What are the differences between Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ?

[LeonardoFitz]

The differences between Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are that the Toyota 86 is more suitable for drifting, while the Subaru BRZ is faster in terms of speed. Below are the specific details about these two cars: 1. Subaru BRZ: The Subaru BRZ is equipped with 225/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport series tires, has a reinforced chassis, and is powered by a 2.0L naturally aspirated direct-injection engine. The body type is a 2-door, 4-seat hardtop sports car. 2. Toyota 86: The Toyota 86 is powered by a horizontally opposed 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with the code name FA20, which was developed by Subaru. The FA20 engine has a maximum power output of 147 kW, a maximum torque of 205 Nm, a maximum power speed of 7000 rpm, and a maximum torque speed range of 6400 to 6600 rpm. This engine features hybrid injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. It is paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

[DiBrayden]

I just got my hands on a Toyota 86 and have driven my friend's Subaru BRZ several times. The most noticeable difference lies in the suspension setup. The 86 has stiffer springs, making it feel like stepping on a nail when cornering, with super direct feedback. The BRZ's front suspension is tuned slightly softer, so it doesn't jolt your backside painfully over bumpy roads. There's also a subtle difference in throttle response—the 86's throttle feels like it's on steroids, leaping forward with just a light tap. When modifying the exhaust, I noticed the BRZ's stock pipe diameter is half a centimeter smaller than the 86's, giving it a deeper exhaust note. Another small detail: the BRZ's dashboard buttons have red backlighting, while the 86 uses ice blue, creating a completely different nighttime driving ambiance.

[StWyatt]

As someone who commutes frequently in both cars, I feel the differences mainly lie in the daily driving experience. The 86's seats have firmer lumbar support, which can cause back discomfort on long drives, while the BRZ's seats offer a bit more cushioning. The resistance of the air conditioning knobs also differs—the BRZ's knobs click when turned, whereas the 86's are silent. Even the wipers operate differently: the 86's wipers pause for half a second in the middle before returning, while the BRZ's move continuously. The fuel gauge displays vary too—the 86's bars disappear noticeably faster when half-full, while the BRZ's decrease at a steady pace. These subtle distinctions matter a lot for someone commuting two hours daily.

[ParkerFitz]

Track day with three 86s and two BRZs – only at the limit can you feel the differences. The 86's steering delivers rougher road feedback, vibrating through your hands when hitting track markings, while the BRZ filters out some vibrations. Under heavy braking into corners, the 86's tail is livelier, easily sliding with slight steering input, whereas the BRZ sticks like glue. Through the same S-curve, the 86 requires about 3 degrees less steering angle than the BRZ, with suspension rebounding fractions of a second faster. On power exit, the 86's tach needle dances more aggressively; the BRZ feels more restrained. But since track enthusiasts modify suspensions, these factory differences hardly matter.

[MacLeilani]

During the auto show, I specifically compared the front-end designs of these two. The 86's air intake resembles a shark's grin, with particularly sharp angular edges. The BRZ's grille looks like a bird spreading its wings, featuring smooth curved lines. The fog light housing differs most noticeably—the 86 has a parallelogram cut, while the BRZ resembles a teardrop-shaped glass bead. When lit, the 86's taillight strip forms lightning-like sharp angles, whereas the BRZ has a soft curved light strip. However, both cars have relatively small side mirrors, making them prone to scratches when parking—neither model is considerate in this aspect. The paintwork is also noteworthy: the BRZ's signature pearl blue has more texture under cloudy skies compared to the 86's bright blue.

[StMadeline]

When I bought a car last year, I did the math carefully. The BRZ with the same configuration was about six thousand cheaper than the 86, but the later maintenance costs evened it out. During oil changes, the 86 requires a special tool to remove the underguard, adding 200 yuan to the labor cost. The brake pads on the 86 wear out faster, costing an extra 300 yuan for aggressive driving. The tires are also picky about road conditions—the 86's stock tires start fraying after just six months on gravel roads. Both hold their value well, but the BRZ is easier to sell in the used car market. In terms of modifications, the 86 has more kit options, with TRD body kits being a quarter cheaper than STI's. In the end, I chose the BRZ and used the savings to add a set of RECARO racing seats.