2024 Toyota GR 86 - What's New Review

2024 Toyota 86 Model Year Update :

The race in the States among bantam weight rear drive sport coupes is down to three, one having a drop top, the other two being Toyobaru siblings.

When the Subaru built second generation GN8 Toyota Gazoo Racing 86 replaced the ZN6 series defunct Scion donation, it was deemed a more potent canyon carver which had matured as a daily driver.

Now in its third year since launch, the 2024 Toyota GR 86 Premium tested here by Roadblazing.com, while optically undisturbed, gains some new handling and driver assistance kit.

NEW FOR '24:

• New GR Performance Package ($1500)
  • Brembo front 4 piston, rear 2 piston fixed caliper brakes
  • ZF Sachs dampers
• Active Safety Suite - adaptive cruise control + lead car alert, lane keep warn, assist (in addition to existing Blind Spot warning & Rear Cross traffic alert) - new to manual transmission GR 86s

CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED:

• Performance 2+2 sport coupe
• FA24D 2.4L DI SEFI DOHC petrol H-4 engine + 6-speed manual helical transmission, rear driven wheels, Torsen limited slip rear differential
  • (Available 6-speed torque converter automatic planetary transmission & steering wheel shift paddles)
• Power ratings remain at 228 horsepower, 184 lb-ft@ 3800 r.p.m.
• 27 miles per gallon observed combined driving fuel economy (3.7 gal. / 100 mi.). Highway range is 370 miles.
• Front strut, rear multi-link suspension + four wheel disc brakes, front vented.
• "Top Safety Pick Plus" rated by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ( 2022 MY)

BOTTOM LINE:

• $34,920 price, as tested 2024 Toyota GR 86 Premium (+ Performance Pkg.) 6-speed manual in bRed + leather trimmed cloth ( from $29,495)
• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty; 5 years, 60,000 miles powertrain warranty, 2 years / 24,000 miles scheduled maintenance

LIKES ABOUT THE 2024 TOYOTA GR 86 PREMIUM:

• Performance car bargain, keeping the manual alive and kicking
• Sensuous Japanese profile with muscular cues
• Roomier trunk than a Mazda MX-5 Miata, expanding with fold down 2nd Row seat back
• Flexible naturally aspirated flat-four engine, enjoys being wrung out, while supplying ample neighborhood grunt.
• Tested 6-speed manual gearbox offers accurate light shifts, a light clutch with smooth disengagement, short lower gear ratios for robust acceleration.
• Fully independent, rear double wishbone suspension with Michelin Pilot Sport tires provide excellent lateral grip. Playful push-out is supplied by the Torsen rear diff. Damping is taut without excessive oscillation or brittleness. Tracking is sharp and the Brembo big brakes provide consistent clamping.
• Minimized road noise for a sport car on a budget.
• Low fuel consumption given the performance
• Adaptive cruise control resumes acceleration promptly
• Well bolstered front bucket seats, satisfactory heel to toe pedal placement
• Clear concise instrumentation
• Loud 8-speaker audio system
• Large font infotainment script

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2024 TOYOTA GR 86 PREMIUM:

• Low engine speed valve clatter
• Front bucket seats lack extended drive comfort
• 2nd Row seating is vestigial
• Sparse cabin storage, shallow center armrest bin
• No USB-C and Android Auto - Apple CarPlay projection is wired
• Front grille looms large
• Steering needs constant corrections at speed
• Small -ish fuel tank (13.2 gallons)
• Lane keep assistance merely nudges steering
• Sunwash prone instrument cluster and infotainment display
• Fairly basic (though intuitive) instrument cluster, plentiful hard cabin surfaces

2022 Toyota GR 86 - Bottom Line Review

TOYOBARU PART II: Burdening the cavalcade of exceptionally performing battery electric vehicles is an unavoidable with heavyweight classification needed to tote adequate energy. For bantam weight track -able street performance machines the internal combustion engine powered rear drive coupe will die hard. Credited with creating the legacy of bantam weight

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton