Review: Toyota GR86 6MT – The New JDM Poster Boy!

Oh, They’re Still Making These?

In this day-and-age of electrification, it is very refreshing to see Toyota still churning out purebred sportscars like the GR86. Just like its predecessor, the iconic AE86 (also known as ‘Hachiroku’), the new GR86 also features a fastback coupe body style plus some modern design touches to make it an instant modern classic.

While retaining the Hachiroku's two-door fastback coupe body style, the new GR86 gets a very modern touch, while retaining some of its JDM flair

Unlike the original Hachiroku, however, the modern-day GR86 gets a more rounded and curved design, with its front face featuring sharp LED headlights that are accompanied by a sizable front air intake with functional side vents. The long-hooded, sporty fastback silhouette is further accentuated by a ducktail rear spoiler on the tailgate, while the rear part gets a rather aggressive rear bumper design, which also houses its sizable dual tailpipes.

Although quite mild compared to its siblings, the GR-ification on the 86 sees the car donning the iconic GR badges, while riding on stylish 18-inch wheels

Besides that, the GR86 also comes with several GR-specific styling bits, notably the GR badges on both ends, as well as the blacked-out side mirrors and stylish 18-inch wheels the car rides on. Keen eyes will notice that the new GR86 does not come with GR-specific brake callipers like what we saw on the GR Corolla, though this omission is somewhat understandable given the fact that Toyota actually co-developed this coupe with Subaru.

Regardless, it is universally agreeable that the Toyota GR86 is truly a modern classic, thanks to its sleek, sporty, yet simplistic design. While some may prefer the aggressive look of the GR Corolla over this sporty coupe, we’d argue that the GR86 is definitely the sexier of the two.

How’s Life Inside This Sportscar?

Getting acquainted with a sportscar cabin layout may take a while for the uninitiated - and wide-framed, like this writer. Fortunately, this is not the case for the GR86, as Toyota really dialled down on the driver’s ergonomics for this sportscar.

The sporty seating layout of the GR86 can be quite daunting for some, but amateur will get used with its low-slung nature in a relative quick time

The low-slung bucket seats are complemented by the raised central console, with both the gear knob and handbrake perfectly placed. Besides essential driving equipment, bits like the 8-inch infotainment display and climate control buttons are also neatly positioned within the driver’s arm reach, allowing them to be easily engaged even while driving the car.

Our only gripe with the GR86’s cabin layout is the placement of its signal stalk. Instead of being placed on the right side of the steering wheel like other JDMs, the stalk is located on the left side, making it quite difficult to use since the driver’s left hand is constantly occupied with the gear shifter.

The GR-ification of the 86 continues on the car's cabin, although they are still quite pale in comparison to both the GR Yaris and GR Corolla

On the cabin fit and finish, the GR86 truly improves on this section compared to its GT86 predecessor, thanks to the liberal usage of Alcantara materials. The GR-ification also sees the GR86’s cabin getting some premium touch-ups, such as the GR leather steering wheel and GR floor mats.

The presence of both the infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as several USB charging ports, made life inside the GR86 a tad bit easier

Elsewhere, tech amenities like the central infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a semi-digital instrument cluster with GR-specific design, and multiple USB charging ports are all present to help elevate the quality of life inside this sportscar.

While all these additional features made the new GR86 a better car to live in compared to its predecessor, it is still far off from other, more modern sportscars out there. But in case you’re looking for something more upmarket and ‘liveable’, perhaps you should settle for the GR86’s Subaru-badged twin instead.

Of course, we can talk for days about what Toyota should have done to further improve the GR86’s cabin, but we’d reckon such a topic should be the least of your concerns when talking about a two-door sportscar.

How Does It Drive?

A front-engined, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup is such a proven format that many great sportscars old and new still conform to this layout. In the case of the GR86, this format is further enhanced with some key additional bits that not only make it a delightful car to hoon around, but also quite a beginner-friendly one.

Underpinning the new Subaru Global Platform, the GR86 boasts 50% more chassis rigidity compared to its predecessor, the GT86

Aside from that, much of the GR86’s stellar driving performance stems from the beefed up Subaru Global Platform chassis it rides on, which offers 50% more rigidity over the previous model. Not to forget the presence of a limited-slip differential (LSD) at its rear axle, plus a typical McPherson front and Double Wishbone rear damper setup with stabilisers – both helping to enhance its driving dynamics.

The new GR86 gets a larger 2.4-litre 4-cyl 'Boxer' mill over its predecessor, now outputting a decent 234 HP and 250 NM

Power, on the other hand, is derived from a familiar 2.4-litre 4-cyl naturally-aspirated ‘Boxer’ mill co-developed with Subaru, delivering 234 HP and 250 NM to its rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Yes, the output may seem pale in comparison to many electrified vehicles nowadays, but it's more than enough to get your blood pumping.

Truth be told, lightweight RWD sportscars like the Toyota GR86 are truly made for twisty B-roads like the Ulu Yam-Fraser Hill stretch we've tested on.

But then again, the GR86 is more about lightweight agility than sheer power per se. With the whole car only tipping the scale at 1,291 KG, accompanied by its stellar chassis setup and the proven RWD drivetrain, it doesn’t take long for the GR86 to put a smile on your face, especially when driving around the twisted B-roads.

