Why the GR86 Is (or Isn't) the Perfect Car for a Long Road Trip
So, you’ve got that itch. The open road is calling your name, you've got a playlist that’s begging to be blasted, & you're picturing yourself carving through some epic mountain passes. The only question is, what’s the chariot for this grand adventure? For a lot of us car enthusiasts, the Toyota GR86 seems like a dream machine. It’s a pure, rear-wheel-drive sports car that promises an unfiltered driving experience. But here's the million-dollar question: is that brilliant, focused sports car also the perfect companion for a thousand-mile journey?
Honestly, the answer is a solid "it depends." It’s not a simple yes or no. The very things that make the GR86 a superstar on a twisty backroad can be its biggest flaws on a long, monotonous highway slog. & vice-versa.
I’ve spent a ton of time digging through owner forums, watching reviews, & seeing what people who have actually lived with this car have to say. Turns out, there’s a passionate debate here. Some owners will tell you they’ve done cross-country trips with zero complaints, while others say it's a bit too hardcore for that kind of travel.
Let’s break it down, get into the nitty-gritty, & figure out if the GR86 is your dream road trip partner or if you’d be better off in something a little… softer.
The Case FOR the GR86: The Ultimate Driver's Escape
Let's start with the good stuff, because there's a LOT to love.
The "Fun Factor" is Off the Charts
This is the number one reason you’re even considering this car, right? A road trip isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B. It’s about the journey. & in a GR86, the journey is ALWAYS the main event.
The second-generation GR86, with its bigger 2.4-liter boxer engine, solved the biggest complaint about its predecessor, the GT86. That old "torque dip" is gone, replaced by a much healthier 228 horsepower & 184 lb-ft of torque. This means you're not constantly chasing the redline to feel the power. On a winding road, you can leave it in third or fourth gear & just surf the wave of torque, making for a much more relaxed but still incredibly engaging drive.
Reviewers & owners rave about this. They talk about how the car feels light, balanced, & communicative. The steering is sharp, the chassis is playful, & it just begs you to take that scenic detour you saw a sign for. A long trip in a boring car is a chore; a long trip in a GR86 is an adventure. One owner on Reddit described an 850-mile trip from Seattle to San Jose as a "blast," specifically highlighting the fun on the windy roads between Oregon & California. Another owner did a 4,500-mile, 14-day trip & called it "fun as hell." That's some serious praise.
This car turns a mundane on-ramp into a corner-carving opportunity & a mountain pass into your own personal playground. For many, that constant level of engagement & fun is exactly what a road trip should be about.
Surprisingly Comfortable (For a Sports Car)
Okay, stick with me here. No one is going to mistake the GR86 for a Lexus, but the consensus is that it's MUCH more comfortable than you'd expect. Toyota seemed to have found a sweet spot with the suspension. It's firm enough to provide that razor-sharp handling, but it's also compliant enough to soak up highway miles without shattering your spine.
The seats are a big part of this. They are FANTASTIC. They're aggressively bolstered to hold you in place during spirited driving, but they're also well-padded & supportive for long hauls. One reviewer for Hooniverse drove one 846 miles in scorching heat & said they never felt fatigued or wished for another car, even after 10 hours behind the wheel. That’s a serious testament. Multiple owners on forums echo this, with one saying their back wasn't as sore as it usually was in their old Honda Civic.
The driving position is also spot-on. You sit low, the visibility out the front is excellent, & everything is perfectly placed for spirited driving. It connects you to the road in a way that few modern cars do.
Practicality That Punches Above Its Weight
Let's be real, the GR86 is not a minivan. But compared to its main rival, the Mazda Miata, it’s practically a station wagon. The secret weapon? The rear seats.
Now, are these seats for actual humans? Absolutely not. Unless your friends are legless mannequins, no adult is fitting back there for more than a few minutes. But that's not the point. The point is that those rear seats are a PERFECT cargo shelf. You can toss backpacks, jackets, snack bags, or camera gear back there with ease. It’s a huge advantage over the strictly two-seat Miata.
Then there’s the trunk. At 6.26 cubic feet (or 226 liters), it’s not enormous, but it's surprisingly usable. One reviewer noted you can fit a pretty big suitcase in there, with room for an overnight bag on the side. Another owner mentioned it was perfect for a 3-day getaway for two people, which was a key reason they chose it over a Miata.
And here's the kicker: you can fold those rear seats down. This opens up a surprisingly large load area, big enough to carry longer items. Toyota famously designed the first-gen to be able to carry a full set of four spare wheels & tires for a track day, & that spirit of practicality lives on. For a road tripper, this means you have a ton of flexibility for packing luggage, camping gear, or whatever else you need.
The Case AGAINST the GR86: The Harsh Realities of the Road
Alright, it can't all be sunshine & winding roads. The very nature of a lightweight, affordable sports car comes with some significant compromises.
The NOISE
This is, by far, the most common complaint. The GR86 is LOUD inside. And not just the good kind of loud from the engine. We're talking about road noise, tire noise, & wind noise.
