Compare the2024 Toyota GR86VS 2024 Volkswagen GTI

The Toyota GR86 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GTI doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the GR86 and the GTI 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the GR86 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the GTI. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GTI ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The GR86’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the GTI’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GR86’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GR86’s reliability 47 points higher than the GTI.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. With 55 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Volkswagen.

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 Volkswagen 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, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota GR86 is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (manual transmissions 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 GTI doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The GR86 has a tether attaching its gas cap to prevent its loss. The GTI’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the GR86 has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift, based on a value pre-entered by the driver. The GTI doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The GR86 stops much shorter than the GTI:

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GR86 is 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GTI.

The GR86’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.3% to 44.7%) than the GTI’s (60.9% to 39.1%). This gives the GR86 more stable handling and braking.

The GR86 Premium handles at 1.00 G’s, while the GTI Autobahn pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the GR86’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the GTI’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Toyota GR86 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Volkswagen GTI.

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 GTI (.31). A more efficient exterior helps the GR86 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GR86 get better fuel mileage.

The engine in the GR86 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GTI. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The GR86 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 GTI doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 GTI doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Car-Net can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The GR86’s standard Smart Key System allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push-button Start standard on the GTI only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car. Push-button Start is not available on the GTI SE/Autobahn.

Consumer Reports rated the GR86’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the GTI’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GR86’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the GTI’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The GTI’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GR86 Premium/TRUENO’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The GR86 has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the GTI Autobahn.

The GR86 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GR86 will retain 57.34% to 60.93% of its original price after five years, while the GTI only retains 52.82% to 55.47%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota GR86, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volkswagen GTI isn't recommended.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its December 2021 issue and they ranked the Toyota GR86 Premium first. They ranked the Volkswagen GTI Autobahn third.

The GR86 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 3 more times in the last 12 years. The GTI hasn’t been picked since 2022.

The Toyota GR86 outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by 389 units during 2023.