Verdict
These are radically different RM300k propositions. The RM296,000 GR86 is the lighter 1,291 kg, rear-wheel-drive coupe: its 234 hp/250 Nm 2.4-litre flat-four and six-speed manual make the 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time a distinctly driver-led experience. Spend RM88,972 more on the RM384,972 Touareg and you get 335 hp, 450 Nm, all-wheel drive, 810 litres of boot space and a far broader safety suite. For Malaysian daily use and family duties, the Volkswagen’s 90-litre tank, five doors and 5 seats are decisive, but its RM1,632 annual road tax is RM865 higher.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if a 1,291 kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual matters more to you than rear-seat access, boot capacity and driver-assistance systems.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need five-door practicality, 810 litres of luggage room, 450 Nm and autonomous braking alongside a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota GR86 RM296,000; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Power and torque: GR86 234 hp/250 Nm; Touareg 335 hp/450 Nm.
- Drivetrain and gearbox: GR86 rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual; Touareg all-wheel drive with eight-speed automatic.
- Size and boot: GR86 is 4,265 mm long with 226 litres; Touareg is 4,878 mm long with 810 litres.
- Performance: GR86 reaches 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and tops out at 226 km/h; Touareg does 6.0 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Road tax: GR86 RM767 per year; Touareg RM1,632 per year.
GR86
- 1,291 kg kerb weight with rear-wheel drive and a rear limited-slip differential.
- Six-speed manual gearbox.
- Seven airbags, one more than the Touareg.
- 226-litre boot versus the Touareg's 810 litres.
- 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the Touareg's 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, collision warning or 360-degree camera.
Touareg
- 335 hp and 450 Nm with a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 810-litre boot, five doors and five seats.
- Autonomous braking, steering correction lane-keeping, night vision and a 360-degree camera.
- RM88,972 more expensive and RM865 costlier in annual road tax.
- Six airbags versus the GR86's seven.
- At 4,878 mm long and 1,984 mm wide, it is much larger than the 4,265 mm by 1,775 mm GR86.
| 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 at 7,000 rpm | 335 hp at 5,300 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm | 450 Nm at 1,340 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | V 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 86 mm | 84.5 mm × 89 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 | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 6 (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 daily Malaysian family use, with five seats, 810 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and active safety systems. Choose the GR86 for its 1,291 kg rear-wheel-drive layout and six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM88,972 more than the Toyota GR86: RM384,972 against RM296,000. Its annual road tax is also RM865 higher, at RM1,632 versus RM767.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has 810 litres of boot space, compared with 226 litres in the Toyota GR86. It also has five doors, five seats and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats; the GR86 has two doors and four seats.
