A year ago, the redesigned Toyota GR86 sports coupe burst onto the scene, and my first encounter was with a model equipped with an automatic transmission. Even with the less-than-ideal automatic gearbox, the revamped GR86 impressed me. It showcased noticeable improvements in refinement and boasted an even more capable chassis than its predecessor. However, revisiting the 2023 Toyota GR86, again with an automatic transmission, leaves me feeling significantly less enthusiastic. Despite the car’s inherent talents, and it has many, this experience only reinforces my strong belief: if you’re considering adding a GR86 to your garage, the manual transmission is not just an option, it’s a necessity. The automatic variant simply doesn’t deliver the fun and engaging performance expected from a sports car. And it’s not solely the transmission’s fault; without the manual gearbox to distract you with driving pleasure, other shortcomings become increasingly apparent. Yet, amidst these criticisms, one undeniable aspect of the GR86 remains truly exceptional.
Trueno Blue 2023 Toyota GR86 parked outdoors, showcasing its sporty silhouette.
Interior Disappointments: Cheap Materials in a Sports Car?
Let’s be clear, my disappointment isn’t solely aimed at the antiquated six-speed automatic transmission and its flimsy plastic paddle shifters. The GR86’s issues extend further. Stepping inside, I recall initially being pleased with the cabin last year, perceiving it as a decent upgrade from the previous generation. However, after a year of experiencing other vehicles in the same price range and category, the GR86’s interior is now undeniably underwhelming. I even recall favorably comparing the GR86’s interior to that of a Mazda Miata, a comparison I now retract after recently testing both cars back-to-back. Beyond the reasonably supportive and aesthetically pleasing seats, the GR86’s interior feels cheap and toy-like, incorporating some of the most budget-conscious materials found in any new car today. Consider the interior door handles: thin, hollow plastic that feel like they belong in a large Lego car – and that might even be an insult to Lego’s quality.
Close-up of the 2023 Toyota GR86 dashboard, highlighting the climate controls and plastic trim.
The climate controls feature overly large, curved switches attempting a metallic aesthetic, but they are anything but metal. “Aviation-inspired?” Perhaps, but their excessive size is questionable. Press one, and you might be reminded of a poorly equipped econobox from the early 2000s. And the backside of these generously curved switches? It’s best not to explore unless you crave further disappointment from what seems to be a poster child for cheap plastic injection-molding. Frankly, the buttons on a “Hungry Hungry Hippos” game might offer a more substantial and quality feel. I could continue, but the core issue is that this interior falls far short of expectations for a car priced above $30,000. Hard plastic is pervasive throughout the cabin. The questionable attempt at microsuede, intended to add texture, appears to be bulk-purchased from a discount online retailer. Ironically, at first glance, the interior’s design seems well-shaped and purposeful – even photos might portray it favorably. However, reality is three-dimensional, and that’s where it falters. Adding to the ergonomic woes is an ungainly bulge on the left side of the steering wheel, a knee-bashing protrusion waiting to happen.
Ergonomics and Space – Missed Opportunities in Driver Comfort
In terms of space, one should be grateful for the inclusion of rear seats at all, rather than none. They are welcome, if only for emergency situations or extra storage. The front seats are reasonably supportive, offering adequate lateral bolstering, but they lack the nuanced adjustments I desire. The seat bottom is too flat, and without the ability to angle the front edge upwards, achieving a truly comfortable driving position for a sports car proved elusive. Furthermore, even for my modest 5’10” height, the seat doesn’t lower sufficiently, and the steering wheel’s height adjustment range is also limited. The result was a feeling of sitting too high in the cabin, perched on top of the car rather than feeling integrated within it, compounded by a steering wheel position that felt too low.
Interior shot of the Toyota GR86, focusing on the front seats and dashboard layout.
