.
The coupe handles like a go-kart thanks to its sport-tuned suspension, RWD setup, quick and direct steering, and lightweight body. Around-town maneuverability is excellent, and I was downright giddy throwing it around sweeping highway ramps and tight corners.
Solid value: With the cost of a trip to the grocery store coming close to a monthly car payment, it’s refreshing to find something that’s a bargain but doesn’t feel cheap. The GR86 starts at $32,695 — less than the 2026 BRZ, which starts at $37,055 but has more standard features. The 2026 MX-5 Miata is less expensive than both, with a starting price of $31,665. Watch out for a hidden cost with both the GR86 and BRZ, however: They require pricey premium fuel.
What’s Bad About the 2026 Toyota GR86?
2022 called and wants its controls back: If you’re looking for anything high tech, you won’t find it here. The GR86 comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that looks lifted from a 2022 GR86 — because it is. Its small screen, dated graphics and wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity lack any hint of modernity, but the controls are simple, which at least helps keep frustration down.
Poor visibility: The coupe’s low roof, large spoiler and chunky roof pillars obscure all sorts of sight lines both front and back.
Seats for two-ish: There’s technically four seats in the GR86, but the two in back are mostly for show. With the front seat positioned for an average-sized adult, there’s no room for legs in back, even tiny ones. My 11-year-old twins lacked legroom, and car seats presented big problems.
In our Car Seat Check, the GR86 failed on three out of the four car seats we tested because of the GR86’s deep, bucketlike backseat design. For a harnessed car seat, at least 80% of the seat’s base must sit directly on the seat cushion. It was tough to measure, as the entire middle section of the convertible car seat’s base floated over the seat, so I couldn’t guarantee that 80% of the car seat was on the seat cushion. We had the same problem with the infant seat we tested.
I liked the rear seats better when they were folded: The one-piece seatback folds flat to open up more cargo space, which you’ll need because the GR86’s trunk is tight; I only managed to squeeze a couple of grocery bags inside. The trunk opening is tiny, too.
Firm ride: That sport-tuned suspension is great for this coupe’s handling, but it comes with a big downside: The GR86’s ride is firm, and there’s no alternate, softer suspension setting to choose. City potholes and speed bumps were jarring and easily unsettled the car; my kids were literally groaning in the back.
Not only do you feel a lot of the road, you hear it, too. While the coupe’s growly engine note is loud, it strikes a sporty tone that adds to the driving excitement. What doesn’t add to the experience are the high levels of wind and road noise that drown everything out.
Safety blind spots: The GR86 has many standard advanced driver-assist systems, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The base GR86, however, does not have blind spot warning, and no stick-shift version has reverse automatic braking.
Should You Buy the 2026 Toyota GR86?
While that may have sounded like a lot of complaining, overall, the GR86 won me over with its simplicity. It’s built for fun and it delivers — so long as you can ignore any real-life needs.
More on the Toyota GR86 From Cars.com:
- Here’s What’s New With the 2027 Toyota GR86
- 2023 Toyota GR86 Review: How Is This Much Fun Only $30,000?
- How Much Is the 2026 Toyota GR86?
- Which New Cars Have Manual Transmissions?
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