2026 Toyota GR86

The GR86 exists because someone at Toyota still believes that driving should be fun, not just efficient. At 2,811 pounds with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter boxer engine sending 228 horsepower to the rear wheels through an available six-speed manual, the GR86 is the antithesis of everything else in Toyota's lineup — and it's magnificent for it. The spec sheet looks modest next to turbocharged competitors, but the GR86's magic is in its balance. The chassis communicates through the steering wheel and the seat of your pants in a way that modern cars have largely forgotten how to do. You feel the front tires load up in corners, you sense the rear stepping out before it happens, and you modulate the throttle to balance the car on the edge of grip. This is driving in its purest form. At $30,300, the GR86 is one of the last affordable sports cars that prioritizes driver engagement over straight-line speed. The Mazda MX-5 offers a similar philosophy in roadster form. The Subaru BRZ is the same car with different styling. And the Ford Mustang EcoBoost costs a bit more but delivers more power. None of them, however, nail the balance of price, weight, and handling quite like the GR86.