Electronic Annoyances and Safety Overreach: A Symphony of Beeps
The electronics within the 2023 Toyota GR86 are, to put it mildly, problematic. The central infotainment display is functional enough, if somewhat resembling an aftermarket unit from a decade ago. However, the real issues lie elsewhere. Toyota vehicles are notorious for their incessant beeps and chimes, but the GR86 elevates this to a new level, featuring genuinely flawed and irritating noises that seem to have been completely overlooked in development. As is common in most new cars, starting the engine without a fastened seatbelt triggers a series of loud chimes – presumably to remind you that you are, indeed, in a car. Annoying, but commonplace. The real problem emerged when photographing the car, which involved frequent entry, exit, and repositioning with the engine running. While it’s reasonable for cars to warn you when driving without a seatbelt, the GR86 takes it too far. It beeps slowly, then faster, in typical Toyota fashion. However, the critical flaw is that once it reaches the faster, more insistent beeping threshold, even if you stop, put the car in park, the beeping does not stop. Unlike virtually every other car, which ceases the chime once placed in park, the GR86 continues its auditory assault. Even with the car in park and me outside of it – I left it running, closed the door, and walked away – I could still hear the relentless beeping from inside, like a countdown timer. While this specific scenario might not affect most drivers in everyday use, it highlights a significant lack of refinement and laughably poor programming. And there’s more. Another annoyance is a persistent chime that sounds endlessly if you switch off the engine with the door ajar. Yes, it beeps even with the car completely turned off.
Then there are the active safety systems, enabled by default. Unlike other Toyotas, the GR86 is co-developed with Subaru, so it utilizes Subaru’s EyeSight system rather than Toyota’s own. While safety is paramount, EyeSight’s implementation in the GR86 often felt more hazardous than helpful. For instance, the radar cruise control beeps every single time it detects a vehicle ahead. Thankfully, this can be disabled in the vehicle settings, after some digging. However, what proved truly unbearable were the aggressive automatic emergency braking and collision warnings. In normal traffic, like releasing the brake to move forward as a traffic light turns green, I frequently received collision warnings for supposedly rear-ending the car in front, even though we were both just starting to move. Furthermore, on multiple occasions, the system would abruptly apply the brakes when inching forward in traffic for no apparent reason, creating a genuine safety concern of being rear-ended by the car behind because of the GR86’s sudden, unwarranted braking.
Reversing into parking spaces, even carefully modulating speed with the brake pedal, the GR86 would slam on the brakes if it deemed you were “too close” to an object – which was still about a foot away when it intervened. The system is so intrusive and disruptive that it actively detracts from everyday driving, usability, and driver sanity. Thankfully, all of these features can be deactivated, but then you’re left with nothing at all. It’s an all-or-nothing proposition: endure the overbearing and poorly calibrated systems, or have no driver assistance whatsoever. I cannot emphasize enough how no other vehicle I’ve tested has behaved in such an obtrusive manner. Its questionable and intolerable behavior prompted even a passenger to exclaim, “What the hell was that?” the first time the system abruptly braked in a parking lot and again at a green traffic light. This isn’t mere complaining; this is a brand-new 2023 vehicle exhibiting unacceptable behavior in its core safety systems.
Front three-quarter view of the 2023 Toyota GR86, highlighting its sporty and aggressive front fascia.
Power and Performance – Automatic Transmission Robs the Joy
After that lengthy list of grievances, are we finally at the “fun stuff”? Not quite, there’s still more to address. The electronic overlords continue their reign of joy reduction by programming the traction and stability controls to only be fully disabled when the car is completely stationary. While driving, you can partially disable traction control, but only below 30 MPH. Exceed 30 MPH, and Skynet – or rather, traction control – reactivates. A minor consolation is a somewhat playful halfway “track mode” setting, seemingly activatable at any speed. However, this is supposed to be a sports car, bearing the GR badge for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s factory racing division participating in prestigious series like the FIA World Endurance Championship and World Rally Championship. Yet, you cannot fully disable traction and stability control unless you’re at a standstill? This is boardroom-level decision-making at its worst.
Power is delivered by a 2.4-liter flat-four “boxer” engine, a Subaru-sourced unit, which contributes to a low center of gravity and enhanced agility. Rated at 228 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque, the GR86 offers a noticeable improvement in power compared to the previous 86. However, when paired with the long-geared automatic transmission, the GR86 never truly feels quick. The 0-60 MPH time might be respectable, comfortably under six seconds, but there’s a distinct lack of urgency or satisfying shove. The blame largely falls on the gearing: second gear stretches to over 60 mph, and sixth gear cruises at a mere 2,000 RPM at 70 mph. The manual transmission, with its shorter gear ratios, likely addresses this, providing the needed acceleration and a more engaging feel. One might expect a small engine like this to be fuel-efficient, but it’s surprisingly not. The GR86 averaged 25.5 MPG during my test. While some of that driving was in rainy conditions, my 1993 BMW 325is, with an older 2.5-liter inline-six and a five-speed manual, achieved the same fuel economy over years of ownership. This MPG figure is also significantly lower than a Mazda Miata and even trails the more powerful GR Supra 2.0 four-cylinder. Adding insult to injury, the engine’s soundtrack is often unpleasant, characterized by mechanical clanks, particularly at startup, and a cheap-blender-like drone under load. While smoother than the previous generation engine, it’s far from a refined or aurally pleasing powerplant, especially compared to six-cylinder engines or even other inline-fours.
