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Toyota teams up with Subaru a second time to bring a more powerful sports car to market in the 2022 GR 86.
What’s New for the 2022 Toyota GR 86
While so many companies are distancing themselves from sports cars, Toyota has continued to find creative ways to build them. Look no further than the all-new GR 86 for evidence of that. It’s the less powerful of the two partnership-created sports cars in their lineup but it’s potentially the more intriguing. The first generation 86 has widely been considered a success and a real pleasure to drive and this new car should turn the dial up to 11 across the board thanks to a lighter overall build, more power, and more technology.
We’re excited to say that everything is different for the 2022 Toyota GR 86. It’s a whole new animal with more power, what should be a better handling chassis and more interesting styling. Long live the small and spunky sports car.
The Breakdown
We’re stoked for more power
Better handling with lower center of gravity
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 on Premium trim
Still no turbochargers
EyeSight only standard on automatic
Could look more aggressive
2022 Toyota GR 86 Specs
- 228 horsepower from base engine
- 184 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 2 available trims
- Premium trim gets dual-zone climate control
- Subaru EyeSight on the automatic version
- Complimentary maintenance is great
2022 Toyota GR 86 Powertrain
At the heart of every Toyota 86 will be a 2.4-liter flat four-cylinder engine that makes 228 horsepower and 184 ft-lbs of torque. That’s the answer to the request everyone was making after the first generation that’s been largely considered underpowered since its release. We actually guessed within 3 horsepower of that number in an earlier preview of the BRZ but we did miss the mark on the turbocharged portion. Instead of taking more than 7 seconds to reach 60mph, Toyota says that this new car will do it in just over 6. Unlike the previous car, both automatic and manual transmission cars will get the same power output. Speaking of transmissions, both versions are six-speeds, and both relay power to the rear wheels only. One likely overlooked quality of the GR 86 is that it will come with a manual emergency brake.
2022 Toyota GR 86 Fuel Economy & MPG
While no official numbers have been released by Toyota, we expect the GR 86 to achieve largely similar numbers to its outgoing generation. That sports car achieved 24MPG combined when equipped with a manual transmission and jumped to 27 when the automatic was fitted.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Toyota has released multiple photos of the new GR 86 and it looks like a strong upgrade over the previous car. The seats look like they’ve evolved to be more comfortable without losing the deep bolstering that’s meant to keep occupants in place no matter how hard the turn is, and we like how the center control stack is simple and straightforward. Sometimes companies find it hard to resist cluttering up this space with every button or switch they have laying in the parts bin but Toyota has shown restrain. It looks like there’s going to be a swath of premium materials like leather and Alcantara placed throughout the interior as well. This might be a fairly lightweight sports car but it seems as though drivers won’t have to do so in a spartan interior.
Entertainment & Technology
Another notable new feature of the 2022 GR 86 will be a large 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa will be included too. While the base model will come with six speakers, the premium will feature eight and both should perform well considering how little space they have to fill with sound.
We look forward to trying out the new digital dash that can be configured to the buyer’s liking. It should also come with three different drive modes, normal, sport, and track. We also expect LED headlights and taillights as well as the option to upgrade to adaptive headlights that will turn as the steering wheel is turned.
Safety Features
No word yet on exactly how the safety systems on manually equipped GR 86’s will come but we do know that on automatic cars Subaru’s EyeSight system will be the safety suite of choice. It features multiple advanced driving aids like lane-departure warning, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. We’re also holding out to hear about crash test ratings and how the IIHS feels about it.
2022 Toyota GR 86 Trims & Pricing
BASE – $29,995 (est)
We expect the standard GR 86 to end up with a manual transmission, manual seats, an 8-inch infotainment system that has Android Auto and Apple Carplay integration, six speakers, and 17-inch wheels wrapped by Michelin Primacy tires.
PREMIUM – $34,995 (est)
Bump up to the premium GR 86 and buyers will get 18-inch wheels with much more grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, power-adjustable seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a rear spoiler, and eight speakers.
Warranties
Expect warranty coverage to be in line with the rest of the Toyota lineup which includes a 3-year 36,000-mile limited warranty, a 5-year 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. That complimentary maintenance is something buyers of the Subaru BRZ won’t get.
What we think
Overall, everything about the new GR 86 is very exciting and we can’t wait to drive it. The inexpensive sports car segment is dwindling so it’s great to see another brand new entry.
