The Toyota GR86 has made waves since its redesign, capturing the hearts of sports car enthusiasts. A year after its release, the buzz remains, but questions linger, especially concerning the automatic transmission variant. While the revamped GR86 chassis and increased refinement are undeniable improvements, the crucial question is: does the automatic gearbox compromise the very essence of this celebrated sports coupe? Having spent time behind the wheel of the 2023 Toyota GR86 automatic, the answer is a resounding yes. It’s not just about the transmission itself, but a confluence of factors that detract from the overall driving experience, making the manual transmission the only truly recommendable option for those seeking an engaging performance car.
Stepping inside the GR86, the interior initially presents as a step up from its predecessor. However, with a year’s hindsight and comparisons against competitors in the same price bracket, the cabin’s shortcomings become glaringly apparent. What was once perceived as a decent upgrade now feels decidedly low-rent. The interior struggles to compete, particularly when juxtaposed with rivals offering superior material quality and design. The door handles, crafted from thin, hollow plastic, feel disconcertingly flimsy, evoking the sensation of interacting with oversized toy components rather than a component in a modern vehicle. This cheapness permeates throughout the cabin, diminishing the overall sense of quality.
The climate controls, while attempting an aviation-inspired aesthetic with their oversized, curved switches, are constructed from metallic-look plastic that feels far from premium. Their operation feels reminiscent of outdated economy cars, and the extensive use of hard plastics throughout the interior is simply unacceptable in a vehicle exceeding the $30,000 price point. The microsuede accents, intended to inject some texture, appear and feel like an afterthought, further cheapening the ambiance. While photographs might initially portray a purposeful and even stylish cabin, the three-dimensional reality reveals a different story of cost-cutting and subpar materials. Adding to the ergonomic woes, the steering wheel’s left side features an awkward bulge, prone to knee contact, particularly for taller drivers.
Space-wise, the GR86 offers surprisingly usable rear seats, a welcome addition for occasional use. The front seats are visually appealing and offer adequate lateral support for spirited driving. However, they lack crucial adjustability. The flat seat bottom and absence of adjustable thigh support prevent finding an optimal driving position for extended periods. Furthermore, even for a driver of average height, the seat doesn’t lower sufficiently, resulting in a perched driving position rather than an integrated feel within the car. This is compounded by the limited height adjustment range of the steering wheel, leaving taller drivers feeling as though they are sitting too high with a steering wheel positioned too low.
The electronic systems within the 2023 Toyota GR86 present a mixed bag, leaning heavily towards the frustrating. While the infotainment system is functional and relatively straightforward to navigate, its visual presentation feels dated, resembling an aftermarket unit from a decade prior. However, the real electronic grievances lie in the incessant and often illogical chime system. Toyota vehicles are notorious for their auditory alerts, but the GR86 elevates this to an entirely new level of annoyance, bordering on defective programming. The seatbelt chime, for instance, is excessively loud and persistent, even when the vehicle is stationary in park. More concerning is the chime’s refusal to cease even after parking, continuing to blare if the driver exits the vehicle with the engine running – a scenario encountered when taking photographs. This persistent beeping, akin to a malfunctioning alarm, highlights a significant oversight in the vehicle’s software logic. Further auditory irritations include an unending chime triggered by opening the door with the engine off, adding to the cacophony of unnecessary alerts.
The active safety systems, a product of Subaru’s EyeSight technology rather than Toyota’s in-house systems, are another source of significant frustration. While safety is paramount, the implementation in the GR86 is overly aggressive and intrusive, often creating more anxiety than assurance. The radar cruise control, while functional, emits an audible beep every time it detects a vehicle ahead, a feature that thankfully can be disabled through deep menu diving. However, the collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems are far more problematic. In normal driving scenarios, such as releasing the brake pedal as a traffic light turns green, the system frequently triggers collision warnings, even when ample space exists. More alarmingly, the system occasionally applies the brakes unnecessarily in similar low-speed traffic situations, creating a potential hazard by unexpectedly decelerating the vehicle.
