If you haven’t already noticed, the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, and Scion FR-S have a very similar appearance.
The truth is that these vehicles have only seen a few minor design alterations since they were first introduced. Which of these cars is the best one to buy, then?
You must examine extremely closely to spot the variations between these two car models. Here is a list of their primary distinctions from one another.
The outside appearance is where the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ diverge most. The Subaru BRZ has a dull front end, while the Toyota GT86 has a sharper appearance. There are also some variations in how the suspension performs.
The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ vary in the following ways, in greater detail:
In This Article...
Is the Toyota 86 superior to the Subaru BRZ?
We can (and will, don’t worry) compare all of our test results to see which one is superior based on many measurable criteria, but the suspension settings are by far the most important factors in this situation. What better starting point could we ask for than for both of our test cars to be within 5 pounds of one another and to be equipped with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires that are readily available (reserved for the Limited model of the BRZ and the Premium trim of the GR86), leveling the playing field where the rubber literally meets the road?
The Toyota GR86 just beat out the BRZ at the test track, showing greater grip on the skidpad (0.98 g vs. 0.93) and reaching 60 mph 0.1 second quicker, in 5.8 seconds, despite each vehicle having the same amount of power, weight, and tire options. The GR86 completed our figure-eight course in under a second faster. The Subaru stopped from 60 mph in a solid 107 feet, 1 foot shorter than the Toyota, giving an indication of its firmer front end. This was the Subaru’s lone objective dynamic victory over the GR86, however both cars experienced brake fade during our track session. If you intend to take part in a track day, consider upgrading the brake fluid, brake pads, or both. You may also consider finding a means to improve the cooling of the current brakes.
The BRZ is certainly not a pushover, but it excels at consistency. The Subaru is without a doubt the more dependable lap-time companion of the two thanks to its more planted rear end. Although it will outperform the BRZ if you’re prepared to put a little more effort into your driving, you’ll be having too much fun in the Toyota to care much about lap times. This is because even beginners may readily approach and cross over the grip threshold at sub-felony speeds because the GR86’s butt slides about a lot more, but its movement is telegraphed to the driver’s southern cheeks. With other words, if you overcook something in the Toyota, it’s simple to rein it back in.
Recovery in the Subaru requires a little more concentration; even if its tail clings on for a longer period of time, it releases less gently. Consider it like this: The ultimate rear-end grip of the BRZ is similar to that of the GR86, but there is a smaller window between possessing that grip and losing it. The BRZ can drift, but getting there and maintaining that edge requires more accurate steering and throttle inputs from more seasoned drivers. By the way, the center console of both automobiles has a setting for stability control that alternates between on and off.
What distinguishes the BRZ from the 86?
The front bumper is the only real outward distinction between these two vehicles. The 86 has a more open-mouthed appearance while the BRZ has a more slanted front bumper with a noticeable black plastic bar across the front opening.
What exactly does BRZ mean?
The BRZ is the moniker Subaru gave to its future rear-drive sports car.
The company has declared that manufacturing would begin in the spring of 2012 and that it stands for “Boxer engine, Rear-wheel drive, and Zenit.” Of course, Toyota helped design the vehicle, and Toyota will market it under the Scion brand in this country. Subaru will introduce a new technology.
Does BRZ cost less than 86?
The base GR86 was $265 less expensive than the BRZ when the two 2022 versions were put side by side. The range-topping models with an automatic transmission were $465 more expensive on average for the GR86.
Does Subaru make the Toyota 86?
Subaru’s Gunma assembly factory is where the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, two 2+2 sports cars jointly developed by Subaru and Toyota, are built.
[1]
The 2+2 fastbackcoup is distinguished by its naturally aspirated boxer engine, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration, 53/47 front/rear weight balance, and low center of gravity. It is also noted for taking design cues from Toyota’s earlier AE86, a small, light, front-engine/rear-drive Corolla variant that was well-liked for Showroom Stock, Group A, Group N, Rally, Club, and drift racing.
Toyota marketed the sports car as the 86 for the first-generation model in Asia, Australia, North America (as of August 2016), South Africa, and South America;[2] as the Toyota GT86 in Europe; as the 86 and GT86 in New Zealand; as the Toyota FT86 in Brunei, Nicaragua, and Jamaica; and as the Scion FR-S (2012–2016) in the United States and Canada.
[3]
[4]
Toyota markets the second-generation vehicle as the GR86 as a member of the Gazoo Racing clan.
[5]
The Toyota 86 is swift.
The Toyota 86 coupe for 2020 is swift. Off the assembly line, it can reach a top speed of 140 mph. When fitted with the six-speed manual transmission, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, which is quicker than the Honda Civic Coupe and on par with the Subaru BRZ. The 2.0L flat-four engine beneath the hood is to blame for this. It produces 151 lb-ft of torque and 200 horsepower. Additionally, the flat-four engine helps the 86 achieve exceptional fuel efficiency. The EPA’s official estimates are 24/32/27 mpg. The limited-slip differential for the 86 is a noteworthy standard feature.
