86 REASONS TO GO FOR A DRIVE

FINALLY, AFTER a lengthy 10-year run, including a hearty refresh in 2015, the Toyota 86 – our joint winner of the 2012 Wheels Car of the Year with its Subaru BRZ twin – has been completely renewed for the 2022 model year. Now dubbed the GR 86, this new generation features a host of substantial changes, most of which indicate Toyota listened to consumers’ and reviewers’ feedback.

Most notably, the GR 86 features a new engine with more power, which has effectively eliminated the torque dip that the previous generation was infamously known for. There’s also a nice bump in refinement, as well as real improvements to its ride and handling.

Crucial to this new model’s success: are there enough revisions in its formula to make it look better than the old one, stay inexpensive, and scratch enthusiasts’ lateral-and-longitudinal-G-seeking itch? We drove both base and Premium models at the cars’ North American launch a few hours outside New York to find