There are certain things in life that split opinion and we end up relentlessly arguing
about them even though we know the differences between those two things are very minute.
Pancakes and Crepes, Coke and Pepsi, Apple and Samsung, infinite lists of Death Metal
bands – and in automotive terms, the Toyota GT86 and the Subaru BRZ.
They’re both budget, pocket rocket sports cars costing under £30,000 offering near
identical interior and exterior styling, and they even sport the same flat-four boxer petrol
engine and rear-wheel drive set-up.
Now similar to the BRZ, the GT86 has been updated for 2017, it actually got its updates
before the BRZ, with a wider more prominent grille, a rejigged front bumper and splitter
which has fancier fog light housings and LED lights – and I love this little 86 logo
here – and there are some other tweaks too, which we’ll take a look at by jumping inside.
So, a few new additions to speak of, including a new steering wheel with audio controls,
you also get that familiar 86 logo here too, there’s contrasting silver stitching on
these lovely bucket seats, and there’s leather plastered on the doors and dashboard as well
– but the biggest improvement in here for me, functionality wise, is the new 4.2-inch
trip screen behind the wheel.
Now if you are used to the creature comfort galore of high-end sports cars then you’ll
probably find the general build in here a bit cheap, but for enthusiasts, they’ll
feel right at home, everything literally feels like it has been hand screwed together.
Plus you’ve still got Bluetooth, DAB and this Toyota Touch 2 system as standard.
But it does feel pretty raw in here, even more so when you start up the engine and feel
it shake to life.
Like I said earlier, it’s the same 197bhp 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat four boxer
petrol under the bonnet, which means the GT86 still needs some spurring to really achieve
it’s potential – that rev counter that goes up to 9,000 revs isn’t just for show.
Hit the 6,500rpm mark and you’ll open up 205Nm of torque and work this stimulating
six-speed gearbox fast enough and you’ll get from 0-62 in 7.6 seconds – Yep, identical
to the BRZ.
Also identical to the BRZ are the minor engine changes that are supposed to make it run smoother
and more responsively, but you’d really have to have the old and new 86 models side-by-side
to tell the difference.
The GT86 is still so much fun to drive though.
And it’s so easy to access that fun factor.
I mean give it a bit too much throttle coming out of a junction, or going around a roundabout
and you will feel the back-end whip out.
And the vehicle dynamics system and rear torsen limited slip diff should help those muppets
who try and push it too hard when they shouldn’t be.
But if you’re one of those people who knows what they’re doing, then you can take things
a step further with its new Track Mode, which turns off the traction control and heightens
the throttle response amongst other things.
And oh boy.
Forget about turning off the traction control though, forget about sprint times, forget
about brute power or turbo-chargers, this car is still one of the most engaging cars
money can buy, period.
It sticks to the road like a bad habit, and the steering is so exact, you feel like you’re
orchestrating your own driving experience – and the ride, albeit cliché, has that
not too firm, not too soft feel.
And the GT86’s ride has actually been made a tad firmer in the new model in order to
make it more athletic, which if anything I think it makes it feel more like the BRZ.
See people used to say “ooo the ride is the big one with the BRZ and GT86, that’s
the main thing that feels different”, well, not too sure of that myself, at least not
anymore.
And I’m not sure if you noticed…
can you see it yet?
Yep, this GT86 does not have a spoiler, because it’s not standard on the GT86, unlike the
BRZ, you’ve got to go for the Pro trim – which also brings the likes of alcantara upholstery
and heated seats.
But let us know what you think in the comments, spoiler or no spoiler.
And juts a quick note on boot space, it doesn’t look very big, due to the limited access,
but there’s still around 240 litres, which is sort of city car/supermini size.
And when it comes to those two rear seats, you can pretty much forget about fitting adults
in.
So, which one would I go for?
The GT86 or the BRZ?
I really don’t know, it’s so hard to choose… probably the Toyota… maybe.
The Toyota is about £350 more expensive, but I do think I prefer the styling.
And I guess a lot of people will prefer the familiarity of the Toyota badge too.
And it makes me sad that you won’t see many of these on the road – but I guess the flipside
of that is, if you do buy one, then you’ll be getting plenty of looks – arguably more
than you’d get in something like a Porsche, because everyone knows what one of those looks
like, don’t they?
So, if you’d like to watch our video review of the Subaru BRZ, then click at the link
on top of your screen, if you want to browse and see how much you could save on a BRZ,
click in the bottom left of the screen, and of course, if you haven’t already, click
that subscribe button.