Performance Package
The Toyota 86’s primary goal is to deliver an enjoyable driving experience. The Toyota 86 TRD Handling package, which attempts to turn an already incredibly well-handling coupe into something that was born for a racetrack and twisting roads, will be appreciated by those who cherish a fun-to-drive vehicle. Aside from performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires for unmatched traction and road feel, the TRD Handling package also includes sport-tuned Sachs performance shocks for precise balance and handling, performance Brembo brakes for responsive, confident control, and performance Brembo brakes.
Standard Features
The 86 performs equally well on the track and as an everyday car. A 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, and other communication capabilities are included as standard. LED headlights, sports seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a rearview camera are further standard amenities.
Is Toyota the owner of Subaru?
The largest single shareholder and owner of 20% of the business is Toyota. As part of this agreement, Subaru has access to steel and other raw materials produced by the Toyota supplier network.
Subaru produces fewer vehicles than other of the major players because it only has two manufacturing facilities, compared to Toyota’s several facilities around the globe. Both the original plant and the second plant are in Lafayette, Indiana. The first facility is in Gunma, Japan.
In 2017, Subaru underwent a $400 million expansion of the factory after announcing plans to do so. When the Indiana factory manufactured its four millionth vehicle in 2019, it marked a significant accomplishment.
The headquarters of Subaru North American production is Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA), a division of Subaru Corporation. In addition to the $400 million expansion indicated above, SIA invested $140.2 million in new machinery and equipment and made upgrades to boost its production capacity by roughly 100,000 units yearly to meet the rising demand for Subaru automobiles in North America.
Why do the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ look the same?
First off, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are nearly identical vehicles since they were jointly produced by the two Japanese automakers after Toyota acquired a 10% interest in Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru.
Toyota wished to make use of the boxer engine and fundamental platform architecture of the previous-generation Impreza. Following the loss of vehicles like the Toyota Celica and Toyota Supra, the company spent a decade in a slump. The components were seen as crucial to reestablishing its sports car credentials.
As a result, the 86 and BRZ have the same mechanical design and are powered by the same 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, which, when paired with the standard six-speed manual transmission, generates 152kW at 7000 rpm and 212Nm between 6400 and 800 rpm.
The ease of a self-shifting transmission and improved fuel efficiency (7.1L/100km as opposed to 8.4L/100km) are available with the optional six-speed automatic, although the outputs are slightly lower at 147kW and 205Nm.
Both the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ feature basic two-door body designs, yet they differ slightly in little ways thanks to their stylistic cues. These include unique front bumper bars, various LED headlight and taillight designs, and unique alloy wheel designs for each automobile.
Are Toyota 86s trustworthy?
In four of the five crash tests, the 2020 Toyota 86 received the highest score of Good from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The driver-side small overlap front crash test gave the 86 the second-highest score, Acceptable.
Which is superior, a BRZ or a FR-S?
It is true that there are certain mechanical distinctions between the Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ. For instance, the BRZ handles bumps more smoothly than the FRS because its suspension is softer. The FRS, on the other hand, has a firmer suspension, making road imperfections more noticeable. Both vehicles’ chassis share a similar design and are produced at the same plant.
At least the interiors are undoubtedly different, you could be thinking. Sort of. The interiors appear to be identical since they have the same steering wheels and a comparable dashboard and center console design. Although the materials used on the dashboard and center console can differ in color options, the size of the climate control knobs, and the way the radio operates, they are otherwise relatively similar.
The Subaru BRZ and Scion FRS are essentially two distinct trim levels of the same vehicle. It is actually difficult to distinguish between the two since there are so few distinctions between them and those that do exist are so negligible.
How quickly can a Subaru BRZ travel?
Response given by. The 2022 Subaru BRZ can reach a top speed of 140 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. Subaru only offers one rear-wheel-drive vehicle and one sports car coupe, the BRZ.
Is the Subaru BRZ a trustworthy vehicle?
With a 3.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, the Subaru BRZ is ranked 20th out of 21 subcompact automobiles. It has moderate ownership expenses since the average cost of annual repairs is $672. Repairs happen on regular basis, but when they occur, they tend to be more serious than with other models.
What does the FR-S in automobile stand for?
Scion, Toyota’s youth-focused brand, has a brand-new sports vehicle called the FR-S that is entertaining and grips the road like it’s Velcroed to it. Additionally, it’s not too expensive.
Plus, with its bold fenders, slim profile, and forceful front end, it has one of the best looks of any Scion to date.
What does FR-S mean then? Officially, it denotes a front engine, rear-wheel drive vehicle that is sporty. However, it has also been described as For Retired Seniors and Fun but Really Slow by creative critics.
The rear-wheel-drive FR-S, which Toyota and Subaru jointly developed, is not a fast. It’s not for individuals who fantasize about having a lot of horsepower and torque to easily outrun the Mustang standing next to you at a stoplight.
Is the Toyota GR86 pricey?
How Good Is the Toyota GR86? The updated 2022 Toyota GR86 is a terrific sports car and a significant advancement over the outgoing model. The GR86 is impressive thanks to its smooth six-speed manual transmission, responsive steering, and high-revving boxer engine.