Toyota 86 2012 review

We have recently spent time in the UK, Germany, France and Italy and everywhere we go car lovers are talking about the return of Toyota to the sports car business. They are also bemoaning the ever growing waiting lists for the 86.

Toyota Australia won’t quote waiting times, but anecdotally potential owners are staring at up to six months before they have one sitting in their driveway on standby for the delights of an early Sunday morning drive on stretches of interesting roads.

VALUE

Starting at an amazingly low $29,990 for the manual Toyota 86 GT, the price rises to $35,490 for the GTS manual. Automatic adds $2500 to both grades. Despite its low price the Toyota 86 is not short-changed on equipment to keep the costs down. The GT has 16-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, cruise control, air-conditioning, a pretty good sound system and a multi-information display.

The top line Toyota 86 GTS gains 17-inch alloy wheels, auto levelling HID headlamps, a 6.1-inch display screen for satellite navigation with live traffic updates, dual zone climate control air-con, fabric front seats with leather accents and red stitching, and aluminium pedals. On the practical side the Toyota 86 has Toyota’s capped price servicing plan, with up to four scheduled services at just $170 each.

DESIGN

Toyota tells us the styling of the 86 was inspired by the 1965 Toyota 2000GT with its classic side-window shape, long bonnet and rear fender line. The shape is sporty and neat and likely to remain as timeless as those of its honourable ancestor. The front bucket seats provide good lateral support when cornering and do so without being overly aggressive in the shape of the side bolsters. As a 2+2 the Toyota 86 has no illusions about carrying rear seat passengers.

The 86s we tested were early Australia imports and had a spare wheel and tyre. This steals quite a bit of the depth from the boot. Later imports have a tyre sealant and inflation kit in place of the spare. This makes a lot more sense for almost all drivers. Those who intend to travel way outback can still buy a spare wheel if that makes them feel more secure. With the backs folded flat there is space in the boot to carry two golf bags – this being a high priority for any car on the Japanese market.

TECHNOLOGY

The automatic transmission has been retuned for use behind the sporting 2.0-litre 200-horsepower (147 kW) engine, with fast shifts that are generally as demanded by the driver’s throttle movements. A very-high compression ratio of 12.5:1 gives the naturally aspirated engine excellent performance across the entire rev range.

It doesn’t have the sort of push in the back acceleration you get in something like a Subaru WRX, rather it has satisfying acceleration – more in the manner of a Mazda MX-5. So the 86 demands the driver has to work to get the best from it. It comes as no surprise that the engine demands 98 octane petrol. The engine delivers a sporty note that’s pleasing to the ear and as it rises up past 6000 rpm it reminds us of our favourite Italian four-cylinder powerplants in its willingness to rev.

SAFETY

This sporting machine is right up to date in the latest thinking in primary and secondary safety devices. It has a five-mode stability control system, traction control, anti-locking brakes. If you still do have a crash in an 86 it will do its best to protect you with no fewer than seven airbags, a big complement for what’s virtually a two-seater car.

DRIVING

We have just finished a week in an example of each car – a GTS with a manual gearbox and an automatic GT. It will come as no surprise that our preference is for the six-speed manual, after all we make no secret of the fact that driving is a major passion in our life. Having said that, we could live with an 86 six-speed auto if we were stuck with heavy-duty community traffic on a daily basis.

We just love the throttle blips on down changes when the automatic is used in its semi-manual mode. The automatic isn’t quite as smooth as if it were tuned for an everyday Toyota as you can feel hard changes at times. But we feel this is more than acceptable given the nature of this hot little beast.

Handling is exceptional, making it a true drivers’ car and explaining the long waiting lists worldwide. The flat-four engine sits low and satisfyingly rearwards in the front of the car and drives the rear wheels (of course!). Steering inputs are fast and progressive and there’s plenty of positive feedback through the wheel.

Toyota 86 sticks to the road with all the determination and verve of a true sports machine and like all the best in this class it seems to read the mind of the driver. Most to the time the noise from the tyres is subdued, but some harsh surfaces, particularly concrete and coarse-chip, set up quite a racket at times. We suggest you check this for yourself if roads like that are part of your regular commute.

VERDICT

Toyota’s little 86 sports coupe is taking the world by storm.