There's very little sound insulation in this car—it's one of the ways Toyota kept the weight & cost down. On a smooth road, it might be fine. But on coarse highway pavement, it can be downright draining. Reviewers & owners consistently mention that you have to raise your voice to have a conversation at highway speeds. One owner who also has a GR Corolla said the GR86's cabin noise feels "hollow" & that it's hard to hold a conversation above 40mph without yelling.
Car and Driver measured the interior noise at 74 dB at a 70 mph cruise, which is pretty high. Some of this comes down to the tires. The grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4s that come on the premium trims are fantastic for performance, but they're not known for being quiet. You could swap to a quieter touring tire, but then you're sacrificing some of that handling magic that makes the car special in the first place.
This is a really personal thing. For some, it's just part of the raw, unfiltered sports car experience. For others, it's a dealbreaker that would make a long trip an exhausting, headache-inducing ordeal.
The Practicality Limits & Parking Pains
While it's more practical than a Miata, the GR86 still has its limits. That trunk is big enough for a weekend, but a week-long trip for two might require some VERY creative packing. The liftover height is also a bit awkward.
Then there's the challenge of parking it. The GR86 is a small car, but you sit so low that it can be hard to judge the corners, especially in tight city parking garages. Over-the-shoulder visibility isn't great either, thanks to the small rear quarter windows.
This is where planning ahead can be a lifesaver. On a road trip, you're often rolling into unfamiliar cities & trying to find a decent place to park can be a real headache. You don't want to leave your pride & joy on a sketchy street overnight. This is honestly where a service like Prked comes in super handy. You can book a secure & affordable parking spot in someone's private driveway or garage right from your phone. It takes the stress out of finding a safe spot in a new city, so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about your car. It’s a pretty cool solution for road trippers, especially when you're in a car you care about.
The Fuel Economy & Cost
The GR86 isn't a gas guzzler, but it's not exactly a Prius either. The EPA rates the manual version at 20 mpg in the city & 27 mpg on the highway. The automatic does a bit better at 21/31 mpg.
Here’s the thing: real-world results seem to be a bit better. Some owners report getting into the low-to-mid 30s on the highway if they're careful. One detailed test even saw an impressive 36.8 mpg with the automatic transmission on a long highway run. However, many owners who drive more "spiritedly" see averages in the low-to-mid 20s.
The other factor is that the GR86 requires premium fuel. With gas prices being what they are, filling up a 12.4-gallon tank with the good stuff every 300 miles or so can add up quickly on a long trip. It's a cost you definitely need to factor into your road trip budget.
Long-Term Reliability Questions
Toyota has a legendary reputation for reliability, but it’s important to remember that the GR86's heart is a Subaru boxer engine. While the modern FA24 engine is generally considered reliable for daily driving, some concerns have popped up, especially within the enthusiast community.
The most talked-about issue is the use of RTV sealant inside the engine. In some cases, excess RTV has been found in the oil pickup tube, which could theoretically lead to oil starvation, especially under the high G-forces of track driving. Toyota has reportedly stated they will cover engine failures directly attributed to this issue, but it's still a point of anxiety for some owners.
For a standard road trip with no track-day shenanigans, this is likely a non-issue. The engine has proven to be pretty bulletproof under normal conditions. But it's something to be aware of, especially if you plan on pushing the car hard. Regular maintenance, especially oil changes, is key to keeping these engines happy long-term.
The Verdict: So, Is It the Perfect Road Trip Car?
Here's the final breakdown.
The Toyota GR86 IS the perfect road trip car if:
- The Drive is the Destination: Your priority is driving enjoyment above all else. You live for twisty roads & want a car that makes every mile an event.
- You're a Light Packer: You can comfortably fit everything you need for your trip in a couple of duffel bags.
- You Have a High Tolerance for Noise: You see road noise as part of the raw, mechanical experience, not an annoyance. A good sound system to drown it out is your friend.
- You're Traveling Solo or With One Like-Minded Person: You don’t need to carry more than one passenger, & that passenger is also on board with the sports car experience.
The Toyota GR86 ISN'T the perfect road trip car if:
- Comfort is King: You want a quiet, isolated cabin where you can listen to podcasts & chat effortlessly for hours on end.
- You Need to Haul a Lot of Gear: Your trips involve multiple large suitcases, bulky equipment, or more than one other person.
- You're on a Tight Budget: The cost of premium fuel & the less-than-stellar MPG will be a constant source of stress.
- You Want a "Set it and Forget It" Experience: You prefer a car that just eats up highway miles in the background without demanding your constant attention.
Ultimately, the GR86 is a car of beautiful, exhilarating compromises. It trades Lexus-like refinement for world-class handling. It sacrifices outright practicality for a pure, engaging driving experience. For the right person, it’s not just a good road trip car; it's the ONLY car they’d want to take. It turns a simple vacation into a true driving adventure.
If you value the thrill of the drive over serene comfort, & you're willing to make a few small sacrifices in the name of fun, then the GR86 might just be the most perfect imperfect road trip car you can buy.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think.
