There are two Toyota-badged U.S. generations of this rear-wheel-drive coupe: the first-generation Toyota 86, sold for the 2017–2020 model years, and the second-generation Toyota GR86, introduced for 2022 and continuing through the announced 2027 model year. Toyota’s U.S. archive does not list a regular 2021 Toyota 86 or GR86 page, so 2021 should be treated as an archive gap rather than casually described as a normal U.S. model year.
The earlier Scion FR-S is the closely related predecessor to the Toyota 86, not a separate GR86 generation. Limited editions such as the 860, TRD, Hakone, TRUENO, 10th Anniversary, and Yuzu models are special versions within those two generations—not new generations.
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At a glance: the two Toyota 86/GR86 generations
| Generation | U.S. Toyota badge and model years | Engine | Output | What defines it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | Toyota 86, 2017–2020 | Naturally aspirated 1,998 cc boxer-four | 205 hp and 156 lb.-ft. with the manual; 200 hp and 151 lb.-ft. with the automatic for 2017 | The Toyota-badged successor to the Scion FR-S, with a lightweight 2+2 body, front engine, rear-wheel drive, and six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. |
| Second generation | Toyota GR86, 2022–2027 announced | Naturally aspirated 2,387 cc boxer-four | 228 hp and 184 lb.-ft. | A substantial redesign with more displacement, a stiffer structure, new body and interior, and significantly stronger acceleration. |
Both generations follow the same basic formula: a compact front-engine, rear-wheel-drive 2+2 coupe built around low weight, a low center of gravity, and accessible performance. The 2022 redesign is nevertheless a major compatibility and engineering dividing line. It is not simply a facelift or a new badge on the first-generation car.
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In the United States, the car originally wore the Scion FR-S name. Toyota moved the model into the Toyota brand for the 2017 model year and renamed it the Toyota 86. That change accompanied styling, suspension, calibration, and equipment updates, but the underlying concept remained the same: a naturally aspirated boxer engine driving the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
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The GR86 arrived as an all-new second-generation car for 2022. The GR prefix identifies it as part of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing performance family, but the GR86 remained the direct successor to the Toyota 86 rather than a separate vehicle line with a different layout.
Important scope note: This timeline covers U.S.-market Toyota-badged cars. Other markets used Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, or different model-year schedules, so a global listing may not match the U.S. chronology below.
First generation: Toyota 86 model years 2017–2020
The first Toyota-badged generation began with the 2017 Toyota 86 and ended with the 2020 model year in Toyota’s U.S. archive. It retained the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated boxer-four and rear-wheel-drive chassis associated with the Scion FR-S, while Toyota made enough changes to distinguish the 2017 car from the earlier Scion-branded version.
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The 2017 Toyota 86 was the U.S. name-change year and the first Toyota-branded model in this timeline. Toyota revised the front and rear exterior styling, interior materials, suspension tuning, spring rates, manual-transmission differential ratio, engine calibration, and lighting.
Manual-transmission versions produced 205 hp and 156 lb.-ft. of torque. Automatic versions were rated at 200 hp and 151 lb.-ft. The power increase applied to the manual car, making transmission choice an important detail when comparing specifications.
Toyota also offered the 86 860 Special Edition. Its identifying equipment included Supernova Orange paint, black graphics, a rear spoiler, heated mirrors, 17-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and an aerodynamic underbody panel. The 860 was a special edition of the first-generation Toyota 86, not a new generation.
2018 Toyota 86
The 2018 Toyota 86 remained within the first generation. Toyota’s retrieved U.S. newsroom archive does not provide a separate 2018 model-year page, so detailed trim, color, and equipment claims should be checked against the individual car’s window sticker, build sheet, VIN report, or period product information.
That lack of a standalone archive page does not turn 2018 into a separate generation or justify treating it as an unknown redesign. It is a continuation year between the 2017 update and the later special editions.
2019 Toyota 86
For 2019, Toyota added the limited-production 86 TRD Special Edition alongside the existing 86 and 86 GT grades. The car continued to use the same rear-wheel-drive 2+2 layout and offered six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.
Toyota also documented the Hakone Edition during the 2019 model-year cycle. This is one reason online listings can be confusing: the Hakone is commonly identified as a 2020 Toyota 86 special edition, while announcement and model-year materials can place it across the 2019–2020 cycle. When buying one, use the vehicle’s title, VIN, window sticker, and actual model year rather than relying only on a seller’s headline.
