The Toyota GR86 and GR Supra are very different cars with a couple of similarities. Both vehicles are two-door coupes with no convertible option and the immediately recognizable Toyota badge. Still, they both have the venerable GR initials and sports car credentials in their own right. So, if you want one of these GR coupes to drive on a daily basis, do you opt for the Supra or the GR86?

What engines do they have?

The Toyota GR86 packs an unmistakable 2.4L flat four-cylinder “boxer” engine, which produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While that may not sound like much, it’s more than enough to make the GR86 a seriously fun car. In terms of fuel economy, the GR86 manages 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg at highway speeds. Unfortunately for GR86 fans, that puts it behind both GR Supras, including the more powerful 3.0.

The Toyota GR Supra 2.0 packs a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. TrueCar reports that the 2.0L Supra will manage 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. However, the much more powerful Supra 3.0, with its 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder engine, will still return 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg at highway speeds. That makes the Supra more powerful and more efficient than its little sibling. 

Which car is more practical to daily drive?

The Toyota GR Supra has a greater cargo capacity than its smaller sports car counterpart. Specifically, the 2022 Supra has around 10.2 cubic feet of volume for storage. However, the smaller Toyota sports car has just 6.3 cubic feet of cargo volume. Still, if you want back seats in your sports car, your only choice is the GR86.

Finally, the GR86 is one of the safest sports cars on the market. It received a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

How much does the Toyota GR Supra cost?

Here’s where the smaller Toyota sports coupe shines; the 2023 GR86 has a starting price of $28,995. That makes it a very affordable driver’s car with track day readiness. By contrast, the 2023 GR Supra 2.0 has a starting price of $44,635, and it gets worse with the addition of the bigger, more powerful inline six-cylinder engine. If you want a GR Supra 3.0, you’ll have to reconcile with the $52,985 starting price. 

Are the GR86 and the BRZ the same?

While the GR86 is a Toyota and the BRZ is a Subaru, the cars are very similar. They share powerplants, proportions, aesthetics, and the same purpose: a back-to-the-fundamentals sports coupe. Both cars pack the same 228-horsepower flat four-cylinder engines and offer a standard manual and an automatic transmission option. 

However, the GR86 and the BRZ aren’t the only sibling cars here; the Toyota GR Supra and BMW Z4 have a similar arrangement. Yes, that BMW; you read that right. The Supra and Z4 offer the same engine options. However, only the Z4 offers a convertible.

Should you buy the Toyota GR86 or the Toyota GR Supra?

While the GR Supra might be more efficient, powerful, and practical than the GR86, the smaller sports car does have a substantial advantage. Specifically, the GR86 and its sibling Subaru BRZ are much cheaper than the GR Supra. So, if you want an affordable driver’s car with Toyota reliability, buy the GR86. However, if you want a Toyota sports coupe with Mustang GT Performance Pack speed, buy the Supra 3.0.

Scroll down to the following article to read more about fast Toyotas you can daily drive!