The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ have an annoying shadow. To some enthusiasts–read: The Internet–it’s underpowered, cheap-feeling, and not enough car to be considered a sports car. Its boxer engine inspires no passion within the hearts of drivers, while its McPherson strut front suspension is inferior to that of the Mazda Miata. To many, the Subaru-based sports car twins are simply not enough. Every single one of those people is wrong.
I owned a 2023 BRZ for 16 months and found it to be one of the most pleasurable ownership experiences I’ve ever had. And in asking for the new, lightly updated 2025 GR86 Hakone, I wanted to see how one of the only true sports cars on the market has evolved since my ownership.
The Hakone gets the typical Performance Pack upgrades: Brembo big brakes all around, and Sachs dampers on all four corners versus the BRZ tS’ front Hitachi units. While there are no powertrain upgrades, it does get a stunning colorway of Ridge Green, gold wheels, and tan interior accents. Completing the effect are a steering and throttle recalibration, which all 2025 GR86s get.
For our latest YouTube video, I took a close look at how the world around the GR86 has changed since its debut in 2022, and evaluated Toyota’s updates versus the first versions of the car. The GR86 might be the most balanced sports car experience you can buy new. To find out the reasons why, you’ll just have to watch the video above.