2020 Toyota 86
The 2020 Toyota 86 represented the final regular U.S. model year of the first Toyota-badged generation. Toyota described it as a balanced, track-tuned sports coupe with 205 hp and an approximate 2,800-pound curb weight.
Its significance is primarily continuity: it preserved the first-generation body and 2.0-liter boxer-four formula before the much larger 2022 redesign. The 2020 Hakone Edition belongs to this first-generation family and should not be confused with the later 2025 GR86 Hakone Edition.
What about 2021?
Toyota’s official U.S. newsroom archive retrieved for this model-year history jumps from the 2020 Toyota 86 to the 2022 Toyota GR86. It does not list a regular 2021 Toyota 86 or GR86 model-year page.
The careful conclusion is therefore: Toyota did not list a regular U.S. 2021 Toyota 86/GR86 in that official archive. That wording is more accurate than claiming there was a universal worldwide 2021 gap. Model-year calendars, production timing, and nameplates can differ outside the United States.
Second generation: Toyota GR86 model years 2022–2027
The second-generation GR86 arrived for 2022 with the same lightweight, naturally aspirated, rear-wheel-drive philosophy but a substantially revised platform. The most visible mechanical change was the move from a 1,998 cc engine to a 2,387 cc boxer-four.
Manual-version output increased from 205 hp and 156 lb.-ft. in the prior generation to 228 hp and 184 lb.-ft. Peak torque also arrived much earlier: Toyota moved the torque peak from 6,600 rpm in the previous generation to 3,700 rpm in the GR86. Toyota reported 0–60 mph times improving from 7.0 to 6.1 seconds for the manual and from 8.0 to 6.6 seconds for the automatic.
The body structure changed just as significantly. Toyota used more aluminum, structural adhesives, high-strength steel, a new full-ring rear frame, and additional reinforcement. The company reported a 50 percent increase in chassis stiffness over the prior-generation 86 while maintaining a low center of gravity and near-balanced weight distribution.
Other launch changes included functional exterior vents, revised aerodynamics, a redesigned cabin, an 8-inch multimedia display, and digital instrumentation. Those changes affect not just driving behavior but also replacement body panels, interior accessories, suspension components, wheels, brakes, and electronics.
2022 Toyota GR86
2022 was the launch year for the second generation. Toyota offered two grades: GR86 and GR86 Premium. Both grades were available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
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The base GR86 used 17-inch wheels and fabric upholstery. The Premium grade added 18-inch wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, a duckbill spoiler, heated UltraSuede and leather-trimmed seats, and an eight-speaker audio system.
For shoppers, 2022 is the cleanest dividing line in the entire history. A 2022 GR86 is not merely a first-generation Toyota 86 with a new model name; it has the larger engine, redesigned structure, different body, new cabin, and different component fitment.
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2023 Toyota GR86
The major 2023 addition was the GR86 10th Anniversary Special Edition, limited to 860 units. Based on the Premium grade, it used Solar Shift orange paint, special stitching and badging, forged matte-black 18-inch wheels, a GR cat-back exhaust, black C-pillar graphics, and a matte-black duckbill spoiler.
Toyota also included a complimentary one-year National Auto Sport Association membership with all 2023 GR86 grades. That membership is a model-year benefit and should not automatically be assumed to transfer to every used GR86 or continue beyond the stated one-year period.
2024 Toyota GR86
Toyota introduced the limited GR86 TRUENO Edition for 2024. Its throwback appearance used a two-tone finish in either Halo or Track bRed with black.
The TRUENO Edition made the Performance Package standard. That package includes Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers. Toyota also made the package available as an upgrade for other GR86 models, so a non-TRUENO car may have some of the same performance equipment—but the grade, options, and actual build sheet must be verified.
2025 Toyota GR86
The GR86 Hakone Special Edition returned for 2025, limited to 860 U.S. units and based on the Premium grade. It used Ridge Green paint, satin-bronze 18-inch wheels, a color-keyed ducktail spoiler, black accents, a Hakone badge, and Ultrasuede seats with tan leather trim.
The 2025 Hakone included Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers as standard. Across the 2025 GR86 range, Toyota also retuned the shock absorbers, throttle mapping, engine torque control, and electric power steering. Those changes make 2025 more than a paint-and-trim carryover, even though it remained the same second-generation platform.
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2026 Toyota GR86
Toyota added the GR86 Yuzu Edition for 2026. Limited to 860 units for North America, it used Yuzu Yellow exterior paint, matte-black 18-inch wheels, black exterior accents, and a black interior with yellow details. The seats were trimmed in Ultrasuede, and Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers were included.
