The 2025 Toyota GR86 is a textbook example of a fun, reasonably priced sports car. Its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout delivers an unmistakable sports car feel. When you couple that with its stable handling, light weight and excellent steering, the GR86 provides an engaging driving experience that few cars can replicate.Read full review
Enjoyable handling for drivers of all skill levels
Driver-friendly interior
Quick-shifting six-speed manual transmission
Good power output for its size
Cons
Back seats are better suited for storage
High interior noise levels
Jittery ride quality at times
What's new
New Hakone special-edition model
Retuned suspension and steering for improved handling
Improved throttle responsiveness
Part of the second generation GR86 introduced for 2022
Overview
by the Edmunds Experts
4/15/2025
Think of the 2025 Toyota GR86 as a sport coupe that bestows loads of enjoyment without depleting your savings. This is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive small coupe that doesn't aim to break power records but has exceptional handling and steering that make it very rewarding to drive along twisty roads or on the occasional racetrack. For 2025, Toyota has added a new limited-production GR86 Hakone Edition that has special styling details. For all GR86s, Toyota says it has improved the GR86's suspension and steering to give the driver a better feel for the car's handling and grip on the road. It has also retuned the throttle's responsiveness to make it easier for the driver to blip the throttle on heel-toe-style downshifts.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 Toyota GR86 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $5.22 per gallon for premium unleaded in California.
The GR86 is lightweight and it produces enough power to give you a fun driving experience without getting you in too much trouble. Its compact layout and its superb handling make this an agile and extraordinarily fun machine. Drift it at the track or commute in it day to day, excitement is guaranteed. Under the hood you'll find a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It may not seem like a whole lot, but with the GR86 around 2,800 pounds, that power does get this little car moving. Here's the best part: You can have it all for a lot less than the price of a typical new car.
Competitors to consider
The 2025 Toyota GR86's main competitor is its sibling, the Subaru BRZ. Both cars share the same powertrain and are predominantly differentiated by some styling features. Another great alternative is the iconic Mazda MX-5 Miata. If you're looking for something bigger — but pricier — then consider the Nissan Z or the Ford Mustang. Don't miss out on our test team's thorough review in the Edmunds Expert Rating below to learn more about the GR86's performance, tech and more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Great
8.2
out of 10
We drove the 2025 Toyota GR86 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Performance
9/10
How does the GR86 drive? The best part of the GR86 is its sublime handling. The steering feel is excellent, and when the GR86 is equipped with the optional high-performance summer tires, grip and confidence are equally impressive. Balance is exceptional as well, but the GR86's somewhat stiffly tuned suspension makes it a bit of a handful on bumpy roads. As for stopping power, our test GR86 stopped from 60 mph in just 104 feet, which is a respectably short distance for a low-priced performance car.
At the Edmunds test track, a manual-equipped GR86 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat, which respectably quick for this type of car. The shifter feels positive and precise in your hand as you move through the gates, and the pedals are well placed for heel-and-toe downshift rev-matching. The clutch pedal is light and has an easy-to-find catch point. Opting for the automatic transmission results in slower acceleration (6.9 seconds), but it's easier to live with in heavy traffic. It also comes with paddle shifters and provides quick downshifts when you select Track mode.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the GR86? Toyota has given the GR86 slightly stiffer suspension tuning than the related Subaru BRZ. Of the two setups, we prefer the BRZ's. The GR86 might feel more exciting at lower speeds, but the constant motion and jittering can start to wear on the driver after an hour or so.
The manually adjustable seats feature improved bolstering for your upper back and manage to hold you in place without being restrictive. Dual-zone climate control for such a small car seems like overkill, but it does the job and keeps both front passengers happy and comfortable.
Unfortunately, the GR86 is a bit on the noisy side. Road and tire noise is near constant and very loud. And engine noise is more annoying than evocative.
Interior
8.5/10
How’s the interior? The interior of the GR86 lets you focus on what matters most: driving. The low, unobtrusive dashboard aids in forward visibility, and the digital instrument panel can be read with a quick glance. Special mention should go to the GR86's small steering wheel, which allows taller drivers to enter and exit the little coupe without issue. Just remember that the GR86's lower ride height and longer doors can make getting in and out a bit more difficult than more practical performance cars such as the Volkswagen GTI.
The GR86's compact dimensions don't give it an abundance of interior room, but front passengers will find it more than comfortable, especially if they're on the taller side. Taller drivers will also appreciate the added space and room for adjustment, especially when compared to the much more cramped Miata. The rear seats, however, are better used as interior storage space than for passengers.
How’s the tech? The GR86 comes with a decent number of technology features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility is standard, but there's no native navigation system. There are two quick-charging USB ports in the center armrest, allowing you to tuck your smartphone out of the way while driving. The center touchscreen's graphics aren't going to win any awards, but the system is easy to understand and responds relatively quickly to touch commands.
Far less impressive is the audio system. While that's likely not a priority for a sports car, the system can't really keep up with interior noise levels and is easily taxed by moderate volume. We think there's room for improvement here.
