Toyota GT86 vs Mazda MX5 | evo DEADLY RIVALS

Lightweight, rear-wheel drive and affordable, is this as much fun as you can have on track for less than £25k. evo's Dan Prosser finds out.
Read our full review of the Toyota GT86 here - www.evo.co.uk/toyota/gt-86
And the Mazda MX-5 here -
www.evo.co.uk/mazda/mx-5

[@petertimowreef9085]

These kind of cars make me think the last true pertrol-heads live in Japan. Driving for the driving instead of showing off your shiny sportscar to your trophy-wife. Who else makes cars like these that are just dripping with the love for cars and driving and nothing else?

[@TheBIGJake111]

+Peter Timowreef seen a gt4 or boxster spyder?

[@petertimowreef9085]

TheBIGJake111 Well yeay those are amazing driver cars. But like the other guy said, they're also bought by douchebags and gold-diggers. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Porsche's, but they're less pure in a way than these two from Japan,

[@TheBIGJake111]

Joao Pinto i beg to differ, no one buys a mid engine Porsche to show off when everyone will give you shit because its not a 911. You buy one because you want a proper sports car. Ill be the first to admit that my boxster is basically a glorified miata, but thats the best compliment i could give it, It takes what these cars do right but adds more power and a bit of exoticisim. I could argue the opposite that these Asian cars are bought for less pure purposes, the frs is fitted with hard economy tires and the mx5 while being a great sports car is still plenty comfortable for a teen girl to look pretty in in certain trims. For every douche in a Porsche there is a stanced FRS. So i wouldnt judge the cars individually and rather band together and appreciate any RWD NA options we have available that put driving experience first and numbers second.

[@tcrc360]

+Peter Timowreef +1

[@TheBIGJake111]

Joao Pinto not too many trophy wives know stick, just sayin'

[@anotherone10]

The GT86 is generally considered a light car so it's pretty insane that the MX5 is a massive 200kg lighter, especially considering it's a convertible. But I love the philosophy of both, two great driver's cars.

[@dkuhn5043]

anotherone10 you can cut about 450kg off a stock 86 with some good planning it seems

[@s2korpionic]

@@dkuhn5043 And make the 86 unuseable as a daily driver.

[@saulespino2510]

The mx-5 is not that insane about it's lightweight because it is considerably smaller than the gt86.

[@ichosethishandle]

MX-5 only has two seats and almost no boot, so its practicality is much narrower

[@ricardolourizela5961]

The lack of weight, the instant throttle response only a NA engine can give and that Japanese reliability make these two the best sportscars currently available.

[@inspirice9844]

Porsche: Oh please...

[@Aaron-fb6mb]

@@inspirice9844 *for a reasonable price lol

[@thelucas1146]

100% man couldn’t agree more

[@misterpotato4775]

@@inspirice9844 Porsche. It's unreasonable Price and it's unreliable. Which part of that you didn't get?😂

[@billybones2385]

@@misterpotato4775 Porsche unreliable? You must be confused, because Porsche ties with Lexus on first place for reliability. And it is by far the most reliable sports car.

[@EvanMaillardRacing]

"The Mazda gets out of shape in the chicane"????? The car is driving itself? The driver gets the car out of shape... What did I just hear.

[@slipp3ryslop3]

Same with the conclusion...with a .1 second discrepancy, it's obviously not that one car is "faster" on a track than the other but rather the driver is faster with one than the other. Just makes for a "better" video to make a simple/concrete determination I suppose.

[@ichosethishandle]

​@@slipp3ryslop3was the 180hp+ version of the 2.0 mx-5 available at this time? That would have been much fairer a race and presumably there would have been a bigger gap

[@camryt]

200kg of weight isn't the only thing that makes the MX5 quicker. It also has very short gearing, the 6th gear is 1:1 ratio, while the GT86 has stupidly long gearing. Kudos to Mazda for making the 4th gen lighter and smaller than the 3rd gen, actually, as light as the 1st gen!

[@petertimowreef9085]

+camryt Agreed. I think it's a huge accomplishment to make it even lighter than it's predecessor in this day and age. Mazda is killing it these last few years, I've really become a fan.

[@weed46]

+camryt GT 86's isn't that long geared, not short, but sixth gear isn't that tall.

