Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Toyota GT86 (2012-2021) review – design

Compact sports car proportions give off the right impression and it looks more exotic than the price would have you believe. Details are less successful.

Evo rating
RRP
from £27,325
  • Fun at sensible speeds, great driving position, old-school values
  • Wants for a bit more power, low-grip Primacy tyres an acquired taste

In 2017 the GT86 got a host of aesthetic updates, but nothing major. After five years on sale, a tightening up of the car’s appearance was inevitable and is generally welcome. The biggest change was to the front bumper, set lower and wider, and features two abrupt ‘teeth’ set into its lower jaw. That we're not so sure about.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The black moulding at the rear is a better effort though, housing the exhaust tips and an enlarged diffuser element, which now extends low enough to hide the exhaust silencer. The most noticeable amendment, however, is probably the new rear wing, which comes as standard on Pro models and replaces the slightly odd spoiler tacked to the boot lid of the original car.

Its body-coloured endplates are in contrast to the black surface, and Toyota says the new bodywork helps control body roll and increases stability at high speed (top speed is 140mph).

Also new are 17-inch, ten-spoke alloy wheels that are machine-finished for a two-tone effect, while Performance Pack cars get a more subtle (and to our eyes, more attractive) multi-spoke design. The fresh headlight and tail lights, meanwhile, are sharp LED units that are fantastically piercing and probably do most to bring the facelifted model up to date. The tail lights in particular are an improvement over the Fast-and-Furious-era clear lenses used beforehand.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Sierra RS500: the anatomy of a BTCC racer
Ford Sierra RS500
Features

Ford Sierra RS500: the anatomy of a BTCC racer

Group A was a golden era in touring car racing, and nothing captured hearts and minds quite like the wild, bewinged Sierra. We look under its skin
11 May 2025
Alpine A110 2025 review – one of the all-time sports car greats will soon be gone
Alpine A110 review
In-depth reviews

Alpine A110 2025 review – one of the all-time sports car greats will soon be gone

The Alpine A110 is not long for this world, with its electric replacement due to arrive in 2027 with much more power (and weight).
9 May 2025
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster 2025 review – the Ferrari Roma Spider's toughest rival
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster front
Reviews

Aston Martin Vantage Roadster 2025 review – the Ferrari Roma Spider's toughest rival

Developed in tandem with the coupe, the new Vantage Roadster has a welcome sense of togetherness for an open-top sports car
11 May 2025