The GR86 comes standard with a decent number of advanced driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Furthermore, the GR86's traction and stability systems are well calibrated for daily driving. You can also engage the Track mode, which loosens the systems so you can have more dynamic control of the car. Or you can turn them off completely.
Storage
8/10
How’s the storage? You might not think practicality was a consideration with the GR86, but it is surprisingly useful for weekly errands. Its relatively small 6.3 cubic feet of trunk space is hampered by its short height. But when the seats are folded, Toyota says the GR86 can hold a set of its own replacement wheels and tires. For reference, the Miata's trunk can swallow 4.3 cubes, while the substantially larger Mustang holds 13.3 cubes.
Inside, the GR86 offers a small but practical amount of storage. The cupholders reside well behind the driver's right arm, so you're never at risk of bumping them while driving, and the rear seats excel at holding bags, jackets and other items you don't want rolling around in the trunk. The rear seats do have child safety seat anchor points, but getting any reasonably sized safety seat in and out of the car is a major challenge.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
8/10
How’s the fuel economy? Thanks to its light weight and relatively small engine, the GR86 is capable of decent fuel economy for a sports car. The EPA estimates the car gets 24 mpg combined with its automatic transmission. We were pleasantly surprised to see 28 mpg on our real-world evaluation route. If you select the manual transmission, the EPA's estimate drops to 22 mpg combined; we got 23 mpg on the same route with our manual-equipped test car. Either way, it's fair to assume the EPA's numbers are realistic.
Value
8/10
Is the GR86 a good value? The GR86 is a bargain considering how much fun it is to drive. While we wouldn't go so far as to call the interior premium, it is well put together and the car feels good and solid. To get a similar amount of equipment and optional extras, most competitors would cost thousands more. Warranties for the GR86 are fairly standard, with three years/36,000 miles and five years/50,000 miles offered for bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. Toyota also includes three years/36,000 miles for roadside assistance and two years of free maintenance.
Wildcard
9/10
The GR86 strikes a great balance between cost and performance and opens up fun-to-drive rear-wheel-drive dynamics to a much wider audience. But don't let the lower price make you think the GR86 isn't a serious performance car. Even experienced drivers will enjoy getting the most out of this little sports car every day.
Which GR86 does Edmunds recommend?
The Premium trim is the way to go because you get the most for your money. For a small upcharge over the base model, the Premium comes with worthwhile upgrades such as larger 18-inch wheels with high-performance summer tires, heated synthetic suede seats and a duckbill-style rear spoiler.
You already most likely have a really good idea of what to expect. I can tell you it doesn't disappoint. It was worth the wait.
wailing banshee
5 out of 5 stars
old kritz, 02/07/2023
2023 Toyota GR86 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M)
i've had the car for 4 months now for 3000 miles and it's been perfect .its black and a base model with the optional gr performance exaust . door edge guards , all weather mat package . the car wails like a banshee when you hammer it , a nice sound along with that exaust system .its fast ,nimble , responsive and beautiful and has a good 6 speed manual gear box . on good roads the ride is … good but when the roads are sub normal it can be a little rough , but im not big on rough road comfort ride anyway . the seats are great , fit nice and are comfortable enough to take you a long distance .the sreering and handling are sublime and this car is so much fun ! the gas mileage is a lot better than what toyota advertises as the worst ive done is 24.9 and the best has been 30.4 fold down the rear seatback and you have lots of storage space . the rear seats are usless for human use unless you are an amputee or an infant . the radio is a disappointment as it is weak and that is about all i can complain about . i love this car !
Goes beyond expectations!
5 out of 5 stars
Nix0735, 09/01/2023
2023 Toyota GR86 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M)
The car is amazing and feels fun even when just commuting to work, which is less than 10 miles...
But even then, I can't lie. Every drive with the car makes me want to take it on the freeway for hours.