[@christosswc]

+camryt Don't forget that the GT86 has low grip tires for the purpose of being more playful and fun to drive and not intimidate it's driver when wanting to play around a bit on twisty public roads by carrying insane speed though turns. If it had "proper" tires it would have won easily I should think.

[@spdcrzy]

+camryt and almost the exact same weight as the original. O.o

[@Pandamasque]

+camryt Also better power/torque curve (GT86 has a gap in the middle).

[@jasonpark5152]

I bought my GT86 after test-driving those two cars. I like the open-airing from MX5 but the body roll disappointed me at corners. GT86 literally moves horizontally without any body roll at corners. What a machine for the money.

[@Wargwarn]

Nothing suspension wouldn't sort which you can get factory fitted

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

A $100 front sway bar on the mx5 is all that's required Looks better inside and out too, the 86 feels like a plastic toy

[@corystansbury]

Who drives a GT86 on the track and keeps it "tidy?" Someone who pays for their own tires!

[@dragospahontu]

Tires are cheap on this car

[@hairyviking6047]

Also tyres

[@MyGoToUserName]

@@dragospahontu they are, the stock primacy HP are not. They're nearly the same price as PS4S

[@dragospahontu]

@@MyGoToUserName wow

[@vicesat]

Its all about the tires.

[@hairyviking6047]

And the tyres

[@maximilianogomez4030]

Lol vicesat jajajajaj

[@adtvchannel3]

Ostia vicesat !

[@adtvchannel3]

Also about the weight my friend

[@dreki-brawlstars]

OSTIA VICEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@mrnicktoyou]

The dashboard on the Mazda is miles better looking than that Toyota. It actually looks classy and of good quality.

[@Sandouras]

This. The Toyota looks so horrible inside. Such a pity.

[@zyoungson]

Classy like, bag of potato chips classy ?

[@CAPZ23]

+mrnicktoyou All but for the stupid display on top of the center console.

[@kraenk12]

+mrnicktoyou Not only the dash..the rest of the car as well..No competition.

[@DedicationBlog]

+mrnicktoyou even though I've got a GT86, I have to agree with you, the interior is pretty cheap and nasty. I wish it had the interior of the MX5 at the least. That body roll on the MX5 looked pretty awful though, although I guess its easier to stiffen that up than it is to replace the entire interior in the 86 lol

[@nunobandeira1811]

YEEES!!!! Sports cars for normal (not millionaire) people! Now you need to pick a tyre, stick it on both cars and see how they go both in terms of fun and laptime again :D

[@yuriabmxr]

Nuno Bandeira I will never understand why car magazines (and now internet media) never use a control tire. I’ve heard all the excuses but none make sense and always taint the results of any comparison.

[@hairyviking6047]

Finally! Someone who knows how to spell "tyre" properly.

[@mangamaster4]

@@yuriabmxr They review the car with the tyres the manufacturers intended to have the car come with. The GT86 is a bit infamous for its low rolling traction primacy tyres compared to using maybe a set of pilot sports. I'm fairly certain for a lot of review models sent out journo's aren't actually allowed to use a different set

[@yuriabmxr]

@@mangamaster4 I know all that and it is still empirically the wrong way to do a track comparison.

[@DoYouThinkForUrselF]

mazda gave the MX 5 some body roll so it would eat up some road imperfections and still keep control. It's meant for the roads and as we all know some of the windy roads are not always the smoothest. Stiffer suspension and you would jump around more on uneven roads. I find this in my Tiburon, hits a bump and she jumps a around a bit. The Mazda also also down on horse power as they went more for a responsive feel and a flatter torque band, so you have power all the way through the torque band. When you shift you will end up in the mid range of your torque band, and this is where the BRZ, 86, FRS lack. They seem to have a dead zone at around 4500 rpm's. So while you may look at them on paper (197 vs 155) and think the 86 is better in real time numbers the mazda is faster zero to 60. Also as mentioned by some posters here, the mazda has better gearing. The weight is a huge factor as well. Add all these things together and you will have more fun in the mazda (on road) as you row through the gears and feel like you are going faster than you really are. You actually are faster. It's for sure the car I would choose, as it performs more lively through all the gears, no dead spot. This coming from a guy who was hot for the other trio of hardtops here. BRZ, 86, FRS. One other thing, I saw another race comparison on these two cars, by a professional. Different track, and his time was substantially faster in the Mazda, (club edition with BBS wheels and upgraded brakes) not as close as here. Of course if you are a drifter......the 86 wins hands down, but who drives like that. Only good for track days.

