If you grew up liking cars, one car that is probably constantly on your radar is the Toyota GR86 (or its predecessors), and it isn’t hard to understand why. It has rear-wheel drive, looks good, has some legacy to its name, and is a Toyota which means it should be reliable, right? Notice how “manual” is missing there as this test unit is in fact, an automatic. So, does that automatically (no pun intended) cancel out all its plus points? Here’s a review of the automatic Toyota GR86.
The thing about the GR86 is that regardless of its transmission, it is already something hard to come by in terms of packaging for a brand-new car. It’s pretty much unrivaled unless you consider the MX-5 to be a worthy alternative. Where else can you find a brand-new car that’s like the GR86 in Malaysia?
We’ve had the chance to sample the manual GR86 before, so this time, let’s focus our attention on the automatic tofu delivery machine. Before we go on, here’s a quick overview of the automatic Toyota GR86:
| Engine | 2.4-litre NA boxer 4-cylinder |
| Maximum power output | 237 hp |
| Maximum torque | 250 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| 0-100 km/h | 6.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 216 km/h |
| Price | RM305,000 |
Toyota GR86 (automatic) look and feel: Gymnast-like proportions, undoubtedly a sports car
As per tradition, let’s first address the looks of the GR86. Does it look good? Yes. In fact, it is much better looking than its predecessor with its bodylines flowing much better and having more coherence. The front end is perhaps a bit confused (and not quite distinctive), but the rear end is perfect with all the lines flowing cohesively.
With this unit’s red exterior colour, the GR86 is a stunner that successfully turns heads at gas stations and traffic stops. It won’t be hard to make new friends if you drive around in this. Inside it combines Toyota’s simplicity with obvious sports car ergonomics. The back seats are useless and that’s perfectly fine.
Its small packaging and muscular proportions suggest gymnast-like athleticism, but is that really the case?
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Toyota GR86 (automatic) Driving Experience: Has the automatic transmission ruined all the fun?
The GR86 is not a fast car by fast car standards and the reason you get one is for the engaging driving experience that it offers. Is it engaging to drive even with the automatic transmission? Yes, it is.
Its short wheelbase and RWD setup means it’s a tail-happy car. This encourages you to be more aware of your throttle input, especially in slippery conditions. Give it some time and you’ll probably be a lot more confident driving more powerful (and heavier) RWD cars if one were handed to you. That’s already a plus point in itself.
Even with the lack of the good old stick shift, you can also learn to maintain the power of the engine albeit only with your right foot and your fingertips. The thing about an “engaging driving experience” is that it goes beyond just having a manual box. There’s throttle modulation, braking, weight transfer, gauging the amount of grip that you have, staying within the power bandwidth, and so on. And by that, of course, the automatic GR86 is less engaging than the manual, but no, it hasn’t “ruined” the GR86.
To appreciate the GR86 (regardless of transmission), you would have to absolutely push it to its limits. Otherwise, it would be a waste.
Eu Jin had previously found the manual GR86 to be a bit jerky in downtown traffic (if you’re not smooth with the clutch), but the auto GR86 is quite the opposite – it just drives around town like an average Corolla (which is a beautiful thing). It is only when you absolutely crank it that the glorious sound of the boxer engine comes to fruition, and mind you this is doable with the standard exhaust system.
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the GR86, your muscle memory and reflexes will have been developed enough to give you more confidence in the corners. It’s not hard to slide the GR86 and this can be overwhelming for those who aren’t familiar with RWD characteristics. Thankfully it’s also not difficult to correct your steering angle in the undesired event that you do lose control. Its lightweight and small size means there is less inertia and more room for error.
Sure, with only 237 hp and 250 Nm, the GR86 isn’t the most powerful car out there. In fact, you could get some decent used performance cars within its price range if power is a concern for you. But the GR86 isn’t about brute power. It’s an athletic little car that lets you try out and learn new things.
I would personally describe the GR86 as an excellent sparring partner. It knows how to push your limits, but it also knows that it isn’t necessary to knock you out cold.
And with an automatic, it is an even friendlier alternative for those who aren’t ready to fully commit to that performance-enthusiast life. It’s also for those who would find all the things associated with “engaging driving” a little too overwhelming on top of having to deal with a traditional manual transmission.
Oh, and how does the automatic transmission feel? It loves to hold gears. Drive it up Genting Highlands and keep it in sport mode and it will hold on to 2nd gear for as long as possible. The transmission encourages you to rev it high (and unleash the melodious boxer tune), which really is just its polite way of saying “Stop being such a pussy behind the wheel”.
And as mentioned earlier, if you don’t push it and keep it in normal mode, it will drive like the average Corolla (almost as quietly too). And this brings me to my next point…
The automatic GR86 is the savior of “affordable” sports cars
It’s easy to look past the automatic GR86 since one might not consider it as a true version of the GR86. Car enthusiasts love to diss automatic transmissions, but the automatic GR86 is ironically the savior for the compact sports car and car enthusiasts in general.
Having an automatic transmission makes it a friendlier introduction to newer customers, which helps boost its sales numbers, and this allows the GR86 to continually be made for the coming years. The automatic GR86 allows for the manual version to exist and still be somewhat affordable.
Not all of us are fond of having both a weekend car and a daily car. Some of us are just looking for one car to do it all. And as obvious as it is, the automatic GR86 is just a lot easier to live with daily.
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Toyota GR86 (Auto) Verdict: The friendly introduction to the world of spirited driving
Regardless of transmission, the Toyota GR86 is already a special car in today’s era of electrification and SUVs. You can find similar packaging elsewhere but it’s usually a lot pricier. Sure, the automatic is less engaging than the manual, but, no, it has not ruined the GR86. It has just made it a friendlier option.
If you’re going to “daily” your GR86, consider the automatic. If it’s going to be your dedicated weekend car, get the manual. Don’t compromise.
Want to know what the manual GR86 is like instead? Watch this video:
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