Verdict
At RM249,245, the Subaru BRZ costs RM8,257 less than the Toyota 86 and delivers a meaningful 37 hp, 45 Nm and 1.3-second 0-100 km/h advantage. Its 8.0-inch touchscreen, eight speakers, reverse camera and blind-spot information system make it the more complete daily proposition too. But Malaysian ownership costs favour the 86: its RM379 annual road tax is RM388 lower, it has a 243-litre boot and a full-size spare. The BRZ is the sharper value pick if performance and cabin tech matter most.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want 234 hp, a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time and substantially better infotainment and parking assistance for less money.
Pick the Toyota 86 if lower RM379 annual road tax, a full-size spare tyre and a slightly larger 243-litre boot matter more than outright pace.
Key differences
- Power: Subaru BRZ 234 hp; Toyota 86 197 hp.
- Torque: Subaru BRZ 250 Nm; Toyota 86 205 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru BRZ 6.3 seconds; Toyota 86 7.6 seconds.
- Annual road tax: Subaru BRZ RM767; Toyota 86 RM379.
- Boot space: Subaru BRZ 226 litres; Toyota 86 243 litres.
- Wheels: Subaru BRZ 18-inch alloys with 215/40R18 tyres; Toyota 86 17-inch alloys with 215/45R17 tyres.
BRZ
- 37 hp and 45 Nm more than the Toyota 86.
- 1.3 seconds quicker from 0-100 km/h.
- 8.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, reverse camera and blind-spot information system.
- RM767 annual road tax versus the Toyota 86's RM379.
- 226-litre boot is 17 litres smaller than the Toyota 86's.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare wheel.
86
- RM388 lower annual road tax.
- 243-litre boot and a full-size 17-inch alloy spare.
- 14 kg lighter than the Subaru BRZ.
- 197 hp and 205 Nm trail the Subaru BRZ by 37 hp and 45 Nm.
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.3 seconds slower than the Subaru BRZ.
- No reverse camera, blind-spot information system, Android Auto or Apple CarPlay listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM249,245✓ | RM257,502 |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM767 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 234 hp✓ | 197 hp |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds✓ | 7.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 226 km/h | 226 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,265 mm | 4,240 mm |
| Width | 1,775 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,310 mm | 1,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,289 kg | 1,275 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 226 litres | 243 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/40R18 | 215/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/40R18 | 215/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Michelin Primacy HP |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — Equivalent to Subaru BRZ with 7 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats | — |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Glovebox |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 BRZ & 86 for sale
BRZ vs 86 FAQ
Is the Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 better?
The Subaru BRZ is the better buy for performance and equipment: it is quicker, more powerful and costs less to buy. Choose the Toyota 86 only if its much lower annual road tax, larger boot and full-size spare take priority.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru BRZ is RM8,257 cheaper than the Toyota 86.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The Toyota 86 is cheaper to tax at RM379 per year, compared with RM767 for the Subaru BRZ. That saves RM388 annually.