Toyota 86

The entry-level 2023 Toyota GR86 sports car will be more expensive than the equivalent Subaru BRZ when it touches down in Australia – and pack less safety kit to boot.

Pricing for the base GR86 GT kicks off at $43,240 before on-roads regardless of which transmission you choose. That makes the cheapest manual 86 a not insignificant $2950 more expensive than the base Subaru BRZ manual, which costs $40,290.

The equation changes with the automatic however, because Subaru charges a premium. The base BRZ automatic ($44,090) is $850 more expensive than the 86 GT automatic – but unlike the Toyota it features blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The BRZ and GR86 are built at the same factory by Fuji Heavy Industries, and are almost identical mechanically.

The GR86 joins the GR Supra and GR Yaris in the Gazoo Racing stable, and will soon sit alongside the GR Corolla hot hatch.

Toyota Australia has secured around 1100 units of the new GR86 coupe for the first 12 months of sales – which is unlikely to come close to matching demand if history is any kind of guide.