[@TheStateOfEarth]

Thanks for the detailed comment, good points about the suspension :)

[@phillorenzelli9909]

The mx5 has way too much body roll! Needs thicker sway bars, lowered a little and be a little stiffer.

[@NicolasCageisGod]

Sometimes that can help with drifting/powersliding

[@dodoz44]

+Phil Lorenzelli It needs some nice coilovers, PSS tires, and perhaps a tiiiny, tiny turbo, to up the power to 210/210 ish. But that's just my preference.

[@1ChrisNeedsMoney1]

+dodoz44 The sidewalls on PSS are too soft. I'd go for a Potenza RE-71R, Hankook RS3, or Direzza ZII Star Spec.

[@SENYELI]

+Phil Lorenzelli Its designed that way!

[@Driftuner]

+SENYELI yes...the combination of light weight, small dimentions and stiff suspension is a dangerous combination (lotus much)...so Mazda tunes the suspension softly on purpose...since ive driven this car before, i def would NOT stiffen up the suspension itself, that i would leave alone, but it really deserves some stronger sway-bars to control the roll...

[@bzdtemp]

Maybe on a gray day the GT86 just beats the MX-5 for fun, but then when the sun is out the MX-5 let the wind get in your hair and the contest is not even close anymore.

[@FallenJustice]

FRS/86/BRZ is a much more solid deal. Costs less, and its more practical, with better performance.

[@Quartz-GT]

Just stumbled across this today - love the format! Subbed for more 👌

[@kobenoyashi3394]

the interior of the mazda looks so much nicer

[@Stichting-AAP]

I think i'd go for the mazda. I really like the looks of that thing!

[@brocky]

Excellent comparison. I love these comparison videos more than single car reviews.

[@Dornpunzel]

I wonder what corner speed the mx5 will happen to maintain when equipped with slightly wider tires. Maybe the same as the GT86 has. Would that 200kg difference matter in that regard?

[@JamaicanMeCrazy]

love em both

[@111YIM]

What ? MX-5 is cheaper than GT86? MX5 is way more expensive than GT86(FRS) in North America ! Especially in Canada.

[@hairyviking6047]

Pricing in the UK is weird. The 370Z is the same price as the 86 over there. In Australia, there is $20,000 difference between them.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

every turn mazda took it looked like it was gonna flip gt86 took corners alot better

[@winglessang31]

The 86 would smoke it with proper performance tires and a drive that stays off the grass lol

[@Bashirbros]

I think you have it the other way around. the mx5 sport (the base) comes with an open diff. the 86 comes standard with an lsd. or is it different in the uk?

[@SebastianBlix]

The commentary sounded like Jeremy Clarkson's son doing a Chris Harris impersonation.

[@deb11rishi]

Great commentary during the hot laps....keep doing it in your other videos too +EVO , it makes them more involving....(thumbs up)

[@robiulahmed]

My 2 favourite current cars! Really, to choose between them is a case of whether you want a roof and some token seats or whether you want a roadster.

[@PetrolApes]

I also drove both and I think the GT86 is more sporty and direct. The steering of the MX5 feels, compared to the GT86, very light and synthetic. What do you think?

[@noisechannel232]

Best review untill now Youngsta, keep it up :)

[@ornatehammer661]

How can he have so much fun without bursting in smiles and laughs??? Lol

[@carlosfsr]

great vid, keep it up!

[@soccerfever00987]

nice video. I would love to see a comparison of the gt86 to a stock Mazda RX8 in the track.

[@HumbertoYi0878]

honest question about the mx5, and I can't quite tell from the video, but does the mx5 have just a tad more body roll than a lifted wrangler, or just a tick less? also, if you roll down the windows, can you touch the pavement when your hard into a turn with just your hand, or can you actually get your elbow to drag?

