In-depth reviews

Toyota GT 86 owner reviews

"The Toyota GT 86 is a real back-to-basics sports coupe. It’s rather low on polish and finesse, but is simply brilliant to drive”

Carbuyer Rating

3.6 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.9 out of 5

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Reviews

Owner Reviews

  • 5 out of 5
  • 4 out of 5
  • 3 out of 5
  • 2 out of 5
  • 1 out of 5
thumbs up95%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

  • Other (3 cases)
  • Electrics (1 case)

Review 1 of 21

5 out of 5

Car Details

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
I have to say this is the best sports car I've ever owned. The steering and handling is what you'd expect from cars costing 2 or 3 times as much. It's not the quickest in a straight line, but it's not as slow as you expect. 0-62 looks "slow" on paper because 2nd gear tops out at 60, so there is an extra gear change to hit 62.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

28
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Blue edition

Year

2018

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
What a hoot to drive. I wanted the 2017 facelift with it's better trim and instrument display inside and LED lights all round. My 2018 Club Series Blue (limited) Edition has black wheels and larger Brembo brakes and it gets admiring glances wherever I go. A real head Turner with added blackout rear qtr windows and black side stripes to compliment the bright blue exterior. Check Google images for yourself! Cannot fault it, I grin every time I drive it. The seats are very supportive and really comfortable and the steering's turn-in is delightful. I often get between 28-42 MPG and exploring the 7500 red line when I get the chance and speed limits allow! 2nd gear at the red line is 40 miles per hour! Buy one now... Sounds like a Porsche with its flat boxer engine but with Toyota's legendary reliability and low running costs built in.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.0 auto

Year

2014

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
I love love love this car puts a smile on my face every time i put my foot down. Easy to drive round town on auto and then use the flappy paddled gears when over taking on twisty roads. Love the noise it makes and i live in NI so mot many on the road looks great parked to any car any were. I advice any one that is a petrol head to buy one you need the gt86 in your life just to feel the drive and revving it to 7 and a half thousand revs to hear it srceam and take off.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

25
Tell us what you think about your car?
Researched this car for a year before deciding on buying one.... I'm now on my second set of tyres and I don't care. The driving fun this car provides at this price is second to none. Under 30mph at corners/roundabouts in the wet with a little flick down on the accelerator and out kicks the back end (many a wet night at Tesco car park building up confidence) Drive this car the way it's meant to be driven! Note: I'm not a boy racer but in my 50s but now feels like I'm back in my youth with a huge smile on my face on wet days).
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.0 Coupe

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Excellent vehicle.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Manual

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

30
Tell us what you think about your car?
I really don't want too many people finding out about how utterly amazing this car is, as its rarity definitely adds to its cool factor - but I figured if you are on this website, you are passionate about good cars and, well, Toyota need to shift a few more or they won't make anymore amazing cars like this! I pride myself on always buying the best affordable sports car I can - I've had Mazda RX8s, Mini Cooper S Porsche Boxster S and while each has had pros and cons - the overall package of the Toyota is so far ahead of everyone of them it's unreal! Handling and noise are staggeringly fun - quiet roundabouts and late night driving on quiet roads are pure unadulterated joy. Being in a big city though, the most reliable and constant joy is just looking at the damn thing!! My dad has an Aston Martin DBS and we both agree the GT86 looks better from every angle except dead on from the front!! That is ludicrous considering it's 1/8th of the price! The sharp lines and anthracite wheels are car porn - especially at night if you were smart enough to buy it in white. For my job I have to be a perfectionist so there are one or two very tiny niggles. It's a little rough when you very first start it on a cold day, just until it gets warmed up (aren't we all). No cup holders and no central arm rest as standard are bad omissions. A better/louder stereo as standard would also be nice and a couple of hooks in the boot so you can hang your shopping. That fun on the roundabouts, will mean you will spend every grocery trip repacking every last item when you get home as the boot is very spacious! Oh and for some reason Toyota can build one of the greatest cars ever made, but they can't design a seat that goes back to its original position after you spring it forward to get into the back! So always get into the back from the passenger seat if you are anal about your driving position! Life really is too short to be driving around in anything that is not a Toyota GT86.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Automatic

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

32
Tell us what you think about your car?
Superb drive, great style. I got respectable mileage. Reliable except it ran down the battery in two weeks standing. This is ridiculous for modern car and means you cannot leave it at the airport and go away for two weeks! On the forums there are many complaints. Toyota put an under engineered car on the market and did nothing under warranty to address it.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.0 Manual; Standard trim

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
Just over two years of ownership now. Pretty much trouble-free (minor niggles with fit of interior panels and seal on driver's door window fixed without any question or fuss by dealer) to date. Servicing costs are a little steep, but other running costs are perfectly acceptable for a car that is so much fun to drive at legal speeds on quiet twisty roads. Boot/luggage space isn't as restrictive as it might look at first glance.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2-3 litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2012

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

32
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

32
Tell us what you think about your car?
A new car Sept'62 therefore don't expect any reliability problems
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Gt 86 Pro Automatic

