Toyota 86 vs. Mazda Miata

Does anything feel more freeing than driving on the open road in a compact sports car and seeing what it can do? If you’d like to experience this feeling, the 2023 Toyota GR86 and the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata will both allow you to scratch that itch. But before you choose one over the other, you should see what each of these options can offer. We’re here to help by providing you with a complete breakdown of what both sports cars bring to the table. Read on to compare the newest Toyota GR86 to the latest Mazda MX-5 Miata .

Exterior

The 2023 Toyota GR86 and the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata continue to put the “small” in small sports car. They’re two of the tiniest sports cars that you’ll find out on the road. The GR86 is a shade under 168 inches long, while the Miata comes in at right around 154 inches long. If you’re on the taller side, the GR86 will be the way to go. We’d also argue that the GR86 has an edge in the looks department. Although the Miata is a well-known icon, the GR86 has a more modern feel to it.

For 2023, Toyota has also unveiled a special 10th-anniversary edition trim for the GR86. It helps take the GR86 to the next level by adding Solar Shift orange paint, along with other cool features, such as matte-black 18-inch wheels and a high-performance exhaust system with black chrome tips. There will only be 860 of them sold, but it might be worth trying to get your hands on one if you’re a GR86 enthusiast.

Engine

The 2023 Toyota GR86 and the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata both look great from the outside. But if you’re going to be buying one, you aren’t going to want to spend much time just sitting and looking at it. You’re going to want to jump behind the wheel to see what it can do when you hit the highway. Fortunately, both models will deliver the performance you’re looking for, but the GR86 will set you up with a little more power than the Miata.

The 2023 GR86 has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that can produce up to 228 horsepower. Meanwhile, the 2023 Miata has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that can produce up to 181 horsepower. No matter which model you end up choosing, you’ll have the option to go with a manual transmission, and we encourage you to take advantage of it. It’ll help you hit the highway a lot harder than you would be able to otherwise so that you can see what the GR86 or Miata can do.

Interior

Since the 2023 Toyota GR86 and the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata are on the smaller side, there isn’t much space inside either of them for a lot of cargo. But this is yet another area in which the GR86 will win out because it does manage to fit enough seating for four passengers inside. The Miata, on the other hand, has only two seats in it, and they’re going to be very tight for anyone who is even slightly on the taller side.

The 2023 GR86 also manages to offer up more cargo space than the Miata. Granted, it only has about 6 cubic feet of cargo space to the Miata’s 5 cubic feet of cargo space. But it’ll be nice to know that you can bring at least a few items along with you in a GR86 and keep them in either the back seat or trunk. That’s an option you won’t always have when you’re driving around in a Miata.

Technology

Even though space is limited in both the 2023 Toyota GR86 and the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata, there is enough technology to go around in each of them. The 2023 GR86 has an 8.0-inch infotainment touch screen that comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a six-speaker stereo system that can be upgraded to eight speakers if you’d like. The 2023 Miata has an infotainment touch screen as well, but it’s slightly smaller than the GR86’s touch screen, measuring in at only 7.0 inches. It does, however, come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety

If you choose to go with a 2023 Toyota GR86 that has a manual transmission, the safety features found in it will be minimal. But if you go with one that has an automatic transmission, you’ll get the full suite of Toyota safety features, including automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a little more accommodating, regardless of which transmission you choose. It has numerous safety features, including automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert.

Price

Despite their small statures, some people might be under the impression that the 2023 Toyota GR86 and/or the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata may break the bank. But both options are more affordable than you might think. The 2023 GR86 starts at just $28,400, while the 2023 Miata starts at just $28,050.

Contact Us To Take a 2023 Toyota GR86 for a Test Drive

The 2023 Toyota GR86 and the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata both have some fantastic features to offer. But as you’ve likely noticed by now, the 2023 GR86 outpaces the 2023 Miata in most categories. That’s why it should be on your shortlist of small sports cars to check out for the 2023 model year.

Would you like to take a 2023 Toyota GR86 out for a test drive to see what it can do? Classic Toyota can help you get your hands on a set of keys so that you can find out what it’s capable of doing. We can also provide you with additional information on what you can expect from the newest GR86.

Get in touch with us today to discover what makes the 2023 GR86 so special, and let us make your sports car dreams a reality.

Image by Toyota via 2023 GR86 – Up Your Thrill Around Every Corner | Toyota.com