Toyota 86 2018 review
Australia fell in love with the Toyota 86, a combination of nostalgia and a solid brand reputation propelling the two door, rear-wheel drive coupe into our hearts. Is it still good six years later?
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If you're a true believer in the theory that weight is the enemy of performance, one of the guiding principles of the Mazda MX-5, then this $41,960 variant is the one for you. It's got the old, cloth-style roof rather than the fancy, and far heavier, folding hard top, and you really can feel the difference.
But with the GT - unlike the base model 1.5-litre roadster - you get the properly fizzing new version of the 2.0-litre engine, making 135kW/205Nm, pushed to the rear wheels through either a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto that's nowhere near as much fun.
Standard kit from the base car includes a new reversing camera, 16-inch alloy wheels, now black metallic for extra visual menace, LED headlamps, power mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, climate-control air, black cloth seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with 'MZD Connect', an audio system with six speakers and DAB+ (but no CD player), Bluetooth streaming, internet radio integration, satellite navigation, 'Smart City Brake Support', or AEB, 'Traffic Sign Recognition', and blind-spot monitoring.
Stepping up to this GT throws in 17-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights and DRLs, black or tan leather seats, a Bose premium stereo with nine speakers, keyless entry, 'Driver Attention Alert', lane-departure warning and reverse parking sensors, and Smart City Brake Support in reverse.
The new car also gets a telescopically adjustable steering wheel, which makes the perfect driving position even more perfect.
Vehicle | Specs | Price* | |
---|---|---|---|
Roadster | 1.5L, PULP, 6 SP AUTO | $26,290 – 32,450 | 2019 Mazda MX-5 2019 Roadster Pricing and Specs |
RF | 2.0L, PULP, 6 SP AUTO | $30,910 – 37,180 | 2019 Mazda MX-5 2019 RF Pricing and Specs |
RF GT (black Roof) (5YR) | 2.0L, PULP, 6 SP MAN | $40,150 – 47,190 | 2019 Mazda MX-5 2019 RF GT (black Roof) (5YR) Pricing and Specs |
RF GT | 2.0L, PULP, 6 SP MAN | $34,650 – 41,250 | 2019 Mazda MX-5 2019 RF GT Pricing and Specs |
$31,350
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data