[@mwmmatt1]

Rob Kahla it has all that body roll so it's more fun, they did it on purpose

[@kopfschuss881]

great stock to stock comparison. some good tires on that 86 means a lot, it seems

[@sourwords1808]

is there anyone here is over 6ft and owns this mx5? how happy are you with the space inside the car? is it worth getting one? thanks.

[@SkrawnyJonny]

I don't think you didn't go through one corner without drifting. How am I supposed to know how the mx5 handles cause I might trade in my 86 for it if you just drift. I'll lose my lisence we can't do that here

[@Bofatutube]

Great video!

[@markitoxi]

More of these please... God bless EVO

[@NandoGSI10]

This is the first review that i see when for someone the mx5 isnt the most fun xD. Good video

[@Deuteross]

Fantastic cars, fantastic review. I like this guy more and more.

[@AlanGray868]

What happened to the company logos under the videos in the side by side lap segment to make it clearer which is which?

[@theresonly1truth138]

hi, i am afraid to get the automatic and lose the thrills of driving. i need to know the shifting speed in the automatic. is it laggy? is it reliable to play with shifting all the time? plz give us your experience/info.

[@Bmontepeque11]

This is a delicious bit of film ❤️ Those long drifts are what made me love the 86!

[@BensCoffeeRants]

MX5 looks like it's higher up and has a lot more body roll, but seems to handle itself well regardless, I think that leads to it being more fun too, all the body roll.

[@KevinChannnn]

I'd like to see a gt86 vs rx8 video from you guys!

[@Nick58094]

cost of ownership? especially when replacing tires.

[@ishtenyobahtop9688]

MX-5 for me. It has better interior and you can have it as a convertible when you want it to.

[@wanglee21]

Wow now that was a close comparison!

[@villeinonen]

Chris Martin is that you?

[@Primitivegarage915]

Both sweet little cars! I hate the people complaining about the cars being under powered, WE GET IT.

[@mehdimohamed6291]

Gotta love a small, simple, easy to handle car. Both are great.

[@300ZCorradoVR6Z]

This drifting everywhere is getting really annoying... As someone who has raced for years I never cared for oversteer, I would much rather have a neutral handling car, going fast is what excites me, if it gets sideways I'm just loosing time.

[@briandavis5771]

+Corrado VRz (CorradoVR6z) Then why are you watching a video about two cars designed to go sideways?

[@subnegro9173]

+Corrado VRz (CorradoVR6z) I don't think you got what the guy was talking about. It's not always about what's faster. Sometimes it is more about what's more fun.

[@TheGabe92]

+Brian Davis Sorry to say, but the MX-5 is NOT designed to go sideways. It can, just barely, but most MX-5s sold won't even have an LSD. It was, however, designed to be fun. But not all fun is sideways, as Corrado pointed out.

[@MrYeezy77]

I'd go for the Miata, just because is has a lot of character to it. It has a history, and my god it looks awesome!

[@bliglum]

+Yeezy Yeezy I'd have to 86, as it's got all of the fun driving dynamics, but with the practicality of a solid roof, four seats (even if the back seats are more of a package shelf), and a usable trunk!

[@1989eol]

+bliglum One word is enough: Solid roof! You don't need an open car until you have your first midlife crisis. Not that there is anything wrong with it. At least not as wrong as buying an SUV. God I hate SUVs and everyone who creates a market for these useless, offensive, thirsty, heavy, unpractical (an estate does the same, a van does more), ugly, selfimportant, shitty cars that are always in my way on the road, so that I can't see whats going on in front of them, which makes driving really stressfull...motherlovers! I hate you! Sorry, got a little bit carried away there...

[@bliglum]

Julian S. Haha!! On point!

[@mob1235]

+Yeezy Yeezy i also go for the miata, although i would like a coupe more. the mazda hast got a better interior and equipment for the daily use. also i dont like the sound generator in the toyota. the mazda only got it in sports line. but on the other side i dont like the lane assist in the mazda and things linke that but for me its got the better price to daily fun ratio^^

[@vanseaco7058]

+Yeezy Yeezy my first car was a MX-5 when I was 16 and had hell of fun in it

[@TheTonicro]

both are great cars, personally i would choose mx5, i'm a suckers for drop tops

[@JdA210]

Great review. Very accurate and informative. Awesome job mate!

