2017 Toyota 86 | CarGurus Test Drive Review

Shop new Toyota 86 listings: goo.gl/Xc8P4b
Toyota and Subaru teamed up a few years back to produce what used to be called the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ. Now that Scion has gone away, Toyota’s version of their collaborative effort will start using the name it’s had since it arrived in the rest of the world, the Toyota 86. It also gets new fascia front and back, a small power boost, a new final drive ratio, and an improved suspension.
Adding 5 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque to its 2.0-liter boxer four’s output for those who choose a manual won’t make a huge difference to how the car delivers power, but the 2017 sounds even better than last year’s version. And a change to the final drive ratio-from 4.1 to 4.3-will make the car feel stronger throughout the rev range, though you will now have to get up to third gear before reaching 60 mph.
The 86 is a new model name, but this car is plenty “old school” in a way many drivers will like. It weighs less than 2,800 pounds, it offers a manual, it has no active safety or driver assistance features, and you have to work pretty hard to take its price above $30K. Its fantastic chassis, tossable weight, and improved handling help it make its modest 205 hp exceptionally entertaining. With limited cargo space and almost zero in the way of luxury comforts, the 86 isn’t qualified for much more than track duty, but it will be lots of fun. If you’re a track driver, would you consider an 86?
Read more on CarGurus: cargur.us/dKn85
Presenter: Michael Perkins
Producer: Carl Nenzen Loven
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[@robertom883]

Finally. Someone reviews this car for what it is, a simple fun car to drive. If you want more power...get yourself a Hellcat and shut up.

[@mgy992002]

just bought one with 6-speed manual for over a month, love it everyday! this type of cars, you have to drive it to believe it, period!

[@dansteinmark725]

I've owned a 2014 BRZ for about 3 years now, and love it. Although it doesn't absolutely need more power, I think an awful lot of people would find it a lot more fun with about 25% more power added - me included.

[@truththenewhatespeech2535]

I have a 2013 and love it! Most fun car I ever drove. Yes you can get 4 wheels in.

[@95provideophotography42]

Yes 4 weel really fit in the back @CarGurus

[@angelothegamer10progamer31]

Thanks dude I'm definitely buying this car next week

[@raulespinoza8668]

How have you been enjoying your car?

[@georgetowers6747]

Great review men .

[@MikeDPerkins]

G T Thanks!

[@Wesley_C]

In the Toyota sports cars history, the Sports 800, 2000GT, Celica, Supra and MR2.

[@DriveAndBeDriven]

Nice Review, Michael! The Toyota 86 looks a bit more sophisticated with its updated exterior styling, while the interior looks slightly more up-scale, if you will, with the Alcantara inserts.... Also, those rims dress up the exterior perfectly! Personally, I am not a huge fan of the after market looking head unit in this car and it's somewhat outdated looking graphics.... If Toyota/Subaru integrated that system to fit more with the overall cabin design and took away some of the cheap looking plastics from the interior, the Toyota 86 would be a tough car to beat! Then, again most people aren't buying this car for technological amenities and interior styling cohesiveness, but rather its fun to drive nature! The Toyota 86 is a great choice if someone wants a fun to drive, affordable and fairly reliable sporty car! Keep up the great work, Michael! I cannot wait until I can review a Toyota 86 myself! ;-) -DriveAndBeDriven "The Quest To Record The Best!"

[@MikeDPerkins]

You're not wrong!

[@tougeruzbay]

I've had my FRS since 2015 brand-new, I wish Toyota made a modern version of the AE86 but I guess not for a company that has been profiting a lot of money for their reliable cars for decades

[@Aatish2k8]

Weird, the US version are missing daylight running lights in where the vent's supposed to be, we got them here in the UK. *shrug*

[@Luis3888]

i just purchased this vehicle 5 days ago. Its actually a very nice comfortable car. Being a 4 cylinder, 200 hp. its a pretty quick car for having a small engine. Not a fast car nor a slow car. Its just perfect. Im 6ft tall. i fit perfect with the whole seat back that is. if you're over 6ft or taller you will not fit in this vehicle. Your legs will be uncomfortable.

[@thywhipboy]

How much should I buy my Scion FR-S 2014? I leased it I'm looking forward to buying my lease car.