The standard GR86 formula continued: a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer-four producing 228 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, with both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions available.
2027 Toyota GR86
Toyota announced focused updates for the 2027 GR86 rather than a third-generation redesign. The car remains part of the second generation and retains the 2.4-liter boxer-four rated at 228 hp and 184 lb.-ft.
The announced changes include updated throttle calibration, improved shift feel, new interior treatments, expanded convenience features, a new Thunder exterior color, and a Cockpit Red interior option on Premium grades. The available Performance Package continues to combine Brembo brakes with SACHS dampers.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsToyota stated that the 2027 model was expected at dealerships in summer 2026. Because dealer arrival and regional timing can vary, describe the 2027 GR86 as an announced/current model-year vehicle rather than assuming every dealer already has inventory.
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Every U.S. special edition in the timeline
| Model year | Special edition | Generation | Key identifiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 86 860 Special Edition | First-generation Toyota 86 | Supernova Orange, black graphics, rear spoiler, heated mirrors, 17-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and aerodynamic underbody panel. |
| 2019 model-year cycle / commonly listed as 2020 | 86 Hakone Edition | First-generation Toyota 86 | Verify the actual title and model year before buying or ordering parts. |
| 2019 | 86 TRD Special Edition | First-generation Toyota 86 | Limited performance-focused grade added alongside the regular 86 and 86 GT. |
| 2023 | GR86 10th Anniversary Special Edition | Second-generation GR86 | 860 units, Solar Shift orange, special badging and stitching, forged matte-black 18-inch wheels, GR cat-back exhaust, black graphics, and matte-black spoiler. |
| 2024 | GR86 TRUENO Edition | Second-generation GR86 | Halo or Track bRed two-tone styling, with the Brembo/SACHS Performance Package standard. |
| 2025 | GR86 Hakone Special Edition | Second-generation GR86 | 860 U.S. units, Ridge Green paint, bronze wheels, tan-trimmed Ultrasuede interior, and standard Brembo/SACHS equipment. |
| 2026 | GR86 Yuzu Edition | Second-generation GR86 | 860 North American units, Yuzu Yellow paint, matte-black wheels and accents, yellow interior details, and standard Brembo/SACHS equipment. |
The repeated Hakone name does not mean the 2025 GR86 is related to the first-generation 2020 Hakone by interchangeable parts. They are separated by the 2022 redesign and should be researched as different vehicles.
What changed between the Toyota 86 and GR86?
Engine and performance
The first-generation Toyota 86 used a 1,998 cc naturally aspirated boxer-four. The second-generation GR86 increased displacement to 2,387 cc. On the manual cars, the result was a rise from 205 hp and 156 lb.-ft. to 228 hp and 184 lb.-ft., along with a much earlier torque peak.
The more useful difference is not only the 23-hp increase. The GR86 produces substantially more torque lower in the rev range, which improves response in ordinary street driving as well as acceleration testing. Toyota’s reported manual 0–60 improvement—from 7.0 to 6.1 seconds—illustrates the practical effect of the redesign.
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Structure and chassis
The GR86’s chassis used more aluminum, structural adhesives, high-strength steel, reinforcement, and a full-ring rear frame. Toyota reported 50 percent greater chassis stiffness than the preceding 86. The purpose was to give the suspension a more stable platform while preserving the low center of gravity and balanced handling that define the car.
Cabin, body, and electronics
The second generation received a new body, functional vents, revised aerodynamic treatment, a redesigned cabin, an 8-inch multimedia screen, and digital instrumentation. These are not cosmetic details when you are ordering replacement trim, electronics, body panels, or interior accessories.
Suspension and performance equipment
Some second-generation cars have Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers because of the Performance Package or a special-edition specification. They should not be assumed to share brake pads, rotors, wheels, or dampers with a standard GR86—or with a first-generation Toyota 86.
The 2025 model year brought range-wide calibration changes to the shocks, throttle, engine torque control, and electric power steering. For 2027, Toyota announced additional throttle and shift-feel updates while retaining the optional Brembo/SACHS Performance Package.
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The 2022 redesign is the key dividing line for compatibility research. The engine, body structure, suspension calibration, wheels, brakes, interior, electronics, and exterior panels changed materially. The shared rear-wheel-drive coupe layout does not make the two generations one universal parts category.