[@SilverScarletSpider]

If I wanted a 2 seater convertible, I’d get a Honda S2000 for cheaper. If I wanted faster acceleration, I’d get a Nissan 370Z or Hyundai Genesis Coupe. But if I wanted a really balanced 4 seat light weight sports coupe, I’d get a manual BRZ/GT86.

[@chrishack6825]

I've got an 86 but still have a soft spot for the 5. Great vid. Ta.

[@secondchance4498]

Great vid. Id go with the MX5, the GT86/BRZs are bordering on being dangers on wet UK B roads plus as others have said, the Mazda can put its top down and IMO is a nicer place to sit. lm just not sure which track day will allow that much sideways action, except maybe a drift day on a small pre wet track.

[@358life6]

That's a great description of how the cars handle.

[@migueljozart8287]

I think I'd go for the GT86. I really like the look of that thing!

[@herihao797]

Nice review. I like this reviewer.

[@Steeboohken]

Damn good video!

[@christianherrero8053]

Love both just wish the mazda didnt flop around so much..but i figure that helps with weight transfer a little?

[@kennethbowman3784]

I think the engineers left the body roll in the car intentionally so you have a better feel for how the car is behaving. It's handling is really intuitive and allows any normal person to feel like a better driver.

[@christianherrero8053]

Kenneth Bowman that's a good point ...I find my self wishing for a little more roll in tight courses so I know exactly where the weight is

[@kennethbowman3784]

Yeah a lot of car reviews on youtube seem to make out body roll as this evil thing but a little bit of it is actually good.

[@naderyoussef6486]

he is so happy in these cars unlike the 911,m3,gt3

[@HesteBremse]

Nice Review thanks ;D

[@lapamful]

Misha (Boosted Boris) recommends putting STI wheels on the 86 which will give you a wider wheel with a better choice of tires.

[@supramanx1997]

shit that's close. I'd call that even, a tenth of a second is enough for driver "error" to make a difference

[@StatementPlus]

I don't like how Dan defines fun purely on drift factor. I mean, c'mon, did he forget the Miata is a convertible? On a sunny day or nice cool evening the Miata will be much more fun in the real word with the top down dicing around town or on back roads. Let's be real, most Miata and FRS owners will not take the car to the track and those that do probably don't possess the driving skill to make the FRS more fun either. Even if the drivers are skilled, I doubt MR FRS will be drifting in the city or on the canyons so I think in real word terms the Miata would be much more exhilarating. Top down driving is liberating. I really do like the FRS/BRZ but let's call it as it is, in the real world, the Miata will be more fun where the FRS/BRZ will be more practical.

[@noahwayne7095]

+Statement Plus The S2000 would be superior to both then, right? As far as the real world, I wouldn't daily drive either, unless your commute has really nice roads. It would be uncomfortable otherwise.

[@StatementPlus]

Yes it pretty much is, but it also isn't a current car and it also cost a lot more than both cars so different league altogether. Depends on the person, but I assure you there are plenty of FRS BRZ being daily driven. It has room where the back seats are and a trunk, it's practical.

[@noahwayne7095]

+Statement Plus most used s2000 with decent mileage are cheaper than either FRS or MX-5. I used to own an FRS, it wasn't comfortable as a daily driver. It had the practicality in terms of space, but it wasn't easy on my back soaking up every little bump - especially on poor roads which exist in every major city. I'm sure plenty of others daily their FRS just fine, but speaking personally, I wouldn't daily either the FRS or MX-5.

[@StatementPlus]

Can't compare used to new, full stop.

[@noahwayne7095]

Of course you can, buy whatever is fun - I'd take the more fun cheaper car. Plus buying used is always smarter.

[@antj29]

they may be close, but i think the MX5 wins because when you are not on track you can just drop that roof down and go out for a drive in the sun. Its a real feel good car

[@Driftuner]

since ive driven both, i much prefer to spend a little less money on the IMO better MX-5, and with the extra money invest in some suspension upgrades for it, which to be honest isnt much...a bit higher rate springs and stronger sway-bars...you can have all that (installed!) easily for under a grand...and it wont sacrifice comfort or reliability....OR for the same price you can get a used Porsche Cayman! which will cost you a lot more later tho...(insurance, maintenance etc)..

