Compare the2022 Toyota GR 86VS 2021 Alfa Romeo 4C

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 4C doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

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 4C 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 4C doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The GR 86 Premium’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The 4C doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GR 86 Premium’s standard rear 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 4C doesn’t offer a cross-path 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 4C doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The GR 86 has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The 4C doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the GR 86 and the 4C 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 and rearview cameras.

Warranty

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the GR 86 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Alfa Romeo covers the 4C. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 4C ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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. Alfa Romeo only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the 4C.

There are almost 9 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GR 86’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the GR 86’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the 4C’s camshafts. If the 4C’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 28th, below the industry average.

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 Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 98 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Alfa Romeo is ranked 29th.

Engine

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 4C doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

The GR 86 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4C (13.2 vs. 10.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

The GR 86 stops shorter than the 4C:

	GR 86	4C
60 to 0 MPH	107 feet	113 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GR 86 has larger tires than the 4C (215/45R17 vs. 205/45R17).

Suspension and Handling

The GR 86 has standard power steering to make quick and controllable low speed maneuvers easy. The 4C doesn’t offer power steering.

The GR 86 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The 4C doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GR 86’s wheelbase is 7.7 inches longer than on the 4C (101.4 inches vs. 93.7 inches).

The GR 86’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.3% to 44.7%) than the 4C’s (41% to 59%). This gives the GR 86 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the GR 86’s turning circle is 5.1 feet tighter than the 4C’s (35.4 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

Chassis

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 4C (.341). 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.

Passenger Space

The GR 86 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the 4C can only carry 2.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GR 86 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the 4C. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The GR 86 Premium Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4C doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 4C’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The GR 86’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 4C’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

Push Button Start standard on the GR 86 allows you to start the engine without removing a key from pocket or purse. The Alfa Romeo 4C doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The GR 86 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 4C doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the GR 86 Auto detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The 4C doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 4C doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The GR 86’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The 4C’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The GR 86 Premium has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the 4C.

The GR 86’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The 4C doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The GR 86’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The 4C doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the GR 86’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation which can trigger allergies or asthma. The 4C’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the GR 86 Auto has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The 4C doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To help keep the driver’s hands on the wheel, the GR 86 has standard steering wheel controls for the radio. The 4C doesn’t offer steering wheel audio controls.

With standard voice command, the GR 86 offers the driver hands free control of the radio by simply speaking. The 4C doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Recommendations

The Toyota GR 86 outsold the Alfa Romeo 4C by almost 19 to one during the 2021 model year.