Toyota 86 VS Ford Mustang
Toyota 86
Likes
- Huge fun to drive
- Comfortable despite purpose
- Good value
Dislikes
- Dodgy interior materials
- No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
- Raucous engine
Ford Mustang
Likes
Dislikes
Summary
Toyota 86
Toyota's 86 might have been a huge surprise when it burst onto the world stage, but now it's difficult to imagine a world without it. Heralding a so-far slow and steady return to more interesting cars for the Japanese giant, the 86 has steadily clocked up the sales.
The tiny sports car picked up a few specification tweaks late last year as well as a longed-for 'Performance Pack' and the mildest of upgraded stereos.
Half a decade on and with the Mazda MX-5 (in both convertible and hardtop) as a strong price rival, with an army of hot hatches nipping at its heels, is the 86 still the bargain funster we'd been missing all those years?
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.8L/100km |
| Seating | 4 seats |
Ford Mustang
Sometimes I think the present is nowhere near as futuristic as I thought it would be when pondering things 20 years ago.
And then there are times when the two cars you’re comparing are an electric Mustang SUV and a 580 horsepower Kia that accelerates faster than a Ferrari Enzo.Â
Yep, this comparison of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Kia EV6 GT is one of those times when we’re reminded how much things have changed and how quickly we need to accept the changes electric cars introduce as the new normal.
Read more about
Supercar-like acceleration, the dilemma of charging and the premium price they command are key EV attributes. But they are still cars. Still the way we get around.
If they’re SUVs like the Mach-E GT and EV6 GT we need to compare more than just their EV credentials. Practicality, driveability, value-for-money, safety and ownership costs are also hugely important.
And this is what we’ve done here, comparing them not just as electric cars but in all the ways you’ll use them, too.Â
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | — |
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Fuel Efficiency | —L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Toyota 867.3/10
The overall score doesn't really reflect how good this car is. It's let down by silly things like the lack of a decent stereo head unit, a ho-hum warranty package and a lack of advanced safety features. Those things sort of miss the point for most 86 buyers as the sales figures suggest.
It's old school fun without all the reliability and usability issues. It's a better proposition than any bargain sportscar for decades and is never not a barrel of laughs. The best value - and most fun - is a manual GT with the Dynamic Performance Pack. It's still good value, has a bit more oomph in the brakes and suspension and adds just a little bit of spice to the 86.
Has the 86 withstood the test of time? Or have other, new options stolen your heart? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Ford Mustang/10
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT wins this comparison with the Kia EV6 GT by a small margin, mainly due to its better practicality, its styling and its lower ownership costs. The Kia EV6 GT is also brilliant in its sporty handling, value-for-money and great battery tech. But if there was one that’s the best all-rounder to live with daily, it’s the Mustang Mach-E GT.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Price and Features | 7 | 8 |
Design | 9 | 8 |
Practicality | 8 | 7 |
Under the bonnet | 9 | 9 |
Efficiency | 8 | 8 |
Driving | 8 | 8 |
Safety | 9 | 9 |
Ownership | 8 | 7 |
TOTAL | 8.3 | 8 |
Design
Toyota 867/10
As ever, the 86 exterior design is tasteful - low-slung and with a mild body kit including side skirts, a modest front spoiler and a metal rear wing that nobody seems to like. The 86 has those classic sports car proportions despite its diminutive dimensions.
The rear diffuser looks good but is unlikely to do much other than house the fog light and reversing lights. The big twin exhausts look terrific, so if you want a quad exhaust, I will only ask why.
Inside is as minimally thoughtful as ever. There's nothing especially wrong with it but there is little to commend it with a mix of materials and various cop-outs to save money. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, given the car's intentions, but if you're expecting a premium interior, you're of out luck. Having said that, the suede-like panel in the GTS looks pretty good.
Ford Mustang
Two more different looking SUVs you could not find. Actually, the EV6 GT barely even looks like an SUV although that’s what Kia calls it and the industry classifies it as such.
Have a look at the images, or better still watch the video we made above, to take in the stark comparison between the styling of these vehicles.
The Mustang Mach-E GT looks reassuringly like a Mustang SUV with its vertical bar tail-lights, the muscular rear haunches, blade headlights, shark nose bonnet and big grille.
Well, it’s not a real grille but if you look closely you’ll see the faint outline of honeycomb mesh behind the semi-transparent plastic.
The Kia EV6 GT looks more like a bloated hatchback than an SUV, but you could argue that’s all an SUV is, anyway, I guess.