Interior view of the Toyota GR86 Premium trim, showcasing the red accented seats and dashboard.
The Archaic Automatic Transmission – A Deal Breaker for Driving Enthusiasts
And now, let’s delve deeper into the transmission, because it warrants further criticism. If you’re opting for an uncompromising sports car, prepared to make certain sacrifices for driving thrills, why would you choose an automatic? For a traditional and authentic sports car experience, both driver and car deserve a manual transmission. While with other vehicles, debates can arise about the merits of dual-clutch transmissions in Car A versus Car B, here, we’re stuck with an archaic “slushbox.” Gear changes are never quick and the transmission reacts sluggishly to manual inputs via the subpar paddle shifters. The automatic’s long gearing further exacerbates issues, causing the GR86 to frequently hunt for gears and downshift unnecessarily, highlighting gaps in the power delivery. Despite the increased engine displacement compared to the previous generation, the automatic transmission obscures any sense of added power.
At lower speeds, the transmission truly struggles. I encountered numerous instances of slowing down to turn off a main road, and upon reapplying power, there would be a disconcerting void – the transmission seemingly caught between gears, confused about its next move, like a computer overwhelmed with pending tasks. Certain behaviors evoke characteristics of older, flawed single-clutch automated manual transmissions, such as those found in E46 BMW M3s or even older Toyota MR2s. The resulting jerks and hesitations are unacceptable in a modern automatic. Regardless of your stance in the endless manual-versus-automatic transmission debate, the automatic in the 2023 Toyota GR86 is undeniably poor – plain and simple. Perhaps this was intentionally done to steer buyers towards the manual option, yet many automatic GR86s are unfortunately being sold. I can’t help but feel sympathy for anyone who purchases an automatic GR86, unaware of the driving enjoyment they are missing. The manual transmission offered isn’t the best manual ever, but it’s a solid, positive, and engaging unit that injects a significant dose of fun back into the GR86 experience. By prioritizing driver engagement, the car’s shortcomings fade into the background, rather than being amplified.
Chassis Brilliance – Redemption in World-Class Handling
I can almost hear the online forums erupting, “Stop criticizing the GR86, it’s a sacred icon that can do no wrong!” Yes, this review has been largely critical, but the GR86 does excel in key areas. Simply put, despite the still-underwhelming engine, less-than-ideal driving position, and budget interior, the GR86 boasts one of the finest chassis available in any new car today. Seeking handling prowess? The GR86 competes with the best in the world, regardless of price. In fact, the car’s driving dynamics and cornering abilities are so exceptional that they almost compensate for every other deficiency. While the steering could offer slightly more feedback, the steering wheel still feels remarkably alive and communicative compared to many new cars. You gain the sense that the car is a living, breathing entity beneath your fingertips; steering inputs are translated with fluid and immediate precision. It might sound cliché, but the GR86 embodies what enthusiasts and journalists often describe as “telepathic” handling. If you can visualize it, the car executes it.
Action shot of the 2023 Toyota GR86 Premium Automatic on a winding road, emphasizing its handling capabilities.
Understeer is virtually nonexistent in the GR86, except in extreme, driver-induced situations. The Michelin Pilot summer tires provide excellent grip, and the car exhibits a fluid mechanical balance that attacks corners with laser-like focus. Despite the relatively narrow 215-width tires, they contribute to the car’s responsiveness, striking a perfect balance between grip and feedback. The confidence instilled in the driver is superior to most other sports cars, stemming from the direct communication through the controls. Apexes are carved with precision, and if you’re missing apexes on a track day, it’s certainly not the car’s fault. With its adjustability, the chassis encourages early throttle application, allowing you to power out of corners perfectly every time. Craving some playful hooliganism? Disable traction control (while stationary, of course), mash the throttle, and revel in the car’s beautifully balanced oversteer, reminiscent of the classic tofu-delivering AE86 from which it draws inspiration. Unlike some cars with unpredictable oversteer transitions, the GR86 slides smoothly and intuitively. Quick corrections are all that’s needed, never fighting the car, simply guiding it and enjoying the ride. Grip returns seamlessly, accompanied by a wide grin and an insatiable desire for more.
