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Toyota GT86

The Toyota GT86 is a rear-wheel-drive 2+2 sports coupé jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Toyota GT86 is a rear-wheel-drive 2+2 sports coupé jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru. It was sold from 2012 to 2020 as the GT86 in many markets, with related badge-engineered versions including the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S. The model was succeeded by the Toyota GR86 in 2021.

Development

The GT86 was jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru as an affordable, enthusiast-oriented sports car. Toyota connected the car to its AE86 heritage, while Subaru contributed the flat-four engine platform.

Design and engineering

The car is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive 2+2 coupé with a low centre of gravity and near 53/47 weight distribution. Its 2.0-litre boxer engine uses D-4S injection in Toyota specifications.

Market names

The same basic vehicle was sold under different badges in different regions. Common names included Toyota GT86, Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, and Scion FR-S.

Replacement and legacy

The first-generation GT86 ended production in 2020, and Toyota introduced the GR86 as the next generation in 2021. The car is widely associated with a resurgence of affordable rear-wheel-drive sports coupés.

Key facts

  • The GT86 was jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru and built at Subaru’s Gunma plant.
  • It uses a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer engine and rear-wheel drive.
  • The model was marketed under different names, including Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, and Scion FR-S.
  • Toyota positioned the car as a modern successor in spirit to the AE86 Corolla.
  • The first-generation model was replaced by the Toyota GR86 in 2021.
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Canadian context

The GT86 was sold in Canada as the Scion FR-S before Toyota rebranded the car as the 86 in some markets; it helped shape interest in affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars among Canadian enthusiasts.[15]

Frequently asked questions

What is the Toyota GT86?
A Toyota sports coupé developed with Subaru, sold as a 2+2 rear-wheel-drive car from 2012 to 2020.
Is the GT86 the same as the Toyota 86?
Yes, in many markets the car was sold as the Toyota 86; GT86 was a regional name used in several markets.
What engine does the GT86 use?
It uses a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-four boxer engine with D-4S injection in Toyota specifications.
Who made the GT86?
Toyota and Subaru jointly developed the car, and it was manufactured by Subaru.
What replaced the GT86?
Toyota replaced the first-generation GT86 with the second-generation GR86 in 2021.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_86
    Supports: Joint development with Subaru, body style, drivetrain, production years, heritage inspiration, and related model naming.
  2. Toyota Media Site — https://media.toyota.co.uk/vehicles/gt86-2012-2021/
    Supports: Official description of the first-generation GT86, drivetrain, engine, and heritage inspiration.
  3. Toyota Media Site — https://media.toyota.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/1599217620200312MGT86techspecWLTP.pdf
    Supports: Engine specification, power, torque, transmission, and weight figures for the GT86.
  4. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1138779
    Supports: General identification of the Toyota 86 as a rear-wheel-drive sports coupé produced by Toyota.
  5. The Autopian — https://www.theautopian.com/the-original-toyota-gt86-shows-the-folly-of-trying-to-please-car-enthusiasts/
    Supports: Naming history, Canadian/US market branding context, and transition to GR86.