Verdict
The RM1,131,800 Lotus Emira costs RM835,800 more than the RM296,000 Toyota GR86, and its RM4,182 annual road tax is RM3,415 higher. In return, the Lotus brings 400 hp, 420 Nm and a 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Toyota’s 234 hp, 250 Nm and 6.3 seconds. The GR86 is the more usable Malaysian sports coupe: it has four seats, a 226-litre boot and a full-size spare. The Emira is the two-seat, faster choice for buyers prepared for its far greater outlay.
Pick the Lotus Emira if 400 hp, 420 Nm and a 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than an RM835,800 saving, rear seats or luggage space.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want a six-speed manual rear-wheel-drive coupe with four seats, a 226-litre boot and far lower purchase and road-tax costs.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Emira RM1,131,800; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Output: Lotus Emira 400 hp and 420 Nm; Toyota GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Emira 4.3 seconds; Toyota GR86 6.3 seconds.
- Seating and boot: Lotus Emira 2 seats and 151 litres; Toyota GR86 4 seats and 226 litres.
- Annual road tax: Lotus Emira RM4,182; Toyota GR86 RM767.
- Kerb weight: Lotus Emira 1,405 kg; Toyota GR86 1,291 kg.
Emira
- 400 hp and 420 Nm from a 3.5-litre supercharged petrol engine.
- 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and adaptive cruise control.
- Costs RM835,800 more and annual road tax is RM3,415 higher.
- Two seats and a 151-litre boot versus four seats and 226 litres.
- No listed full-size spare tyre, while the GR86 gets one.
GR86
- RM296,000 price and RM767 annual road tax.
- Four seats, foldable rear seats and a 226-litre boot.
- Full-size spare tyre, blind spot information system and rear cross traffic alert.
- 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the Emira's 400 hp and 420 Nm.
- Its 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.0 seconds behind the Emira.
- No listed autonomous braking, collision warning or parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,131,800 | RM296,000✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,182 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, supercharged (Roots) with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 3,456 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 400 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Six-speed Manual | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Toyota |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.3 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,412 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,225 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,405 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 151 litres | 226 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Touring or Sports Suspensions Available | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android, KEF Reference Audio | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Automatic Front Windows | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | No | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | — |
| 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 |
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 Emira & GR86 for sale
Emira vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Lotus Emira or Toyota GR86 better?
The Emira is better for outright performance, with 400 hp and 4.3 seconds to 100 km/h. The GR86 is better for lower costs and practicality, with four seats, a 226-litre boot and RM767 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emira costs RM1,131,800 and the Toyota GR86 costs RM296,000, so the Emira requires an additional RM835,800.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Toyota GR86 is more practical on the stated specifications. It has four seats, foldable rear seats, a 226-litre boot and a full-size spare tyre; the Emira has two seats and 151 litres of boot space.