Subaru BRZ Vs Toyota GR86: What Exactly Sets Them Apart?

This guide is continuously updated for relevance, accuracy, and the most recent information; it was first posted in October 2022 and updated in 2024.

If you have ever looked for a budget-friendly, rear-wheel-drive sports car, we are sure you would have considered the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota 86 (renamed the GR86 for 2022 and beyond). Historically, both vehicles are similar, and the new generation is no different. Toyota introduced the GR86 five months after its mechanical sibling, the BRZ, on April 5^th, 2022. Although both sports cars are mechanically identical, there are some subtle dissimilarities. Below, we take a closer look. 

1. Styling: Front grill variation

You can clearly say that the GR86 and the BRZ pair again due to their similar exterior design. However, there are minor differences, the most obvious of which is the front grille design that makes Toyota’s model a little more aggressive. The grille is more in line with the GR Yaris hot hatch. Moreover, the LED headlights are also a little different from the BRZ.  

For more style, Toyota released the 2023 GR86 Special Edition, which features larger matte black wheels, subtle graphics at the C-pillar, an exclusive new Solar Shift color, and a sweet ducktail spoiler. While the dimensions of both sports cars are similar, they give customers distinct color choices to accentuate their dynamic presence.

2. Interior: Not much different

Comparing the cabins of both coupes, we hardly see any difference except a touch of different seat upholstery and name badging on the steering wheel (the 86 has GR badging, the BRZ doesn’t have any). 

The Subaru BRZ has an elegant black-cloth interior. The new tS variant amps up the style with unique blue stitching and STI logo details on its leather-wrapped steering wheel. Toyota’s GR86 lets you choose between a lively white or red interior with black accents. The base model boasts cloth seats, while the Premium version spoils you with Ultrasuede synthetic and leather trim.

Both cars feature a seven-inch digital driver’s display and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Both coupes boast identical interiors, from the styling of the air vents and seats to the hard points, switchgear, and pedal.

Boot and Passenger Capacity

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 embody a sports car spirit but differ in interior layout. The BRZ boasts a driver-focused design with bolstered front seats and a 2+2 seating arrangement, offering 77.2 cubic feet of passenger space and 6.3 cubic feet of cargo room. Conversely, the GR86 offers a 6.2 cubic-foot trunk and four-person seating, prioritizing comfort over rear space.

3. Engine & Specs: Mechanically the same

Each Japanese automaker decided to ditch the old 2.0L unit for the new 2.4L naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine from the previous generation. The bigger engine delivers 228 horsepower (23 hp more than the previous generation) at 7,000 rpm and 184 pound-feet (previously 156 lb-ft) of torque at 3,700 rpm. The 2022 BRZ Limited / Sport-tech we reviewed here retains the same specs.

Since the 2024 GR86 and 2024 BRZ have the same Subaru Boxer engine, they produce the same horsepower and torque. A very high 12.5:1 compression ratio also remains the same to withdraw maximum power through dual injection. The bigger engine delivers 228 horsepower (23 hp more than the previous generation) at 7,000 rpm and 184 pound-feet (previously 156 lb-ft) of torque at 3,700 rpm.

The GR86 can go from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds (manual) or 6.6 seconds (automatic). The BRZ also performs similarly, so both will compete in a drag race. Here’s a closer look at the 2023 BRZ’s full specs and dimensions.

Power goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual (standard) in both vehicles, while an electronically controlled six-speed automatic gearbox is optional. The MacPherson-strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension layout are identical in both coupes.

Performance comparison

Below is a side-by-side comparison of some key specs; they’re identical, making power from the same 2.4L DOHC engine.

Other shared performance specs

4. Handling: A few differences exist

According to a test drive video from the LOVE CARS!TV! YouTube channel, both coupes have apparent variations in their handling (for something in English, check out this in-depth comparison over at Bembli’s channel).

The reviewers found the Toyota GR86 is a little slipperier around the corners. However, it does not leave you defenseless. The Subaru’s offering is smoother than its counterpart, offering peace of mind at the limit, yet the 86 gives a torquier touch with its more natural pedal feel.

Also, the new 2024 BRZ tS is back, offering shoppers the same 228-horsepower engine but significantly improved handling with Brembo brakes and STI-tuned suspension based on the range-topping Limited grade.

Toyota also introduces a special Trueno Edition into the GR86 series for 2024, incorporating Sachs dampers and Brembo brakes for enhanced performance. Only 860 Trueno Editions will be allocated to the US market. Additionally, the suspension and brake enhancements featured in the Trueno Edition are accessible across the entire GR86 lineup for 2024. Dealer-installed options for GR86s with 18-inch wheels include Brembo brake calipers and larger-diameter rotors.

5. Trims available

In the US, there are three 2024 Subaru BRZ flavours available: the BRZ Premium ($31,315), BRZ Limited ($33,815), and the BRZ tS ($36,465). In Canada, there are four trims in total: BRZ base model ($31,895), BRZ Sport-tech manual ($34,895), BRZ tS ($36,295), and BRZ Sport-tech (AT) with EyeSight ($36,695). Here’s our full review of the 2022 BRZ Limited / Sport-tech.

It is similar to the Toyota GR86, with three trims in the US but three in Canada (Premium model, each with manual or automatic transmission): the 2024 GR86 base ($30,395), GR86 Premium ($32,995) and the GR86 Trueno Edition ($36,240) in America. Up north in Canada, there’s the GR86 base with manual transmission ($32,350) and automatic transmission ($34,350), GR86 Premium with a stick shift ($35,350), and automatic ($37,350), and the GR86 Trueno Edition ($39,150).

6. BRZ & GR86 Current Price

The second-generation Toyota GR86 and the Subaru BRZ first hit the roads in Japan in Fall 2021, while the U.S. and Canadian versions arrived a little later. Both sports coupes are slightly above $30,000 in the US, and in Canada, they are just above that mark. We’ve listed 2024 prices above in Trims, but for the latest MSRP in your area, visit the links:

Takeaway: is the Subaru BRZ or Toyota GR86 the better buy?

In essence, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 are identical, but there are just a few differences. Choosing between the two probably comes down to brand preference.

Subarus are typically known as all-wheel-drive family chariots, with the rear-wheel-drive, 2-seat BRZ being a complete outlier in the bunch. That said, this could be either a cool differentiator or not-so-cool parked next to your Mom’s Outback on the front driveway. Next to the iconic, race-bred Subaru WRX STi, the BRZ looks like a well-groomed rocket capable of driving every day with weekends at the track.

Toyotas have a long, rich racing history as well. So, the speedy GR86 has some experience under its belt—now paired nicely with the new 300-hp, rally-ready 2024 Toyota GR Corolla. Some may also lean more toward the GR86’s bolder design cues, but that’s always a personal choice. 

End of the day, they’re mechanically the same. So styling and brand loyalty set these budget-friendly, rear-wheel drive Japanese coupe cousins apart. And frankly, at slightly above the $30,000 price range, you can’t go wrong with either of them.