The 2027 Toyota GR86 enters another model year as a second-generation rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a set of focused refinements rather than a redesign. Toyota detailed the changes on June 1, 2026, and the car was expected at U.S. dealers over the summer. The updates target how the coupe feels to drive, covering throttle response, shift quality and interior presentation, while the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four boxer and rear-wheel-drive layout carry over unchanged.
What’s New for the 2027 Toyota GR86
Toyota says the GAZOO Racing team sharpened the GR86’s controllability, convenience and comfort for 2027. According to Toyota’s 2027 GR86 announcement, the highlights are a refined throttle calibration, an improved fifth-to-fourth downshift feel, new interior treatments and expanded active-safety and convenience features. A new exterior color called Thunder joins the palette, and a new Cockpit Red interior option is added to the Premium grades.
Engine and Performance
The 2027 GR86 is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Toyota offers the car in GR86 (base) and GR86 Premium grades, and both can be fitted with an available Performance Package that adds Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers. The GR86 is one of the few affordable new cars still sold with a naturally aspirated engine, a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, a combination that has made it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
Transmission and Shift-Feel Changes
Toyota made a surprisingly granular change for 2027: engineers widened the chamfer of the shifter interlock between fourth and fifth gear by roughly 0.02 inches (about 0.5 mm). The company says the tiny change creates the sensation of the lever being drawn smoothly into place. Both a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic are offered. Engineers also refined the relationship between accelerator input and torque delivery for a more linear response.
Interior Updates
The available Cockpit Red interior pairs black Ultrasuede with red leather accents on the seat bolsters, plus red floor mats and red door accents. A black interior option is also available with black Ultrasuede and black leather-trimmed upholstery. Premium models add a cast iron black finish on switches, knobs and the shifter, while the base grade uses six-way adjustable black GR-embossed fabric seats with sport side bolsters.
Safety and Driver-Assist Updates
Toyota nearly doubled the recognition range of the stereo camera to improve detection of preceding vehicles when cruise control is active, and it added a monocular camera to help detect nearby objects at intersections. These changes support the driver-assist features that come with the car without altering its fundamental character as a lightweight sports coupe.
Pricing and Release Date
Toyota’s 2027 GR86 model page lists a starting MSRP of $31,500, and the car was expected to arrive at U.S. dealers in summer 2026. In Canada, Toyota’s Canadian announcement says the car went on sale August 4, 2026, from $33,400. Buyers also get a complimentary one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association.
A Lightweight Sports Car
The GR86 and its Subaru BRZ twin share a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with a low center of gravity and a near-even front-to-rear weight balance. The Toyota 86 line began in 2012 as a joint Toyota-Subaru project, and the current second-generation GR86 launched for the 2022 model year. The car’s appeal has always been its light weight and analog feel rather than outright power.
The available Performance Package adds Brembo four-piston front brakes and SACHS dampers, hardware aimed at owners who take their car to track days and autocross events. The complimentary one-year National Auto Sport Association membership reflects that focus: Toyota is actively encouraging GR86 owners to drive the car in organized motorsport. Track testing also shaped the 2027 changes, with Toyota saying each lap helped engineers refine the car’s response and feel.
How the 2027 GR86 Compares
The GR86’s closest rival is the Subaru BRZ, its mechanical twin, which shares the same platform and engine. Against the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the GR86 offers more power and a fixed roof but less outright lightness; against the Nissan Z, it gives up a great deal of power but costs thousands less. Toyota’s decision to keep the GR86 near $31,500 while adding Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers keeps it competitive in a shrinking class of affordable rear-drive coupes.
The GR86 is a 2+2 coupe, so the rear seats suit children or luggage rather than adults, and cargo space is modest. The cabin prioritizes the driver over passengers. For buyers who want a single car for commuting and weekend fun, that is an acceptable trade for the car’s low weight and engaging chassis; for families, it is a limitation that tends to push them toward a hot hatch instead.
Our take
The 2027 GR86 is a case of Toyota sweating the small stuff, and that is the right approach for a car this focused. The throttle and shifter changes matter more to the people who buy this car than a power bump would, and the new interior colors answer a long-standing complaint that the cabin felt plain. At around $31,500 it remains one of the best performance values on sale, though buyers who want turbocharged torque should look at a GR Corolla or a Mustang EcoBoost instead.
FAQ
How much horsepower does the 2027 GR86 make?
The 2027 GR86 uses a 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder rated at 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
Does the 2027 GR86 still offer a manual transmission?
Yes. A six-speed manual is offered alongside a six-speed automatic on both the base and Premium grades.
How much does the 2027 GR86 cost?
Toyota’s 2027 GR86 page lists a starting MSRP of $31,500, while the Canadian model starts at $33,400.
Related reading: our 2019 Toyota 86 review, a look at the 2019 86 Special Edition, and our coverage of the 2019 86 GTS and Special Edition.