[@BrianAndersonTT]

Superb video.

[@Radhit-1316]

The lessons we can learn are: Never ever do gutter run on MX 5

[@branot89]

When you lower the roof, the MX-5 is more fun.

[@bliglum]

Man, Mazda sure does like to make the Mazda Miata into a rolly polly.. It rolls into corners like a damn 80's car!

[@PitiPablo_]

Mad driving skills!!!

[@EvanMoon]

+chrisJ. I wish it was apple sauce, instead it is corn glue. I have a 1969 Baja Bug and we cleaned the carb spotless. Ran it once then while waiting 2 or 3 weeks for the body shop, looks like rubber cement in there. Had to clean it out again

[@lilpattman]

£2300 could be a set of coilovers a remap exhaust and filter and then it would wipe the floor completely with the GT86 I wonder if mountune would do the same factory wanted stuff as they do for ford as the MZR and Duratec are the same engine give or take a few parts

[@aramchan2834]

just like the hurricane lp610-4 and lp 580-2,40hp down and 200kg lighter

[@chrissorreda4982]

With the MX-5 having the ability to drop the top at anytime makes it the winner for me.

[@000Haze]

Can't go wrong with these 2 really can you

[@jkraljik]

I clocked 7.2sec 0-62 in the GT86 while driving an auto in manual mode.

[@elliott_d33]

Yes, but you can’t put the roof down on your GT86 can you?

[@kraenk12]

So the cheaper, lighter and much better looking car, which btw is also a convertible, is also faster?! Alright :)

[@fatboy19831]

+kraenk12 Yep.......If you can fit.

[@MrMikeDao]

+Captain Slow GT86 Pfft, Aim Gain Miata

[@davidoneill2983]

mx5 = hairdresser car

[@buddybestor]

GT86 > Miata in everything but weight!

[@DPPremier]

great review! I'd take the Toyota cause to my eyes it just looks miles better, but thats of course totally subjective

[@vanoscrap6296]

the ND seems all over the place with that body roll

[@OhKnow379]

Pleasure not performance

[@SkrawnyJonny]

I've owned my 86 for two years and always have it near its limits and it's never understeered on me. Nitto invo s make it handle better than the Prius tires.

[@gamester420]

You guys need to include the weights in the specs.

[@TheTryingDutchman]

Shouldve used the same tires for the timed laps. Anyways id get the gt86

[@benokrizek8020]

I think we might agree on the fact that these two cars are equally fast in real conditions. I like them both and they are both great, it would be a difficult choice. For me Toyota is more practical for all-year driving. But Mazda must offer a great ride in summer too!

[@deanowarrior]

I work for a group that sells Toyota and Mazda . The Mazda is clearly quicker to around 60 then the Gt86 takes over. The Gt86 is more fun because you can feel the slide coming and react . The mx5 gives less warning . both superb.Also the Mazda engine has no torque dip like the GT86.

[@ABK4ds]

is this Top gear lab ?

[@motormusique]

I quite like this host's rather deadpan yet very informative approach. As for the cars, I'd be overjoyed with either one, but I think the Toyota has more of the X factor for me...I just want it .

[@jdmac44]

Tires seems like a trivial thing to match for a fair comparison. You're going to have to get new ones eventually anyway. It's not something that would violate "stock" classification in any organized racing that I know of.

[@davidzhang1704]

The MX 5 is only 0.1 second quicker because you stuffed up at the chicane. Why didn't you do another lap?

[@algladyou]

this frs or brz doest tilt much. wow.

[@WenstyneMusicyadig]

So much arguing, they're both amazing :)

[@danesebruno]

It's such a shame I can't get the 2.0 model here in Japan. I test drove the 1.5 and it is lovely, but I am sure I'd get bored soon.

[@peterbbg8102]

I'd rather the GT86,It may have no convertibles but I'd rather have 2 extra seats for my 2 kids or put my books, clothes there etc. But the Mazda Mx5 does look more better!

[@KKOKAJ]

wow that was close!

[@NicolasCageisGod]

Does the mx5 have a 5spd or a 6spd??

[@Mexxx65]

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