2017 Toyota 86

There aren’t too many cars on the road with a simpler trim level and feature content structure than the Toyota 86- Autotrader

The Toyota 86 comes in just two trims. The Base trim is priced at $26,255 while the 860 Special Edition has a sale price of $29,155. These prices exclude the $865 destination charge. Both trims are available with a manual and automatic transmission whereas RWD configuration is standard.  There aren't any optional packages available to upgrade its features.

Unlike its rivals, the 86 doesn't come with many standard features as it is focused on performance rather than a luxury. So, don't expect features like power front seats, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, etc. But, the 860 Special Edition trim adds some decent comfort and convenience features to the list for a sports coupe. Also, there are some accessories available for the 86. 

We Recommend

We recommend the 860 Special Edition model as it adds more comfort and convenience features to the list such as leather upholstery, push-button start, a rear spoiler, dual-zone automatic control, keyless entry, racing stripes, and heated front seats. 

Power is best tapped into at high rpms, which means everyday fuel economy is pretty good- The Car Connection

The Toyota 86 isn't that good when it comes to fuel economy. According to the EPA, the 86 returns 21 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on a highway, and 24 MPG combined with a manual transmission. But, if you opt for the automatic transmission, the fuel ratings increase to 24 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on a highway, and 27 MPG combined. 

Every model of the 86 comes equipped with a 13.2-gallon fuel tank, which is probably the smallest in its class. The coupe delivers a combined range of 323 miles with a manual transmission and 369 miles with an automatic transmission. Had the fuel tank been larger then the car would have delivered more range to keep up with its rivals. 

Looking at the figures on the table, the Honda Civic Si is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in this competition. Therefore, you will make few stops at the gas station with this vehicle. The Subaru BRZ, being the sister car of the 86, has similar fuel estimates and driving range. The Chevrolet Camaro is a poor efficiency but its large tank delivers the best range here. 

Most of the Toyota 86's interior is simple, clean and logically laid out, save for a giant wart in the middle of the dash- Jalopnik

2017 Toyota 86 Seating and Comfort

Once you jump inside the Toyota 86's cabin, you will see that the interior feels very cheap and there are a few less-than-stellar updates. It has a seating capacity of four while both cloth and leather upholstery are available. The front seats are snug and hold you in place without being uncomfortable. The seats are heated on the 860 Special Edition model and have a white stitching detail that looks really nice. The seating position of the driver's seat is ergonomic.

It's easy to reach the steering wheel, pedals, shifter, and infotainment screen. The steering wheel is slightly smaller in size and it feels great. Space is actually fine for the driver and passenger and because there's no sunroof, headroom is pretty good. The rear seats are best left for backpacks or small children. Carrying adults at the back would be miserable as headroom is abysmal while the legroom is almost zero with the driver's seat adjusted so the driver can actually drive. 

Only the Honda Civic Si has a seating capacity of 5 and it can actually seat average-sized adults in the rear row. The Chevrolet Camaro offers less headroom in the rear row as the sloping roofline cuts the headroom. The interior dimensions of the Subaru BRZ are identical to the 86 as it is its twin sister. 

2017 Toyota 86 Infotainment System

The Toyota 86 is a car back to basics, distraction-free driving purity. So, there's not a lot of extra stuff. It now gets a 7-inch touchscreen display which looked kind of tacked on. But, it is almost an inch bigger than what you find in the BRZ. The touchscreen display and the interface are really pretty crummy and the audio quality is flat and tinny. There is also a dedicated voice command system too. You can get a navigation system but it costs an extra $900 to buy the map card. 

An 8-speaker sound system is standard in the 86. The gauges have a sporty look to them. One notable difference here between the 86 and the BRZ is that you can get a 4.2-inch driver's display in the BRZ while the 86 does not. The good news is that it is a standard double din format radio so it'd be really easy to swap it in for an aftermarket unit. But, that's not a step everyone wants to perform on their brand new car. There are several knobs below the screen for changing the climate settings.

2017 Toyota 86 Interior Features

Some noticeable cabin highlights of the Toyota 86 are mentioned below:

• Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel
• Manually-adjustable front seats
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Push-button start
• Keyless entry
• 7-inch touchscreen display
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 8-speaker stereo system

2017 Toyota 86 Cargo Capacity

The Toyota 86 is a sports car and unsurprisingly, the trunk is tiny. It offers a cargo capacity of 6.9 cu-ft., which is less than its rivals. The good news is you can fold the rear seats for more space. In fact, the design spec of this car called for it to be able to fit four wheels and tires and a jack with the back seats folded down.