Maneuvering in reverse, particularly in tight parking spaces, is further complicated by the overly sensitive emergency braking. Even with cautious brake pedal modulation, the GR86 abruptly slams on the brakes when approaching obstacles at a considerable distance, rendering the system more of a hindrance than a help. The cumulative effect of these intrusive safety systems is a diminished driving experience, undermining usability and driver confidence. While these systems can be deactivated, doing so leaves the vehicle devoid of any active safety features, presenting an undesirable binary choice. The GR86’s active safety suite stands out, and not in a positive way, for its disruptive and inconvenient behavior, prompting passengers to question its functionality and necessity.
Compounding the electronic frustrations, the traction and stability control systems further limit driver engagement. These systems cannot be fully disabled unless the vehicle is completely stationary. While a partial traction control deactivation is possible below 30 mph, exceeding this speed threshold re-engages the full suite of electronic interventions. Despite its GR (Gazoo Racing) branding, linking it to Toyota’s motorsport division, the inability to fully disable these systems while in motion is a baffling limitation for a vehicle marketed as a sports car. A halfway “track mode” offers some respite, but the fundamental restriction remains.
Powering the 2023 Toyota GR86 is a 2.4-liter flat-four “boxer” engine, a Subaru-sourced unit contributing to a low center of gravity and enhanced agility. With 228 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque, the engine offers a noticeable improvement over the previous generation. However, when paired with the automatic transmission, the GR86’s performance feels underwhelming. Despite a respectable 0-60 mph time of under six seconds, the acceleration lacks the visceral punch and responsiveness expected from a sports car. This can be attributed, in part, to the automatic transmission’s long gear ratios. Second gear stretches beyond 60 mph, and sixth gear cruises at a low 2,000 rpm at 70 mph, contributing to a lack of urgency. The manual transmission, with its shorter gear ratios, is purported to deliver a more engaging and responsive driving experience. Fuel economy, at an average of 25.5 mpg, is also unremarkable for a small displacement engine, even falling short of larger, more powerful vehicles and competitors like the Mazda Miata. Adding insult to injury, the engine note is far from inspiring, characterized by mechanical clatter, particularly at startup, and a coarse, blender-like sound under load. While smoother than the previous generation, it lacks the refinement and pleasing sound typically associated with modern inline-four engines, let alone six-cylinder units.
The automatic transmission itself is a significant point of contention. In a vehicle designed for driving thrills and driver engagement, opting for an automatic transmission seems fundamentally counterintuitive. This six-speed automatic feels archaic, with sluggish shifts and a delayed response to paddle inputs. The transmission’s long gearing exacerbates the engine’s lack of low-end torque, leading to frequent gear hunting and unnecessary downshifts. The increased displacement over the previous model is largely masked when paired with this uninspired automatic gearbox. Low-speed maneuvers particularly highlight the transmission’s shortcomings. When slowing for turns and then accelerating, the transmission often becomes indecisive, caught between gears and exhibiting a noticeable delay in power delivery. This behavior is reminiscent of older, less refined automated manual transmissions, with occasional jerky transitions that are unacceptable in a contemporary automatic. While the manual-versus-automatic debate is ongoing, the automatic transmission in the GR86 is unequivocally poor, detracting significantly from the driving experience. It almost feels intentionally underwhelming, perhaps as a misguided attempt to steer buyers towards the manual variant. However, the prevalence of automatic GR86 models on the road suggests this strategy, if intentional, has backfired. For those opting for the automatic, a significant portion of the GR86’s inherent fun factor is regrettably lost. The manual transmission, while not perfect, offers a solid, positive, and engaging experience, restoring much of the GR86’s intended driver-focused character.
