2026 Toyota GR86: Bristol Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 Toyota GR86 (Base Grade)
The 2026 GR86 starts at $31,400 MSRP, plus the $1,295 delivery, processing and handling fee, and it carries the complete performance recipe: a 228-hp, 2.4-liter boxer engine, rear-wheel drive, a 6-speed manual (a 6-speed automatic adds $1,100) and a Torsen limited-slip differential. It rides on 17-inch wheels, adds an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and Toyota’s GR86 Active Safety Suite, and Toyota includes a one-year NASA membership with a High-Performance Driving Experience. Toyota lists 20 mpg city and 26 highway, and 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Toyota of Bristol can check what is available at 860-584-7333.
The grade that has everything that matters
Shoppers often assume the entry grade of a sports car is a stripped-down teaser. On the GR86 it is closer to the opposite. The things that define the driving experience are fitted from the start: the same 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque that every other grade gets, the same rear-wheel-drive layout, the same low-slung boxer engine, and the same Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential that helps the inside rear wheel keep working when you power out of a corner. Nothing about the way this car moves is reserved for a pricier badge.
What the entry grade leaves for later is mostly comfort and polish. Wheels are 17 inches instead of 18, the stereo has six speakers rather than eight, and you do not get the heated seats, blind spot monitoring or adaptive headlights that arrive with Premium. If your plan is to drive the car hard, enjoy it and maybe swap parts yourself down the road, that trade is a sensible one.
What is standard
Inside, the dash puts a 7-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the driver and an 8-inch touchscreen in the middle, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and SiriusXM. The gauge cluster switches between Normal, Sport and Track displays; in Track mode it turns into a linear tachometer with a larger shift light. Dual-zone automatic climate control, a smart key with push-button start and LED headlights are all included. Safety gear includes Toyota’s GR86 Active Safety Suite, which covers pre-collision braking, lane departure warning with sway warning, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control with a lead-vehicle start alert, along with seven airbags.
Out of the box the car meets you with a manual gearbox, and that is the version most buyers picture. If you would rather have the 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters, it is a $1,100 option, and on automatic cars Toyota adds rear parking sonar with reverse automatic braking. Both transmissions return the same 228 hp; the automatic is slightly more efficient on the EPA cycle at 21 city, 30 highway and 24 combined, against 20, 26 and 22 for the manual.
Who the entry grade fits
This is the grade for the driver who treats a car like a hobby. The optional Performance Package, which adds Brembo brakes and Sachs dampers, is available on this grade if track days are the plan, and the one-year NASA membership that comes with every GR86 includes a High-Performance Driving Experience where instructors coach you on a closed course. If you commute and want to keep cabin comfort close to an everyday Toyota, step to the Premium. If the Yuzu Yellow paint is calling your name, that is its own limited grade.
Connecticut owners should factor in two practical points. First, the engine prefers premium fuel. Second, this is a rear-wheel-drive coupe, so winter means either a second set of winter tires or a second car. Both topics get a fuller treatment in the GR86 service and repair guide.
What Toyota of Bristol customers say
The Bristol store has 95 Google reviews and a 4.88-star average. The comments describe the dealership generally rather than one model, but they are a good read for a first-time sports-car shopper worried about being pressured. Abigail M. said, "This was my first time buying a car at a dealership, and I’d highly recommend Toyota of Bristol to anyone, not just first-time buyers. The process was quick and easy, and the staff that helped me did an exceptional job." Din K. singled out Dominic for "professionalism, product knowledge, and customer service" and praised the lack of "pushy sales tactics."
Frequently asked questions
What does the base 2026 GR86 cost?
The MSRP is $31,400, plus a $1,295 delivery, processing and handling fee. The 6-speed automatic adds $1,100, and the optional Performance Package is priced separately; Toyota of Bristol can quote the current figure.
Does the base GR86 have a limited-slip differential?
Yes. A Torsen limited-slip differential is standard on every 2026 GR86, including this grade, and it is a mechanical unit rather than an electronic one.
How many horsepower does the 2026 GR86 have?
228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque from the 2.4-liter boxer engine, on every grade and with either transmission.
Is the 2026 GR86 good on gas?
For a sports coupe it is reasonable. The EPA rates the manual at 20 city, 26 highway and 22 combined, and the automatic at 21, 30 and 24. The engine is tuned for premium fuel, so expect to pay at the premium pump.
Can I get the GR86 with an automatic?
Yes. A 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters is available for an additional $1,100 on every 2026 grade.
Take a look in Bristol
If the entry grade sounds like your kind of car, the next step is a seat in one. Contact Toyota of Bristol at 1069 Farmington Avenue, check current new inventory, and ask about GR86 availability. When you are ready to talk numbers, the pricing and leasing guide covers Connecticut tax and fees.
MSRP figures exclude the $1,295 delivery, processing and handling fee, taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the final selling price. Fuel economy figures are EPA estimates. The 0-60 mph time is per Toyota with the manual transmission. Equipment varies by grade and configuration; confirm current details with Toyota of Bristol. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Toyota of Bristol and describe the dealership experience in general.
