2026 Toyota GR86 Review: Getting Better and Better

Toyota's 2026 GR86 is one of the last sub-$35K, rear-wheel-drive, manual-transmission sports cars you can still buy new — powered by a 2.4L naturally aspirated FA24 boxer-four making 228 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic driving the rear wheels. Curb weight comes in at roughly 2,811 lbs for the manual, giving a power-to-weight ratio that delivers 0-60 mph in approximately 6.1 seconds and a quarter mile in the mid-14s. EPA fuel economy is rated at 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined for the manual, and 21/31/25 for the automatic. Fuel tank capacity is 13.2 gallons and premium 91+ octane is required. Chassis hardware includes MacPherson struts up front and a double-wishbone rear suspension, a Torsen limited-slip differential standard across all trims, and 17-inch wheels on the base trim or 18-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires (215/40R18) on the Premium and Trueno Edition. Brakes are 11.6-inch front ventilated discs and 11.4-inch rear discs. Dimensions: 167.9 inches long, 69.9 wide, 51.6 tall, on a 101.4-inch wheelbase. Interior cargo behind the rear seats is 6.3 cubic feet, and the rear seats fold flat for additional usable space. Curb weight, low center of gravity from the boxer engine layout, and near-50/50 weight distribution are the core engineering reasons the GR86 corners the way it does. Pricing for the 2026 GR86 starts at $30,135 for the base trim, $32,735 for the Premium, and $34,735 for the limited-production Trueno Edition (MSRP, excluding destination). Standard tech includes an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 on automatic-equipped models. Direct competitors include the Subaru BRZ (mechanical twin), Mazda MX-5 Miata, Nissan Z, Ford Mustang EcoBoost, and Hyundai Elantra N. The GR86 remains one of the few sub-$35K rear-wheel-drive sports cars available new in 2026 with a standard manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. #mazdamiata #prelude #bmw #230i 00:00 Intro 00:37 Pricing and Feature 02:00 Interior and Storage 05:58 Engine 07:26 Driving Impressions 11:10 0-60 12:56 Highway and Fuel Economy 16:08 Stereo 17:09 Deep Thoughts