Verdict
For Malaysian buyers, these are radically different answers to the same budget. The RM296,000 GR86 is a 1,291-kg, rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual, 234 hp and a rear limited-slip differential; it is the choice for a compact, involved drive. The Touareg costs RM88,972 more, but brings 335 hp, 450 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 810-litre boot, five seats and extensive driver assistance make it the usable family car, though annual road tax is RM1,632 against RM767.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want the lower-cost 1,291-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe, six-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need five seats, an 810-litre boot, 335 hp and active safety systems such as autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota GR86 RM296,000; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Power and torque: Toyota GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm; Volkswagen Touareg 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Toyota GR86 6.3 seconds; Volkswagen Touareg 6.0 seconds.
- Boot space: Toyota GR86 226 litres; Volkswagen Touareg 810 litres.
- Seating and doors: Toyota GR86 four seats and two doors; Volkswagen Touareg five seats and five doors.
- Road tax: Toyota GR86 RM767 per year; Volkswagen Touareg RM1,632 per year.
GR86
- RM88,972 cheaper to buy.
- Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and rear limited-slip differential.
- 1,291-kg kerb weight and lower RM767 annual road tax.
- Only 226 litres of boot space versus the Touareg's 810 litres.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist.
- Two doors and four seats, against five doors and five seats.
Touareg
- 335 hp and 450 Nm, with a quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 810-litre boot, five seats and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning, steering correction and night vision.
- Costs RM88,972 more than the GR86.
- RM1,632 annual road tax is RM865 higher.
- Its 4,878-mm length is 613 mm longer than the GR86's 4,265 mm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,000✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | Coupe | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM767✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 234 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Toyota | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 226 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,265 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,775 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,310 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,291 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 226 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/40R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/40R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Rear Limited Slip Differential | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Headlamps | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Foldable | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 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 GR86 & Touareg for sale
GR86 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Toyota GR86 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Touareg is better for passengers, luggage and driver assistance, with five seats, an 810-litre boot and autonomous braking. The GR86 is the better choice if a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and a lower purchase price matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM88,972 more than the Toyota GR86.
Which is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Volkswagen Touareg is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds versus 6.3 seconds for the Toyota GR86. It also has 335 hp and 450 Nm, compared with 234 hp and 250 Nm.