2022 Toyota GR 86 first drive review: An enthralling second act – Roadshow [CNET]

In the decade since the Toyota 86 (neé Scion FR-S) and Subaru BRZ twins launched, they’ve become fixtures at autocrosses and road course paddocks. These lightweight, affordable, rear-wheel-drive coupes offer a perfect track car foundation on which to build. And for the 86’s second act, Toyota is giving it more of the good stuff without changing what makes this car so inherently great.

Bigger boxer, still no turbo

You’ve asked, I’ve asked, we’ve all asked, but a turbocharged engine still isn’t in the cards for the new GR 86. Thankfully, a larger naturally aspirated boxer engine does bring more oomph to the party. 

A new 2.4-liter four-cylinder spits out 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque — 23 hp and 28 lb-ft more than the old 2.0-liter engine. More importantly, peak torque is available at 3,700 rpm instead of the previous 6,400 rpm for better grunt whether you’re bumming around town or romping around your favorite road course.

Like before, the GR 86 will be offered with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The stick shift gets a carbon synchronizer to improve fourth-gear engagement, as well as new bearings and lower-viscosity fluid for smoother shift action. The automatic gets a higher-capacity torque converter to deal with the engine’s extra thrust and additional clutch discs for better power delivery characteristics. 

For those wondering about fuel economy, official EPA numbers aren’t available yet, but Toyota estimates the manual 86 will return 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. With an automatic, the estimates increase to 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Around the Monticello Motor Club track in New York, the GR 86’s new drivetrain makes a great first impression. If you drive the outgoing 86 back-to-back with the new GR 86, the livelier midrange grunt and throatier exhaust note make themselves known. Giddy-up is much livelier in the new car while accelerating down straights and hustling out of corners. On this same course, the older 2.0-liter car is always working up to the power at the top and feels dead in the middle of the engine’s rev range.

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A new electronic power steering system makes for more direct action while throwing the GR 86 into a turn. Base models ride on 17-inch V-spoke wheels wrapped with 215/45 Michelin Primacy HP tires, while Premium trims get 18-inch matte black rims covered in 215/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber. The brakes carry over unchanged with single-piston calipers biting down on 11.6-inch front and 11.4-inch rear discs. 

To keep weight in check with the GR’s additional body reinforcements and beefed-up drivetrain components, the roof and front fenders are now made from aluminum, which also helps lower the coupe’s center of gravity. The aforementioned power steering system is lighter than the old setup, and even small items such as a resin fuel door and lighter front seat frames are used to reduce heft wherever possible. The result is a 77-pound weight gain to 2,811 pounds for the 2022 base manual model.

Out on the track at Monticello, the GR 86 Premium is a riot to toss around, and much more buttoned up than the 86 it replaces. Steering response is snappier, quickly tucking the front end into corners, while body roll is minimal and the Pilot Sport 4s keep things nicely stuck, allowing you to roll into the throttle earlier on corner exit. The GR 86 handles high-speed side-to-side transitions with aplomb and feels surefooted when driven hard. Getting the rear to step out is easily done with the throttle and it’s a cinch to control with some countersteering.

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What still isn’t comfortable for most people are the 86’s back seats, which are lacking in the leg- and headroom departments. Kids will manage, but you probably don’t want to put adults back there unless you like watching them suffer. With the back seats folded down, Toyota says there’s still enough cargo room to carry an extra set of wheels, a jack and some tools for track day exploits.

The 86’s cabin layout is simple and easy to navigate, with large, clearly labeled switches. All GR 86 models get smartly placed soft touchpoints like leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, padded armrests and suede trim on the upper door panels. Premium models upgrade to Alcantara and leather seating, two-stage heated front buckets, aluminum pedals and contrasting black and silver trim.

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Aston Martin Vantage, which is cool in my book.

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