The Toyota GR86 is a driver's car for the modern age. Toyota coins it as an analogue vehicle and we the vehicle on test. You can watch the full video review over here.
Related: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Toyota GR86
Driver's cars are a rarer breed nowadays as consumer demands shift more towards SUVs for carting around families, handling daily duties and the bigger size. The Toyota GR86 is one modern-day driver's car that commands your attention as a driver and has the ultimate purpose of putting a smile on your face. Here are 3 things we love about the Toyota GR86.
1. Analogue at heart
While you have modern conveniences like infotainment systems and safety to keep you in one piece, the Toyota GR86 is still an analogue car at heart. What does that mean exactly? Essentially, the vehicle doesn't drive itself with very minimal inputs from the driver. The GR86 wants you to pay attention to what the car is doing and garners a strategic mindset when driving the vehicle. Regardless of if you opt for automatic and especially manual transmissions, you need to think about how the car is behaving, how it wants to be pushed and importantly how it rewards you as the driver for doing all of the above. The aim is a satisfying drive, even with the older GT86.
2. More Power
The original GT86 had a respectable amount of power but its main focus was that it's a momentum car. Meaning you have to wring its neck to drive it fast and get the most out of it to maintain its momentum. Many complained that the GT86 was 'slow' as a result and that it needed a factory turbocharger. However, with the GR86, thanks to a power bump and revisions especially on how the power is delivered. After moving to a bigger engine, a closer ratio gearbox for faster acceleration and fine-tuning power delivery; you got what you asked for. The GR86 rev counter dial quickly sweeps through the revs with an engine scream matching the speed to boot.
3. GR everywhere, with a local race series!
Make no mistake that Toyota globally has been going hard with its Gazoo Racing performance arm to the point where it's on its way to becoming a household name. So much so that locally, there's a competitive race series featuring our own Chad Lückhoff and Sean Nurse who previously raced in the GR Yaris cup. You can follow Chad's journey here with the AutoTrader Goes Racing series.
Now if you're keen on a GR86 after reading this, you can search AutoTrader for the latest used and new offerings. To help fund that new GR86, why not try our Instant Offer tool to sell your current car quick and easy?
