Verdict
At RM286,245, the Subaru WRX costs RM9,755 less than the RM296,000 Toyota GR86 yet brings four doors, five seats and a 411-litre boot against the GR86’s two doors, four seats and 226 litres. Its turbo 2.4 litre boxer four makes 271 hp and 375 Nm, feeding all-wheel drive; the Toyota’s naturally aspirated 2.4 litre produces 234 hp and 250 Nm through rear-wheel drive. The GR86 is 219 kg lighter at 1,291 kg and has a rear limited-slip differential, but the WRX is the easier Malaysian one-car proposition.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you need five seats, a 411-litre boot and all-wheel drive while paying RM9,755 less.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want the lighter 1,291 kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a rear limited-slip differential.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru WRX RM286,245; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Power and torque: Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm; Toyota GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Driveline: Subaru WRX all-wheel drive; Toyota GR86 rear-wheel drive.
- Weight: Subaru WRX 1,510 kg; Toyota GR86 1,291 kg.
- Practicality: Subaru WRX has 5 seats and a 411-litre boot; Toyota GR86 has 4 seats and a 226-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Subaru WRX is 4,669 mm long; Toyota GR86 is 4,265 mm long.
WRX
- RM9,755 cheaper.
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from its turbocharged 2.4 litre engine.
- Four doors, five seats and a 411-litre boot.
- 219 kg heavier than the GR86.
- No rear limited-slip differential is specified.
- Its 5-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km versus 150,000 km.
GR86
- 219 kg lighter at 1,291 kg.
- Rear-wheel drive with a rear limited-slip differential.
- 150,000 km warranty coverage over five years.
- Costs RM9,755 more.
- 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the WRX’s 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Two doors, four seats and a 226-litre boot are much less practical.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM286,245✓ | RM296,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM767 | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 86 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed manual | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,669 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,826 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,672 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,510 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 411 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) | 7 (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 | 5 three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 split folding | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 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 Entry | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 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 WRX & GR86 for sale
WRX vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX or Toyota GR86 better?
The WRX is better for daily Malaysian use: it is cheaper, has five seats, four doors, a 411-litre boot and all-wheel drive. Choose the GR86 for its 219 kg lower weight, rear-wheel drive and rear limited-slip differential.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR86 costs RM296,000, which is RM9,755 more than the Subaru WRX at RM286,245. Both have the same RM767 annual road tax.
Which has more power, the Subaru WRX or Toyota GR86?
The Subaru WRX has more output: 271 hp at 5,600 rpm and 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The Toyota GR86 produces 234 hp at 7,000 rpm and 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm.
