Review: 2016 Toyota 86 GTS

This is a car I've been waiting to get behind the wheel for quite some time. Being pretty much the next Toyota Supra it had quite the living up to, but in the social spotlight today it has seemed to do pretty well. However the car is now quite common, this can be classed as a good or a bad thing in your own heads, but to me the good thing is they're cheap, but you'll look like everyone else out there. So if you want to stand out from the rest you gotta put some work into it to make it your own. But as I said, as a factory car, the performance and handling is great. So here is my review of the 2016 Toyota 86 GTS.

We'll start off with the interior, being the high end model you get all the interior goodies, like leather suede upholstery, premium dash trim, key-less entry and start, 17" alloys, Sat-Nav and fog lights. So if you're looking for a slightly more comfier ride the GTS is the way to go. But only a few of the features really jump out at me and that is the key-less entry and start. You know the way of the future right. Otherwise I wouldn't see any of the other features are necessary and they always carry an additional cost for comfort. But chances are if you are buying an 86 you're not buying it for the comfort, but the quick sporty nature of it. And therefore the GT would be my preference. However the general interior of the 86 is very nice, everything is close and reachable. Your adjustments are made in the center or on the dashboard as per normal, non of this fancy stuff. Also whilst I was out driving it the tachometer is the largest dial in the dash, but within that circle Toyota have added a digital speedometer to keep it all close together when you're checking what your 8000RPM is getting you speed wise in second gear. So it was really easy to see how your car is performing through the rev range.

Now although it is a N/A 4 Cylinder boxer it gets up and goes. You just don't realize how quick it can actually get. You're cruising up to speed in second gear and all of a sudden you're hitting over 60km/h and your like, "Oh should totally slow down now." But you just don't want to. Like there is so much more for it go and this was something that caught me out a few times. Fortunately I don't think I received a speeding fine during the drive. But the engine has a neat purr though with stock exhaust. Along with this, Toyota has created a 'Sound Generator Tube' which diverts some of the intake air directly into the cabin to create more sports car tone for both driver and passenger. This can be both great and somewhat weird, but mostly great. But overall the engine gives a great note stock and produces some great acceleration. The transmission on this thing is also amazing. The short throw shifter makes changing gears simple and quick and the clutch bites high meaning less depression time and quicker gear changes... If you can get it right. But where it comes into its own is its handling. Pretty much what the 86 is made for. This thing sticks to the road like glue, the suspension seems quite stiff will pretty much no body role and its low center of gravity helps make cornering a breeze.

The overall design of the car is brilliant, the flowing body work that helps both its aerodynamics and style really makes the car pop. Everything looks seamless and there for a reason, no matter how much it isn't. There really isn't much more to say about it, like its such a simple sports car with great looks and some great performance. All I can negatively say about the car is hard it is to be unique with so many of them out there on the road and how much of a presence they have within the car scene. You' really gotta do something special to get your 86 out there with the amount of other modified 86s out there. But if you just want a nippy streeter for you and a pal go for it, this thing is amazing to drive and won't break the budged either. With the GT coming in at $34K for the manual version and the GTS coming in at $40K it really is a budget street machine.

Specifications: 2016 Toyota 86 GTS

Engine: FA20 2L 4-Cylinder Boxer

Power: 152kW 203HP Transmission: 6Spd Manual or 6Spd Auto

Length: 4,240mm (166.9 In)

Width: 1,775mm (69.8 In)

Height: 1,320mm (51.9 In)

Wight: 1239Kgs