What are the differences between the BRZ and the 86?
3 Answers
The differences between the BRZ and the 86 are: 1. Performance differs: the BRZ is more track-oriented; the 86 is more drift-oriented. 2. Chassis tuning and steering feel differ: the BRZ has better chassis vibration filtering; the 86 has better steering feel. The BRZ and 86 are models jointly developed by Subaru and Toyota. Toyota was responsible for the initial market positioning and setting some basic performance indicators, while the exterior and interior were designed by Toyota engineers. Subaru was responsible for the chassis and engineering development. Both the 86 and BRZ use Subaru's FA20 horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine.
After driving an 86 for nearly a decade and later test-driving a friend's BRZ, I must say the two cars feel quite different behind the wheel. Although both feature 2.0L horizontally opposed engines and rear-wheel-drive layouts, the 86's suspension tuning is noticeably more comfort-oriented. Its body exhibits much less bounce over speed bumps in urban areas, and the steering feedback is gentler, making it particularly suitable for daily commutes. The BRZ, on the other hand, has a significantly stiffer chassis that provides exceptional cornering support on mountain roads, though prolonged highway driving can lead to backaches. Interior details differ too: the 86's instrument cluster backlight is orange-red, while the BRZ uses ice blue, and the BRZ's seat bolsters offer better lateral support. In reality, over 90% of parts are interchangeable between these cars—it ultimately comes down to personal preference in driving style.
Last week I accompanied my buddy to pick a car, carefully comparing the 86 and BRZ models on display. At first glance these twin brothers look similar, but upon closer inspection their front ends differ significantly: the 86 features hexagonal honeycomb mesh grilles while the BRZ adopts horizontal slats with fang-shaped fog light surrounds. Inside the cabin, the 86 comes with fabric/synthetic leather combo seats whereas the BRZ comes standard with full Alcantara suede upholstery that feels noticeably more premium. Their wheel designs also differ - the 86 sports Y-shaped 10-spoke alloys while the BRZ gets classic 5-spoke rims. On the road, the BRZ's exhaust note sounds deeper, especially above 3000 RPM where you can hear gurgling afterfire pops. Fuel consumption tests showed the BRZ burns about 0.3L more per 100km during spirited driving, likely due to different transmission gear ratio tuning.
