Why do BRZ and 86 look the same?

They look the same because they are essentially the same car born from a Toyota-Subaru joint project, sold as the BRZ by Subaru and as the 86 (including the GR86) by Toyota, with branding and trim differences being the main visual distinctions.

Origins of a co-developed sports coupe

The two compact rear‑wheel‑drive coupes grew out of a long-running collaboration between Toyota and Subaru to create an affordable, lightweight sportscar. Under the project, the cars share a common architecture, powertrain lineage, and a similar silhouette, with each brand applying its own design language and badging.

Shared engineering and platform

Both cars ride on a common front‑engine, rear‑drive platform, and engineers from Toyota and Subaru worked together on the chassis, suspension, and overall packaging. In the latest generation, they also share a near-identical engine family, using a flat-four layout that emphasizes low center of gravity and balanced weight distribution.

Powertrain parity in the current generation

The latest BRZ and GR86 are equipped with a similarly tuned naturally aspirated four‑cylinder boxer engine, delivering comparable output and throttle response. This engine, paired with either a manual or automatic transmission, helps keep the driving experience nearly the same across both models.

Why the exterior resembles a single design language

Despite wearing different badges, the cars share a nearly identical exterior silhouette—two doors, a long hood, a short rear deck, and a compact wheelbase that give them their characteristic sports coupe stance. The proportions and lines were optimized to maximize performance, aerodynamics, and driving enjoyment, which naturally led to a very similar shape.

Before the list below, note that branding choices and market-specific styling cues account for the visible differences, while the underlying sheet metal and dimensions remain highly aligned.

The main factors behind the near-identical look include a common design philosophy, shared dimensions, and the intention to present a cohesive, recognizable sports-car identity for both brands.

In practice, the exterior differences are mostly cosmetic and badge-related, not structural or dimensional.

What differentiates them despite the look

While the cars are mechanically and stylistically aligned, several elements provide each model its own character and brand appeal.

• Branding and badging — Subaru BRZ wears Subaru emblems and a distinct badge placement, while Toyota frames the car with its own GR/86 branding and logo treatments.


• Front-end details — subtle differences in grille shape, bumper treatment, and headlight design reflect each brand’s corporate styling cues.


• Interior touches — seat materials, trim accents, and instrument cluster styling mirror each brand’s interior philosophy, even if the layout is similar.


• Suspension tuning and optional equipment — there are minor differences in suspension calibration and available sport-oriented packages that influence handling feel and steering feedback slightly.


• Trims and availability — both cars share core mechanics, but trim naming, features, and optional equipment vary by market and year, leading to different perceived value and character.

In short, the look is a product of a deliberate engineering partnership aimed at delivering a shared driving experience, with branding and minor styling cues used to preserve each company’s identity.

Branding and naming: what the badges stand for

The naming of the two cars carries historical and branding significance. BRZ stands for Boxer engine, Rear-wheel drive, Zenith, emphasizing the engine configuration and drivetrain. The 86 references Toyota’s homage to the legendary AE86, a cornerstone of Toyota’s performance heritage. When Toyota uses the GR86 branding, it ties the model to the Gazoo Racing performance umbrella, even though the car remains mechanically aligned with its Subaru counterpart.

Summary

The BRZ and Toyota 86 are modern-day twins born from a cross-brand collaboration between Subaru and Toyota. They share a common platform, drivetrain lineage, and overall silhouette, which explains why they look so alike. Branding choices, badge placement, and market-specific options are the main sources of visual and feature differences. The result is two distinct badges on a nearly identical sports car, offering similar driving dynamics with brand-specific touches.

Is a BRZ and a GR86 the same car?

No, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 are not the same, although they are built on the same platform and share many mechanical components. The key differences lie in their distinct tuning philosophies, which result in different driving experiences—the BRZ is more supple and stable, while the GR86 is tuned to be more aggressive and agile. They also have different exterior styling and interior accents.
 
This video explains the differences between the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86: 47sWhen Hann Meets CarsYouTube · May 9, 2025
Key differences

• Driving dynamics: Subaru tunes the BRZ for a more comfortable and compliant ride, while Toyota tunes the GR86 for a slightly more aggressive, track-focused feel. 
• Exterior styling: The cars have different front fascias, headlights, and bumpers. The GR86 often has a more pronounced ducktail spoiler. 
• Interior accents: The GR86 may feature red carpets and a "GR" logo on the start-stop button, while the BRZ has black carpets and a standard start-stop button. 
• Suspension: While the core components are shared, specific tuning differs, with slightly different spring rates, dampers, and sway bar setups. 
• Software and accessories: The GR86 comes with a complimentary one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) and access to a High-Performance Driving Experience. 
• Dealer experience: The availability of trims and the dealer experience itself can be a deciding factor. 

This video compares the Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition and the Subaru BRZ tS: 1mAutoGuide.comYouTube · Aug 30, 2024
Shared similarities

• Engine: Both models use the same 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine, producing 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. 
• Drivetrain: Both come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, with an automatic option available. 
• Chassis: They share the same basic chassis, with the same proportions and a low center of gravity that contributes to excellent handling. 

Why do Toyota Scion and Subaru have the same car?

In 2008, Toyota bought 16.5% of Fuji Heavy Industries, which includes the Subaru automotive brand. Toyota, led by project leader Tetsuya Tada, then invited Subaru to partner in the project, by co-developing the new D-4S boxer engine.

What car is identical to the BRZ?

You can't really buy a BRZ without thinking about the Toyota 86. The two are essentially identical, though a close examination of trim levels may reveal some feature advantages for one or the other for some buyers.

Why do the BRZ and GR86 look the same?

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 are nearly identical because they are a joint project between the two companies, built on the same platform, and assembled in the same factory. This collaboration allows Toyota and Subaru to share development costs and leverage Subaru's boxer engine and Toyota's manufacturing expertise. The main differences between the two are minor cosmetic variations, internal tuning differences in the suspension, and some specific trim options.
 
This video explains the similarities and differences between the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86: 53sWhen Hann Meets CarsYouTube · May 9, 2025
Shared components and development

• Platform and chassis: They share the same platform, chassis, and body structure, which are manufactured on the same assembly line. 
• Engine: Both models feature the same Subaru boxer engine, producing the same horsepower and torque figures. 
• Drivetrain: They share the same rear-wheel-drive setup, a limited-slip differential, and identical rear suspension pickup points and hardware. 
• Cost savings: The joint development allows both manufacturers to reduce development costs and engineering overhead for their sports car. 

Minor differences

• Tuning and feel: While the core suspension hardware is the same, Toyota and Subaru tune the cars differently. The GR86 is often considered more aggressive with a tendency for oversteer, while the BRZ is tuned to be a bit more stable and subdued. 
• Exterior styling: There are subtle differences in the front bumper, headlights, and badging, though the overall shape and rear are identical. 
• Interior and features: Small variations exist in interior trim, such as the GR86's red carpets and "GR" logo on the start-stop button versus the BRZ's black carpets and standard button. Some regional differences in standard equipment, like the spare tire, also exist.