Compare the2022 Toyota GR 86VS 2022 Dodge Challenger

The GR 86 Auto has standard Pre-Collision Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Challenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GR 86 Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Challenger doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The GR 86 Auto’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Challenger doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The GR 86 Auto’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Challenger doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GR 86 and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR 86 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Challenger.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the GR 86 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Dodge is ranked 10th.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the GR 86 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Challenger doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The GR 86’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

The GR 86 stops much shorter than the Challenger:

The GR 86’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires.

The GR 86 Premium handles at .98 G’s, while the Challenger SXT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GR 86 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Challenger Scat Pack (24.7 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GR 86’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Challenger SXT/R/T’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The GR 86’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Toyota GR 86 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1600 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.

The GR 86 is 2 feet, 5.6 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the GR 86 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GR 86 is 6.7 inches narrower on average than the Challenger, making the GR 86 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Toyota GR 86 amounts to more than styling. The GR 86 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .276 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398). A more efficient exterior helps the GR 86 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GR 86 get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the GR 86 has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GR 86 Premium is quieter than the Challenger SRT Hellcat:

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the GR 86 easier. The GR 86’s trunk lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the Challenger’s liftover is 33.2 inches.

The GR 86 has a lever hand brake in the console, easy to use while keeping both feet free and not impeding entry and exit. The Challenger’s foot pedal parking brake is not handy to use as a hill holding device with a manual transmission.

The GR 86’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the GR 86 Premium has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Challenger doesn’t offer cornering lights.