Used Toyota GR86 for sale: everything you need to know

Toyota took a risk when it created the original GT86, alongside the Subaru BRZ. Affordable sports cars have been slowly dying off in the 21st century yet the two Japanese brands created one from scratch and priced it at a level well within reach of the average hot hatchback buyer.

It’s even more remarkable then that both brands chose to follow it up with a second generation, the Toyota GR86 and, while it’s not available in the UK, another Subaru BRZ. ‘GR’ in the Toyota’s name stands for the maker’s performance brand, Gazoo Racing, and the model launched in 2021 is effectively a heavy revision of its predecessor, the main change being a more powerful 2.4-litre engine.

Competition on the new car market is slim - it pretty much boils down to the Mazda MX-5. But with used GR86 prices still holding firm, the same money can get you plenty of used metal, including other sports cars like the Porsche Cayman, the Ford Mustang, or even Toyota’s own GR Supra.

Should you buy a Toyota GR86?

The Toyota GR86 is one of the best sports cars on sale right now. And as we write this, new examples are back on sale after a brief hiatus, though we’re not sure how long that may last.

There were only ever a few real criticisms of the old Toyota GT86 and its Subaru BRZ cousin. Its engine always felt a little weedy, its standard-fit tyres lacked grip - deliberately from Toyota’s perspective to help the car move around and feel engaging - and the interior felt a little low-rent, though it was always built well.

Toyota fixed at least two of those problems with the GR86. The cabin still won’t wow anyone more used to say, German brands, but the 2.4-litre engine that replaced the 2-litre unit has much more power and torque, and better tyres mean it now feels less wayward, without losing any driver interaction.

It’s an absolute hoot to drive as a result, now feeling genuinely quick and not struggling when the terrain gets hilly, and the tyres give you more confidence, especially in damp weather - though the extra torque of the engine means you still need to be careful with your right foot, as the GR86 is set up to steer from the rear as much as the front.

And for enthusiasts, the cabin design will hardly matter - it’s still built well, the simple layout is far more intuitive than most cars, and the driving position is about as perfect as you’ll find, low-slung and dead straight, with the wheel, pedals and gearshift all perfectly sited.

It’s more practical and spacious than its closest modern competitor, the Mazda MX-5. Which car is best falls down mainly to personal preference, but only the MX-5 allows you to drop the roof, if that’s a factor. Otherwise, with the Audi TT now gone (though plentiful on the used market), the BMW 2-series coupe is closest in spirit.

Used GR86 prices are holding very firm though, which means the biggest competitor for a used ‘86 is probably a brand new one. That, or accepting something a few years older and looking at more prestigious sports cars like the Porsche Cayman, the V8-powered Ford Mustang, or even earlier examples of the Toyota GR Supra.

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What’s the best used Toyota GR86 model to buy?

This is very much a case of picking a colour you like and making sure the car you’re looking at has been looked after by its previous owners. With a single engine and a single trim line there’s little here to recommend, but comprehensive prior maintenance really is important in a car like the GR86, and the model is so new it should really have a full dealership service history at this point so don’t accept any oversight. The only real choice is between manual and automatic, and unless you aren’t able to drive a manual, it’s the one we’d pick every time.

Used Toyota GR86 fuel economy and performance

• Toyota GR86 2.4 D-4S manual: Like its predecessor, the GR86 comes with only one engine. This time it’s a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated ‘boxer’ four-cylinder, making 234PS and taking 6.3 seconds to get from 0-62mph. Combined economy is 31.3mpg.
• Toyota GR86 2.4 D-4S auto: With a six-speed automatic gearbox the GR86’s power output remains the same, but performance takes a tumble to 6.9 seconds over the 0-62mph. Economy is actually marginally better, at 32.1mpg.

What used Toyota GR86 trim levels are available?

As Toyota is only importing a limited number of GR86s to the UK it’s possibly not surprising that it hasn’t really dabbled in trim levels or special editions, as it has in some other markets. As such there’s just one specification available with a handful of different colours on the side.

• The Toyota GR86 features a digital instrument display, a touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, fabric and leather-trimmed sports seats, 18-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, climate control, and a couple of driving modes.

Used Toyota GR86 dimensions and boot size

The Toyota GR86’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4265mm
• Width: 1775mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1310mm

The Toyota GR86’s boot size is:

• 226 litres

Used Toyota GR86 road tax

Once the GR86 has been taxed at its first year rate based on CO2 emissions, you’ll subsequently pay a flat fee for VED each year, which currently stands at £180.

How much is it to insure a Toyota GR86?

For the handful of buyers that seek out an automatic transmission in their GR86, they can expect slightly lower insurance than with the manual - the auto sits in group 39 while the manual is group 45 out of 50. Perhaps insurance companies know the manual is likely to be driven harder than those with the automatic…

Read our full Toyota GR86 review