Will Toyota keep making the GR86?
As of December 2024, Toyota has not signaled an end to the GR86, and the sports coupe remains in the brand’s lineup for the near term. The GR86, born from a collaboration with Subaru, continues to appeal to enthusiasts who want a lightweight, rear‑drive experience at a relatively accessible price.
The core question is how Toyota’s electrification push and the Subaru-assisted platform strategy will shape the future of a small, driver-focused sports car. The GR86, launched in 2021 as a successor to the GT86, sits in a niche market that blends driving purity with broader shifts toward electrified powertrains and stricter emissions standards.
Current status of the GR86
There are several signals that inform whether Toyota will continue the GR86 in the short term. The following points summarize the main considerations facing the program.
- Niche appeal and manual option: The GR86 targets driving enthusiasts seeking a compact, affordable RWD sports car with a manual transmission, a combination not widely replicated in Toyota’s lineup.
- Brand alignment with GR performance: The GR86 reinforces Toyota’s Gazoo Racing branding and complements higher‑end models like the GR Supra, helping to maintain a complete spectrum of performance offerings.
- Platform and cost efficiency: The GR86 is built on a shared platform with the Subaru BRZ, which lowers development costs and reduces risk for sustaining a niche product over time.
- Global availability and market demand: The car remains available in key markets (North America, Europe, Asia) where there is a dedicated fan base and potential for steady, if modest, sales.
Taken together, these factors suggest Toyota would likely want to keep the GR86 in production in the near term, barring unforeseen regulatory or market shocks. The decision, however, will hinge on how the brand balances its performance portfolio with its electrification goals.
What could change the decision
Several developments could push Toyota to rethink or reprioritize the GR86 program. Here are the main risks and constraints to monitor.
- Electrification pressure: As Toyota accelerates its electrified lineup, the company may deprioritize new internal combustion sports cars unless they offer clear value or synergy with the broader strategy.
- Platform realignment: If Toyota and Subaru shift resources toward other joint projects or platforms, the GR86 could be affected by a change in priorities or timing.
- Regulatory costs and emissions targets: Tighter CO2 and fuel-economy standards could make a low-emission or electric sport coupe more attractive than evolving an ICE‑powered model.
- Sales profitability: If GR86 demand stalls or margins decline, Toyota could redirect investment toward more profitable or scalable vehicles.
In short, the GR86’s fate will depend on demand, regulatory timing, and the economics of its platform within Toyota’s broader strategy. A discontinuation would likely come with an official announcement rather than a gradual fade, given the model’s niche but enduring appeal.
What the future could look like
Industry observers anticipate several plausible paths for the GR86 and its sibling, the BRZ, as the decade progresses. The scenarios below reflect a range of outcomes based on market dynamics and corporate priorities.
- Near-term continuation with incremental updates: Toyota keeps selling the GR86 for the 2025 model year, adding small feature refreshes or handling tweaks to stay competitive.
- Next-generation joint model: A second-generation GR86/BRZ could arrive later in the decade on a new shared platform, potentially with more power and optional electrified variants.
- Electrified variants: Toyota could introduce a hybrid or mild-hybrid version to improve efficiency while preserving driving feel, or explore lightweight electric configurations if technology and demand align.
- Strategic repositioning: If market trends favor stronger electrification, Toyota might shift the GR86’s role, replace it with an electric sport coupe, or fold the model into a broader performance-focused brand strategy.
The most plausible path in the near term is continued availability for the GR86 with updates, while a longer-term future will depend on how Toyota’s electrification plans evolve and what Subaru contributes to future generations of the platform.
Summary
The GR86 is unlikely to disappear immediately, as of late 2024, given its niche appeal, shared platform with Subaru, and alignment with Toyota’s GR branding. However, its longer-term fate will be shaped by electrification priorities, platform decisions, and sales performance. Expect the near term to bring continued availability and possible minor updates, with a longer-term outlook that could include a next-generation joint model or electrified variants if market and regulatory conditions concur.
