Toyota GR86 And Subaru BRZ Getting Even Better For 2025

Toyota’s popular GR86 is one of the best bang-for-buck purchases around. For less than $30,000, it offers excellent performance, handling, and style – no wonder it’s one of America’s best-selling sports cars. However, it seems an update is on the horizon, with Toyota Japan revealing an upgraded variant.

While it looks the same as the little coupe we know and love, the automaker has made several under-the-skin revisions to make driving even more fun, which is refreshing. Instead of bestowing the GR86 with sparkly lights or a larger touchscreen, all Toyota wanted to do was put a bigger smile on the driver’s face. And it seems that endeavor will be successfully achieved – all models benefit from retuned dampers, which Toyota says improves grip while promoting the direct feel and handling the GR86 is known for.

Lots Of Tiny Improvements Make A Big Difference

The electric power steering has also been fettled for more intuitive and responsive feedback. Toyota says the revisions have made the GR86 feel more agile without sacrificing stability. What’s more, the steering sensation has been improved “at the upper limits of performance.” Toyota has also made some changes to the 2.4-liter four-cylinder, with minor differences between automatic and manual-equipped cars.

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In GR86s with three pedals, the engine torque control has been refined for easier blipping, making driving on track more of a joy. The accelerator pedal is sharper, providing greater control over the throttle. The engine-speed tolerance range has been expanded in the automatic, which comes in handy when downshifting. This gives the driver a wider torque band, allowing them to shoot out of corners and bends more quickly. There is no mention of increased power outputs, so we assume the revised model offers 231 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Toyota has also added a new tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

Ridge Green Limited Edition Gets Cool Paint Color

Aside from these welcome updates, there’s also a desirable special edition. Known as the Ridge Green Limited, the newcomer receives delightful green paintwork, bronze wheels, standard Brembo brakes, and ZF Sachs sports dampers. The braking system comprises four- and two-piston calipers at the front and rear, replacing the standard two-/one-piston setup and providing superior stopping power.

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Inside, the special edition receives black and cream leather/Ultrasuede upholstery with unique embroidery that is exclusive to the special edition. In Australia, the Ridge Green Limited is simply known as the Limited Edition, and just 86 units will be offered down under. In Japan, interested customers must enter a lottery for the 200 available units. Toyota frequently uses lottery systems for its limited-run models to ensure a fair and transparent allocation process.

At the same time, the JDM Subaru BRZ has also been updated with a Sport mode for manual cars, as well as similar damping improvements across the entire range. CarBuzz has contacted Toyota USA for comment, but we assume these updates will arrive for MY2025, hopefully including a special edition. As for pricing, the cheapest GR86 available in Japan retails for ¥3,518,000 ($22,100), while the Ridge Green Limited costs ¥3,897,000 ($24,500) for the manual and ¥3,995,000 ($25,000) for the auto. We don’t expect US pricing to be as appealing.