Compare the2024 Toyota GR86VS 2023 Audi TT

The GR86 has a standard Pre-Collision Braking, which uses 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 TT doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

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 for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The TT doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The GR86’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The TT doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GR86 Premium/TRUENO’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The TT doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The GR86’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 TT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GR86 and the TT 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 and rear parking sensors.

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR86 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the TT.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GR86’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the GR86 has a standard 470-amp battery. The TT’s 330-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 26 points higher than the TT.

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 Audi vehicles. With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Audi.

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 Audi 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, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 19th.

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 TT doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

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 TT 45 TSFI are solid, not vented.

The GR86 stops shorter than the TT:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GR86’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the TT (101.4 inches vs. 98.6 inches).

The GR86 Premium handles at 1.00 G’s, while the TT 45 TSFI Coupe pulls only .99 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the GR86’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the TT’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

The Toyota GR86 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Audi TT.

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 TT (.32 to .355). A more efficient exterior helps the GR86 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GR86 get better fuel mileage.

The GR86 has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TT (77.2 vs. 74).

The GR86 has .4 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the TT Coupe.

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 TT Roadster’s liftover is 32.1 inches. The TT Coupe’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

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 TT doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The GR86’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the TT’s standard power windows.

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 TT doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Audi Connect CARE can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the GR86 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The TT doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The TT’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’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 TT doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the GR86 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 TT doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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 TT only retains 54.31% to 55.87%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota GR86 will be $14930 to $19930 less than for the Audi TT.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota GR86 and the Audi TT, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The GR86 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 3 more times in the last 12 years. The TT has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Toyota GR86 outsold the Audi TT by over 15 to one during 2023.