Body Styles

The Toyota GR86 is a two-door compact fastback coupe with a long, flowing roofline and low-slung proportions. Measuring just over 4.2 meters in length and under 1.3 meters in height, it presents a near-ideal sports car stance. The silhouette is defined by a long hood, short rear deck, and flared rear haunches, creating a muscular yet restrained aesthetic. A functional side air outlet behind the front wheels aids in pressure management and wheel arch cooling, while the subtle ducktail spoiler and vented rear bumper contribute to aerodynamic stability at higher speeds. The front fascia is angular and aggressive, yet clean — dominated by a wide grille and LED headlights with a horizontal signature. Overall, the GR86’s design avoids trend-chasing excess, instead favoring timeless sports car proportions with purposeful detailing. It looks agile, grounded, and ready to move — even at a standstill.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

“GR” stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s global performance division responsible for motorsport development and road-going sports cars. “86” is a tribute to the AE86 Corolla from the 1980s — a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupe that gained cult status for its balance and driving purity. Together, the name GR86 signals heritage, performance engineering, and a purist approach to driving.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The GR86’s exterior colors range from classic sports car staples to expressive modern tones. Track-proven hues like Raven Black, Halo White, and Steel Silver are joined by standout options like Neptune Blue and TRUENO Blue — the latter referencing the AE86’s famous paint scheme. Flame Orange and Solar Shift add a retro-modern energy, particularly effective under high contrast lighting. All finishes are smooth and saturated, emphasizing the sculpted fenders and flowing roof arc.

Inside, the GR86 is focused yet surprisingly refined. High-grip Ultrasuede seats with synthetic leather bolsters are standard in Premium trims, available in either black with red accents or two-tone grey. Red contrast stitching outlines the dash, doors, and shift boot, while the 7-inch digital instrument cluster adopts a track mode with horizontal tach layout and real-time G-meter. The dashboard is trimmed in soft-touch materials and textured plastics with a minimalist layout that orients everything toward the driver. Toggle switches control HVAC, and a frameless touchscreen infotainment sits flush in the center stack. Every surface is intentional — functional over decorative — with no wasted lines or distractions.

Wheel designs are equally purpose-driven. Base trims ride on 17-inch matte-black 10-spoke alloys with Michelin Primacy HP tires, while Premium versions wear 18-inch black metallic Y-spoke wheels wrapped in Pilot Sport 4s. The wheels are lightweight, open-faced for brake cooling, and visually tucked under the pronounced fenders — completing the low, wide stance with quiet aggression.

Top Expensive Options

• GR Performance Dual Cat-Back Exhaust: $1,200
• GR Lowering Springs with Sport Dampers: $950
• 18-Inch Forged Aluminum Wheels (Track Spec): $1,800
• Alcantara and Leather Interior Upgrade: $1,100
• GR Front Strut Tower Brace and Chassis Kit: $800
• Torsen Limited-Slip Differential (standard on Premium): $900
• Adaptive LED Headlights with Cornering Assist: $700
• GR Brembo Performance Brake Package: $2,200
• 8-Inch Touchscreen with Premium Audio: $650
• GR Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps and Spoiler Kit: $1,000

vs Competitors

Against direct rivals like the Mazda MX-5, Subaru BRZ, and Honda Civic Si, the GR86 distinguishes itself with classic coupe proportions, rear-wheel drive, and unfiltered dynamics. Compared to the MX-5, it offers more cabin space, a fixed roof, and greater high-speed stability, trading some low-speed playfulness for maturity. Versus the BRZ — its mechanical twin — the GR86 has marginally sharper suspension tuning and quicker steering ratio, favoring more rotation at the limit. Against turbocharged front-drive options like the Civic Si or Hyundai Elantra N, the GR86 offers less straight-line grunt but superior balance, feedback, and long-term engagement. It also remains the only true rear-drive sports coupe under $35,000 — a position that makes it uniquely irreplaceable for driving purists. In essence, it’s not the fastest in numbers, but the most honest in character.

Fun Fact

The GR86’s center of gravity is lower than that of the Porsche Cayman — despite costing less than half as much. Thanks to the boxer engine layout and aluminum roof and fender construction, it achieves this feat while remaining naturally aspirated and fully analog, proving that balance and weight distribution still matter more than brute force.