When you downshift, the Toyota 86’s Dynamic Rev Management automatically rev-matches. Why does that matter? Typically, you would need to rev (increase, alter) the engine speed to correspond with the lower speed of the gear you are downshifting into.
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Has the Toyota 86 manual’s rev matching been tested?
Naturally, we lean toward the six-speed manual transmission, which has also received improvements and fortifications. The shift lever moves smoothly and confidently through the gates. Although the clutch pedal feels a little light, the engagement is perfect. Since the GR86 doesn’t have active rev matching, you have to deal with throttle blips on your own when downshifting. Although heel-and-toeing is relatively challenging due to the pedal design, it is achievable with a few minor foot placement adjustments. The Torsen limited-slip differential is still there in both the automatic and manual but with larger gearing.
Two trim levels of the GR86 will be available: the $28,635 Base and the $31,325 Premium. Both include front and rear LED lighting, a digital instrument cluster that adapts to the drive mode, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that no longer appears like it’s from the dial-up internet age, and a tastefully done, functionally focused interior. The 215/45R-17 Michelin Primacy H/P tires on the Base model are slither-happy. A duckbill spoiler on the decklid, aluminum pedals, heated leather seats with suede inserts, and, most importantly, 18-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 shoes in size 215/40R-18 are all included when upgrading to the Premium. The GR86 navigated the skidpad at 0.98 g when fitted with the summer tires’ superior traction.
Liter Direct and Port Injection SUBARU BOXER Engine
The 2.4-liter direct-injection Subaru BOXER engine powering the 2023 BRZ generates 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The legendary SUBARU BOXER engine has pistons that move side to side, balancing out each other’s vibrations so it can run smoothly over the whole rpm range. It was developed over decades of street and motorsport experience. Additionally, due to the engine’s ability to be positioned lower and farther to the rear, the balance, center of gravity, and dynamic response are all improved.
Track-Tuned Suspension
For incredibly precise and responsive handling, Subaru engineers tweaked the MacPherson struts up front and the multi-link rear suspension. Additionally, the 2023 BRZ has stronger suspension mounting points for enhanced rigidity and a wide rear track for added stability.
Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters
The 2023 BRZ offers a quick-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and downshift rev-matching as an option, allowing you to choose between daily driving comfort and high-performance control without ever taking your hands off the wheel.
Lightweight Chassis for Outstanding Response and Road Feel
The body and chassis of the BRZ are designed for a lightweight rigid driving platform with a low center of gravity. The 2023 BRZ delivers drivers a smooth, direct feel for the road and nearly rapid response to it thanks to its quick 13.5:1 steering ratio.
Iconic Rear-Wheel-Drive Sports Car Layout
With a front engine, rear-wheel drive, and all the contemporary technology established over decades of Subaru motorsport innovation, the 2023 BRZ boasts an iconic sports car configuration. It all comes together to create a calm, nimble sports vehicle designed for serious driving, with nearly ideal weight distribution from front to back and low curb weight.
High-Performance Wheels, Tires, and Brakes
The 2023 BRZ will give you precise control and a sure grip on the road or the track thanks to its 18-inch alloy wheels and optional Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. The braking system on the BRZ is designed to provide excellent stopping power that you can rely on lap after lap.
Speed Manual Transmission
With a traditional short-throw shifter and a true 3-pedal, 6-speed manual transmission with close ratios, the 2023 BRZ offers all the nostalgic fun and precise control.
SUBARU STARLINK Multimedia
The 2023 BRZ comes with STARLINK Multimedia, an 8-inch touchscreen, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android AutoTM integration. It is possible to connect to your favorite apps and content securely and conveniently with wireless Bluetooth pairing and hands-free smartphone control.
Digital Instrument Cluster
The 2023 BRZ has a completely digital, fully-customizable instrument cluster that includes a central tachometer, an integrated G-force meter, adaptive Sport and Track modes, and quick access to performance data.
SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security
Whether you’re in your car, at your computer, or on your smartphone, STARLINK Safety and Security offers a variety of connected services to help keep you and your BRZ secure. If there is an accident, Advanced Automatic Collision Notification will notify the operator, and SOS Emergency Assistance will send you roadside assistance at the touch of a button. Remote motor Start with Climate Control, which can be accessed via your smartphone and keeps your BRZ ready and comfortable at all times. Additionally, STARLINK Concierge services are available for private assistance with chores like navigation, dining reservations, and appointment scheduling.
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
On BRZ models with automatic transmissions, EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is a standard feature that analyzes traffic flow, enhances cruise control, and alerts you when you’re drifting outside of your lane. In emergency scenarios, the automated Pre-Collision Braking system may potentially use all of its braking power to bring you to a complete stop.
Elevating the Driving Experience
Nothing in the BRZ cockpit is intended to obstruct your ability to drive. Sport seating with bolsters keeps you steady and in the right posture for the best control. For confident braking, the brake pedal offers a solid, progressive sensation. Additionally, it has a sport-style drilled design and an aluminum cover like all the other pedals on the BRZ.
Fold-Down Rear Seat
Because it’s packed with useful features like a rear seatback that can fold down when you need the flexibility to tow extra goods, the 2023 BRZ is a sports vehicle you’ll love to drive every day.
Turn Heads Fast
The 2023 BRZ is a contemporary reinterpretation of vintage sports car design with its sleek low-profile body, huge 18-inch alloy wheels, and clean, sculpted lines.
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From the Driver’s Seat
In a sports car, the driver is everything. The GR86 Premium delivers a supportive and comfortable driving environment overall, but the performance driving ergonomics may be better. The interior design is straightforward and clean, yet it has a cheap look and feel due to the abundance of hard plastic and rubberized surfaces.
First, the steering wheel is too far away when the seat is in a comfortable position since it doesn’t telescope far enough for taller persons. It has a good diameter and is lovely and thin, but alas there is not much of an indentation on the rear of the wheel to provide grip in the desired spots for the 9 and 3 hands.
The chairs are well-bolstered, comfy, and manual adjustment is sufficient; nevertheless, there is little or no lumbar support. When driving strongly, the right knee of the driver sits on some hard plastic on the center console, which isn’t particularly comfy.
Both the door card and the center console have comfortable armrests for when you want to relax and just drive.
The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is very clear, nicely organized, and simple to operate. Additionally, it supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Just below the infotainment screen, the HVAC controls have a good layout and are simple to operate.
GR86 Premium Driving Dynamics
The Toyota GR86 is not quick in 2022. Although I wouldn’t even consider it quick, driving aggressively is a lot of fun.
The 2.4L 4-cylinder boxer engine produces 184 pound-feet of torque and 228 horsepower. With the automatic, that equates to a 0-60 mph pace of 6.6 seconds, versus 6.1 seconds for the manual.
With short wait time before the injectors squirt extra fuel into the engine, the thin pedal responds to driver inputs well. Before the revs start to increase, drivers will notice a small dead spot in the power curve, but after it passes roughly 3,500 rpm, the normally aspirated enginethere is no turbo herehas a smooth, linear power band.
Additionally, the brakes are strong for a vehicle at this price point. Although the first bite isn’t as strong as you might want it to be for track and performance driving, the brakes are nevertheless enough to rapidly slow or stop this little, light car.
Even without a lot of power, the GR86 is easy to maneuver and/or spin the tires, especially when in Track Mode and the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is disabled.
The conventional Torsen limited-slip differential improves driving performance. It’s entertaining to use a decent handbrake to start slides, but it’s not really necessary for controlled wheel-spinning enjoyment. With its rear-wheel drive setup and balanced chassis, this car can deliver a ton of excitement at any time.
The suspension also truly pleased me. It somehow manages to keep the car reasonably flat when negotiating curvy roads and absorb significant bumps with ease.
The 2022 GR86 comes standard with dual cat-back exhaust, which looks excellent protruding out the back of the car. The problem is that the exhaust doesn’t exactly inspire. This vehicle is therefore ready for an aftermarket exhaust option.