The idea being that you could that all that stuff with you to a track day. Storage in the cabin isn't much better than the trunk. The glovebox is really small and the storage in the center console where the cupholders are isn't great. If you don't have any passengers, your best bet is to probably use the rear seats as a storage shelf. 

The Honda Civic Si offers the most cargo space in this competition thanks to its lengthy proportions. The Chevrolet Camaro also offers slightly more cargo space than the 86 while the Subaru BRZ offers the same cargo space as the 86. Therefore, if cargo space is your priority, then you must look at the Civic Si. 

Don't think of the Toyota 86 as "small." Instead, it's exactly as big as it needs to be- Kelley Blue Book

2017 Toyota 86 Dimensions and Weight

The styling changes aren't all that dramatic since this is just really a refresh. Upfront, the grille has been revised to be a bit wider horizontally and a bit more narrow vertical. The inside is a black mesh and the bottom part makes a squiggly shape. The headlight is all-new for 2017. They are now fully LED with LED DRLs and turn signals whereas fog lamps are an available accessory. The 86 has a ground clearance of 4.9 inches. So you don't need to worry about its underbelly being scratched. 

The 86 come standard with 17-inch alloy wheels but TRD (short for Toyota Racing Development) offers a couple of other aftermarket choices. The 860 Special Edition model adds racing stripes and a rear spoiler for a killer sports car look. Coming around the back, you'll see a few more minor changes. The big change is the taillights which are now fully LED like the headlights. On the lower fascia, you get dual chrome exhausts while TRD exhaust is available. 

The Chevrolet Camaro has a wide wheelbase that contributes to a roomy interior room. Being a sister car of the 86, the Subaru BRZ's exterior dimensions are identical except for its curb weight, which is slightly more. On the other hand, the Honda Civic Si has an overall length of 11 inches more than the 86. That extra length caters for more trunk volume. 

2017 Toyota 86 Exterior Features

Some other cool exterior features of the Toyota 86 are:

• LED headlights, taillights & DRLs
• LED fog lamps
• Heated black exterior mirrors
• Black grille
• Rear spoiler wing
• Racing stripes
• Black window trim
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Dual exhaust chrome tips

Along with standard ABS, the stability control has been retuned to allow a bit more traction loss before intervening- Edmunds

NHTSA rated the Toyota 86 only for the frontal crash and rollover tests. For both the crash tests, it received four stars. Even IIHS gave 'Good' ratings in most of the crash tests. But, it also received an 'Acceptable rating for the driver's side crash test and a 'Marginal' rating for LATCH ease of use. Therefore, it can be stated that the 86 is a safe vehicle. 

The Toyota 86 lacks all the modern advanced safety features which are available in today's car market. Only a rearview camera is offered as a standard safety feature in the Toyota 86. Also, a suite of 6 airbags is included in every 86 model for the passenger's safety. These include dual front, front side, and side curtain airbags. 

2017 Toyota 86 vs 2017 Subaru BRZ 

The Subaru BRZ is basically the sister of the Toyota 86. Both these cars were jointly developed between Subaru and Toyota. Although there are many similarities between these cars, they are not identical. Starting things off with the price, the BRZ is slightly cheaper than the 86. Also, there are new exterior features on the 86 that set it apart. On the inside, both cars have equal interior dimensions but the touchscreen in the BRZ is smaller almost by an inch. 

2017 Toyota 86 vs 2017 Chevrolet Camaro

The engine in the Chevrolet Camaro makes 70 horses more than the 86 and hence, has the best performance stats. Owing to its powerful engine, its fuel economy hits very hard. The Camaro leads when it comes to standard tech features. Just like the 86, its rear row is not suitable for adults but its trunk volume is slightly better. In terms of safety, the Camaro earned good ratings from both agencies and also packs more safety features than the 86.

2017 Toyota 86 vs 2017 Honda Civic Si Coupe

The Honda Civic Si is a cheaper alternative to the 86 as its power and performance are almost the same. However, the driving dynamics of the Civic Si are much better. What's more impressive is its outstanding fuel economy. Unline the 86, the Civic Si offers more rear-seat space while its cargo space is the best in this competition. The86 is also no match to the Civic's safety ratings and features and therefore, a safe alternative. 

The Toyota 86 nails the concept of fun-to-drive cars without breaking the budget. It's tough to hate the 86 because it's such as affordable lightweight RWD sports car. it is an absolute joy on the road. It's a sports coupe with nimble handling, a high-revving engine, and aggressive styling, a great deal for car enthusiasts. But, if you are the sort of person who finds more joy in pure power and speed, then this isn't going to be the car for you.