2023 Toyota GR86 Review - The car the GT86 should have been

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In today's episode, I drive the new Toyota GR86. It sold out in 90 minutes here in the UK - but is it really that good? Let's find out if the lucky few are onto something.

#Toyota #GR86 #review

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Why GT86 Failed
4:00 GR86 Walkaround
8:32 Interior
13:09 Driving Review

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[Trenrel]

While the GT86 might have been a failure in Europe, it was a massive hit here in Australia and you will see these things literally everywhere. In fact, I think per-capita we bought more of these things than any other country outside of Japan. It wasn't the quickest, but that also made it very accessible to younger drivers who normally aren't allowed to drive high-powered vehicles. Fantastic review by the way, I currently have a BRZ on order and the wait has been killing me.

[realAlexChoi]

The GT86 was actually quite successful in the US/Canada market, they're one of the default sports cars of choice for anyone between the ages of 16-20 and you can pick them up for peanuts. They're also apparently quite popular in Australasia and Japan, so that's what probably influenced Toyota's decision to make a second generation, and their decision to pull it out of the EU market post 2025.

[franciscocabrerabrito]

Here in Spain is offered with a Circuit Pack and includes 6 pot AP racing brakes in the front and sport cup 2 tyres. People haven't realised yet, but is the closest you can get to an E30 M3 in a new car. For those who are looking for that same driving experience is a dream.

[slothpatronus]

I saw my first GR86 on the road yesterday and I have to say it looks great in person.

[CommanderRion]

I am happy to be one of the few people who managed to snatch one here in Germany. Currently only 350 cars have been delivered of the estimated 490 alotment for 2022. New orders for 2023 are not even on the table yet and deliveries might just take until 2024. Overall less than 1000 Units are planned for Germany at all, making this car probably rarer than some true exotics on german roads.

Its sapphire blue, which is an absolutely breathtaking color scheme. Extremely usable and daily driver friendly but also fun when you want it. The perfect car for me.

[brrrrr]

Awesome seeing practical car reviews here too. The GR86 looks like such a fun daily.

[mrb]

I had an 86, it was absolutely brilliant. Reliable and fun.

[Nick]

Had mine for just over a month, still loving it. Have had much faster cars over the years but this is far more fun, and the fact it feels like it’s going much faster than you really are is a definite plus point. No rattles from mine, sounds like there’s a fault on that one, although a few minutes altering the equaliser and sound settings makes a big difference. Yes, it’s not perfect, but for the price, it’s pretty amazing what you’re getting.

[MukiMuki]

By far my favorite new car. It's a throwback to those light Japanese sportsters of the 1990s. Hope Toyota keeps it going with multiple generations.

[MrManBuzz]

I think one of the reasons why the GT86 didn't do so great was it wasn't actually all that affordable in many markets. In Ireland for example, a new one is well north of €40K. And at that price, it just doesn't make sense to buy one with the amount of other cars you could buy with that sort of money.

[WBizarre]

Poor UK sales must have been an outlier. In the US roughly 120, 000 first-gen BRZ/FRS/86 were sold. I certainly saw a lot of them running around. It was clearly successful enough to warrant a second generation, even if not a runaway success.

[chuntohk]

I’ve had mine for a month now. I use it as a daily, and I love how practical it is despite the fun. I also notice the rattle issues of the speakers when driving over bumps. You don’t need to play anything for it to rattle. But apart from that, it drives very nicely with a firm punch when you press on the throttle. I’m very happy with my choice

[jbalgo]

I've been driving the gt86 for 10 years and never understood all the fuss about the dip torque. It saved me a tremendous amount of fuel and is unnoticeable when you push the car.

[markkendall]

Fantastic review!!!
As an R35 GT-R owner you nailed it EXACTLY regarding the purpose of a 2nd car. Enjoyable at legal speeds, light & nimble, remind me of the S1 Elise I had back in 1999. I managed to order a GR86 in Electric Blue just 7mins after the order books opened, car was delivered just before Xmas and is currently being carefully run in (1st 1000miles). Wasn’t sure I was going to keep it to be honest, but it’s a keeper now. Special (affordable for many) car, of a dying breed unfortunately…

[abadibi]

8:17 the reason mcphearson suspension is kept at front is because the AE86 has it aswell. And porsche proved that you can make a marvelous macphearson suspension design instead of opting for double wishbone.

[jwmurphyccsis]

Great review and did not realise the first gen was not popular in the UK. They really are a great value sports car that can be driven hard without going to jail.

[jimiverson]

The problem with the first gen was that big dip in the torque curve. It hit at just the point where you would be exiting from a corner. Given that it could be fixed in the aftermarket with intake/exhaust mods and a new tune, that was really an unforced error.

[tangerinedream]

Yes, there is a rattle and vibration from the doorcard and dashboard because of the pumped in engine audio, there is a plug you can pull which disconnects the microphone that pumps in the audio and prevents the rattle and vibration from the right of the driver side wheel when the door is open.

[Ryanrrc]

I do love my GT86 as I’ve wanted one for over 10 years. Going to love seeing this platform develop.

[dominicrusho]

I’m surprised James seems so negative about the GT86 here, as his previous videos didn’t give off that impression….regardless, I’ve owned my 2019 GT86 for a few years now and it’s utterly delightful. I’ve never felt like it needed more power, and the rear seats are perfect for bringing my pup along on road trips. Its ride also seems to be much more comfortable than the GR86, based on what I’ve read.

Considering that the GR86 is basically an unobtainable curio in the UK, a nice used GT86 seems like phenomenal value for money