[@skyisdlimit6125]

They made this kind of sports car to drive around twisted roads fast not in a straight line performance but I wish they made it a bit more powerful and do 0-60 in less than 6. When a truck the size of a Tundra is almost as fast as this it makes me feel like they should have done better.

[@Emzy-87]

Id like a little wing on the back stock. just a lip nothing crazy.

[@marcusdavila5437]

Toyota/Subaru should put in the Sti engine in it and call it an 86 GTS like the old one or Subaru BRZ-Sti.

[@boboutelama5748]

No. No. No. For 16 yo, they should do that. For drifters and fun oriented drivers, they should not listen to those shit. The only thing I could see, as "ultimate evolution", would be to have, once, a version having the flat 6 cylinders of the subaru family, taken back to a 2.4L ratio, with an optimized exhaust section and some carbon/polymere components on the bonnet and the roof. If they can manage to stay at the same weight, with the same weight distrubtion between front and rear... all paired with the efficient kicking of a flat 6 ; this car would be a everyday driver-monster.

[@swanblake]

Great review as always. To me, I want HID headlights as an option but my main reason for not getting a FT86 comes from that drop of torque in the power band around 4k RPM. I agree the car does not need more power but rather a more linear torque band. The new miata 2.0 engine has this. I bought a 3.8 Hyundai Genesis Coupe over the BRZ at the time so this was my second choice and lost because of the power band and not being able to have a car seat in the back. Ohterwise it's an amazing driver

[@MikeDPerkins]

What's frustrating is that I *know* they can do it. They know it's a problem - the change in the FDR this year is proof of that. Yet they're still pussyfooting around really solving it.

[@swanblake]

Michael Perkins oh exactly! What's frustrating to me is they are gonna kill this car off and say no one want an affordable rwd car as an excuse when in reality if they fixed the known powerband dip, I would absolutely put my money where my mouth is. I test drove this and a Fiesta St and while that is Fwd, I enjoyed the drive much more do to the linear power. I'm not one that needs 300+hp or a turbo. I just ask for a proper na engine. I hope they will listen at some point as everything else is perfection.

[@MikeDPerkins]

One of my favorite rides of all time was an old VW Cabriolet. 2.0L, 100ish hp, but the powerband was linear enough that you were fine anywhere north of 3.5k. I had so much damned fun in that car, whether driving up and down the PCH or across the country. Manufacturers are too focused on numbers rather than feel.

[@swanblake]

Michael Perkins and to your point made in the review, they sacrificed 0-60 times but still didn't fix the real problem with the power band which is super perplexing. Wish this was more like the Fiat 124/Miata co development where each had unique engines

[@konjiki240sx]

I wanted to love this car so much after waiting since the 90's for the next rwd Toyota sports. It felt like an unfinished product, like its 70% complete..but for the money a lot of good options are out there. Especially if your looking at used cars. F30 and E90 3 series , Genesis, Fords st trims, 350z/370z, G35/37, miata etc... Lots of powerful driver oriented cars for about the same cost or less. It's kinda hard to see what your getting for the money...

[@Ringoluck]

Did he make a 10 speed bicycle reference? Lol

[@panamera53]

For anyone interested would you get this Toyota 86, Miata ND, or a S2000????

[@recklesslyarrogant7242]

I was able too but it wasn't clean like they make it out to be. A lot of guys in the community put tires in the back all the time but again. Not clean.

[@dannyyan2738]

Just bought one TRD edition. Trade in my 2016 camry xse. This is a wired step forward right?

[@MikeDPerkins]

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[@dannyyan2738]

Thanks! :D :D drive Camry makes me feel like 50 years old... even though its comfortable...

[@scottchladek1770]

Ha, I've had 8 tires in the BRZ for a drift day, it's not that hard.

[@MikeDPerkins]

How is it that some say "You can fit 4, but barely" and others claim up to 8? I'm missing something.

[@scottchladek1770]

Michael Perkins If stock tire size or close to it, 1 in trunk, 4 on top of back seat, and 3 in passenger seat. Alternatively can remove spare tire and fit 2 in trunk.