Despite the litany of criticisms, the 2023 Toyota GR86 redeems itself in one crucial aspect: its chassis and handling. Despite shortcomings in engine performance, interior quality, and electronics, the GR86 boasts one of the most exceptional chassis available in any new car today, regardless of price. Its handling prowess is truly world-class. The GR86’s cornering ability and overall driving dynamics are so exceptional that they almost forgive its other flaws. While the steering feedback could be improved, the steering wheel still feels remarkably alive and communicative compared to many modern vehicles. The car responds to driver inputs with fluid and immediate precision, earning the often-used but genuinely applicable description of “telepathic” handling. Driver intent translates seamlessly into vehicle response, creating an intuitive and deeply engaging driving experience.
Understeer is virtually nonexistent in the GR86, even under extreme driving conditions, a testament to its balanced chassis and capable Michelin Pilot summer tires. The tires, while relatively narrow at 215-width, strike an ideal balance between grip and feedback, enhancing the overall driving feel. The confidence-inspiring handling instills a sense of connection and control rarely found in other sports cars. Apexes are effortlessly achieved, and any missed apex on track days is more likely attributable to driver error than vehicle limitation. The chassis’ adjustability encourages early throttle application, allowing drivers to confidently power out of corners with precision. For those seeking playful driving dynamics, disabling traction control (when stationary) unleashes the GR86’s inherent balance and drift-friendly nature, reminiscent of its AE86 lineage. Transitions into and out of oversteer are remarkably smooth and predictable, making controlled slides intuitive and rewarding.
Further demonstrating the chassis’ exceptional capabilities, the GR86 exhibits surprising stability even in adverse conditions. It maintains composure on snow-covered roads, even outperforming larger SUVs in certain situations. The ride quality, while firm as expected in a sports car, is remarkably composed when driving aggressively. It absorbs mid-corner bumps and imperfections without unsettling the chassis, a characteristic often lacking in more expensive sports cars. The GR86’s suspension manages to maintain composure and control where others might falter, gliding over imperfections rather than being unsettled by them.
However, despite its exceptional chassis, the 2023 Toyota GR86 automatic presents a challenging proposition. While its handling is undeniably brilliant, the numerous drawbacks, including the subpar interior, underwhelming engine and automatic transmission combination, and irritating electronics, are difficult to overlook. The performance-per-dollar ratio is attractive, but the compromised driving experience of the automatic variant detracts significantly from the overall package.
For potential buyers considering alternatives, the Mazda MX-5 Miata remains a compelling option, offering a similar rear-wheel-drive, sports car experience at a comparable price point. While even more compact and less practical than the GR86, the Miata provides comparable driving fun, particularly in manual guise, and the added allure of open-top motoring.
Another unexpected contender is the Hyundai Elantra N. Priced similarly to the GR86, the Elantra N delivers significantly more power (nearly 300 horsepower) from a turbocharged engine, coupled with a track-tuned chassis. While front-wheel drive, the Elantra N offers a surprisingly engaging and rewarding driving experience, arguably surpassing the GR86 automatic in terms of sheer fun and real-world usability. Its added practicality, with usable rear seats and four doors, further strengthens its appeal. Despite its polarizing styling, the Elantra N has garnered critical acclaim, even outperforming the GR86 in comparative tests.
In conclusion, the 2023 Toyota GR86 possesses undeniable strengths, primarily its exceptional chassis and engaging handling. However, in automatic guise, these virtues are overshadowed by a lackluster transmission, unrefined engine, cheap-feeling interior, and frustrating electronics. While a manual transmission might mitigate some of these negatives, the automatic variant struggles to justify its existence as a compelling performance car. For those seeking driving thrills in this segment, exploring alternatives like the Mazda Miata or the surprisingly capable Hyundai Elantra N might prove more rewarding.
2023 Toyota GR86 Premium Automatic
As-tested price: $33,748
Pros: Superlative chassis, Great looks
Cons: Automatic transmission neuters the car’s potential, Coarse engine, Low-quality interior
