Owning a sports car that you drive occasionally just for pleasure has become harder than ever. For one, the options are fewer, and most vehicles that fall into this category are now prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, there are still a few affordable choices that give you plenty of bang for your buck — and the 2026 Toyota GR 86 is one of them.
This is one of the most affordable small two-door sports cars on the market. It delivers serious performance and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes. It's the kind of sports car we used to see in the 1990s, during the golden age of Japanese performance cars.
For 2026, Toyota decided to spoil GR 86 enthusiasts with a new special Yuzu edition dressed in a striking yellow color. On top of that, it comes with an upgraded exhaust system and several aerodynamic enhancements — not to mention the extra character they bring to the car.
Lineup and Pricing
For 2026, the Toyota GR 86 lineup includes four versions. It all starts with the base model at $35,628, which is an excellent deal for the performance it offers. Next are the Premium manual and Premium automatic trims, priced respectively at $38,628 and $40,593. Finally, the new Yuzu Special Edition sits at the top of the range with a starting price of $47,758 — still quite reasonable for such an exclusive car.
Category and Competition
The list of affordable, mainstream sports cars is shorter than ever, with only a few models remaining. Still, those that do survive have something worthwhile to offer — and the GR 86 is definitely among them.
Rivals: Ford Mustang, Mazda MX-5, Nissan Z, Subaru BRZ
Design and Technology
The Toyota GR 86 has always been an attractive car in my opinion. It looks good and has personality without being over the top. The second generation is even better-looking, and Toyota continues to refine its design with beautiful wheels, vibrant colors, and a wide range of accessories. It's a car that stands out and whose styling ages gracefully.
The cabin design is very sporty, which is a good thing. The driving position is both comfortable and enjoyable. The rear seats are quite tight, but that's true for most cars in this segment. As for technology, I really like the digital instrument cluster, though I think Toyota could have done a bit better with the infotainment screen. On the bright side, it still features physical buttons, which is great because it allows you to stay focused on what truly matters — driving.
Performance
The Toyota GR 86 comes with a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from Subaru, also shared with the BRZ. It produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. You can choose between a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, both sending power to the rear wheels.
Weak Points
It's definitely not the roomiest or most refined car in its category. The suspension is also a bit firm.
Strong Points
It's incredibly affordable and offers tremendous potential. It turns heads wherever it goes. It has character and has built a solid reputation for reliability over the years.
Signature Trait
A small, agile, and fun-to-drive sports car — just like they don't make anymore.
Final Word
Thanks to its accessible price and technical prowess, the Toyota GR 86 quickly won over performance enthusiasts. In fact, a whole community has formed around this little Japanese sports car over the years, and that's one of the main reasons why it's now considered a true icon in its class.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
