Did Toyota stop making the GT86?
Yes. Toyota ceased GT86 production after the 2020 model year, and its successor, the GR86, began arriving in showrooms in 2021–2022 in most markets.
The GT86 was born from a collaboration with Subaru as a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. Toyota transitioned to the GR86 to deliver a more modern, higher-performing successor that meets current safety and emissions standards while appealing to enthusiasts with upgraded power and technology.
A brief history of the GT86
The GT86 debuted in 2012 as Toyota’s entry-level, driver-focused sports car. Built in partnership with Subaru, it paired a 2.0-liter flat-four engine with a lightweight chassis and a manual transmission option, emphasizing balance and handling over raw horsepower. The model earned a loyal following among enthusiasts for its pure, rear-drive fun, even as global sales remained modest compared with more mainstream platforms.
Key milestones in the GT86 lifecycle
Below are notable points in the GT86 timeline and its transition to the GR86:
- 2012: GT86 launches globally, establishing Toyota's entry into a modern, affordable sports coupe segment.
- 2017: Mid-cycle updates bring styling tweaks and updated tech to keep the car competitive.
- 2020: Toyota winds down GT86 production in most regions as it shifts focus to the GR86.
- 2022: The GR86 launches as the official successor, featuring a larger engine, revised chassis, and updated technology.
The GT86 remains a notable chapter in Toyota's sports-car history, remembered for its light weight, balanced handling, and driver-first ethos. Its end marked a deliberate pivot toward a more modern, higher-performance successor in the GR86 lineup.
The transition: from GT86 to GR86
The GR86 serves as the automotive evolution the GT86 began. Developed in collaboration with Subaru, the GR86 inherits the pairing of a boxer-engine philosophy with rear-wheel drive, but upgrades the engine to a 2.4-liter displacement, increases output, and integrates more contemporary safety and infotainment features. The transition aligns with Toyota’s broader GR performance series and mirrors similar updates in related models across the brand.
Major milestones in the GR86 rollout include:
- Engine and performance: 2.4-liter flat-four with improved power and torque over the GT86
- Platform and chassis: refined suspension and handling characteristics for sharper road behavior
- Technology: updated infotainment, driver-assistance features, and connectivity
- Availability: introduced in 2021–2022 model years in most markets, continuing production in subsequent years
Today, the GR86 is Toyota’s current entry in this segment, while Subaru offers the BRZ as a closely related alternative within the same joint family of sports cars.
GR86 today vs. GT86 legacy
In contemporary showrooms, you will no longer find new GT86s; the model has been replaced by the GR86. For buyers seeking a Toyota-branded sporty coupe now, the GR86 provides the modern iteration of the original concept. Enthusiasts who favor the GT86’s character may still locate used examples or last-year stock in some markets, but new production is no longer occurring under the GT86 name.
Summary
In summary, Toyota stopped manufacturing the GT86 after the 2020 model year, transitioning to the GR86 as the next-generation, higher-performance successor. The GR86, developed with Subaru, carries forward the same spirit of lightweight, driver-focused fun but with upgraded power, tech, and safety. The legacy of the GT86 persists in the GR86 and in the fond memories of enthusiasts who appreciated its nimble, no-frills driving experience.
