The Toyota GR86 is a sports coupe in the classic mold, with a stiff, lightweight chassis, rear-wheel drive (RWD), and an engine that needs to be thrashed to get the best from it. It was co-developed with Subaru, and the Subaru BRZ shares most of its design and mechanical parts with the GR86.
Confusingly, the GR86 started life in the U.S. as the Scion FR-S—a product of Toyota’s now-defunct "youthful" sub-brand. It was introduced in 2012, but renamed the Toyota 86 from the 2017 model year onward after the Scion brand was abandoned in 2016. That name had a special meaning to Toyota fans who grew up with dreams of the Corolla GT-S AE86 of the 1980s. The launch of the second-generation model for the 2022 model year saw the name change to Toyota GR86, and the prefix was a reference to Toyota’s Gazoo Racing motorsport division.
In all its guises, the model’s powertrain is a boxer engine (designed by Subaru with input from Toyota) that sends power to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. With its sporty and aerodynamic shape, energetic RWD drivetrain, limited-slip differential, and excellent handling, the Toyota GR86 continues to appeal to buyers who don’t mind trading a roomy rear seat and lots of trunk space for a lightweight sports car with ideal weight distribution that’s just as adept at commuting as it is blasting along twisty backroads.
Our buying guide covers the Toyota GR86 in all its forms, from its inception as the Scion FR-S to the later Toyota 86 and Toyota GR86 models.
Toyota GR86 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Toyota GR86 Pros and Cons
- Toyota GR86 Generations
- Toyota GR86 First Generation (2022-Present)
- Toyota 86 First Generation (2017-2021)
- Scion FR-S First Generation (2013-2016)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Toyota GR86 years are the best?
All of Toyota’s GR86 models have proved reliable, which means used shoppers can simply search for the sports coupe they want at a price they can afford. GR86s from 2022 through 2026 are desirable because they come from the latest and current generation. For those interested in a GR86 with the optional automatic transmission, the larger 2.4-liter boxer engine’s extra torque over the older 2.0-liter unit is noticeable.
What are the worst Toyota GR86 years?
There aren’t any Toyota GR86 model years to avoid, and the number of problems listed on sites such as CarComplaints.com is almost negligible. Look out for cars that have seen track use, though, since these will have had more stress on their engines, brakes, and suspension systems.
Is a used Toyota GR86 a good deal?
Yes. The Toyota GR86 has long been considered a bargain for buyers interested in a traditional sports car driving experience. Used Toyota GR86 models in the $20,000 range offer a lot of bang for the buck, and newer models from the current generation (starting with the 2022 model year) still represent a significant saving over the new examples in Toyota dealerships.
Toyota GR86 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fun to drive
- Manual transmission available
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Cramped back seat
- Outdated technology
- Firm ride
Toyota GR86 Generations
Toyota GR86 First Generation (2022-Present)
The second-generation Toyota GR86 debuted for the 2022 model year, keeping everything that was good about the first one but adding extra power, newer tech, and a more modern look inside and out. It also had a name change, from Toyota 86 to Toyota GR86. As before, it was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe, offering a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, with a small rear seat for occasional use. Under the hood was a new 2.4-liter boxer engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That’s roughly 18% more hp and 11% more torque tuned to peak earlier than before.
The GR86 was offered in a base trim level with 17-inch, 10-spoke machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels wearing Michelin Primacy HP tires. Up front were six-way adjustable seats upholstered in black fabric, with textured vinyl and sport fabric trim on the dash, doors, and steering wheel. A new 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system was standard, along with an eight-speaker audio system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
The 2022 GR86 Premium grade got upgraded 18-inch, 10-spoke black aluminum alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and wore a large duckbill spoiler at the rear. A pair of black and silver accented six-way adjustable front seats offered two-level heating and perforated Ultrasuede upholstery with leather side bolsters. Those black and silver accents also adorned the leather steering wheel, the shift boot, and the handbrake. The 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with eight speakers was also standard on the GR86 Premium. The 2022 GR86 was offered in a choice of seven exterior colors; exterior badging included a redesigned GR86 logo along with a Toyota GR emblem.
The 2022 Toyota GR86 was estimated to return 20 miles per gallon in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined with the standard six-speed manual transmission. The six-speed automatic returned 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.
