2019 Toyota 86

Three trims are available with the Toyota 86 which include the 86, 86 GT, and 86 TRD Special Edition. The prices of the car start from $26,455 for the base trim while the TRD special edition is priced from $32,420. The TRD Special Edition gets a number of performance upgrades such as an upgraded exhaust system, more capable Brembo brakes, sport suspensions, and performance-oriented dampers alongwith red and black interiors.

What Trim should you buy?

The TRD Special Edition trim is not only one of the best-looking trims in the line-up because of the additional exterior upgrades but also features an improved and better mechanical setup. However, the GT line trim too will be a great choice for anyone on a tighter budget as it comes with almost all the important features and equipment.

The 2019 Toyota 86 is powered by a 2.0-L boxer-4 engine. This engine delivers 205 hp of peak power output while the maximum torque output stands at 156 lb-ft. A slick-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox comes mated to this engine and the power is delivered to the rear wheels. The clutch is light and progressive to operate, making it a great car for urban usage. 

The response to the throttle is impressive and the low-end grunt is impressive, taking 6.2 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint while the quarter mile is covered in 15 seconds flat. The gearbox is slick shifting but the shifting gate is not very well defined. In all, the Toyota 86 is a great vehicle to drive and the low curb weight does help in making it a great car for hardcore performance enthusiasts. 

Although the performance from the 86 is pretty brisk in itself, when compared to the likes of the Nissan 370Z that costs a bit more but offers lightning quick acceleration performance. Toyota’s identical twin the Subaru BRZ offers almost identical performance at a marginally lower price point, while the MX-5 matches the 370Z’s performance and yet is one of the most affordable cars in the segment. 

How well does the 2019 Toyota 86 handle?

The handling and suspension setup of the Toyota 86 is oriented towards offering maximum performance. The car stays planted at higher speeds and while navigating tight turns. The body roll is almost negligible and the low curb weight does help in improving the driving dynamics of the vehicle. The steering is responsive and the feel and feedback of the vehicle are impressive and appreciable. The steering wheel however does weigh up as the speeds go up. 

Braking Performance

The Toyota 86 gets a four-wheel disc setup along and gets 11.6-inch brake rotors at the front while the rear wheels get 11.4-inch brake rotors. The TRD Special edition variant gets advanced performance-oriented Brembo brakes that boast superior braking performance and braking capabilities. The vehicle in addition to this also gets other features like brake assist, ABS, etc to further improve the braking performance. 

While the braking performance of the Toyota 86 is decent with the braking distance of 120 feet, its sibling the Subaru BRZ offers a slightly better braking performance. The Nissan is the pick of the lot in this regard as it has the shortest braking distance in this comparison while the Mazda MX-5 travels a foot more than the Toyota as it has the smallest set of brakes on offer. 

The Toyota 86 is offered as a performance-oriented vehicle and is known for its supreme driving dynamics. The fuel economy figures however are decent and acceptable for such a vehicle. The car gets a claimed city mileage figure of 21 mpg while the highway mileage stands at 28. The combined fuel mileage of the Toyota 86 stands at 24 mpg. The fuel tank capacity of 13.2 gallons translates to frequent gas station visits with the maximum driving range limited to about 350 miles.

Rivals like the Miata MX-5 offer the best fuel mileage figures in the segment but a smaller gas tank means the driving range isn’t that great as well. The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ, having identical powertrains offer practically similar mileage figures. The Nissan 370Z’s V6 obviously sips more fuel but the huge gas tank offers much higher driving range than all other cars here. 

While the exterior sloping roof design of the 2019 Toyota 86 gives it an attractive and strong road presence, it does take a toll on the interior space and practicality. The taller occupants of the vehicle may not appreciate the lack of space inside the cabin. Having said that, the car does get low seating which further makes it difficult to move inside and outside of this car. The side bolstering offered by the front seats is great and the materials feel premium to touch. 

The TRD special edition features sport seats that are multiway adjustable and offer decent comfort. The visibility however is not great and there are a number of blind spots inside the cabin. The switchgear and other buttons are well within the reach of the driver. However, the quality could have been better. The NVH levels however are not too great and the cabin isn’t well insulated.