Yes, the brakes could’ve been better, and the exhaust notes that came from this Boxer engine are a tad bit anticlimactic compared to its other GR-badged siblings, but the Toyota GR86 is simply too good of a driving machine for one to dismiss.

How ‘Beginner-Friendly’ Is This Car?

Performance sportscars, in general, can be quite intimidating for the uninitiated, as some may find their power-to-weight ratio a little bit overwhelming. Others can’t get used to the aggressive and sporty driving positions some of these cars boast.

The 2.4-litre Boxer & 6MT powertrain combo delivers enough power for the GR86 to be a fun thing to hoon about, while not being too overwhelming for amateurs alike

Some of these circumstances may be true for the GR86, we’ll argue that it is still a perfect sportscar for beginners to tip their toes into the performance car realm. Part and parcel of this is due to the GR86’s powertrain setup, which is quite manageable for amateurs to handle. But make no mistake, the GR86 can be a serious track machine if it falls under a competent and confident hand - i.e. Tengku Djan Ley, esquire.

Despite its bare-boned sportscar nature, the GR86 in this 6MT form is quite a decent car for you to daily with, as long as you don't skip your leg day!

Its manageable powertrain outputs also makes the GR86 a daily-driver material. While the ride for some older lightweight sportscars can be quite harsh due to their bare-boned nature, the same can’t be said for the GR86. In normal circumstances, you can drive this car in relative comfort without experiencing any excessive harshness or discomfort. But then again, driving a three-pedal car in the traffic-laden Klang Valley might not be the most practical thing to do.

For the sake of saving your left foot, perhaps the 6AT version of the GR86, which is less dramatic but can be equally fun, would make more sense for such a task. But nonetheless, the GR86 is still a rather livable sportscar to have, as long as you don’t ferry any passengers in its cramped rear seats.

Are There Any Other Driving Quirks?

Unlike its more potent turbocharged GR siblings (Corolla and Supra), the GR86 is designed to be a simple, lightweight RWD sportscar that is equally fun and easy to drive. This simplistic nature may seem like a winning formula for many enthusiasts, but some may find them a tad ‘Spartan’ or ‘bare’.

The GR86 comes with a dedicated 'Track' mode, while its traction control can be switched off for more sideways fun

Due to its RWD driveline, the GR86 does not come with the trick GR-Four AWD suite as the GR Corolla does, which comes with three selectable torque-split modes. Nonetheless, the GR86 still gets a dedicated ‘Track’ driving mode, plus a button to disengage the car’s traction control for more tail-wagging fun.

Due to its modest power output, the GR86’s track mode does not unleash any extra power on the car’s rear wheels. Instead, it slightly loosens up both the traction (TCS) and stability (VCS) controls of the car, allowing you to have a bit more fun on the track with no holds barred.

Keep in mind that unless your name is Tengku Djan Ley or you’re an FIA-registered racecar driver, we strongly advise you not to engage in this driving mode on public asphalt.

Aside from changing the standard digital cluster metre display (left) to track-focused one (right), the GR86's Track mode does lack several key, track-centric features

Besides the aforementioned benefits and the special metre cluster display, the GR86’s Track mode lacks several notable features. The lap time recorder and other driving-specific visuals like the G-force metre and driving analytics are all absent in the GR86. These absences are quite alarming considering that some of these functions were present in many previous JDM performance models, let alone the newer ones.

By day’s end, these absences are far from being dealbreakers for someone who’s looking to buy a sportscar. We reckon the GR86’s stellar driving performance is more than enough to convince you into buying one. Speaking of which…

Is It Worth Buying One?

With stellar driving performance that is also beginner-friendly, clean and modern styling, and tons of JDM heritage and racing pedigree, the Toyota GR86 ticks all the right boxes to make it a true modern classic. Although it has been touted as the 'most affordable’ performance car in most international markets, the same can’t exactly be said about the GR86 on sale here.

Tagged at RM295,000 on-the-road for the 6MT version as tested, the GR86 is definitely not cheap, and such a price tag is enough to make one question about its minute shortcomings, notably its slightly lacklustre cabin amenities. 

Some may argue that the Volkswagen Golf GTI FWD hot-hatch (left) and the Mazda MX-5 roadster (right) would make a more compelling buy than the GR86, with both models priced cheaper in our local market.

Some may argue that there are other cheaper options out there, like the Volkswagen Golf GTI (RM252,990), which offers an almost-equal fun drive in a more practical five-door hatch form. Others will also point out that the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which boasts equal driving dynamics plus added open-top fun factor, would make a more compelling buy at a cheaper price of RM 277,354.

In this era of electric cars and hybrids, the Toyota GR86 is truly a modern-day unicorn that offers unparalleled fun driving experience in a simplistic, lightweight RWD coupe form.

But then again, a new, purely ICE-powered JDM sportscar is definitely a modern-day unicorn, especially in this day and age of electromobility adoption. To have UMW Toyota Motor offer this JDM special in our market is already a blessing, considering that the GR86 is now axed in several international markets.

In case you want to venture into the performance car realm and have about RM300,000 to spare, then look no further than the Toyota GR86 as your first proper performance sportscar.

SPECIFICATIONS

2024 TOYOTA GR86 6MT