Toyota GR86 vs Subaru BRZ

Subaru performance has traditionally boiled down to three letters: WRX. But for almost a decade, Subaru fans have gotten familiar with another three-letter code: BRZ.

The Subaru BRZ is unlike anything else in the automaker’s lineup. Subaru is known for building practical cars with all-wheel drive (AWD) and turbocharged engines, but the BRZ throws all of that away. It’s a willfully impractical two-door coupe with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a naturally aspirated engine, aimed at providing the most satisfying driving experience.

The first-generation BRZ was introduced as a 2013 model, so the sports car was due for a redesign. The 2022 Subaru BRZ gets a restyled exterior and a more powerful engine, as well as more tech features than its predecessor. As before, the BRZ is twinned with a Toyota product. Its previous counterpart was the Scion FR-S; it's now the Toyota 86, which was renamed GR 86 as part of its redesign (and is covered in a separate review). Subaru is taking orders for the new BRZ now, but deliveries aren’t expected to begin until late October or early November.

Subaru keeps the 2022 BRZ lineup simple, with just Premium and Limited trim levels to choose from. We spent a day with the higher-tier BRZ Limited, driving it on winding Connecticut roads as well as the race circuit and autocross course at Lime Rock Park.

There aren’t too many inexpensive sports cars available these days. Sure, you can always head to the Porsche dealership and spend six figures to get a car with so much power it really belongs on a race track, but who has that kind of money? For the rest of us, there is the 2025 Toyota GR86. This affordable sports car offers up plenty of thrills without breaking the bank and it’s just as comfortable on a twisty mountain road as it is running weekend errands.

Now in its second generation, the 2025 GR86 gets a few performance upgrades as well as a limited-production Hakone Edition, playing homage to the Hakone Turnpike in Japan, a road popular with driving enthusiasts. While the Hakone Edition served as our tester for this review, there is still plenty of fun to be had with the base and Premium trims.

Verdict: The 2025 Toyota GR86 is a nimble little sports car, perfect for those who want cheap thrills, good looks and a manual transmission option.