Compare the2023 Toyota GR86VS 2022 Dodge Challenger

The GR86 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 GR86 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 GR86 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 GR86 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 GR86 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR86 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 GR86 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Dodge is rated lower.

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 overall reliability. Dodge is ranked 10th.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota GR86 is faster than the Dodge Challenger V6 (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the GR86 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Challenger doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the GR86 gets better mileage than the Challenger:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota GR86 higher (3 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the GR86 produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

The GR86’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 GR86 stops much shorter than the Challenger:

The GR86’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 GR86 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 GR86 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 GR86’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Challenger SXT/R/T’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The GR86’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Toyota GR86 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1600 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.

The GR86 is 2 feet, 5.6 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the GR86 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GR86 is 6.7 inches narrower on average than the Challenger, making the GR86 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Toyota GR86 amounts to more than styling. The GR86 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 GR86 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GR86 get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the GR86 has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the GR86 easier. The GR86’s trunk lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the Challenger’s liftover is 33.2 inches.

The GR86 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 GR86’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Dodge does not offer a locking feature on the Challenger’s standard power windows.

The GR86’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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the GR86’s exterior PIN entry system. The Challenger doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The GR86 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Challenger doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the GR86 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.

The GR86 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2022. The Challenger has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.