The 2023 GR86 10th Anniversary Special Edition was added to the lineup for the following model year and was limited to 860 units. It stood out with Solar Shift paint, unique 18-inch alloy wheels in black, a GR Performance cat-back exhaust, and some blacked-out exterior features. For 2024, a Performance Package with SACHS dampers and Brembo brakes debuted, along with a new GR86 Trueno Edition with a two-tone paint job in the buyer’s choice of Halo (white) and black or Track bRed and black. Additionally, Toyota’s Active Safety Suite—which included features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, sway warning, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, and high-beam assist—was extended to GR86 models with a manual transmission. It was previously only offered with the automatic transmission.
New for the 2025 model year was the GR86 Hakone Special Edition, named in tribute to the Hakone Turnpike in Japan. It wore Ridge Green exterior paint paired with 18-inch satin bronze-finished wheels, a duckbill rear spoiler, black accents and Hakone badging. The Performance Package with its SACHS dampers and Brembo brakes was included on the Hakone Edition. Again, only 860 units were sold. All GR86 models for the 2025 model year came with retuned shock absorbers and revised throttle mapping.
For 2026, Toyota replaced the Hakone with a new GR86 Yuzu Edition that wore bright yellow exterior paint, 18-inch matte-black wheels, and blacked-out badging. Inside, the Yuzu offered black Ultrasuede sport seats with yellow perforation, along with yellow contrast stitching on the steering wheel, parking brake handle, and door trim. At the time of writing, the 2026 GR86 carried an MSRP of $32,395 (including destination) as a new car. The GR86 Premium starts at $34,995 and the Yuzu edition costs $37,560. The optional six-speed automatic adds $1,100 to the MSRP for the 2026 Toyota GR86. Used prices start at just over $20,000, with $23,000 or so as the starting point for a car that’s covered less than 50,000 miles.
Toyota 86 First Generation (2017-2021)
Unlike the closely related Subaru BRZ, the Toyota GR86 has had two name changes over the course of its life. Introduced as the Scion FR-S in 2012, it was rebranded as the Toyota 86 for the 2017 model year. While it may seem that nothing changed but the name, the transformation from Scion to Toyota was more than skin deep. Power from the 2.0-liter boxer engine increased from 200 horsepower to 205 hp and torque to 156 pound-feet (cars with the automatic transmission stayed at 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque) and revised gearing for the rear differential (a Torsen limited-slip unit for most models) meant the 86 was a tad quicker than the old FR-S.
Along with the small performance upgrades, the new Toyota 86 got a subtle exterior makeover. LED headlamps and taillights became standard, and the front and rear bumpers of the car were restyled for a more aggressive look. Uprated specs included 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, suspension tweaks, and a thicker rear anti-roll bar. The car’s electronic stability control system was also recalibrated, and a Track mode replaced the previous Sport mode.
The 2017 Toyota 86 was offered in one trim level. This base model came standard with an eight-speaker audio system, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. The top-line 860 Special Edition model (limited to 860 units) came in two exclusive colors (orange or white) and got unique wheels, a rear spoiler, push-button ignition, dual-zone climate control, and heated leather seats with contrast stitching.
For 2018, the 860 Special Edition was replaced by a new GT trim level. Base model cars stayed the same as before, and the GT got a rear spoiler along with other aerodynamic aids, leather-trimmed heated front seats and a 4.2-inch digital gauge in the instrument cluster. An optional Black package was equipped with matte-black exterior bits.
Used prices range from about $13,000 for higher-mileage cars to about $28,000 for well-looked-after examples.
Scion FR-S First Generation (2013-2016)
The Scion FR-S debuted for the 2013 model year at the same time as the equivalent Subaru BRZ. Rather than a high-performance sports car to go up against muscular competitors such as the Ford Mustang or the Chevrolet Camaro, the so-called Toyobaru twins were designed to blend sufficient power with excellent driving dynamics, made possible by a lightweight chassis and a boxer engine and drivetrain nestled as low as possible to facilitate a low center of gravity.
Production of the Scion FR-S ran through the 2016 model year, after which the Scion brand was discontinued. The FR-S received several meaningful upgrades and was reborn as the Toyota 86 for the 2017 model year.
As of this writing, prices ranged from about $7,000 for high-mileage examples to about $18,000 for those with fewer digits on the odometer.