[@chiva4life17]

"Plus it's turbo charged" Says it like it's a bad thing if Toyota would have turbo charged this car and made about 300 hp now that would have been the perfect car

[@Robnoxious77]

israel ceja You can bolt on a pre-packaged, fully R&D'd and tested turbo kit with ECU remap and ECU-TEK license for about $5k AUD (not sure how that translates to money where you are) that gives about that performance level.

[@blubase06]

implying people can just afford $3790 out of the blue just to destroy their warranty. If the car had a turbo charged option it could be part of the finance or lease and be covered under warranty.

[@boboutelama5748]

No, because, for handling the 300hp and compiling with the standard safety regulations, they would have needed to stiffen the car, put greater gear diffenrentials, more solid bearings... The car would have gained a couple of hundred kilogramms, making it difficult to be that much joyful.

[@boboutelama5748]

Try to drive this car to the limit, and you will understand that there is nothing wrong with this car. The power complaint, showing up on a daily basic, is just the irrationnality of todays driver, that want/need high HP for having the feeling to be fast. This car is not for show. If you are a fast driver, you will win against many, more expensive and excellent rated cars.

[@MikeDPerkins]

100%

[@Jahmas001]

Well.... if you make it a hatch, you'll have a 240Z !

[@maxpov2958]

hey bro how tall are you do you feel comfortable in the car

[@MikeDPerkins]

6'4", and I was comfortable except the seats. To be truly comfortable, I'd need something that's a little wider through the chest and shoulders. But there's more than enough head and leg room.

[@maxpov2958]

Michael Perkins tnx

[@MikeDPerkins]

No problem. That's the benefit of these reviews - the ability to ask and have answered specific questions.

[@maxpov2958]

Michael Perkins btw nice decent review unlike the most on youtube

[@MikeDPerkins]

Glad to hear it! Although to be fair, a fun car like this makes it easy!

[@gorrilaunit99]

What's missing? - shorter wheelbase - inline engine that is PROPERLY mid-mounted - hatchback option - more available Gazoo/TRD options you can only get in Japan - offer the lightweight RC trim found in Japan

[@grandadduane]

and auto foglights with a carbon hood and some eurobeat.

[@grandadduane]

and a sign that says: "藤原とうふ店 " Fujiwara Tofu Store

[@gorrilaunit99]

Grandad Duane none of those change the driving experience

[@levert.gomellewis.8306]

forshee pious

[@recklesslyarrogant7242]

Yeah it fits four wheels. But after a track day your whole interior smells like burnt rubber.

[@weekly9090]

For $33000 I will skip it cuz they don't hold there value and sale to pricey and it not fast than the civic si .... if i spend that much on that car I rather buy a cheap civic si it only $22000

[@cjvaans4484]

Looks ugly now. I'll choose the new BRZ instead. I didn't like BRZ's mustache, but after the new changes in the 2017 models, the 86 became ugly and BRZ looks better now. Still needs a little more power upgrade.

[@matteo.bassini5819]

lol, sure, "low curb weight". This thing weighs the same as the new Civic and only 20 hp more. I rather have the civic, the 86 is $80,000 and the civic $35,000.

[@MikeDPerkins]

86 is $27k.

[@matteo.bassini5819]

It's $80,000 in my country (Thailand) because it's imported from Japan. Any imported product has 400% taxes here,

[@skyisdlimit6125]

Sorry for you buddy but this cost 27kish in my country

[@ethannn4067]

Matteo .Bassini wtf its $27k

[@soulstance]

They made ìt even more uglier. No thanks...

[@MikeDPerkins]

Prefer the BRZ?

[@soulstance]

Michael Perkins Yea, according to 17 model pic prefer BRZ better. 86 has too much cheap aftermarket slap on rice body kit feel. Just my opinion though, I've heard it's an excellent driver's car.

[@MikeDPerkins]

I tested the BRZ a couple years ago. The big, red START button is enough to win me over. Plus, the suspension changes for the 86 this year tell me that Subaru had the suspension tune right from the beginning.

[@soulstance]

Michael Perkins Interesting. Subaru has much better execution especially the front end. If iwas to buy one, definitely go for the BRZ.

[@KrOmEiFiCaTiOn]

I just got a 2017 BRZ a few months ago. Love it. The suspension and chassis are absolutely amazing for the price.