Verdict
These two serve entirely different Malaysian lives. The GAC M8 carries seven people, has a 280-litre boot and can cover up to 106 km on electric power from its 25.57-kWh battery; its 6.6-kW AC and 40-kW DC charging also suit owners able to plug in. The Toyota GR86 is the driver’s choice: 234 hp, rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and a rear limited-slip differential help it reach 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, 2.5 seconds ahead of the 2,420-kg M8. But its two doors and four seats are a hard limit for family duty.
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, 106 km of EV range and family-friendly equipment such as power sliding doors, rear air-con and autonomous braking.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want a 1,291-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with 234 hp, a six-speed manual and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Performance: GAC M8 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds; Toyota GR86 in 6.3 seconds.
- Powertrain: GAC M8 has 187 hp plus one 179-hp motor and 106 km EV range; Toyota GR86 has a 234-hp 2,387-cc petrol engine and no motor.
- Practicality: GAC M8 has five doors, seven seats and a 280-litre boot; Toyota GR86 has two doors, four seats and a 226-litre boot.
- Size and weight: GAC M8 is 5,212 mm long and 2,420 kg; Toyota GR86 is 4,265 mm long and 1,291 kg.
- Driveline: GAC M8 uses front-wheel drive and an eCVT; Toyota GR86 uses rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
M8
- Seven seats, power sliding doors and a powered boot.
- 25.57-kWh battery with 106 km EV range, plus 6.6-kW AC and 40-kW DC charging.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
- RM32,800 dearer than the Toyota GR86.
- 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time trails the GR86 by 2.5 seconds.
- At 2,420 kg, it weighs 1,129 kg more and is front-wheel drive.
GR86
- 234 hp, rear-wheel drive, six-speed manual and rear limited-slip differential.
- 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time and 226 km/h top speed.
- RM32,800 cheaper, with a full-size spare tyre.
- Only four seats and a 226-litre boot, versus seven seats and 280 litres in the M8.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or collision warning.
- No rear air-con, power sliding doors or front and rear parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800 | RM296,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used M8 & GR86 for sale
M8 vs GR86 FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Toyota GR86 better?
The GAC M8 is better for carrying people and running short trips on electricity, with seven seats and 106 km EV range. The Toyota GR86 is better for driving involvement and outright pace, thanks to rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and a 6.3-second sprint.
What is the price difference?
The GAC M8 costs RM32,800 more than the Toyota GR86. The gap buys the M8’s plug-in-hybrid system, seven-seat MPV body, 25.57-kWh battery, power sliding doors and a broader set of driver-assistance features.
Can the GAC M8 run on electric power alone?
Yes. The GAC M8 has a 25.57-kWh battery, one 179-hp electric motor and a quoted EV range of 106 km. It accepts AC charging at up to 6.6 kW and DC charging at up to 40 kW.