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Toyota GT86 manual and auto road test report

manual and auto

It’s been a few years since Toyota had a proper sports car in its range, but that’s about to change with the GT86. Co-developed with Subaru, this fine-looking new coupé goes back to basics by combining decent punch with low weight, a fine chassis and straightforward simplicity. It’s a cracker.

Road Test Reports Says 4.5 star rating
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TOM STEWART SAYS

Performance Performance - 4 stars

The GT86 is powered by a 1,998cc flat-four Subaru engine with Toyota direct petrol injection that feeds its 197bhp through either a short-throw 6-sp manual or paddle-shift auto Toyota transmission to the rear wheels. By deliberately eschewing a turbo and its attendant lag (however brief), throttle response is immediate and crisp, and although the engine isn’t particularly torquey at lower revs, there’s strong acceleration as you approach 7,000rpm. Though smooth and amply powerful, the boxer engine sounds a bit rough when revved, although this is less apparent in the auto version. The brakes are strong and progressive, and though the GT86 isn’t meant to be scarily fast the quoted figures are (manual/auto): 0-62 in 7.7/8.4 secs with a 140/130mph top speed.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 5 stars

In addition to its low-slung Subaru engine, the GT86 also has a Subaru-derived chassis and suspension. This coupled with a sub 1,250kg kerb weight, a low centre of gravity, a 53:47 front/rear weight distribution, quick steering plus much development and fine tuning means the GT86 has fabulous balance and it steers and handles beautifully, whether on the road or track. Just as Toyota hasn’t pursued the ultimate in straight-line performance, by wearing the same tyres as the Prius nor has it gone for maximum grip, and so with a non-intrusive and switchable VSC system the GT86 is terrific fun and a true driver’s car while cleverly also providing a compliant and comfortable ride.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 4 stars

After just one day and a couple of hundred trouble-free miles in an all-new model that at the time of driving (and writing) hadn’t gone on sale (on sale July 1st 2012 in UK) I’m not really in a position to judge, except to say that the GT86 seemed faultless except for a slightly ill-fitting faux carbon-fibre passenger airbag cover. Making predictions is further complicated in this case because it’s a Toyota that employs much Subaru hardware, and it’s built in a Japanese Subaru factory. For what it’s worth, Toyota as a brand scored 80.5% to come 10th equal out of 28 in JD Power’s 2011 customer satisfaction survey.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 4 stars

The GT86 may be a lean, lightweight and low-slung sports coupé, but Toyota hasn’t skimped on safety as it comes as standard with seven airbags, active headrests, LED daytime running lights, heated door mirrors and even Isofix child seat mountings in the rear. There are no Euro NCAP crash test results to report, but it’s unlikely that Toyota/Subaru will have cut corners in this respect. Security is taken care of by an alarm, immobiliser, smart-entry remote central locking and an electric boot release.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

The GT86 is technically a 2+2, but the rear seats are tiny and there’s effectively no legroom in the back, so ‘2+0.2’ might be a more accurate description. However, although no-one buys sports cars for their space and practicality, the GT86’s rear seatback folds flat which opens up the boot to the cabin and vice versa so there’s ample loadspace for a week away for two.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 5 stars

The GT86 will be offered in a single specification in the UK, with on-the-road prices of £24,995 for the manual and £26,495 for the auto. Other standard equipment will include cruise control, dual-zone climate control and a touch-screen, multi-function satnav/media display with Bluetooth (for phone and music streaming), a USB port and more. Leather upholstery and heated seats are the only options. Though £1,500 more to buy, the auto version boasts better mpg figures – 39.8 combined against 36.2, and with that comes lower CO2 emissions – 164g/km, VED band G (auto), 181g/km, VED band I (manual). But these figures aside, if you yearn for something more visceral than an Audi TT but can’t quite stomach the £39k minimum required for a Porsche Cayman, then look no further than the wonderfully entertaining Toyota GT86, or perhaps its Subaru BRZ sibling…

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Submitted: 22/05/2012 14:06:37

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