Toyota’s maintenance guidance specifically says that the driver floor mat must be designed for the vehicle’s model year and secured with the retaining hooks. That is a small item with an important lesson: do not buy an accessory solely because a listing says 86, GR86, or FR-S.
For a second-generation car, shop for Toyota GR86 floor mats and verify the seller’s fitment table for the exact model year, grade, interior configuration, and retaining-hook arrangement. For a first-generation car, use Toyota 86 floor mats or the corresponding Scion FR-S fitment and confirm the exact year and trim before ordering. A product described as fitting all GR86 years should be treated as a claim to verify, not proof of compatibility.
The same caution applies to tires, wheels, brake components, exhaust systems, dampers, filters, and interior trim. Even within the second generation, standard cars and Performance Package or special-edition cars can have different brake and suspension hardware. Safety-critical components deserve extra care and, when appropriate, professional installation.
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Which model year should you buy?
Choose a 2017–2020 Toyota 86 if you want the original Toyota-badged formula
The first-generation Toyota 86 offers the smaller 2.0-liter engine, simpler model-year story, and the original version of the lightweight rear-drive coupe. The 2017 car is especially significant because it introduced the Toyota badge in the United States and received meaningful chassis, calibration, styling, and equipment revisions.
Compare the actual condition of individual cars rather than assuming the newest first-generation example is automatically the best. Confirm the title, model year, transmission, trim, maintenance history, accident history, and special-edition status. If a listing uses Scion FR-S, Toyota 86, 860, TRD, or Hakone terminology loosely, verify the VIN and build documentation.
Choose a 2022 or newer GR86 if you want the stronger engine and newer platform
The second-generation GR86 is the clear choice for shoppers who prioritize the 2.4-liter engine, earlier torque, faster acceleration, stiffer structure, newer cabin, and updated electronics. The 2022 launch car gives you the redesigned platform without requiring a special-edition premium.
A base 2022 GR86 has 17-inch wheels and fabric upholstery, while the Premium adds 18-inch wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, a duckbill spoiler, heated UltraSuede and leather-trimmed seats, and an eight-speaker audio system. Compare those differences against the condition and price of the car you are considering.
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The 2023 10th Anniversary, 2024 TRUENO, 2025 Hakone, and 2026 Yuzu editions add distinctive colors, trim, wheels, exhaust, or performance equipment. The TRUENO, Hakone, and Yuzu editions are particularly relevant if you specifically want the Brembo/SACHS Performance Package included from the factory.
However, none of these editions changes the generation. A special-edition badge can affect value and equipment, but it does not make first-generation and second-generation parts interchangeable.
Consider the 2027 if you want the newest announced refinement
The 2027 GR86 is not a third-generation car. It is an announced continuation with updated throttle calibration, improved shift feel, additional convenience features, revised interior choices, and a new Thunder exterior color. If those changes matter to you, confirm actual local availability and final vehicle equipment before placing an order.
A practical model-year identification checklist
- Read the badge and paperwork. A U.S. 2017–2020 Toyota-badged car is a Toyota 86; a 2022-and-newer car is a GR86. The title and VIN documentation take priority over an online listing.
- Use 2022 as the parts boundary. Treat first-generation Toyota 86/Scion FR-S components and second-generation GR86 components as separate categories unless a manufacturer explicitly confirms the fitment range.
- Confirm the model year, not just the registration year. Registration dates and production dates can differ. This is particularly important for Hakone listings and the 2021 U.S. archive gap.
- Check the transmission and grade. The first-generation 2017 car had different manual and automatic output ratings, while second-generation grades and optional equipment can affect wheels, brakes, interior parts, and other fitment details.
- Look for performance-package hardware. Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers are standard on the 2024 TRUENO, 2025 Hakone, and 2026 Yuzu editions, and available through the Performance Package on other GR86 models.
- Verify limited-edition production claims. Toyota identified 860-unit runs for the 2023 10th Anniversary, 2025 Hakone, and 2026 Yuzu editions. Confirm that a supposed special edition has the correct documentation and equipment.
- Ask for the build sheet when equipment matters. A seller’s trim description may not reveal whether a car has the Performance Package, the correct wheels, or special-edition hardware.
Quick reference timeline
| Model year | U.S. name | Generation status | Headline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Toyota 86 | First-generation launch under Toyota branding | Updated styling, suspension, calibration, lighting, and manual-car output; 860 Special Edition. |
| 2018 | Toyota 86 | First-generation continuation | No separate retrieved Toyota newsroom model page; verify detailed equipment by vehicle. |
| 2019 | