2023 Toyota GR 86 vs Subaru BRZ Comparison: Spec Sheet Battle

With its official launch in August 2022, the next-generation Toyota GR 86 is now available in the Philippine market where it joins the Subaru BRZ in the same 2-door coupe segment. The BRZ in turn, was launched a bit earlier at the 2022 Manila International Auto Show last April. 

The 2023 Toyota GR 86 (manual variant) when it was previewed at the 2022 GR Festival

While both are now next-generation models these two are still cut from the same cloth. They share the same platform, the same powertrain, and they even have some similarities when it comes to style.  

But which of these two coupes is better on paper? Let’s answer that question by comparing the top-spec Subaru BRZ 2.4 AT EyeSight and the Toyota GR 86 2.4 AT. We picked to pit these against each other, as both are top-spec variants and so will provide the whole picture of what they’re offering. Also, these two are the closest when it comes to pricing.  

To kick off this comparison, let’s go over the size of these two coupes. Starting with the Toyota GR 86, it comes with a length of 4,265mm, a width of 1,775mm, and a height of 1,310mm. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,575mm, and a ground clearance of 130mm. 

The 2023 Toyota GR 86

The Subaru BRZ then has a length of 4,265mm, a width of 1,775mm, and a height of 1,310mm. Its wheelbase then spans 2,575mm, and it has a ground clearance of 130mm. 

Both the Toyota and the Subaru come with identical dimensions. Both also have identical wheelbase lengths and ground clearance figures. This is unsurprising since both do share the exact same platform.  

Regarding exterior equipment, both also appear to come with roughly the same kit. Both have LED headlamps with auto-leveling, power-folding side mirrors, LED taillights, LED daytime running lamps, and a duck-tail rear spoiler. 

The 2022 Subaru BRZ (Foreign market version pictured)

Both Toyota and Subaru made sure to sprinkle their own touches on their respective coupes when it comes to styling. But then again, both also come with 18-inch alloy wheels with a similar spoked design, twin-tail mufflers, as well as some functional air ducts up front.  

The only difference that we can see at least when specs are concerned, is the presence of rear fog lamps for the Toyota. The Subaru in turn, does not have this, but it does get UV protection glass for its front, rear quarter, and rear windows.  

Stepping inside both the GR 86 and BRZ, one can find that it can seat up to four occupants at most. They also sport similar-looking interiors with exactly the same arrangements for their dual-zone automatic air-conditioning systems, their multi-function steering wheels, and their digital gauge clusters.  

The 2023 Toyota GR 86's cockpit

Also common between these two coups are leather and suede seats. Two differences between the GR 86 and the BRZ’s interiors are the presence of Gazoo Racing badges in the former and red contrast stitching in the latter.  

As for their on-board infotainment systems, both the top-spec GR 86 and the top-spec BRZ are kitted out with an eight-inch headunit. Connecting a smartphone for both models is made easy thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and both also have USB ports and Bluetooth.  

A peek inside the BRZ

Outputting the sound for both cars is a six-piece speaker set. Also present for both vehicles is an ample amount of cupholders and bottle holders, aluminum sport pedals, among others.  

Both the Toyota GR 86 AT and the Subaru BRZ AT EyeSight both use the 2.4-liter FA24 boxer-four gasoline engine. 

On the Toyota model, the said engine can make up to 232 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. The BRZ’s 2.4-liter mill meanwhile, can churn out 228 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. This puts the Toyota model a tad more powerful compared to the Subaru. The difference between the two though is just 4 horsepower.  

The GR 86's 2.4-liter engine

For transmissions, the top-spec GR 86 and the top-spec BRZ both use a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters to control their manual modes. Furthermore, both are also rear-wheel-drive units, and both come standard with a limited-slip differential.  

These two also utilize a similar suspension system. For the front, they come with a MacPherson strut, and their rear suspension is a double-wishbone type.  

Appearance wise, the BRZ's 2.4-liter engine looks identical to the one on the GR 86

Braking is then handled for ventilated disc brakes and a hand-operated parking brake for these two sports cars.  

The GR 86 and the BRZ as standard, are equipped with anti-lock braking, stability control, hill-start assist, as well as a reverse camera. They also have the same number of airbags at seven in total.  

Both vehicles also have similar driver assist kits but do note that these are known by their brand’s respective names. For the Toyota, it is dubbed the Gr 86 Active Safety Suite. The one on the Subaru in-turn, is called the Subaru EyeSight. 

Present on both of these kits is a pre-collision system, automatic high beam control, lane departure alert, and adaptive cruise control.  

Also present on both two-seaters is a blind-spot monitoring system with rear-cross traffic alert, ISOFIX child seat anchors, rear parking sensors, a seatbelt reminder, etc.  

To put it bluntly, the differences between the Toyota GR 86 AT and the Subaru BRZ AT EyeSight is marginal. One might even go on to say that they’re practically the same car.  

Which rear end do you like better? is its the GR 86's rear?

One can say that’s all said and done, and the difference between the two just boils down to pricing, style, and 4 horsepower in favor of the Toyota. Then again, there just might be enough variances that aren’t put into the spec sheet that will make each of them unique in their own right.  

But with this being a comparison of specs only, unveiling their real differences would take an actual test drive of either vehicle. So if you’re really serious about getting any of the 2-door fastback coupes from either Toyota or Subaru anytime soon, we highly advise you to give each one a good ol’ spin. 

Or do you prefer the BRZ's rear end? They share a lot of similarities though

For more specs comparisons, keep it here on Philkotse.