Compare the2025 Lexus RCVS 2025 Toyota GR86

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RC have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Toyota GR86 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The RC’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The GR86 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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

The RC offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The GR86 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The RC offers optional Intuitive Park Assist 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 RC has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the GR86 Premium/TRUENO offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RC has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the GR86 Premium/TRUENO offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both the RC and the GR86 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus RC weighs 869 to 1080 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.

The RC comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The GR86’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RC 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the GR86. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GR86 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RC’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GR86’s (6 vs. 5 years).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the RC has a standard 580-amp battery. The GR86’s 470-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked second.

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

The RC 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (241 vs. 228) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 184) than the GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The RC 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (260 vs. 228) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 184) than the GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The RC 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 83 more horsepower (311 vs. 228) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 184) than the GR86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the RC 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Toyota GR86 (automatics tested):

	RC	GR86
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	6.1 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6 sec	6.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.7 sec	4.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	14.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	97 MPH

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

			MPG
RC
RWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/31 hwy
GR86
RWD	Manual	2.4 DOHC flat-4	20 city/26 hwy
	Auto	2.4 DOHC flat-4	21 city/30 hwy

The RC has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the GR86 (17.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Lexus RC 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 Lexus RC, 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 RC, 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.

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

	RC	RC 350 F Sport	GR86	GR86
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	14 inches	11.6 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	11.7 inches	12.7 inches	11.4 inches	12.4 inches

For better traction, the RC has larger standard tires than the GR86 (235/40R19 vs. 215/45R17). The RC F Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GR86 (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

The RC F Sport’s 265/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR86’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RC has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the GR86. The RC F Sport’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the GR86.

The RC 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.

The RC 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 RC 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 RC’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the GR86 (107.5 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the RC is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GR86.

For better maneuverability, the RC’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the GR86’s (34.2 feet vs. 35.4 feet). The RC AWD’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the GR86’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

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

The RC has 6.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR86 (83.8 vs. 77.2).

The RC has 2 inches more front headroom, 3.9 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and 1.3 inches more rear headroom than the GR86.

The RC has a much larger trunk than the GR86 (10.4 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The RC’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.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the RC offers cargo security. The GR86’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the RC. The GR86 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The RC 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 46% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 21st.

When three different drivers share the RC, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The GR86 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The RC’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and 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 RC’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 RC’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.

If the front windows are left open on the RC the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the GR86 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RC’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RC offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GR86 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

When the RC with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The GR86’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RC’s standard rear view mirror and optional 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.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the RC 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 RC’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.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the RC has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The GR86 doesn’t offer rear vents.

The Lexus RC has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Toyota charges extra for Homelink® on the GR86.