What is the same car as Toyota 86?
The Toyota 86 is the same basic car as Subaru’s BRZ, with the current generation also sold as the Toyota GR86. In the United States it was previously known as the Scion FR-S, and in some markets it carried the GT86 badge.
Twin badges through generations
When two brands collaborated to create a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe, the same core vehicle appeared under several different names across markets and generations. The list below highlights the primary badge variants you’ll encounter.
- Scion FR-S (United States, early 2010s): the US-market first-gen twin to the BRZ.
- Toyota GT86 / 86 (Global, first generation): the worldwide branding for the initial model.
- Subaru BRZ (Global, first generation): the sibling model sharing the same chassis and drivetrain.
- Toyota GR86 (Global, second generation; 2021–present): the current Toyota-branded version developed with Subaru.
- Subaru BRZ (Global, second generation; 2022–present): the current BRZ sold alongside the GR86, with minor market-specific differences.
In short, these badges reflect the same underlying sports coupe philosophy: a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive two-door with shared engineering between Toyota and Subaru, just marketed under different names by region and generation.
Current generation: GR86 and BRZ
The latest generation is a joint Toyota–Subaru effort. Both the GR86 and BRZ use a 2.4-liter flat-four engine and deliver similar performance, with the main distinction being branding and trim options rather than core engineering.
- Engine and power: 2.4-liter FA24 flat-four, producing about 228 horsepower and roughly 184 lb-ft of torque.
- Layout and handling: rear-wheel drive with near-identical chassis tuning for a balanced, sporty feel.
- Transmissions: available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, depending on market.
- Platform and pairing: shared development between Toyota and Subaru, keeping maintenance of the twin concept consistent across brands.
- Performance feel: 0–60 mph generally in the vicinity of about 6 seconds, varying slightly by configuration and equipment.
These differences are largely cosmetic or package-based rather than fundamental—the GR86 and BRZ remain two faces of the same car family.
What this means for buyers
When shopping, remember that the badge mainly flags branding and trim differences. A 2022 GR86 is essentially the same car as a 2022 BRZ in terms of performance and engineering, with potential variations in color options, interior materials, and available packages depending on the market. If you care about throughput and driving experience, choose based on which brand and which trim suits your preference, rather than assuming one is a distinctly different model.
Summary
The Toyota 86’s closest counterpart is Subaru’s BRZ, and the current generation is marketed as the Toyota GR86 in most regions. Historically, the same car wore the Scion FR-S badge in the US and the GT86 badge in other markets. Across generations, the cars share the same chassis, drivetrain, and driving experience, with branding and trim variations the primary differences.
