Whether on the road or on the screen, the budget-friendly Toyota GR86 delivers high octane amounts of fun in a sexy sportscar package.
Want to have a video game come to life? Driving the Toyota GR86 does just that.
The Toyota GR86 brings video game racing to real life. I’ve driven this sports car while playing Gran Turismo with my son, and it was even more exciting to drive in real life.
Named for its rich history of racing, the GR in the GR86 stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport division. This division engineers the technologies for the GR-designated vehicles in the lineup.
The carmaker’s rich history with race competitions goes back a number of decades, and it’s pretty clear that their passion for motorsports carries over in this car’s vibe.
I may not be able to keep it on the road in the video game, but when I was behind the wheel, it drove like a dream. Maybe all those hours getting beaten by a 12-year-old are finally paying off.
Related: Toyota GR86: A Most Impressive Manual
Favorite Things about the Toyota GR86
After immersing myself in a week’s worth of driving, these are the most noteworthy elements I discovered about the Toyota GR86.
Affordability
A sports car starting at $32,000 is hard to beat. This coupe provides a thrilling drive without the hefty price tag. Even those wishing to add on the additional upgrade options are still under $40,000, making this a great option for the price.
Advanced Safety Features
What I really like about the Toyota GR8 is that it’s not just fun and games. It’s equipped with all the safety features that will help keep me safe on the road.
A much-needed feature that alerted me frequently was the backup warning.
The GR86 sits extremely low to the ground, and when backing up in parking lots, it’s difficult to see other vehicles driving by. The camera angles made it a breeze to see around the cars I was parked next to and alerted me of any approaching cars.
A few other safety features that were helpful were the automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
Quality Sound System
We had the radio blasting through the high-speaker system, and the music was bumpin’ with the 200-watt subwoofer.
It’s a good thing the sound system is so good because the inside of the cabin is loud. When driving at higher speeds on the highway, the road and wind noise make it difficult to hold a conversation.
Standard features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, and the base grade comes with a standard six-speaker audio system. The model I drove had eight speakers and had a powerful sound.
Driver-Centric Interior
Equipped with an 8-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 7-inch digital gauge display. I feel like this is a no-frills sports car with a few upgrades, like heated front seats, that help make the driver a little more comfortable.
The ultrasuede seats are heated and have leather bolsters for a more comfortable ride. And a dual zone A/C helps keep the cabin at the perfect temperature for everyone.
