Compare the2023 Dodge ChallengerVS 2023 Toyota GR86

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

Safety

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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 GR86 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 GR86 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Challenger and the GR86 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Dodge Challenger weighs 973 to 1670 pounds more than the Toyota GR86. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

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.

Reliability

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 GR86’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 14th.

Engine

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 GR86’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 GR86’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 GR86’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 GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Challenger SRT Demon 170’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 797 more horsepower (1025 vs. 228) and 761 lbs.-ft. more torque (945 vs. 184) than the GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	Challenger R/T Scat Pack	Challenger SRT Hellcat	GR86
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	3.9 sec	5.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10.2 sec	8.1 sec	13.8 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	11.9 sec	14 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	113 MPH	124 MPH	101 MPH
Top Speed	176 MPH	199 MPH	140 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Dodge Challenger is faster than the Toyota GR86 (automatics tested):

	Challenger R/T Scat Pack	Challenger SRT Hellcat	GR86
Zero to 30 MPH	1.6 sec	1.8 sec	2.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	3.7 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	6.6 sec	5.5 sec	10.7 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.1 sec	1.4 sec	3 sec
Quarter Mile	12.6 sec	11.7 sec	15 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	112.3 MPH	125.4 MPH	96.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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 GR86 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the GR86 (18.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The Dodge Challenger comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the GR86.

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 GR86.

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 GR86 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 GR86 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Challenger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GR86:

	Challenger SXT	Challenger Hellcat/Redeye	GR86
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	15.7 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	13.8 inches	11.4 inches

The Challenger stops shorter than the GR86:

	Challenger	GR86
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	156 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	102 feet	108 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Challenger has larger standard tires than the GR86 (235/55R18 vs. 215/45R17). The Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GR86 (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 GR86 Premium’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Challenger SRT Demon 170 has standard 18-inch front wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the GR86. The Challenger’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the GR86 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 GR86; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Challenger has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GR86’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 GR86’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 GR86 (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 GR86.

The SRT Hellcat Redeye handles at .98 G’s, while the GR86 Premium pulls only .97 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The SRT Widebody Hellcat Redeye executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GR86 Premium (24.3 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 24.8 seconds @ .76 average G’s).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Challenger Scat Pack is quieter than the GR86 Premium (85 vs. 91 dB).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Challenger a Compact car, while the GR86 is rated a Minicompact.

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the GR86 can only carry 4.

The Challenger has 16.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR86 (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 GR86.

Cargo Capacity

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the GR86 (16.2 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The Challenger’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The GR86’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 GR86 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Challenger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The GR86 has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Challenger uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GR86 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.

Ergonomics

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 GR86 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Challenger’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GR86 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Challenger’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GR86 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Challenger’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The GR86’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 GR86 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Challenger’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GR86 doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

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 GR86 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 GR86 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 GR86 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 GR86’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Recommendations

The Dodge Challenger outsold the Toyota GR86 by almost five to one during 2022.