The space inside the cabin is at par with the segment standard but taller individuals may not be very comfortable inside the cabin. Cars like the Miata MX-5 and the 370Z offer better legroom for taller individuals but do not offer rear seat options. That being said, the rear seats of the 86 and BRZ are practically useless for adults. The Miata offers a very tiny trunk while the other three cars offer a small trunk as well. 

Some of the interior features are mentioned below:

• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Dual-zone auto climate control
• Smart Key System
• 4.2-inch Multi-information display
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Heated two-stage sport front seats
• Height adjustable front seats
• Cruise control 

What’s there to keep you entertained? 

The Toyota 86 gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this system lacks modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, other necessary features like Bluetooth connectivity and iPod connectivity are available with this system. In addition to this, the system also gets USB 2.0 ports, voice recognition, and steering-mounted controls. The audio system offers decent sound output and the user interface too is great, but there isn’t much technology on offer as we have seen in most modern cars. Some of the features of the infotainment system are mentioned below:

• 7-inch touchscreen display
• AM/FM player
• Aha Radio
• Aux audio jack
• USB 2.0 ports
• iPod connectivity
• Voice recognition
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Steering mounted controls

The 2019 Toyota 86 comes with a sporty yet elegant exterior styling. The car features sleek LED headlamps, a small grille on the lower half of the front bumper, and a subtle hood line. The sloping roofline design further enhances the sporty character of this car. The TRD edition on the other hand features a number of additional exterior elements that make it highly attractive. The alloy wheels too have an impressive design and the car gets dual chrome-tipped exhausts at the back, and a rear spoiler as well. 

The design of the Toyota 86 is definitely very impressive and gives it a strong character, the car however is compact for enhanced driving capabilities. The Nissan 370Z is the larger and obviously the heaviest of the lot with the larger V6 under its hood. It has the lowest ride height as well, while the other three have identical ground clearances to offer. The MX-5 Miata is the smallest and lightest of them all. 

​​​​Some of the exterior highlights include the following:

• LED Headlights
• LED Tail lights
• Chrome Tipped Dual Exhaust
• Heated power outside mirrors
• Optional all-season tires
• Colour keyed rear spoiler
• 18 inch split spoke alloy wheels
• Brembo brakes and SACHS performance dampers
• TRD Performance exhaust

The Toyota 86 may not boast all the modern electronic nannies when it comes to safety but does offer a lot of safety features and equipment in addition to a well-built cabin. The car gets electronic stability control along with hill start assist control. Other features like traction control tire pressure monitor system, brake assist, and airbags too are offered as a standard part of the package. The vehicle also received a 5-star safety rating in almost all the tests conducted by NHTSA except for the front crash test in which it scored a four out of five-star rating. Similar results were seen in the test results released by IIHS. 

Some of the standout safety features are:

• Vehicle stability control
• Hill-start assist control (HAC)
• Body strength reinforcement
• Tire pressure monitor system (TPMS)
• Star Safety System
• Traction Control
• Brake Assist
• Six airbags

2019 Toyota 86 vs2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is known for its supreme driving dynamics and proven long-term reliability record. The car offers a capable powertrain and well-built cabin which makes it a great car for everyday usage as well. As compared to the Toyota 86, the Miata does feel slightly underpowered, however, the Miata is arguably the better performer out of the two on public roads.

2019 Toyota 86 vs 2019 Subaru BR-Z

The Subaru BR-Z is seen as the no-nonsense car in the segment and is priced at an affordable price tag. The value for money pricing, impressive fuel economy, and sorted driving dynamics in addition to superior long-term reliability make it a great choice for buyers. Moreover, both cars are practically the same so it depends on which brand you prefer

2019 Toyota 86 vs 2019 Nissan 370Z 

Nissan is known to offer highly capable and fun to drive performance-oriented cars and the 370Z is no different. The car boasts superior driving dynamics and bulletproof reliability for the powertrain along with practical and comfortable interiors. If you desire better power figures and a more track-focused approach, the 370Z is the one for you, however, the Toyota 86 is a better day-to-day option.

Considering everything that has been discussed so far, the 2019 Toyota 86 comes out to be a great choice for those who are looking for a reliable sports car that comes at an affordable price. The car boasts exceptional driving dynamics and the in-cabin experience too is decent. Overall, the Toyota 86 definitely goes neck and neck against the rivals and is highly desirable in its segment. That being said, Subaru is marginally more affordable which may push a few of the probable buyers towards the other brand.