Still, it’s a stunning design with its pinched in nose, bulbous and smooth panels, looking low, wide and intimidating like a venomous insect complete with lime green brake calipers.
Despite the obvious exterior differences their dimensions aren’t wildly different as you can see in the table below, only the height sets them apart.
If all you had to go with were these figures I’m sure you’d never imagine they’d belong to two very different looking SUVs. The extra height gives the Mustang GT Mach-E a more upright and boxy design, and this affects practicality as you’ll read about further on. For now let's look at their insides on purely stylistic merits.
Of course they have completely different interiors. The Mustang Mach-E GT has a more macho, serious but sporty cabin with high quality feeling fabrics adorning the dashboard and synthetic leather seats. Only the gigantic portrait media display makes this feel like a modern Ford product.
The EV6 GT’s cabin feels dark, like a cave but one filled with expansive screens and tech. There are intriguing patterns etched into the dashboard and deep seats that wrap around their occupants.
Its innards are as alien as its exterior and I’m here for it. And so are many people. Probably not those who like the Mustang Mach-E GT’s cabin, though.
I think the Mustang Mach-E GT pulls off a better look, especially considering the pressure it’s designers would have been under to create an SUV version of one of the most iconic cars on Earth. Â
Dimensions | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Length | 4743mm | 4695mm |
Height | 1623mm | 1545mm |
Width | 1881mm | 1890mm |
Wheelbase | 2984mm | 2900mm |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 8 |
Practicality
Toyota 866/10
Interior photos reveal a cosy space for driver and passenger. The rear seats are almost entirely pointless, although you can get small kids in. Like really small - I'm just on 180cm and drive closer to the wheel than most but I could still only slot a laptop computer in the 'legroom'.
The front seats are split by a narrow console with a moveable tray with two cupholders and a slot that holds a smaller iPhone or Android phone. There is no armrest, but that's for practical gear-shifting reasons. Those in the rear don't get a cup holder at all.
People always ask how many seats Toyota has crammed in, and the answer is four, but it's really a 2+2.
Boot space isn't terrible at 223 litres and if you fold down the rear seats, you've capacity for a set of four wheels and tyres. Which might be handy given there is no longer a spare tyre, so a tyre repair kit might be in order...
As you might imagine, ground clearance isn't off-road spectacular but the 86 does pass my driveway test. In other words, I can get it up my driveway - some SUVs don't even manage without that stomach churning scraaape.
Ford Mustang
Electric vehicles have changed practicality for the better. Not being constrained by big engines, transmissions and driveshafts means the packaging can be designed for good storage and people room.
Flat floors open up space, front boots are handy and even the ability to use their colossal battery to power campsites or other appliances is a big plus.
Below is a table comparing boot sizes and power outlets. On the face of it the EV6 GT appears to have the bigger rear boot but the stacking height is lower than the Mustang Mach-E GT’s taller space.
The EV6 GT also has next to no front boot, while the Mustang Mach-E GT has a large storage space under the bonnet.
As for rear legroom, the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach E GT have plenty of space for me at 189cm to sit behind my driving position and headroom is excellent in both.
Entering and exiting the Mustang Mach-E GT is easier due it’s more traditional SUV shape with tall doors and elevated ride height. The EV6 GT is almost 10cm lower overall and I hit my head swinging into the back seat while doing my legroom test.
Both cars have directional air vents in the second row, cupholders, door pockets and USB ports.
Talking of power outlets, only the EV6 GT has a vehicle-to-load (V2L) power outlet which will take a regular household appliance plug.
It’s a tough call as to which is more practical, and while the Kia has the versatile V2L and plenty of space, the Mustang's front boot and ease of entry and exit makes it the winner here.  Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Seats | 5 | 5 |
Boot capacity (five seats up) | 402L | 480L |
Frunk capacity | 134L | 20L |
Wireless phone charging | Yes | Yes |
USB Ports | 4 | 5 |
V2L socket | 0 | 1 |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 7 |
Price and features
Toyota 868/10
There are still only two trim levels these days, if you discount the racing version. The Toyota website suggests the 'Apollo Blue' is a separate model, but you'll soon see that's a bit cheeky. Our brief comparison features RRP straight off the price list. The drive-away price is obviously between you and your dealer.
The GT opens the range at $31,440 for the manual and $33,740 for the auto. It's not the sub-$30k bargain it used to be, but remains cheaper than its Subaru BRZ sister car and the Mazda MX-5.
