Used 2020 Toyota 86

The 2020 Toyota 86 is a small coupe with rear-wheel drive. It’s made for the enthusiast, but it doesn’t have a lot of power. Instead, the 86 (named after a cult version of the Corolla made in the 1980s) entertains with a superb chassis that’s poised and responsive, agile and light.

Apart from having a fixed metal roof, it has a lot in common with the Mazda MX-5 Miata, in that it’s a great introduction to rear-drive fun without being so powerful that rookies might get out of shape too easily.

This year brings the Hakone Edition that pays homage to the Hakone Turnpike, one of Japan’s great driving roads. Toyota calls it a limited edition, but hasn’t mentioned how many examples will be built.

This is one of those cars where even going out for a carton of milk seems like an adventure, especially if you take a twisting route usually frequented by motorcyclists on the weekends.

The chassis is communicative and predictable. Tight corners become a learning experience where the driver can experiment with things like braking late and letting the weight transfer help rotate the car before adding a touch of steering correction and mashing the throttle on the way to the next turn.

The downside is that the 2020 Toyota 86 can be noisy and cramped, because Toyota saved some weight by not including so much sound insulation. And the firm ride can become tiresome at times. It takes a real enthusiast to appreciate such a focused machine.

The seating position is set low to the ground, as it should be in a sports car. The Toyota 86 has one of the lowest centers of gravity of any current production vehicle. It’s a major part of the thrill-providing recipe.

The rest of the cabin is similarly focused on the driver. The gear lever is situated in the just-right position for easy shifts, while the front seats are sufficiently comfortable for long journeys. There’s plenty of back and side support, enhanced by upholstery containing simulated suede, so occupants aren’t going to slide in their seats through fast corners.

There’s one other telling detail. Just a like a Porsche 911 (the archetypal driver’s car), the rev counter is right in the center instrument cluster. Because engine speed is often more crucial than road speed (planning that perfect upshift, for example).

One reason the Toyota 86 (and the Subaru BRZ) can sit so low and have that elegantly thin hood is because of the flat-4 engine. Everything that follows is classic coupe and that’s absolutely fine, right down to the dual chrome-tipped tailpipes.

The GT adds a rear spoiler, LED fog lights and under-body panels to improve aerodynamics. The Hakone Edition has its own special green color. No other 86 offers this hue and this model doesn’t come with any other paint choice. As a complement, the Hakone Edition’s 17-inch alloy wheels have a bronze finish.

TRACK MODE
This setting in the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system allows more leeway before kicking in and cutting power. By pressing the Track button for one second, the driver can then exploit the chassis with some wheelspin and lateral movement. There’s also a fully Off mode where the VSC is disabled completely.

FOLD-DOWN REAR SEAT
The trunk in the 2020 Toyota 86 accommodates a meager 6.9 cubic feet, so the folding rear seat provides extra cargo capacity. This allows for a couple of golf bags or tools and an extra set of wheels and tires for track days.

The base version of the 2020 86 has 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/brake lights/turn signals, front bucket seats (height-adjustable on the driver’s side), leather-wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, disc brakes front and rear, USB port, an infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, and smartphone integration.

Importantly for the driver, it also features a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission and a torque-sensing (Torsen) limited-slip differential as standard. The GT version has a push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and a g-meter (measuring lateral acceleration — it’s a nice toy for the track).

Conspicuous by their absence are any electronic driver aids, not even on the options list.

There are some 2020 Toyota 86 buyers who won’t go for the manual transmission. The optional automatic is a 6-speed unit that includes shift paddles mounted to the steering column and a rev-matching feature on downshifts. It’s available on every version.

The Hakone Edition is based on the GT, adding a black/tan interior color scheme and a black rear spoiler.

A TRD Handling package (TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development) brings upgraded Brembo brakes, Sachs shock absorbers and 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport performance tires. It’s only available on base and GT versions (not the Hakone Edition) with the manual transmission.

Other extras include navigation and some TRD accessories such as aero additions, performance-enhancing parts and cosmetic components.

The 2.0-liter flat-4 engine in the Toyota 86 has two pairs of horizontally opposed pistons. It contributes to the car’s advantageously low center of gravity. It’s a typical Subaru configuration, but the fuel-injection system is from Toyota. The 86 is rear-drive only.

Fuel consumption is slightly lower with the 6-speed automatic transmission, but the 86 is more fun with the standard 6-speed manual. For example, this combination makes 205 horsepower; the automatic drops that by five horsepower. Stick-shift versions also have a flatter torque curve, which translates to sharper throttle responses — yet another reason to avoid the automatic.

An optional TRD shift kit brings shorter throws, which sounds tempting in principle, but we think it detracts from the overall feel.

2.0-liter flat-4 (manual transmission)
205 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
156 lb-ft of torque @ 6,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 mpg

2.0-liter flat-4 (automatic transmission)
200 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
151 lb-ft of torque @ 6,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/32 mpg