2025 Subaru WRX vs 2026 Toyota GR86
Comparison Overview
The primary numerical divergence between the 2025 Subaru WRX and the 2026 Toyota GR86 is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the WRX listing at $37,750 compared to the GR86's $30,800, a $6,950 delta. This price gap is supported by a significant performance differential, as the WRX produces 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, substantially exceeding the GR86's 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is a surprising parity, as both vehicles achieve a 22 MPG combined rating. However, the WRX offers 43 more horsepower and nearly doubles the luggage space, boasting 12.5 cubic feet compared to the GR86's 6.3 cubic feet. Dimensionally, the WRX is longer at 183.8 inches versus 167.9 inches. While both mandate a 6-speed manual transmission, the WRX’s standard AWD contrasts with the GR86’s RWD configuration.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Subaru WRX
The WRX offers standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), providing superior stability and traction in variable commuting conditions compared to the GR86's Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD).
2025 Subaru WRX
With 12.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the sedan body style of the WRX provides nearly double the usable space of the GR86's 6.3 cubic feet.
2025 Subaru WRX
The 2025 Subaru WRX is superior for performance enthusiasts due to its 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque output, easily surpassing the GR86's 228 hp.
2026 Toyota GR86
The 2026 Toyota GR86 provides a significantly lower entry price point at $30,800 while matching the WRX's 22 MPG combined rating.
Choose the Subaru WRX if...
- You require the assured traction provided by the standard All-Wheel Drive system for adverse weather.
- You need superior straight-line performance, evidenced by the 271 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
- You prioritize trunk accessibility and space, benefiting from the 12.5 cu ft cargo volume offered by the sedan format.
Choose the Toyota GR86 if...
- Your budget prioritizes initial cost savings, as the MSRP is $6,950 less at $30,800.
- You prefer the purity of a RWD drivetrain configuration for dynamic driving characteristics.
- A smaller footprint, indicated by the 167.9-inch length and 51.6-inch height, is beneficial for garage storage.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru WRX | Toyota GR86 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.8" | 167.9" |
| Width | 71.9" | 69.9" |
| Height | 57.8" | 51.6" |
| Wheelbase | 105.2" | 101.4" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | — |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | — |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 271 hp @ 5600 rpm | 228 hp @ 7000 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Rear Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/26 MPG | 20/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 22 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 315.4/431.6 mi. | 264.0/343.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 11.6 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.8 in. | 37.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.1 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.1 in. | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Sport | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 36.7 in. | 33.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.5 in. | 29.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 51.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 49.3 in. | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8.5 in | 17 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | Performance | Performance |
| Tire Size | 245/40R | 215/45R17 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru WRX and 2026 Toyota GR86.
Is there a significant difference in fuel consumption between the two models?
Numerically, no; both the 2025 Subaru WRX and the 2026 Toyota GR86 are rated at 22 MPG combined. However, the WRX requires premium fuel (recommended), whereas the GR86 requires it (for its 228 hp engine).
How much performance power difference should I expect between these manuals?
The WRX holds a substantial advantage, delivering 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged engine. This represents a 43 hp surplus over the GR86's naturally aspirated 228 hp engine.
Which vehicle offers better utility for carrying gear?
The 2025 Subaru WRX, being a sedan, offers significantly more utility with 12.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2026 Toyota GR86 coupe is severely limited, offering only 6.3 cubic feet.
Why is the WRX $6,950 more expensive than the GR86?
The higher MSRP of $37,750 for the WRX reflects its inclusion of a more powerful engine (271 hp vs 228 hp) and the standard inclusion of an All-Wheel Drive system, which the RWD GR86 lacks.
Are the transmissions fundamentally different between these two manual options?
Both vehicles feature a 6-speed manual transmission. The key difference lies in the drive system they deliver power through: AWD for the WRX and RWD for the GR86.
Which car is physically smaller for parking or maneuvering?
The 2026 Toyota GR86 is the more compact vehicle overall; it is 15.9 inches shorter in length (167.9 in vs 183.8 in) and significantly lower in height (51.6 in vs 57.8 in).
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