--- title: 2023 Toyota GR86 Premium Review description: The 2023 Toyota GR86 Premium is an affordable performance sports coupe made for driving enthusiasts. --- [Car Reviews | CarPro ](https://www.carpro.com/vehicle-reviews) # [2023 Toyota GR86 Premium Review](https://www.carpro.com/vehicle-reviews/2023-toyota-gr86-premium-review) Written by [Amy Plemons](https://www.carpro.com/vehicle-reviews/author/amy-plemons) | Nov 17, 2023 1:28:43 AM This week I bring you one of the very few entry-level sport coupe's on the market:  the 2023 Toyota GR86.  It's a two-door coupe I absolutely loved (and found jaw-droppingly affordable) when I reviewed the [all-new 2022 model](https://www.carpro.com/vehicle-reviews/review-the-2022-toyota-gr86-gets-everything-right). Fast-forward to 2023 and the GR86 is as fun to drive as ever, thanks to its low center of gravity, standard 6-speed manual gearbox and GR (Toyota Gazoo Racing) badging.     ## 2023 Toyota GR86 ### Exterior Wow does the GR86 pop in a glorious Neptune blue hue. It looks great contrasted against the matte-black-painted 18-inch wheels and other exterior black elements like the functional front bumper air inlets and fender vents.   The 86's racing proportions mean a long hood and short rear deck.   In back, a standard chrome-tipped dual exhaust is replaced by an optional black GR Performance dual exhaust ($1,700). The tail end also sports LED combo taillights and a color-keyed duckbill spoiler. Other exterior features included heated side mirrors, all-LED lighting and an adaptive lighting system, all outstanding features on sports car that's this affordable. ### Performance The track-ready GR86 is equipped with a 2.4-liter flat-four Boxer engine shared with its cousin, the Subaru BRZ. (If you weren't aware, the 86 and BRZ were co-developed together.) The four-cylinder engine delivers 228-horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.  My vehicle is equipped with the 6-speed manual gearbox with a short-throw shifter but an automatic with paddle shifters is available.    Key to performance is the engine's low placement in the chassis, which in turn results in a low center of gravity. Add to that, the rear-wheel drive 86 also has an almost 50/50 weight distribution (53% front:47% rear balance.) The 86 hugs the road, delivering compelling, confident performance and exceptional handling thanks not only to its suspension and sport-tuned shock absorbers, but also the Premium's Michelin® Pilot® Sport 4 tires.  Braking is excellent. New GR86 owners receive a complimentary 1-year National Auto Sport Association (NASA) membership including one free High Performance Driving Experience. ### Interior The GR 86 Premium interior is driver centric and sporty. Nice Ultrasuede, heated, front seats with leather-trimmed bolsters keep you comfortably in place.  A leather-trimmed sport steering wheel wears GR badging and aluminum sport pedals greet your feet. On the 7-inch TFT digital cluster with an LCD display you can toggle between various modes, including manual-only Track mode which displays things like oil and water coolant temperatures and a lap timer. On the center stack you'll find a 8-inch touchscreen that houses a multimedia system that's compatible with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  The Premium is equipped with an 8-speaker audio system.  Below the touchscreen you'll find  large dials for the dual-zone climate along with silver-finished toggles.  On the console you find an optional GR gear shift knob along with a leather-trimmed hand parking brake.  You'll get two USB ports and two cupholders up front. As you'd imagine, don't expect a large console bin or much storage in here.  Technically the 86 is 2+2 and seats four, but the second row is pretty limited space-wise.  However you can fold the rear seats down for more cargo space.   ### Safety When it comes to safety,  the GR86 manual misses out on most of the advanced driver safety features. The GR86 Active Safety Suite is for the automatic transmission-equipped model.  My Premium 6-speed manual model is only equipped with Blind Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a backup camera. ### What You'll Pay Options on my review vehicle include a cargo mat,  auto dimming mirror, GR Fender Inserts,  GR Air Filter, GR Performance black dual exhaust, GR shift knob, rear bumper applique, and carpet floor mats/cargo mat. Total MSRP as equipped is roughly $34,000 -  a fantastic value in my book for a fantastic entry-level that doesn't feel like entry-level sports car. ### Verdict Get behind the wheel of the Toyota GR86 and you'll immediately become smitten. This is a fun to drive, great-looking, affordable sports car with a driver enthusiast following for good reason.   1. **What I liked most:**  Looks, fun performance, amazing affordably. 2. **What I would change:   **Make Active Safety Suite accessible to manually equipped models. 3. **MSRP**: Base Price $30,500. **As equipped: $34,306. ** 4. **Fuel Economy**: 20 city/27 highway**/22 overall.** 5. **Odometer when tested: **2,777 miles. 6. **Weight:  **2,833 pounds (M/T). 7. **Spare Tire:**  Tire Repair Kit. 8. **Length-Width-Height**: 167.9” long/69.9” wide/51.6” high. 9. **Fuel Tank Capacity:**  13.2 gallons with the filler on the passenger's side.  10. **Official Color: **Neptune. 11. **Towing Capacity:**  N/A. 12. **2023 Toyota GR 86 Premium in a few words:****   **A gravity induced thrill ride. 13. **Warranty:** 36 months/36,000 miles basic warranty; 60 months/60,000 miles powertrain, 60 months/unlimited miles corrosion perforation. 14. **Final Assembly Location:  **Ota, Gunma, Japan. 15. **Manufacturer's website:  [Toyota](https://www.toyota.com/gr86/?srchid=SEM:700000001483645:GOOGLE:71700000091229694:58700007692655971:p69682898733:631035258630&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmNeqBhD4ARIsADsYfTehIdwJZ8LyjP2uBaPWczF9-lcxPzwgiuQwenpcz0uOuqf1bFoMrQMaAuEDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)**       [View full post](https://www.carpro.com/vehicle-reviews/2023-toyota-gr86-premium-review) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Amy Plemons" }, "dateModified" : "2023-11-17T01:28:43.524Z", "datePublished" : "2023-11-17T01:28:43Z", "headline" : "2023 Toyota GR86 Premium Review", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 512, "url" : "https://2684054.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2684054/toyota-gr-86-credit-canvapro%20%281%29.jpg", "width" : 1020 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.carpro.com/vehicle-reviews/2023-toyota-gr86-premium-review", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "Car Reviews" } } ```