Sizzling Toyota GR86 Blazes Past Cheaper Import Rivals in Performance Showdown

The Reluctant Champion: Why the Toyota GR86 Remains the King of Affordable Sports Cars
In a world where practicality often reigns supreme, there’s one sporty ride that’s bucking the trend: the Toyota GR86. While many of its competitors have seen their sales dwindle, the GR86 has defied the odds and remained a beacon of hope for those seeking driving excitement on a budget.
According to data from CarFigures, Toyota moved 11,426 GR86s in the US in 2024, a slight increase from 2023’s 11,078 units. The Mazda MX-5 Miata, another beloved entry-level sports car, saw relatively stable sales, with 8,103 units sold in 2024, a decline from 8,973 the previous year. That may be a blow to its rivals, but the GR86’s success is anything but a surprise.
So, what’s behind the GR86’s remarkable performance? Production limitations, according to Subaru, are constraining its sales. Unlike the GR86, the BRZ shares many parts with its Toyota sibling, but its sales figures are a stark contrast, with just 3,345 units sold in 2024. This begs the question: what’s going on?
A tale of production and demand
Subaru has shed some light on the issue. In a statement to Motor1, the automaker revealed that BRZ deliveries are "directly linked" to production and are hampered by the company’s prioritization of Forester production.
The numbers add up
Tally up the sales of the BRZ, Supra, and Z, and we’re at 9,124 units. Even including the Supra’s German cousin, the BMW Z4, and its 2,129 deliveries, we’re still shy of the GR86’s total by about 170 cars.
A league of its own?
The domestic trio – the Ford Mustang, Chevy Corvette, and Dodge Challenger – operates in a different league, with sales figures of 44,003, 33,330, and 27,056, respectively. And while they all saw a decline last year, the GR86’s success is all the more impressive in comparison.
The GR86’s victory is also refreshing, given the hot hatch segment’s relative dearth of sales data. The Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, and Volkswagen GTI, which offer spiceier alternatives, are harder to quantify, but we do know the GTI’s impressive 48% growth last year, with 11,072 units sold. Still, the GR86 outperforms them all.
A new challenger is about to enter the fray: the Honda Prelude, which will debut in 2025. While it won’t be a traditional sports car, it’ll be an exciting addition to the market. And, who knows? Perhaps it’ll even give the GR86 a run for its money.