Affordable speed not just for the budget-conscious
The 2018 Toyota 86 is a small, lightweight two-door sports car that occupies the segment almost by itself. Thanks to its affordable price and great handling, car enthusiasts will have a hard time finding a more appealing car at the same cost.
Powertrain
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The 2018 Toyota 86 boasts a 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine jointly developed with Subaru. It produces 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque with the six-speed automatic transmission and 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque with the six-speed manual. Notably, the torque curve is also flatter with the manual model, improving responsiveness. Because the 2.0-liter’s four cylinders are in a flat “boxer” configuration, the engine sits lower to the ground, contributing to the 86’s nimble handling. Though the manual gets more power, the automatic makes up for it with higher fuel economy and the convenience of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Design
The design of the 2018 Toyota 86 combines old-school sports car proportions with modern aerodynamic elements and style. The sculpted front end helps it achieve a drag coefficient of only 0.29 Cd and the large chin spoiler and integrated canard keep the car glued to the ground when turning into corners. Vortex generators on the sides enhance stability and give the car a sporty look, and at the rear the dual sport exhaust is trimmed in chrome for even more head-turning potential. Inside, sport seats with silver contrast stitching provide excellent support for spirited driving. The generous use of a “grandlux” trim — a suede-like material — add a touch of sophistication to the 86.
Handling
Nearly everything about the 2018 Toyota 86 is designed with optimizing handling in mind, from the double-wishbone-style multi-link rear suspension to the lightweight, rigid chassis. The rear-wheel drive configuration helps improve the car’s agility, and should you want to push yourself and the car to the limit, you can do so by holding the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) button for a second to engage the Track Mode. This forces the VSC not to kick in until it senses you have reached the very limits of the car — though this can also be disabled by engaging the “Full-Off Mode.”
For the price, few cars can compete with the 2018 Toyota 86’s dynamic handling, which it achieves with a simplicity that even expensive sports cars rarely match. All of their electronic toys and gizmos, while improving cornering speeds, tend to break the connection between car and driver. As a result, the 86 is not just a car for budget-conscious enthusiasts, but also one for sports car aficionados in general.
