Compare the2026 Subaru BRZVS 2026 Toyota GR86

The BRZ has standard Whiplash Protection Seats, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Protection Seats system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GR86 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The BRZ has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the GR86 Premium/Yuzu Edition offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the BRZ has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the GR86 Premium/Yuzu Edition offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both the BRZ and the GR86 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Toyota is ranked third.

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru BRZ is faster than the Toyota GR86 (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the BRZ 6-speed Manual gets better fuel mileage than the GR86 6-speed Manual (20 city/27 hwy vs. 20 city/26 hwy).

The BRZ stops shorter than the GR86:

The BRZ’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR86’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the BRZ has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the GR86.

The BRZ has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GR86’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The BRZ Limited handles at .99 G’s, while the GR86 Premium pulls only .97 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the BRZ Limited is quieter than the GR86 Premium (89 vs. 91 dB).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

The BRZ’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GR86 doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The BRZ has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The GR86 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GR86, based on reliability, safety and performance.