Used 2023 Toyota GR86

It almost feels alien to say it, but Toyota — purveyor of SUVs, minivans, trucks, and sedans — has made a sports car. A really good sports car. It’s not powerful like a Porsche 718 Cayman or a BMW Z4, but it’s way more affordable.

Anyway, big power is not necessary in a car this light. Agility is the key here. The GR86 makes the sportiness of rear-wheel drive accessible to newer drivers, yet it’s still sufficiently entertaining to keep a seasoned enthusiast happy.

This is the second generation, more powerful than before, that launched only last year. The GR stands for Gazoo Racing, a division of Toyota dedicated to motorsport.

Just like the first, the GR86 (then known as the plain 86 and the Scion FR-S before that) is a joint project with Subaru, whose version of the car is called the BRZ. Differences between the two are few, but the BRZ does have a slightly more pliant suspension.

A GR86 Special Edition joins the lineup this year. It’s based on the higher Premium trim, adding a few cosmetic features. The production run is limited to 860 units.

A standstill-to-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds (manual transmission) is not especially fast. But that’s not the point of a 2023 GR86.

Instead, drivers have an ideal amount of power to enjoy this light and small coupe’s poise and balance without having to keep a ferocious engine under control at the same time. As a method for getting to grips with the distinct rhythms and demands of rear-wheel drive, the GR86 is up there alongside the renowned Mazda MX-5.

The engine reaches its peak 228 horsepower at a screaming 7,000 rpm, but it’s rev-happy and responsive to fine throttle inputs in those upper reaches — which is exactly what’s required when trying to control a rear-end drift out of a corner. On a track, of course.

Speaking of which, the traction control system’s Track mode allows the driver to get the tail out before sending the electronic helpers into action. The 2023 GR86 also comes standard with a Torsen (torque-sensing) limited-slip differential for optimum traction.

In the transition from highway to race circuit, the GR86 retains its composure. That means a suspension tuned on the firm side, but it’s still bearable if the car is used as a weekday runabout as well as a weekend track toy. In the pursuit of lightness, though, Toyota has been sparing with the sound insulation.

It’s perfectly reasonable that versions of the 2023 GR86 with the stick shift don’t have forward collision warning or adaptive cruise control. Some kind of automatic clutch would be necessary to prevent stalling. If the lack of driver aids is an issue, opting for the automatic transmission is still fine. There’s a Sport mode and paddle shifters to help keep the engine on the boil.

Believe it or not, there’s a second seating row in the 2023 GR86 compact coupe. This is more believable — it’s really small. Better for duffle bags than humans.

Fold those seats down, though, and there’s enough room for another set of wheels and tires. The idea is for drivers to head to the track with their usual road-going wheel/tire combination in place, swap that for performance rubber/sport rims in the pits, run a few fast laps, then swap back and drive home.

Potential buyers who are too tall for the Mazda MX-5 Miata (you’re far from alone) yet still seeking a low-power/ideal-balance/high-fun car should find the 2023 GR86 a better fit.

The Special Edition and Premium trims have leather/simulated suede upholstery. Plus aluminum pedals.

The silhouette is traditional coupe. No complaints from us. The Premium trim and its Special Edition derivative are both finished off with a ducktail spoiler. Hooray to that as well.

The Special Edition comes in one color: Solar Shift. Most of us would call it orange. This is offset by black exterior accents, including 18-inch alloy wheels, and a couple of black stripes at the bases of the rear pillars.

1. Rear-wheel drive
Sure, front-wheel drive can be fun, as well as safe and predictable. But rear-wheel drive really has to be experienced to appreciate how much more thrilling it is. There’s greater driver involvement. And as we all know — the more you put in, the more you get out.

2. Manual transmission
A close-ratio gearbox means the engine can be kept in or near its sweet spot even when shifts are necessary. This is standard in the 2023 GR86 and we encourage stick-shift rookies to take the plunge. Once again, it’s all about involvement.

3. NASA membership
Not the astronaut bunch, but the National Auto Sport Association. A 12-month membership is free with every new GR86. It includes one High Performance Driving Event and discounts on tickets to NASA meets.

4. Leather-wrapped steering wheel
It seems kind of normal, but wielding a plastic wheel while zipping from corner to corner is not a pleasant experience. Leather wrapping provides a better grip and is standard in the 2023 GR86.

5. Blind-spot monitoring
This becomes standard at the Premium trim level. In a small coupe cabin with limited outward vision, every bit of helpful technology is good to have.

6. Sport exhaust
This year’s Special Edition has a performance exhaust system with a bit more aural attitude than the standard pipes.

One of the fruits of the collaboration with Subaru is the GR86’s flat-4 or boxer engine. Apologies if you know this already, but a boxer configuration has pairs of cylinders opposed horizontally, instead of the more common all-in-a-line arrangement.

It’s a Subaru thing, and a Porsche thing. Benefits include a low center of gravity — a boon in a sporty machine like the GR86 — and the ability to have a low hood for a sleek design.

This 2.4-liter 4-cylinder example doesn’t use any turbochargers or superchargers, just natural aspiration. But it does require premium gasoline.

It makes 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, going solely to the rear wheels (no option for all-wheel drive) through a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 6-speed automatic.

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine 
228 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 3,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 mpg (manual), 21/31 mpg (auto)

3/36 Warranty

Toyota’s new-car warranty lasts for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first, while the powertrain is covered for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Scheduled maintenance is also included for the first 2 years or 25,000 miles, as well as 2 years of roadside assistance with unlimited mileage.