Further testament to the chassis’ brilliance? I drove the GR86, on Michelin summer tires, in light snow. I even overtook a Sheriff in their 4WD SUV on the freeway in the snow! The car remained remarkably stable, tracking in the tire ruts of other vehicles during a spring snowfall in Placerville, never inducing fear even at 55 MPH. Conditions were more challenging in an untouched parking lot with an inch of snow, but the car still managed admirably. A snow mode is available, but it proved less effective in the parking lot; fully disabling traction and stability control yielded better results. And yes, it drifts predictably and gracefully even in slow-motion, snowy conditions.
Small detail shot of the Trueno Blue Toyota GR86 exterior.
Ride Quality and Suspension – Composed Even When Pushed Hard
Another commendable aspect is the ride quality and suspension performance when driven aggressively. While the ride can be firm during casual cruising, as expected in a sports car, it truly shines when encountering mid-corner bumps at speed. Unlike some pricier sports cars (even the GR Supra), which can become unsettled by sudden impacts when the suspension is loaded, the GR86 absorbs them effortlessly, maintaining composure and seemingly gliding over imperfections. The Honda Civic Type R, in comparison, can feel too stiff and jarring over bumps, transmitting impacts harshly. The GR86, however, maintains its composure regardless of the road surface.
Conclusion: Chassis Excellence, But the Automatic is a Dealbreaker
A car shouldn’t be lauded solely for existing. Mere existence isn’t sufficient, and if you’ve read this far, you’ll understand my nuanced perspective on the 2023 Toyota GR86. Justifying a car’s merits simply because it exists is flawed; such bias overlooks genuine shortcomings. The GR86 has numerous flaws, including a cheap-feeling interior, a lackluster engine when paired with the dismal automatic transmission, and infuriating electronics that rank among the worst in any modern car. The transmission issue can be mitigated by opting for the manual (arguably the only way this car should be offered). However, the true highlight, a standout feature among many, is the chassis, delivering handling worthy of drift legend Keiichi Tsuchiya.
Rear seats of the Toyota GR86, demonstrating limited legroom.
But is chassis brilliance alone enough? With so many drawbacks, exploring alternatives is advisable. The performance-per-dollar ratio is compelling, but the interior quality, reminiscent of an older Corolla, is difficult to overlook. So, what are the alternatives? The Mazda MX-5 Miata, the only other rear-wheel-drive, dedicated sports car in the same price bracket, is a strong contender. It’s even more focused and less practical due to its size, firmer ride, and louder cabin, but it’s equally engaging to drive (when both are equipped with manual transmissions), and offers the open-air thrill of a convertible, something the GR86 cannot provide as a coupe.
Another, more unconventional option is the Hyundai Elantra N. For roughly the same price, you gain a nearly 300-horsepower, turbocharged pocket rocket with a manual transmission and Nürburgring-tuned chassis and handling. While front-wheel drive, as I highlighted in its review, the Elantra N is arguably the more entertaining car on real roads, offering exceptional engagement in canyon driving. Drifting isn’t in its repertoire, but the added power and remarkable poise make it a compelling choice, not to mention the added practicality of rear doors and comparable fuel economy despite significantly more horsepower.
It’s an unexpected comparison, and the Elantra N isn’t strictly a “sports car,” but it often executes sports car duties better than some actual sports cars. Its styling is polarizing, but a refreshed version is forthcoming. Am I alone in this assessment? No, the Elantra N even triumphed over the GR86 in a Motor Trend comparison test. I appreciate the GR86 and its mission, but the combination of daily annoyances and a notably subpar interior detract significantly from the overall experience. With a manual transmission, perhaps these negatives become more forgivable. However, as a complete performance package and the driving thrills it delivers, the Hyundai Elantra N matches, and possibly surpasses, the automatic 2023 Toyota GR86. Not the conclusion you might have anticipated…
2023 Toyota GR86 Premium Automatic
As-tested price: $33,748
Pros: Superlative chassis; Great looks
Cons: Automatic transmission neuters the car; Coarse engine; Low-rent interior
Rear view of the 2023 Toyota GR86 Trueno Blue, showcasing its sleek taillights and rear diffuser.
Detailed rear angle of the 2023 Toyota GR86, highlighting the GR86 badging and rear spoiler.
Side profile of the 2023 Toyota GR86 Automatic, emphasizing its coupe silhouette.
Close-up of the 2023 Toyota GR86 Premium interior, showing the steering wheel and instrument cluster.
Interior shot of the 2023 Toyota GR86, focusing on the dashboard and passenger side.
