The 2019 Toyota 86 did not receive a redesign. The car remained the first-generation model — internal code ZN6 — that had been on sale since 2012, co-developed with Subaru and marketed in the United States as the Toyota 86 from 2017 after the Scion FR-S was retired. The confusion is easy to understand: the 86 was frequently the subject of redesign rumors, and it did later get a genuinely new generation, but not for 2019. What the 2019 model year actually brought was a limited-run TRD Special Edition and a handful of trim and color updates.
This article settles what changed for 2019, describes the TRD Special Edition and the Australian-market GTS grade, and explains when the real redesign arrived.
Was There a 2019 Toyota 86 Redesign?
No. The first-generation 86 (and its Subaru BRZ twin) was produced from January 2012 until March 2021, and in North America it was sold through the 2020 model year. Model year 2019 was therefore a carryover year rather than a redesign. Toyota’s changes for 2019 were limited to a new TRD Special Edition, the availability of a black-and-red leather interior on the mid-range GT, and a new exterior color called Neptune.
The 2019 Addition: TRD Special Edition
The one genuinely new model for 2019 was the 86 TRD Special Edition, produced in a limited run of 1,418 units and offered exclusively with the six-speed manual transmission. It was based on the GT trim and added performance and cosmetic equipment developed by Toyota Racing Development:
- SACHS performance dampers and a sport suspension
- Brembo brakes front and rear (12.8-inch front, 12.4-inch rear)
- Exclusive 18 x 7.5-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires
- A TRD performance exhaust and TRD underbody spoilers
- Two-tone red and black sport seats and steering wheel with red contrast stitching
- Red seatbelts, a faux-suede gauge-cluster cover and TRD tri-color side graphics
Car and Driver found that the TRD edition rolled less in corners and was less unsettled by braking than the standard GT, thanks to the dampers, brakes and stickier tires. The engine and basic chassis were unchanged, so the extra cost bought handling hardware rather than more power.
The GTS Trim and the Australian Market
The “GTS” badge belongs to the Australian-market 86, not the United States lineup. In Australia, Toyota sold the 86 in GT and GTS grades. The 2019 86 GTS was released to the Australian market in May 2019 and used the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the US car, tuned to 152 kW (about 204 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 212 Nm (156 lb-ft) at 6,400 rpm, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual. Toyota quoted combined fuel consumption of 8.4 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 194 g/km from a 50-liter tank. Australian pricing started at $36,640 before on-road costs.
US buyers never had a GTS. The American range for 2019 was the base 86, the 86 GT and the limited-run TRD Special Edition.
Specifications
| Specification | 2019 Toyota 86 (manual) |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0 L flat-four (FA20 / 4U-GSE) |
| Power | 205 hp (US); 152 kW / 204 hp (Australia GTS) |
| Torque | 156 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (6-speed automatic optional) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph (Car and Driver) | 6.2 seconds |
| EPA fuel economy | 21 mpg city / 28 highway (manual) |
| Length / width / height | 166.9 / 69.9 / 50.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | approx. 2,776 lb |
An optional six-speed automatic was offered on the base 86 and GT, where the engine was rated slightly lower at 200 hp and 151 lb-ft; the TRD Special Edition was manual-only. In the US, the 86’s closest competitor was its Subaru BRZ twin, followed by the Mazda MX-5 Miata and, on price alone, the four-cylinder Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.
What the Base and GT Trims Offered
The base 86 came with 17-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, a 7-inch touchscreen and a rearview camera. The GT added a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster display, heated front seats, a rear wing, dual-zone climate control, LED fog lights, push-button start and suede-like trim on the doors and dashboard. The interior of all versions was functional rather than luxurious, with a small trunk of about 7 cubic feet and tight rear seats.
Pricing
US pricing for the 2019 86 started at $26,655 for the manual base model and $28,785 for the manual GT, while the TRD Special Edition was priced at $33,340. In Australia, the GTS started at $36,640 before on-road costs. These figures reflect a car positioned as an affordable sports coupe rather than a premium one.
The Real Redesign: The 2022 GR86
A genuine redesign did eventually arrive, but three years later. For 2022, Toyota replaced the 86 with the second-generation GR86 (Subaru launched its version as the BRZ), moving to a 2.4-liter flat-four rated between 228 and 232 hp. That car sits on a new platform and is larger and more powerful than the 2019 model. Buyers who encounter a claim of a “2019 Toyota 86 redesign” should read it as marketing language for the TRD Special Edition and trim updates rather than a new generation.
For a fuller review of the standard 2019 86 range, see the 2019 Toyota 86 Review. For other Toyota models from the same era, see the 2019 Toyota RAV4 Limited Review and the Toyota Review hub.
Sources
- Toyota 86 — Wikipedia
- 2019 Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition first drive — Car and Driver
- 2019 Toyota 86 trims and specs — Motor Trend
- 2019 Toyota 86 review — Car and Driver
- 2019 Toyota 86 GTS price and specs (Australia) — CarExpert
- 2019 Toyota 86 trims and prices — Cars.com
- 2019 Toyota 86 — Kelley Blue Book