Year

2018

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

46
Tell us what you think about your car?
My car is the 2018 GT 86 Pro with Alcantara seats and trim , white pearl paint option with black side strips, Sat Nav and parking sensors, coming from a Lexus RC 300H Premier this smaller car with a similar automatic gearbox and paddle shift is absolutely brilliant. It fits me like a glove and does 50 MPG plus in the warm weather. For me as a driver it has impeccable road handling manners with a comfortable ride. The only negative point is the appalling satnav manual sold with it. There is a Toyota website that describes the use of this satnav in a manner that is easy to understand, although I am not sure that the dealers know this.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

D4S automatic

Year

2014

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

36
Tell us what you think about your car?
I bought the Toyota as a replacement for a Porsche 911 (997). I wasn't using the Porsche due to its lack of practicality and I was only using on infrequent long day trips to maintain its excellent condition. The GT86 has proved to be a real fun car, very agile, practical everyday car. I'm not saying it's better than the Porsche but for exceptional value for money and, so far, excellent reliability. I'm delighted with the car. I recently did a 300 + mile round trip between South and North Wales on a 2 day golf outing with a friend. We comfortably got 2 golf bags and cases into the car with the rear seat folded down and the car behaved exceptionally on brilliant twisty roads and i was able to complete the trip on a tank full of fuel. The car is fast enough and the driving position, handling, seating support, comfort and sports car feel is up there with the very best. I will buy another when it's time for a change.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Automatic

Year

2015

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

32
Tell us what you think about your car?
I Love it, it is the first time I have smiled driving a car in years. Those who say the 86 needs more power have missed the point. The journalists who poo-poo the automatic version I suspect have never driven it. I bought it at 18 months old from the local Toyota dealer. The downside?? I have yet to look at the analogue speedometer, if they tried a bit harder they could have made the electric window switches completely impossible to use and it takes me half an hour to get in or out of it because it's so low-slung. If you are thinking of buying a GT 86 stop wasting time and go and buy one NOW!!!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Auto, pearlescent white

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

28
Tell us what you think about your car?
Semi retired petrol head grateful for a reliable great looking nippy fun car. Bought as an ex demo , it ticked many boxes including boot space , folding rear seats , proven reliability . I had several MR2s previously and looked forward to what the manufacturers had taken much time developing . People who say it's not fast enough are talking rubbish, in sport mode in my automatic flicking the gearchange paddles can easily encourage you to lose your licence. This is not a straight line bully, this is a drivers car. But at my age it can still appeal on looks alone and keeps you feeling young . Hot hatches are appealing but I don't like the looks. I have thought of changing but just cannot find a suitable replacement. I recommended if you are a petrol head and actually enjoy driving.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

32
Tell us what you think about your car?
No problems since new - 4 months
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Auto

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great fun to drive, excellent driving position, looks fantastic, I prefer the auto as it's more enjoyable. You can keep both hands on the steering wheel, giving you a better engaging drive. It's fuel efficient, great on long journeys and has the paddle shifters. If you go for the used ones, you can get one for a third of the price new. Also put your cigarette lighter stopper in the end of the tube by the pedals as this hugely reduces the fake interior engine sound so you can hear that flat four boxer engine. Best sports car out there for the money, easy to modify if needed, a cheaper alternative to the new Supra. A car that will always look modern and super cool even in the years to come.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Gt86

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

39
Tell us what you think about your car?
Brought my automatic GT86 from a private owner second hand. I love it! So glad for auto as so fun to change from cruising around on auto then flicking it over and using manual mode. Handles so well around corners. Surprisingly good on fuel on motorway. Got 45mpg. My average for town driving is 34.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.0 D4-S Automatic

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

38
Tell us what you think about your car?
I've driven over 10,000 miles in my GT86 now, and I still love it. Despite what you may read, it is plenty fast enough, even with an automatic gearbox. The bonus for a higher mileage driver, like me, of the auto, apart from the ease of driving in heavy traffic, is the improved fuel economy thanks to 6th being an overdrive. I regularly get mid 40s mpg on a long run. Worst I've seen is 26 on local runs using the full rev range. The noise is addictive. The ride on 17" wheels is perfectly acceptable, although I've driven one on 18" wheels and it was a bit bouncy. The (front) seats and driving position are spot on. The major factor in buying this car is the handling, though, and it doesn't disappoint, with great grip and communicative steering, and a willingness to wag it's tail when YOU want it to. I drove a manual version recently and was left surprisingly cold. The auto makes the performance so much more accessible in the real world. Don't listen to the blinkered journos that ignore the auto or the testosterone fueled kids that want 300+bhp, and try one!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2 litre petrol

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

27
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great drive, can't understand critics' remarks about interior, it was only designed recently so how can it be dated? It is what it is, however the fuel quotes by all reviews are complete rubbish. I've driven mine on all sorts of roads and conditions including below the magic 3,000 revs for days on end and NEVER had more than 28 mpg with an average of 27. This is pathetic in this day of finally tuned engines, shame on you Toyota design. Still wouldn't part with it though.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

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