Standard features include 16-inch alloys, a limited-slip diff (manual only), LED headlights and daytime running lights, reversing camera, 6.1-inch touchscreen, AM/FM radio, power windows and mirrors, electric power steering, air-conditioning, floor mats, hill start assist, a sound system with six speakers, Bluetooth and USB, cruise control and cloth trim.
The second level of the road going range is the GTS, starting at $36,640 for the manual and $38,940 for the auto. To the base model you can add bigger rims at 17 inches, dual-zone climate control, an info display in the dashboard between the gauges, privacy glass, heated front seats, stereo controls on the steering wheel, keyless entry and push button start, fake leather seats with Alcantara trim inserts and GPS navigation system with SUNA traffic info.
The GTS's tyres are markedly better Michelins.
For the GT and GTS you can choose from six colours: 'Tornado Grey', 'Storm Black', 'Ice Silver', 'White Liquid', 'Gravity Blue' and 'Ignition Red'. If you go all in on a GTS, you can also have Apollo Blue. Fans of orange and yellow are out of luck. Only Ignition Red is a freebie, the rest will stick you with a $450 bill.
The GT and GTS also offer the 'Dynamic Performance Pack' option. How much does it cost and what do you get? Sadly, no turbo or increase in engine size or improvement in engine specs for a bit more speed. I know many of you pine for more horsepower to improve the 86's stats, but Toyota won't help out.
So, the $2200 (GT)/$2900 (GTS) pack includes a darker set of alloy wheels, SACHS suspension and a set of Brembo brakes. GTS buyers can also specify Apollo Blue as the exterior colour, raising the price again to $39,950 for the manual and $41,890 for the auto.
The 6.1-inch infotainment screen that runs the sound system is an ongoing disaster. Too small, terrible software, it's an afterthought. To add insult to injury, there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto despite the Subaru version managing to fit a stereo with exactly that feature. It's a perplexingly bad decision to leave them out, especially when it's a basic double DIN unit that's easy to replace.
Accessories include interior lighting, rear parking sensors and a bootliner. Missing from the list are a towbar, HID headlights (the standard LEDs are excellent) and, unsurprisingly, air suspension.
Conspicuous by their absence are a roof rack and sunroof. Despite a soft top concept a few years back, there isn't a convertible either. If you want a subwoofer, you'll have to go aftermarket.
The waiting time for your 86 is a thing of the past - stock levels appear solid around the country.
Ford Mustang
Electric cars are more expensive than their petrol counterparts and generally will be until the cost of EV batteries comes down. This is what drives the manufacturing price up with the extra cost passed onto the consumer. But the good news is the price is coming down.Â
That news doesn’t really help you much here because the Kia EV6 GT has come down in price and lists for $99,590, before on-road costs. Still, that’s less than the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT which lists for $104,990.
The EV6 GT and Mustang Mach-E GT sit at the top of their respective ranges and have large batteries. That’s the reason for the $100K MSRP. They both come with a lot of equipment and you can see a side-by-side comparison of their standard features in the table below.
What stands out is the lack of powered front seats in the EV6 GT, and also the absence of leather upholstery in both cars.
Both still come with heated seats, excellent sound systems and sunroofs - although the Mustang Mach-E’s is a large panoramic glass version, while the Kia’s is smaller and opens.
The EV6 GT’s head-up display is brilliant, while the Mustang Mach-E doesn’t have one.
The Mustang comes with 20-inch alloys which offer a better ride than the EV6 GT’s 21-inch alloys - but more on that in the driving section further down.   Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
MSRP | $104,990 | $99,590 |
Media Display | 15.2-inch | 12.3-inch |
Instrument cluster | 10.2-inch | 12.3-inch |
Head-up display | No | Yes |
Climate control | Dual-zone | dual-zone |
Auto parking | Yes - in-car | Yes - remote |
Keyless entry/push start | Yes | Yes |
Sound system | B&O 10 speakers | Meridian - 14 speakers |
Sat nav | Yes | Yes |
Sunroof | Panoramic | Slide opening |
Privacy glass | Rear side | Rear side |
Upholstery | Artificial leather | Artificial leather |
Seats | Front: Powered/heated | Front: heated; Rear: heated |
Wheel size | 20-inch alloys | 21-inch |
LED Headlights | Yes | Yes |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
7 | 8 |
Under the bonnet
Toyota 867/10
The Subaru-sourced 2.0-litre 'boxer' four soldiers on and in the six-speed manual produces 152kW/212Nm, both high in the rev range. Annoyingly, when paired with the six-speed automatic transmission, you only get 148kW/205Nm.