Other Things You Should Know
With an automatic transmission, the 2022 Toyota GR86 Premium gets 21 city/31 highway (25 combination) mpg, while a manual transmission gets 20/27/22 mpg. For a sporty little car that could easily manage daily tasks like the daily commute, daycare drop-off, supermarket run, etc., the mid-20s is actually pretty decent.
Although the trunk isn’t very large, the opening is wide and it has enough space to hold a lot of groceries, a few luggage, or some adventure gear for two people.
While I adore the body-color painted ducktail that comes with the GR86 Premium, the intense brightness it cast in my rearview mirror wasn’t something I enjoyed. If you are a different height from me or choose a different color, this might not be a problem.
However, despite the fact that it reflected everything around it, usually appeared dirty, and was difficult to make attractive in photographs (must look nice for the gram! ), I still enjoyed the Magnetite Gray Metallic on my test car.
Although there is little to no legroom or headroom for adults in the back seats, they are ideal for children and/or additional cargo. The fact that a large, infant, rear-facing car seat fit in the backseat without any trouble amazed me; in previous sports cars, I’ve attempted and failed to do so.
Be aware that when a rear-facing car seat is installed, there is very limited room for the front passenger’s legs. Nevertheless, an adult could certainly fit in there.
The bottom cushion of the driver’s seat can be adjusted for height and angle, but the passenger seat doesn’t have those features.
The steering wheel’s buttons, which read up, up, down, down, A, B, A, B, feel like they are made of cheap plastic and resemble an old Xbox controller.
Each 2022 GR86 also includes a complimentary High-Performance Driving Experience and a one-year membership to the National Autosport Association (NASA, not the space agency) (HDPE).
Both the setup and the track experiences are intended to put you on the road to racing and performance driving. Toyota claims that this automobile is built for the track by including this in your car purchase.
Entry-Level Sports Car Competitors
Today’s market still has a small number of sub-$35k “sports vehicles, but the list is not very large. The Subaru BRZ is essentially the same vehicle as the GR86 and costs about the same.
The Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger are a few rear-wheel-drive muscle vehicles offered by America’s Big 3 automakers, although none of them are particularly lightweight or powerful for the money. Then there are the front-wheel-drive hatchbacks like the Hyundai Veloster and Volkswagen GTI.
And let’s not forget the Mazda Miata, which is always a solid option when deciding which sports vehicle to buy. The problems I have with the Miata aren’t that they aren’t practical for tall individuals like myself, but rather that most track use necessitates a roll cage, and you really can’t mount a roof rack to carry your toys.
Pricing
For $27,700, you can enter a base 2022 GR86. The starting price for a GR86 Premium is $30,300, and the MSRP of our tester, which was fully optioned, was $32,825.
The 2022 GR86 Premium is a lot of car and a lot of fun for that type of money in today’s new car market.
With some upgrades that you’ll value, I believe the Premium package will be worth the few additional thousand dollars.
The GR86 Premium includes the following:
- 18-inch alloy wheels in matte black
- Pilot Sport 4 Michelin tires
- Sport seats with two stages of heating, leather-trimmed bolsters, and Ultrasuede inserts
- Duckbill rear spoiler with color-keying
- LED headlights that can automatically raise their beams
- LED turn indicators
- Aluminum pedals and footrest
- an enclosed chamber on the center console (plus two additional cup holders and USB charging ports)
Which automobiles include auto rev-matching?
Auto rev matching is a common feature in some vehicles. When a downshift is detected, the car’s ECU immediately blips the throttle to match the rev range. If you lack experience, our approach handles all the labor-intensive aspects of active rev matching without requiring you to learn the heel-and-toe method. Sports vehicles like the Nissan 350Z and its replacement, the 370Z, are a superb illustration. However, due to the speed of the changes, current automatic gearboxes also engage in rev matching, albeit imperceptibly. Even some contemporary muscle cars, like the Ford Mustang Mach 1, now use the technology.