The 2019 Toyota 86 is a 2+2, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru and assembled at Subaru’s Gunma plant in Japan. For 2019, Toyota added a limited-run flagship to the range: the 86 TRD Special Edition, which brought motorsport-derived suspension, brakes and styling to the car. It sat above the standard 86 and the 86 GT and was built in small numbers.
The 2019 Toyota 86 lineup
Toyota sold the 2019 86 in three grades in the United States. The base 86 started at $26,655, the better-equipped 86 GT at $28,785, and the TRD Special Edition at $32,420, all before destination. Each model was offered with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Toyota’s own announcement described the 86 as a “purist’s dream” 2+2 coupe that keeps the classic sports-car formula of a low center of gravity and rear-wheel drive.
What the TRD Special Edition added
The TRD Special Edition was built off the manual-transmission 86 GT and was offered only with the six-speed manual. Its upgrades were focused on hardware rather than trim:
- Sachs dampers tuned for the car by Toyota Racing Development (TRD).
- Brembo brakes at the front and rear.
- Unique 18-inch alloy wheels with P215/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
- A TRD performance dual exhaust and an aero body kit.
- A red-stitched interior with red seat belts, TRD trim and badges, and an exclusive “Raven” black body color.
Production was capped at 1,418 units in the United States and 50 units in Canada, which made it the most exclusive version of the 86 that year. In US pricing terms the TRD SE was the most expensive 86, at $33,340 including destination.
Engine and performance
Every 2019 86 used Subaru’s 2.0-liter horizontally opposed (flat-four) engine with port and direct fuel injection. With the manual gearbox it produced 205 hp at 7,000 rpm and 156 lb-ft of torque. With the automatic it was rated at 200 hp and 151 lb-ft. Both figures describe a naturally aspirated engine that rewards revs rather than low-end torque. Curb weight for the coupe was around 2,817 lb, and the car used a limited-slip differential with rear-wheel drive.
Interior and equipment
The 86 is a genuine four-seat 2+2, though the rear seats are tight and best suited to occasional use or luggage. The trunk holds 6.9 cubic feet. Moving up from the base car to the 86 GT added dual-zone automatic climate control, seats with suede-like inserts and leather side bolstering, a 4.2-inch multi-information display, the Smart Key system with push-button start, a rear spoiler and LED fog lamps.
Fuel economy and price
The TRD Special Edition was rated by the EPA at 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined, on premium unleaded. The standard 86 with the automatic was rated at 27 mpg combined. Prices for the 2019 86 in Canada, where the car was also sold, started at CAD $29,990 for the base manual, rising to CAD $33,260 for the manual 86 GT and CAD $38,220 for the TRD Special Edition.
Production and what buyers can find today
The first-generation 86 was sold in North America as the Scion FR-S from the 2013 model year, then as the Toyota 86 from 2017 after the Scion brand was discontinued. The 2020 model year was the last for the 86 in the United States; Toyota skipped 2021 and introduced the second-generation GR86 for 2022 with a larger 2.4-liter engine rated at 228 hp and 184 lb-ft. Global production of the first-generation 86/GT86 ran from January 2012 to March 2021. Buyers shopping today will find the 2019 TRD Special Edition as a used car, distinguished by its Brembo brakes, Sachs dampers and Raven black paint.
Handling and chassis
The 86 is built around a front MacPherson strut suspension and a rear double-wishbone layout, with the boxer engine mounted low and far back to lower the center of gravity. The hood is aluminum and the fuel tank is resin to save weight. A limited-slip differential is part of the rear-drive setup, which helps the car put power down through corners. The TRD Special Edition changed the feel further with Sachs dampers tuned by Toyota Racing Development and Brembo brakes at both ends, hardware intended to reduce body movement and brake fade during hard use.
Trims and equipment
Beyond the standard 86, Toyota offered the 86 GT, which added dual-zone automatic climate control, seats with suede-like inserts and leather side bolstering, a 4.2-inch multi-information display, the Smart Key system with push-button start, an anti-theft system, a rear spoiler and LED fog lamps. The GT rode on the same 17-inch alloy wheels as the base car, while the TRD Special Edition moved to unique 18-inch wheels.
Ownership
The 2019 86 was backed by Toyota’s basic new-vehicle warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, as listed by Edmunds. The engine recommends premium unleaded fuel, and the car shared much of its mechanical design with the Subaru BRZ, which was built alongside it at Subaru’s Gunma plant.
The automatic-transmission 86 was the most efficient version of the 2019 range, EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined, because its taller gearing partly offset the automatic’s slightly lower power output. Manual cars and the TRD Special Edition traded some economy for closer ratios and a more engaged driving experience.
Because the TRD Special Edition was built in such small numbers, it remains the most collectible 2019 86 today. Buyers should verify the TRD-specific hardware — the Brembo brakes, Sachs dampers and 18-inch wheels — rather than relying on the badging alone, since those parts are what separate it from a standard 86 GT.