One of the reasons for the boxer engine is that it sits nice and low, which works for styling and packaging. Even getting the battery lower in the chassis means an improvement in handling.
The power heads rearwards (purists love rear-wheel drive) and is apportioned by a limited-slip differential.
There are no known common issues with the 86's boxer four. As to whether the engine features a timing belt or chain, the good news is that it's a chain, meaning lower long-term ownership and servicing costs.
The engine has been around forever and there are no common engine issues that I could identify, except perhaps the lack of a turbocharged option or supercharger.
The manual transmission doesn't seem to suffer any widespread complaints or issues and the automatic gearbox seems similarly reliable. If you needed to settle the manual vs automatic argument, that's yet another reason to go with the manual gearbox. As well as the lighter weight. And better performance figures.
There is no 4x4, front-wheel drive or AWD version, nor is there a diesel motor available. Although that would be interesting...
For some reason, the 86 comes in for criticism for its 0-100km per hour acceleration time, which is a swift seven-ish seconds.
Toyota does not offer a towing capacity figure, perhaps for obvious reasons.
Ford Mustang
Electric motors make massive amounts of power and torque but the outputs of the Mustang Mach E GT and EV6 GT are beyond 'normal' EVs.
The EV6 GT has a motor driving the rear wheels and another driving the front ones. Together they have a combined output of 430kW and 740Nm with 0-100km/h coming in a brutal 3.5 seconds. That is seriously quick and unnecessary and I love it.
The Mustang Mach E GT also has all-wheel drive thanks to a motor at the front and at the rear but together they make a whopping 358kW and 860Nm, although at 100kg heavier it’s a tad slower to 100km/h with a time of 3.7 seconds. Still these times are quicker than almost any production car from the early 1990s.
Who wins here? I’m calling it evenly matched.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Combined motor output | 358kW/860Nm | 430kW/740Nm |
Drive wheels | AWD | AWD |
0-100km/h | 3.7 seconds | 3.5 seconds |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 9 |
Efficiency
Toyota 868/10
Fuel consumption is quite different between the transmission types. The manual's claimed combined cycle figure is 8.4L/100km while the automatic's is 7.1L/100km. Usually mileage figures are closer between transmissions, so if fuel economy is at the top of your list, it's the automatic.
Fuel tank capacity is 50 litres and you have to fill it with 98RON premium unleaded.
The official figures, for once, aren't a bad guide - my most recent week with an 86 manual returned 9.3L/100km.
Ford Mustang
There’s so much to tell you here and the table below will help with understanding the capacities, ranges and consumption of the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach-E GT.
The Mustang Mach-E GT has the larger battery and the longer range, but the EV6 GT’s battery has a much faster DC charging rate.
The Kia can make full use of a 350kW fast charger while the Mach-E can’t accept more than 150kW. You can see the charging times in the table.
Energy efficiency is crucial to an EV’s range and in our test we filled the batteries of the Mustang Mach-E GT and EV6 GT to 100 per cent and drove a 180km route made up of CBD traffic, motorways, suburban streets and country roads. Â
At the end of the trip we found both used almost exactly the same amount of electricity at nearly the same rate. The difference being the Mustang had more projected range left because its battery is larger. Â
Who wins? Well, this is really about energy efficiency and we found that both were a good match for electricity consumption. So, let’s call it a tie. You could argue the Mustang Mach-E GT has more range, but the rebuttal would be the EV6 GT’s super-fast charging time.Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Battery capacity | 91kWh | 77.4kWh |
Estimated range | 490km | 424km |
Max DC charging speed | 150kW | 350kW |
DC 10-80 percent charge time | 45 minutes | 18 minutes |
Max AC charging speed | 10.5kW | 10.5kW |
Official combined consumption | 21.2kWh/100km | 20.6kWh/100km |
Distance (energy test)) | 176.5km | 178.0km |
Electricity used | 32.6kWh | 32.18 |
As tested combined consumption | 18.5kWh/100km | 18.1kWh/100km |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 8 |
Driving
Toyota 868/10
Every time I drive the 86, I am struck by the same things. The first is just how small it really is. Its road footprint is tiny, the Toyota dwarfed by just about everything. That means it's great in the city for ducking in and out of gaps and if you keep the left arm busy on the shifter, you'll be able to use its momentum to carve through the dawdling idiots infesting our roads.
