Toyota deserves a round of applause for continuing to develop the GR86 while still keeping it cheap. In 2026, it’s the second-cheapest sports car on sale in the US, behind only the Mazda Miata, and despite being on sale since 2022, Toyota’s never stopped evolving it. That continues into 2027, as Toyota has just announced a series of updates for the 2027 Toyota GR86 to make it even more driver-focused, and a few that should make it stand out at your next Cars & Coffee.
There’s new color schemes inside and out, more convenience, and, crucially, more fine-tuning made to the throttle and transmission that aim to maintain the GR86’s standing as one of America’s most focused driver’s cars.
Base Trim Engine
2.4L Boxer 4-Cylinder
Base Trim Transmission
6-Speed Manual
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
228 HP @7000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
184 lb.-ft. @ 3700 RPM
0-60 MPH
6.1 Seconds (Manual)
Infotainment & Features
8 /10
Power & Performance: Engine Unchanged, But The Driving Experience Is
2027 Toyota GR86 in Thunder grey.Toyota
At the heart of the GR86 is still the same 2.4-liter naturally aspirated Boxer four-cylinder engine developing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, sending power to the rear axle. But it’s the bits around the core drivetrain that have now evolved. The throttle response has been recalibrated, which Toyota claims has been done for a smoother, more linear response.
The six-speed manual transmission is still the default gearbox (an automatic is available), but the shift action has been improved, specifically in the fifth-to-fourth shift, highlighting the extreme microscope Toyota put the GR86 under. This was achieved with a widened chamfer of the shifter interlock between 4th and 5th gear by approximately 0.02 inches.
Optional Performance Package Brings The Best Bits
2027 Toyota GR86 in Thunder grey.Toyota
For those not content with the standard performance, an optional Performance Package can be equipped on both trim levels. This adds Brembo brakes and Sachs dampers, the latter filled with high-pressure nitrogen and oil to enhance their damping capabilities across a wide range of speeds. The brakes, meanwhile, are four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers, clamping down on 12.8-inch front and 12.4-inch rear rotors.
Aesthetic Upgrades: New Colors Inside And Out
2027 Toyota GR86 in Thunder grey.Toyota
Toyota loves a special edition GR86, launching a new one every year. For the 2027 model year, such a variant hasn’t yet been announced, with two grades currently available: base and Premium. However, Toyota has given us a new paint color to fawn over: Thunder. The solid gray allegedly shifts depending on the light, but some might find the hue a little boring compared to existing colors like Track bRED, Trueno Blue, and last year’s special edition paint, Yuzu Yellow.
2027 Toyota GR86 in Thunder grey with Sung KangToyota
Interior Updates For Premium Trim
Inside, a new Cockpit Red interior is only available on the GR86 Premium trim, and adds black Ultrasuede and red leather accents on the side bolsters along with red floor mats and red door accents. Alternatively, you can opt for the same materials, but in an all-black scheme. Comparatively, the base trim only gets manually-adjustable black cloth seats with GR-embossed seat backs. Standard on the Premium grade are cast iron black finishes for the interior switchgear and shift knob.
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Toyota has made further refinements to the tech onboard the GR86, increasing the recognition range of the stereo camera used for cruise control to almost double, and adding a monocular camera to help detect nearby objects at intersections.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
2027 Toyota GR86 in Thunder grey.Toyota
The GR86 isn’t what anyone would call a volume seller. Last year, Toyota moved only 9,940 units across the whole of America. And with an affordable price tag of just over $30,000, it’s hardly earning a massive profit for the brand. No one would blame Toyota for leaving it as is for three or four years, facelifting it and making a few minor tweaks, and then leaving it alone again until the end of its life cycle.
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But these 2027 updates continue a pattern of continual evolution for the second-generation GR86, sticking true to Akio Toyoda’s commitment to “building ever-better motorsports-bred cars.” Obsessing over details like the feel of the fifth-to-fourth shift action is entirely unnecessary, but the fact Toyota’s done it speaks to its commitment to fans. It’s refreshing to see at least one automaker cares about its enthusiast models.
