New Toyota GR86 Review

The new Toyota GR 86 has the initials GR to signify Gazoo Racing. As it has in the past, the Toyota sports car shares many aspects with the Subaru BRZ. However, with the new changes, the 2026 Toyota GR86 moves further away, capturing a more exciting personality to match its glamorous exterior.

Performance is further assured through engineering. Specifically, the engine utilizes a dedicated twin injector. This allows it to use direct injection or port injection, depending on which one would be more effective. Furthermore, this is a Boxer engine with a horizontal placement with more refined variable valve timing. Output for this lightweight engine in this lightweight car is 228 horses.

For the new model year, Gazoo Racing engineers have updated the electric power steering, retuned the shocks, recalibrated throttle mapping and incorporated engine torque control. These handling updates provide a quicker response when the sports car roars from idle to full power. On manual GR 86 models, it allows for better up-down shift blipping.

For those who prefer the automatic transmission, there are even more toys. This system has a high-capacity torque converter to make the most of every lb-ft of torque. Radar Control Adaptive Cruise Control allows the driver to relax a little, even in busy traffic. This transmission also has pre collision throttle management to help reduce the chances of impact and/or repeated impacts.

If you act fast to make a purchase or GR86 lease, you may receive a one-year membership in the National Auto Sport Association. This includes one free admission and additional discounted admissions to a variety of high performance events.

If you are ready to trade up to the incredible new Toyota GR86 in Phoenix, we recommend our competitive financing. You can get pre approved with Earnhardt, your Phoenix AZ Toyota GR86 dealer.

This is a rear-wheel drive sports car with a low center of gravity. Everything about the new Toyota GR 86 is geared toward achieving and maintaining speed. Exterior details, which look good but actually provide an aerodynamic edge, include the rear duck spoiler, the side sills, and side air outlets, positioned just ahead of the front doors.

Likewise, every element is considered in the fight to keep the weight down. Thus the engine is compact and weighs less, despite the fact that this generation sees an increase from a 2.0-liter to 2.4-liter powertrain. The fenders, underbody, roof and hood are a military-strength aluminum, dropping weight without sacrificing strength. Reinforcing that, there are more high-tensile steel plates.

For the new generation of this timeless sports car, engineers kept the height and hip-point as low as possible. They also moved the seats closer to the center of the vehicle. As they made these changes, they focused on how to make users feel like the car is just an extension of themselves.

Additional measures were taken to improve body rigidity, reducing lateral bending and torsional rigidity. All of these measures improve handling, steering stability, and high-speed cornering. In short, all of these improvements help make this sports car even more fun than in the past.

For the cornering that sports car enthusiasts really desire, Toyota supplies a Torsen limited slip rear differential. For those who want to take a spin around the oval, there's a button to turn on Track Mode. You also have the ability to turn off advanced stability controls during track use of the GR86 in Phoenix.

GR86 style starts with G-embossed fabric paired with a sport fabric bolster. The cockpit is equipped to make the driver feel in charge of the drive. This includes everything from the ergonomic placement of knobs and switches to the exciting digital gauge cluster.

Shoppers can look to the GR 86 Premium trim level for leather seating with Ultrasuede accents. There are always limited editions to add style choices. Toyota supplies limited editions that have a bespoke cabin. For instance, a new tan leather choice may be available to pair with Ultrasuede while the cabin can be further dressed up with bronze accents. If you like to trade cars often, a Toyota GR86 lease is an excellent way to drive this exciting car.

Special features are unique to the GR86 lineup. For instance, the lightweight seats were designed to make the driver and front seat passenger feel at one with the car. Independent body-support pads, covered in grippy material, are meant to help when driving aggressively.

If you want to know more about cutting edge GR 86 trims and features, check out this extended review.

With its horizontal accents, the instrument panel stretches wide to keep the area as airy and spacious feeling as possible. A 7-inch digital gauge cluster and 8-inch touchscreen are joined by other modern touches such as a push button starter and dual-zone automatic climate controls. Some models over dual-level heating to fight winter's chill.

This Toyota system comes with HD Radio, satellite radio connectivity, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other standards include dual USB ports and six audio speakers.

The digital instrument panel offers a fun display. Normal mode can show large numbers to represent the current speed, placing this inside a circular tachometer. Sports mode may turn the tachometer edges red. A Track mode adds other racy touches to the digital instrumentation.

Some of the safety features on the new Toyota GR86 for sale are dedicated to its sport side. We are thinking of the grippy tires and the adaptive pivoting headlights on the GR 86 Premium trim.

If you go with the automatic transmission, the entire list of Toyota favorites is on the menu. This includes parking assistance, such as front and rear sensors. It includes stress relief systems such as adaptive cruise control and precautions such as pre collision throttle management.

Then there are the systems to watch the sides, including a lane keeper, a lane departure warning, and a blind spot monitor. Last but not least, the 2025 Toyota GR 86 can benefit from an automatic emergency braking system as part of the forward collision avoidance system.

Now that you know more, you are invited to schedule a test drive. The best place to see this exciting sports car at your Earnhardt Toyota GR86 dealer Phoenix AZ.