2022 Toyota GR86 Review

Any new Toyota GR86 review must start with performance. That’s the essence of this car and its popularity with driving enthusiasts. Toyota recognized that when it decided to give GR86 owners a one-year membership in the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). This includes expert instruction, admission to a high performance driving event, and ticket discounts for additional NASA events.

Track time is just the ticket to finding out just what this lightweight, cleverly designed car can do. The new engine is a 2.4-liter flat-four boxer. Output increased from 205 to 228 horsepower.

The torque level increased from 156 to 184 lb-ft of torque. Even better, it dropped the RPM for peak torque. This means drivers are rewarded with more boost earlier than before.

These changes allowed the manual edition to shave almost a second from its 0-60 mph sprint time. The automatic shaved 1.4 seconds off of its sprint time.

The GR86 output means more because the ratio of weight to horsepower is so good. The car has one of the lowest curb weights of any street car on the market. The aerodynamic build also plays into how the car performs at speed.

Engine elements are another factor. There’s a steady flow of fuel during cornering thanks to a new pump design. The new radiator motor has a high capacity output. The water pump is a special high-speed unit, and the new oil cooler is a five-level water-cooled unit.

Engineers achieved a low center of gravity and a near perfect 53/47 balance that aids handling. The precision handling is due to Electronic Power Steering and a long list of sometimes subtle, sometimes significant changes to the suspension, shock absorbers, struts and bushings.

The 6 speed manual transmission is finely tuned with a number of extras just for this sports car. For instance, it utilizes a low-viscosity oil. Shifting into the all-important 4th gear is easier with a carbon synchronizer. Even the shift lever shape makes it easier for the driver.

On the track, drivers can optimize settings by simply engaging the track mode. They can also switch off the stability controls.

The 2022 GR86 automatic transmission has sport, snow and track modes. The sport mode brings precision to shifting into the right gear at exactly the right second for maximum power delivery. To accommodate the boxer engine’s higher level of torque, the automatic has a new high-capacity converter.

Like the Supra, the GR86 has rear-wheel drive. This always leads to sportier handling. This is one reason that it is so much fun to test drive the GR86. You begin to discover how rear-wheel drive affects the small, speedy car’s response.

The new GR86 has sweeping lines and curves to give it a sexy silhouette. A unique look is achieved with many details. The LED headlights are behind a parabola-shaped transparent lens. The G-mesh-shaped matrix grille gives it a distinctive nose.

The low stance isn’t just for looks. From theThe new curved shape of the mirrors to the textured bumper molding, it is designed to reduce drag in every way possible.

The grille channels air to the intakes. The large side sill spoilers have integrated air outlets, specifically to reduce the air that gets caught in the wheel wells.

The rear wheel arches are inverted with fins to control air flow. The lower rear bumper has aerodynamic fins that help with stability. To create downforce, a duckbill spoiler seems to sweep up from the deck. Even the license plate holder was repositioned to maintain a lower center of gravity.

A lighter weight car has better aerodynamics which is why the car already had an aluminum hood. The engineers used military-grade aluminum to create the new front fenders, roof panel, and the seat frames.

A sports car interior should match its intent, and that’s just what happened with the 2022 Toyota Supra GR86. The driver pushes start and GR-logo animation comes onto the instrument panel’s 7-inch display screen.

 If you shift into sport mode, a red ring surrounds the speedometer. In Track Mode, the RPM-band is front and center. There’s also a lap timer and gauges for oil and coolant temperatures.

Designers created an ergonomic cockpit, placing large LED dials and piano-key switches in easy reach. The leather-clad steering wheel has duplicate switches for many functions including the display meters. Dual USB connections let you get connected or charged.

The 8-inch touchscreen includes wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Other features include Bluetooth, HD radio, and iPod connectivity. Users will appreciate that the speech recognition functions are programmed to learn from the driver.

There are just two trim levels, although each one comes with a choice of manual or automatic. The standard GR86 sport-bolstered seats wear a black G-embossed fabric. The dash and doors wear textured vinyl or sport fabric. This provides soft touches in all directions.

The Premium edition upgrades the interior with aluminum sport pedals and a footrest. The seats wear perforated UltraSuede while the bolsters are covered in leather. The upholstery color scheme includes black and silver. The car’s upgraded audio system includes more speakers and adds a “powerful mode” to the equalizer.

Choosing the automatic transmission in either trim will add some interior features. For instance the steering wheel adds buttons for Adaptive Cruise Control.

Exterior color choices include the cleverly spelled Track bRed. Shoppers can choose from Neptune, Trueno Blue, Pavement Gray or Steel Silver. There’s also a Halo White and a Raven Black.

The 2022 model year shows an increased emphasis on the car’s safety features and driver assistance. In particular, Toyota has added a driver’s knee airbag. Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes provide stopping power that can cope with the car’s performance capability.

Exclusive to the GR86, nighttime visibility is improved by the steering-response headlights. As you change the steering wheel angle, the illumination angle changes in response. This shows the car’s actual path, providing a better look at the road ahead even when there are twists and turns.

Plus, you don’t have to buy the Premium grade to get the latest in driver assistance. The base model includes Toyota Safety Sense.

In regular driving, the car systems can tell the driver about stopping traffic (forward collision warning) and even slow or stop the car (emergency autobraking). It can watch the sides and warn the driver if the trajectory is off( lane departure warning).

Other features include automatic high beams, a sway warning, and a lead vehicle start alert. Adaptive cruise control can take the brunt of driving when you want less responsibility.

The manual GR86 price is $27,700 MSRP. The automatic is priced at $29,200 MSRP. The Premium manual has an MSRP of $30,000. The Premium automatic is an affordable $31,800 MSRP. Toyota Gazoo Racing customization is available.

The low price starts buyers on the path to low ownership costs. Fuel economy is 27 mpg on the highway or 30 mpg, depending on whether you choose the manual or the automatic.

Watching your back, ToyotaCare comes with a two-year, 25,000-mile coverage of scheduled maintenance. Another benefit to this coverage is 24/7 roadside assistance.

Now that you know more, take a look at the inventory. Schedule a test drive. There’s fun ahead.