Is 86 faster than BRZ?
No. In the current generation, the Toyota GR86 (widely known as the 86) and the Subaru BRZ are essentially tied for speed, thanks to nearly identical powertrains and curb weights. Both cars now use a 2.4-liter flat-four producing 228 horsepower, with performance figures that overlap closely across recent model years.
To understand why this question stays close, it helps to look at how the two cars evolved, what changes came with the newer engine, and how real-world testing tends to come out. Below is a detailed lineup of the key specs and practical performance, followed by considerations that can tilt the result in casual or track-style driving.
Under the Hood: Power and Engineering
Presented here is a side-by-side snapshot of core specifications for the two cars through their recent generations. It highlights how the powertrain and related factors influence speed on paper and in practice.
What follows is a quick snapshot of the core specifications across current generation models and the immediate predecessor generation.
- Engine and power:
- Current generation (2022–present): 2.4-liter horizontally opposed (boxer) four-cylinder, 228 hp, about 184 lb-ft torque, shared by GR86 and BRZ.
- Earlier generation (2012–2020): 2.0-liter flat-four, about 205 hp, around 156 lb-ft, used by both the 86 and BRZ variants.
- Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) in both models.
- Transmission options: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic on both GR86 and BRZ across recent years; manual provides the most engagement.
- Curb weight: Roughly in the mid-2,800s to low-2,900s pounds, depending on trim and equipment.
- Drivability and handling: Both cars focus on a balanced, low-center-of-gravity chassis with comparable suspension geometry and tire contact patches; tuning differences are minor and often imperceptible to casual drivers.
These core similarities mean that, in straight-line speed, there isn’t a clear, consistent winner. Any minor edge tends to come down to specific model year, trim, and the choice of manual vs. automatic transmission.
In practice, most testers find the two are extraordinarily close in 0–60 mph times and quarter-mile results when you compare equivalently equipped cars from the same year. The 2.4-liter swap in 2022 brought a notable jump in midrange torque and top-end pull, bringing both cars onto a more level playing field with similar performance envelopes.
On the Road: Acceleration and Handling
Real-world acceleration is influenced by more than peak horsepower. Weight distribution, gearing, tire grip, and driver input all matter. Both the GR86 and BRZ are designed to emphasize driver engagement over outright brute speed, which often makes the difference in everyday driving more about feel than raw numbers.
Transmission choices
Manual transmissions tend to slow 0–60 slightly relative to automatics in many modern subcompact sports cars, though the difference is small with the GR86/BRZ twins. The automatic versions typically post quicker shifts and can feel a touch more effortless in stop-and-go traffic or and when favoring smooth launches. In controlled testing, the gap between manual and automatic is usually within tenths of a second for these cars, depending on driver skill and launch technique.
Across the board, the GR86 and BRZ share similar handling characteristics: balanced weight distribution, precise steering, and a chassis tuned for predictable, communicative feedback. The biggest practical differences often come from tires, exhaust tone, and subtle suspension tweaks tied to trim levels or model years rather than a fundamental speed advantage.
For shoppers weighing speed as a criterion, the most reliable approach is to compare the exact two cars (same year, same trim) side by side. That’s because a difference of a few tenths of a second can flip depending on the specific configuration and the environment in which you drive.
In short, both cars are built to thrill with responsive handling and strong midrange pull rather than straight-line domination. The speed gap, if any, is narrow and often academic for most street driving scenarios.
Real-World Numbers: What Tests Show
When journalists and enthusiasts run the numbers, the results converge on a narrow band. Expect roughly similar 0–60 times and quarter-mile results for closely matched GR86 and BRZ models, with small variations based on year, transmission, and tire choice. The newer 2.4-liter versions deliver robust performance that makes both cars feel quick in everyday use, yet neither is a drag-race king in its class.
It’s also worth noting that the two cars diverge most clearly in model year history. The pre-2022 2.0-liter variants are still lively and well balanced, but they do not quite match the 2.4-liter versions in terms of top-end feel and midrange surge. If speed is the deciding factor, a 2022+ BRZ or GR86 with the 2.4L engine is the baseline to compare.
Edge cases—such as track conditions, tire choice, and aerodynamic tweaks—can produce tiny differences in performance. Drivers who attend track days or who swap tires may experience results that are slightly different between the two cars, but the overall verdict remains: they are extremely close in speed.
The Verdict for Buyers
For most buyers, the question isn’t “which is faster?” but “which one do I prefer to drive?” The speed gap between the current GR86 and BRZ is negligible in daily driving and even on most tracks. The decision tends to come down to personal preference for styling, interior feel, and dealership experience rather than a clear cut speed advantage.
Summary
The 86 and BRZ are effectively neck-and-neck when it comes to speed in their modern forms. With the 2.4-liter, 228-horsepower setup common to recent years, both cars offer similar straight-line performance, handling, and overall driving experience. The few tenths of a second difference that may appear in official tests are dwarfed by driver skill, tire choice, and road conditions. For speed-minded buyers, test-driving both in the same week and on the same tires is the best way to determine which one feels faster to them.
