2026 Toyota GR86 Interior, Dimensions, Review – The rapid electrification of the automobile industry is robbing us of many things, but most enthusiasts would undoubtedly include the hedonistic pleasures of combustion-powered speed and the sights and sounds of enormous engines. This is because electrification is expected to happen shortly.
Having said that, the New 2026 Toyota GR86 and other lightweight sports cars could soon be retired from manufacture. Batteries are usually somewhat hefty, which can lead to the elimination of lightweight and easily thrown vehicles as well as those massive engines that consume so much gas. This is due to the fact that batteries are often somewhat hefty. 2026 Toyota GR86 Interior
2026 Toyota GR86 Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
The GR86 has a number of usability faults, the most noticeable of which is the turn signal stalk, which repeatedly returns to the center. This is one of the drawbacks that you will quickly encounter. Apparently, after changing lanes, you’ll need to perform an unusual half-press sequence in order to disable the signal. Furthermore, the stalk appears weak and somewhat blurry, which is counterproductive. You can’t open the doors from the inside when you get out of the car after a ride if they’re closed.
The GR86 is a fun car to drive except for those two small issues. The software may resemble a third-party Windows media player from 2005, but it is actually rather user-friendly. The climate control has three physical knobs, and the infotainment screen has two sets of settings. You can do all of these things via the infotainment system.
As standard equipment on every GR86, you’ll find an eight-inch touchscreen with dual-zone climate control, manual-adjustable seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with manual tilt and telescope, keyless entry with push-button start, and 17-inch wheels worn with Michelin Primacy HP tires, which are known for their grippy performance.
If you want to spend an additional $3,000 on a Toyota Premium, you’ll get two more speakers, heated seats, fake suede upholstery, aluminum pedals and scuff plates, a more aggressive duckbill spoiler, those fancy adaptive front lighting, and 18-inch wheels with more grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. Each and every one of these features is available to premium users alone. Considering the GR86’s pricing and its reputation as a run-of-the-mill, lightweight sports car, I was pleasantly pleased by its feature list, even if it might not be viewed as a luxury vehicle in today’s market.
2026 Toyota GR86 Specs
Engine and Performance
A common gripe with the prior generation was its lacklustre engine. I think this was the most major gripe people had with the vehicles. This second-generation model no longer has that problem, which we have identified and fixed. The borrowed four-cylinder engine from Subaru is still naturally aspirated and retains a horizontally opposed configuration, however its displacement has grown from 2.0L to 2.4L. These two characteristics work well together to provide linear power. Remembering these ideas is really essential: Astoundingly, 228 hp at 7,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm. All of these numbers are crucial.
However, peak statistics only provide a subset of the available data. This is due to the fact that the broader torque band, which gives the vehicle a powerful push regardless of the tachometer’s location, is the most noticeable change.
Furthermore, this vehicle exudes a lot more vitality and speed than its before. The GR86’s engine is now preventing it from realizing its maximum potential, even though it hasn’t achieved lightning speed just yet. On the other hand, it’s important to note that this engine isn’t quite a sap at that time. We must not overlook this. Even if the buzzy, plasticky sounds is still there, it makes the most sense as the RPM goes from around 3,000 to 4,000. It sounds like a battered Toyota attempting to pass itself off as a sport bike when you crank it up to high speeds.
The six-speed automatic gearbox is the naturally bigger asterisk in this test vehicle’s drivetrain. To the greatest extent possible, automatic gearboxes can transfer engine torque to the rear axle. When configured to run automatically, it reliably completes its job. However, when you switch to sport mode, you’ll notice an increase in the shift points, throttle responsiveness, and a distinct “engine” sound emanating from the speakers. The reason behind this is that sport mode is designed to have a more aggressive feel. While the driver does have the option to use the paddle shifters while behind the wheel, the gearbox is far too slow for comfort. 2026 Toyota GR86 Interior
2026 Toyota GR86 Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is respectable, given that the vehicle is proud of its lightweight construction and features a simple four-cylinder engine. According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), this model’s automated version has a rating of 11.1 L/100 km in city driving, 7.7 L/100 km on highways, and 9.6 L/100 km overall consumption. My fuel consumption rate of 9.0 liters per hundred kilometers, obtained after around 450 kilometers of testing, was greater than the car’s advertised figure.
For reasons of historical integrity, we opted not to include an auto stop-start function or an environmental drive mode. Regardless, in my opinion, the GR86 is already quite efficient without these features, therefore there’s no need for them. In my opinion, it’s plenty on its own. Because it is a sports automobile, premium fuel is necessary. This is due to the vehicle’s inherent characteristics.
2026 Toyota GR86 Safety Features
The GR86 gives the impression of being safe behind the wheel because to its friendly and entertaining handling, but it’s also fairly safe in a more traditional sense. When compared to sports car norms, visibility is sufficient, and Premium grade versions come standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. Moreover, the level of visibility is adequate. Among the active safety features offered with an automatic transmission are adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane departure warning. If an automatic transmission is selected, these items will be included in the package.
The adaptive cruise outperformed expectations in large part because the automatic acceleration and deceleration actions made the ship seem more competent and natural. The incredible handling makes you want to take full control on your own, but you’ll be the only one to steer. The lack of a lane-keeping assist feature, however, leaves you to fend for yourself when it comes to steering. Standard on the GR86 Premium are headlights that can be angled and positioned quite near to the wheel, which is an extra feature. In terms of crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and accident mitigation, the New 2026 GR86 received (IIHS).
The car received this grade. A “Acceptable” rating was instead bestowed to the vehicle in the area of child seat anchor placement. However, it was recognized by the organization as a Top Safety Pick+ and awarded the accolade for its success.
2026 Toyota GR86 Price and Release Date
The starting price for the Toyota GR86 in its base manual variant is $31,490. The price of the vehicle increases to $36,890 when the Premium automatic transmission is installed. There are no more choices available for this tester other than the accessories fitted by the dealer, which is why the price before taxes was $38,710. After adding $1,820 to cover non-negotiable destination costs, the final price came to $38,710. The remarkable Hyundai Elantra N is a good example of this type of car. On top of that, it’s cheaper than the majority of Mazda MX-5s (apart from the base GS soft top, which is available for a price that’s comparable to the MX-5 itself).
All things considered, the all-new 2026 Toyota GR86 is a fantastic sports car that lives up to its billing and costs less than its competitors. This vehicle is one of the most enjoyable options available today for a number of reasons, including its wonderful and unadulterated rear-wheel drive, its low and much more usable boxer engine, its excellent handling, and its uncorrupted, analog vibe.
When compared to the glut of fast ramen and MSG-powdered stock on the market, the GR86 tastes more like locally-slaughtered pig bone broth and hand-pulled noodles in the turbocharged performance riding category. For the simple reason that it is a turbocharged performance vehicle, the GR86. The reason behind this is that the GR86 is a turbocharged performance vehicle. Slurping up its own tomatoes, it joins the rest of us in eating factory-made Ragu that is heavy with sodium. 2026 Toyota GR86 Interior