Compare the2022 Dodge ChallengerVS 2022 Toyota GR 86

The Challenger has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Challenger offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The GR 86 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Challenger’s optional cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Challenger and the GR 86 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Dodge Challenger weighs 973 to 1670 pounds more than the Toyota GR 86. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

There are almost 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Challenger’s warranty.

The battery on the Challenger is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Challenger’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GR 86’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

The Challenger’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 75 more horsepower (303 vs. 228) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (268 vs. 184) than the GR 86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger R/T automatic’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 144 more horsepower (372 vs. 228) and 216 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 184) than the GR 86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger R/T manual’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 147 more horsepower (375 vs. 228) and 226 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 184) than the GR 86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger R/T Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 257 more horsepower (485 vs. 228) and 291 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 184) than the GR 86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger SRT Super Stock’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 579 more horsepower (807 vs. 228) and 523 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 184) than the GR 86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Challenger 5.7/6.4 V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the GR 86 (18.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Dodge Challenger comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the GR 86.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Challenger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GR 86.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Challenger has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift, based on a value pre-entered by the driver. The GR 86 doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

All wheel drive, available in the Challenger, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Toyota GR 86 is not available with all wheel drive.

The Challenger R/T Scat Pack/Hellcat/Super Stock’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GR 86 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Challenger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GR 86:

For better traction, the Challenger has larger standard tires than the GR 86 (235/55R18 vs. 215/45R17). The Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GR 86 (315/40R18 vs. 215/45R17).

The Challenger Widebody’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR 86 Premium’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Challenger has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the GR 86. The Challenger’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the GR 86 Premium.

The Challenger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T Scat Pack/Hellcat/Super Stock) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GR 86; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Challenger has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GR 86’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Challenger offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The GR 86’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 14.6 inches longer than on the GR 86 (116 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Challenger is 4.5 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GR 86.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Challenger a Compact car, while the GR 86 is rated a Minicompact.

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the GR 86 can only carry 4.

The Challenger has 16.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR 86 (93.7 vs. 77.2).

The Challenger has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.6 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, 2.6 inches more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the GR 86.

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the GR 86 (16.2 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The Challenger’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The GR 86’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Challenger. The GR 86 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Challenger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The GR 86 has no towing capacity.

The Challenger uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GR 86 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

When two different drivers share the Challenger, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a memory system.

Keyless Enter-N-Go standard on the Challenger allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Toyota GR 86’s Push Button Start doesn’t unlock the doors or the trunk.

The Challenger’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The GR 86’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Challenger’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Challenger has standard extendable sun visors. The GR 86 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Challenger keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The GR 86 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Challenger’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Challenger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Challenger’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The GR 86’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Dodge Challenger, based on reliability, safety and performance.