Compare the2023 Volkswagen GTIVS 2023 Toyota GR86

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen GTI have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota GR86 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen GTI are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Toyota GR86 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The GTI’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The GR86 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The GTI has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GR86 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The GTI has standard Park Distance Control to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The GR86 doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The GTI has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the GR86 Premium offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GTI has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the GR86 Premium has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the GTI and the GR86 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

The GTI comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The GR86’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The GTI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the GR86’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Volkswagen GTI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the GR86’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (241 vs. 228) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 184) than the GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen GTI is faster than the Toyota GR86 (automatics tested):

	GTI	GR86
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	6.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	15 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103.9 MPH	96.2 MPH

In a Road and Track race course test, the Volkswagen GTI Autobahn was clocked 3.02 seconds faster than the Toyota GR86 Premium (93.12 sec. vs. 96.14 sec.).

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
GTI
	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/34 hwy
GR86
	Manual	2.4 DOHC flat-4	20 city/27 hwy
	Auto	2.4 DOHC flat-4	21 city/31 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the GTI’s fuel efficiency. The GR86 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GTI Automatic’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GR86 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen GTI uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GR86 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen GTI higher (5 out of 10) than the Toyota GR86 (3). This means the GTI produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GR86 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is optional on the Volkswagen GTI, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GR86.

The GTI offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GR86 doesn’t offer an SMG.

The GTI Automatic’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 GTI’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GR86:

	GTI	GR86
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.4 inches

The GTI stops shorter than the GR86:

	GTI	GR86
70 to 0 MPH	150 feet	156 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	108 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GTI has larger standard tires than the GR86 (225/40R18 vs. 215/45R17). The GTI Autobahn’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GR86 (235/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

The GTI’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR86’s standard 45 series tires. The GTI Autobahn’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the GR86 Premium’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GTI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the GR86. The GTI Autobahn’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the GR86 Premium.

The GTI has a standard space-saver spare tire 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 GTI offers an available 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 GTI’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the GR86 (103.6 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

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

Passenger Space

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

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

The GTI has 14.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR86 (91.9 vs. 77.2).

The GTI has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 4.6 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the GR86.

Cargo Capacity

The GTI’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.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the GTI (except S), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The GR86 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The GTI (except S)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The GR86 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GTI’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.

The GTI Autobahn has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GR86 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GTI’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GR86 has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the GTI and the GR86 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GTI is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The GR86 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The GTI’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GR86’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the GTI to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GR86 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GTI has a standard rear wiper. The GR86 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GTI has standard extendable sun visors. The GR86 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the GTI with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The GR86’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GTI’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GR86 doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

The GTI has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the GR86 Premium. The GTI Autobahn also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the GR86.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GTI (except S) 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 GTI’s standard 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 GTI 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 GTI SE/Autobahn’s standard 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen GTI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GR86 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The GTI Autobahn’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The GR86 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Motor Trend selected the GTI as their 2015 Car of the Year. The GR86 has never been chosen.

The GTI was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 15 years. The GR86 has never been an “All Star.”

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI outsold the Toyota GR86 by almost 9 to one during the 2021 model year.