Great sports car for the $$ but needs improvement
4 out of 5 stars
2023 GR86 owner, 12/03/2023
2023 Toyota GR86 Premium 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M)
The GR86 is one of the most fun cars I have/had. The last sports cars RWD that I had was back in 07 when I scooped a 335I coupe (new) and shortly after in March of 08 a C6 Z06 (new). I think the GR86 has some designs flaws. The tachometer display is terrible on track mode, 1000 rpm to 4000 rpm is completely unreadable. There is almost no storage space at all. The 12v dc plug is … completely hidden in the glove compartment and you have to pinch the cable if you plan to run the cable through the glove door. the design of the rear trunk door could have been so much better had they put a conventional hatch door instead of that tiny trunk door that you can barely fit anything over 15-18" in width. When you track the car(I do) your fingers are constantly hitting the phone call Botton because they place the button 1/2 inch from the steering. the TPMS wouldn't learn a second set of tires on the same frequency (315MHZ) therefore you have to go to have the TPMS re-learn every time you switch tires as the main TPMS module would quit reading the frequency. The stock tire section (215mm) is in my humble opinion inadequate for this chase . This car should be equipped from factory with at least 225mm or 235mm's section tires. The torque delivery has a dip in the midrange that is significant, you can see that on any dyno. A rear window wiper would have been nice. The brakes are adequate, nothing special, having switched pads from the track and back to street pads a few times you can tell that the oem pads feel is hard with small bite, consequently you have to push hard on the pedal. Power feels OK, not slow if you get the pedal to the metal but I do like that you can pull in traffic in 5th to 6th gear comfortably at 35mph and the engine pulls nicely. The gas tank is small, you will fill slightly over 12 gallons but compsumption is decent. I have been getting above 24mpg combined and sometimes 26-27 when I do light driving with a 50/50 city /rural road. The seats are exceptional, firm and gray specially with the Alcantara. I purchased my car with the premium package which I think is OK in some things but not so much in other areas like the stereo. The "premium" stereo is a little better than stock. I purchased my premium package mainly because of the looks of the 18" wheels, the Alcantara seats and the stereo which turned out to be not as good as advertised. You still get other smaller stuff like the rear taller spoiler which in my opinion looks great. As far is handling, this thing is extraordinary, you are seating low and the seats grabs you well. I have a set of lightweight wheels wrapped on sticky 255 tires and also I run race pads and race fluid and it out performs 95% of the cars at the track . You can literally toss the car left to right and it handles exceptionally. The weight and balance close to 50/50 and low center of gravity makes this car really good. You should look for a video from the chief engineer talking about why the GR86/BRZ did not get a turbo engine like on the WRX. Once you watch the video it will make a lot of sense to you. Basically they wanted to keep the low center of gravity and they wanted pure focus on handling, how so? well, by putting a turbo like the WRX they would have to raise the engine for ground clearance, then the hood would have to be raise, then the driver would have to seat higher to be able to see over the hood, then the roof would have to be higher so literally they made this car thinking of handling. if you ever see this car on a. cars and coffee you will see that the engine sits ridiculously low compared to the fenders. For the price range I think that this car beats anything out there. The closest thing is a Miata. Would I recommend it? I think so, if you want a fun car and you have a spare car to drive around too yes. This car is a bit tough to get in and out of it. I am average 5'10" and I have to squeeze my legs to get in but once you are ion you are OK. Apparently this car is going up in value, the reviews are great and the resale value is great also, dealers are having trouble keeping them on their lots. The competition is the GTI, the Civic SI, etc. The other cars offers more room. In summary, I couldn't give this car a 5 stars, there are some areas that could have been improved like the wider tires, the rear hatch, some interior design but for the price is a great sports car.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Toyota GR86, so we've included reviews for other years of the GR86 since its last redesign.
NOTE: This video is about the 2024 Toyota GR86, but since the 2025 Toyota GR86 is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
There’s an all-new Mini Cooper S for 2025! The Cooper S has always been a fun little hatchback, but how does it stack up against our favorite affordable two-door, the Toyota GR86? In this video, Edmunds’ Clint Simone puts the two head-to-head at our test track to find out which is the better-driving enthusiast car.
Think of the Toyota GR86 as a sport coupe that bestows loads of enjoyment without depleting your savings. For around $30K, you can own raw performance in the form of a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive small coupe that doesn't aim to break power records but has exceptional track-oriented qualities. You won't describe it as sumptuous or thunderous because the GR86's essence is practicality in its simplest form. Toyota revamped the GR86 for the 2022 model year and, to the consumer's fortune, left the sublime weight balance, suspension tuning and handling in its repertoire.
Edmunds spotlight: Performance at the right price
The GR86 is lightweight and it produces enough power to give you a thrilling driving experience. Its compact layout and its superb handling make this an agile and extraordinarily fun machine. Drift it at the track or commute in it day to day, excitement is guaranteed. Under the hood you'll find a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It may not seem like a whole lot, but at around 2,800 pounds, that power does get this little car moving. Here's the best part: You can have it all for around $30,000.
Competitors to consider
The GR86's main competitor is its sibling, the Subaru BRZ. Both cars share the same powertrain and are predominantly differentiated by some styling features. Another great alternative is the iconic Mazda MX-5 Miata. If you're looking for something bigger — and pricier — then consider the Nissan Z or the Ford Mustang.
Edmunds says
We don't expect to see any major changes in the upcoming 2025 Toyota GR86. That's OK because, frankly, we wouldn’t want it any other way.
FAQ
Is the Toyota GR86 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 GR86 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.2 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 GR86 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 16 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the GR86 has 6.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Toyota GR86. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Toyota GR86?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Toyota GR86:
New Hakone special-edition model
Retuned suspension and steering for improved handling
Improved throttle responsiveness
Part of the second generation GR86 introduced for 2022
To determine whether the Toyota GR86 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the GR86. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the GR86's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Toyota GR86 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Toyota GR86 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 GR86 and gave it a 8.2 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 GR86 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 16 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 GR86 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Toyota GR86?
The least-expensive 2025 Toyota GR86 is the 2025 Toyota GR86 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $30,000.
Other versions include:
2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $30,000
2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $31,100
Premium 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $32,600
Premium 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $33,700
HAKONE Edition 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $35,270
HAKONE Edition 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $36,370
If you're interested in the Toyota GR86, the next question is, which GR86 model is right for you? GR86 variants include 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M), 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6A), Premium 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M), and Premium 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6A). For a full list of GR86 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more