2015 Toyota 86 Review

It’s been three years since the Toyota 86 first exploded onto the Australian new car market with a sub-$30k starting price and the promise of ‘proper’ rear-wheel-drive dynamics. Initially a consistent top-seller in the local sports car segment, that success has not been matched globally. And now in 2015, sales here are so far down more than 30 per cent year-on-year.

So why has the love affair worn off? Was it all just hype from the very beginning, or is the Toyota 86 as legitimate now as it has ever been?

Since its June 2012 launch, CarAdvice has scored the two-door four-seat Toyota 86 nine out of 10, or better, in each and every review. And since that debut year, the 86 has been offered in two trims: a $29,990 entry-level GT and a flagship GTS, like the Ice Silver one tested here.

Attached to an inarguably sharp entry figure, the base 86 is a direct price match for the front-wheel-drive South Korean duo of the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo and Kia Pro_cee’d GT.

Starting at $35,990, though, the top-spec GTS is fast approaching rear-wheel-drive staples the Ford Falcon XR6 ($36,090) and Holden Commodore SV6 ($36,790) – both of which offer more power, more torque and legitimate seating for five.

That said, even if 86 owners opt for a six-speed automatic transmission for $2500, the Toyota still undercuts its equivalent Subaru BRZ twin.

Stretch a little further and performance benchmarks such as the front-wheel-drive Ford Focus ST ($38,990) and Volkswagen Golf GTI ($40,990) come into play, along with the all-paw Subaru WRX ($38,990).

Notable standard kit on the 86 includes fog lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a reversing camera, seven air bags, a six-speaker stereo with a 6.1-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming.

The top-spec GTS adds LED daytime running lights, HID headlights, satellite navigation, heated part-leather seats, dual-zone climate control, a push-button start, 17-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.

Importantly, apart from a three-year/100,000km warranty and three years (or 60,000km) capped-price servicing, regardless of trim, all 86 variants also get a torsion limited-slip rear differential – and on a car like this, that matters…

Inside, things are basic but clean. There are simple and easy to use climate controls, a faux-carbonfibre dash panel, frameless rear-view mirror and, for the driver to enjoy, a white-faced central tacho with accompanying digital speedo.

Comprising fabric centres and red-stitched leather flanks, the 86’s sports seats are not only comfortable and supportive, they also do a terrific job of preventing occupants from sliding around.

Only able to accommodate two passengers, the backseat is undoubtedly snug. But while the heavily scalloped seats are easily best reserved for bags or emergency use only, taller folk can still be accommodated (though toe and legroom are both limited).

Ensuring more than a modicum of practicality, the Toyota 86 rear end is home to a 218-litre boot, which, by dropping the one-piece rear seat backrest, can be expanded to fit up to four full size wheels or two golf bags – fairly impressive.

Annoyingly though, three months after the car launched, Toyota decided to swap the 86’s spare alloy wheel for a puncture repair kit. By contrast, Subaru has kept the BRZ’s spare wheel, providing a real point of difference between the two models.

Despite being the source of much debate across internet forums the world over, the 86’s 2.0-litre ‘Boxer’ – or horizontally opposed – four-cylinder engine provides enough ‘go’ to lazily meander through the city, hovering around 2000-2500rpm.

Co-developed with Subaru, the FA20 86/BRZ powerplant produces 147kW of power at 7000rpm and 205Nm of torque at 6600rpm.

Disappointing many vocal enthusiasts, like the BRZ, the Toyota 86 has always been and so far continues to be, entirely naturally aspirated. That means no turbocharging or supercharging of any kind.