The steering is always a delight - fast and direct, you know what's under those skinny front tyres and the weighting is near perfection. Coupled with the finely-tuned chassis, it's super-predictable and a huge laugh out of damp roundabouts.
The best bit is the balance - you can really feel the car underneath you. When you strip it all back, ignore the rackety engine and plasticky interior, it really feels like a car twice the price. The whole experience is centred around fun but without abandoning the needs of daily driving - the soft suspension allows for body roll which is both fun when you're thrashing but delivers a bearable ride on the school/work run.
It's a bit tinny, it's missing some obvious bits and pieces but few cars put you in touch with the purity of driving like a manual 86.
The automatic - largely ignored - is still fun, but it's not really what the 86 is all about. For me, I once had an auto 86 and it was an opportunity to show my manual-shy wife what she's been missing.
Ford Mustang
The way these SUVs feel to drive is as different as their looks. The Mustang Mach-E GT feels more suited to daily driving while the EV6 GT is our pick for the race circuit or sporty blasts on nice country roads with plenty of twists and turns.
Both have drive modes ranging from the hardcore 'Untame' in the Mach-E and 'Sport+' in the EV6 GT to the calmer 'Whisper' and 'Normal' modes in Ford and Kia, respectively.Â
Adjustable suspension in both firms up the ride for better handling and softens it for a more comfortable setting.
The Mustang Mach-E has the more comfortable ride overall compared to the EV6 GT which is very firm in its Sport+ drive mode but still overly hard in the Normal setting thanks to the big wheels and low-profile tyres. That said, the Mach-E GT is prone to jiggling too much over minor bumps.
The EV6 GT and Mustang Mach E GT can accelerate incredibly fast and while it's fun, the ability to move quickly is useful in overtaking and at intersections without traffic lights.Â
Neither the EV6 GT not Mach-E GT offer exceptional ride comfort but the Mustang delivers a better all around driving experience with good visibility, a more elevated driving height and supportive seats.
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 8 |
Safety
Toyota 867/10
The 86 arrives with a decent level of safety features. They all have an airbag count of seven, ABS, stability and traction controls, reverse camera and hill start assist.
If you can squeeze in a baby seat, there are two ISOFIX points and two top-tether points.
The maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating dates way back to 2012.
Ford Mustang
The Mustang Mach-E GT and the EV6 GT have been awarded the maximum five star ANCAP rating but the Kia was tested more recently under 2022 criteria.
Both cars have ISOFIX points for child seats in the outside rear seats, while there are three top tether anchor mounts in the second row, too. The table below compares their advanced safety tech.Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
ANCAP rating | 5 (2021) | 5 (2022) |
AEB | Pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist | Pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist |
Lane Keeping Assist | Yes | Yes |
Blind Spot Warning | Yes | Yes |
Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Yes with braking | Yes with braking |
Airbags | 7 (no centre airbag) | 6 (no centre airbag) |
Â
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 9 |
Ownership
Toyota 867/10
Toyota still offers a three-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assist is an extra cost. Many customers understand that a key Toyota value proposition is reliability, but the three-year warranty club is almost as small as the full-term Prime Ministers club has been in the last decade.
Resale value appears strong, no doubt helped by a distinct lack of common problems, gearbox problems, issues, faults or complaints about the car. A second hand 86 should be easy to come by - since its launch in 2012, Toyota has shifted around 20,000 cars.
Service cost is capped at $180 per service and you're expected to visit the dealer every nine months or 15,000km, which is kind of odd.
The owners manual is packed with useful details like oil capacity and type.
Another question I'm often asked is "Where is the Toyota 86 built?" - the answer is Subaru's Gunma plant in Japan. Some also ask "Is the Toyota 86 discontinued?" - that's a firm no, although the US Scion sub-brand version, the FR-S, is no more.
Ford Mustang
The final piece of this comparison puzzle is the ownership costs. The table below highlights the difference in what you’ll pay to service with the Mustang Mach-E GT proving to be the more affordable.Â
The Kia comes with a longer warranty, although Ford’s battery coverage duration is better.
The Mustang Mach-E GT wins here for its more affordable capped price servicing.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Warranty | Five-year/unlimited km | Seven-year/unlimited km |
Servicing cost total over five years | $780 | $1561 |
Service interval | 12 months/15,000km | 12 months/15,000km |
High-voltage battery warranty | Eight-years/160,000km | Seven-years/150,000km |
Â
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 7 |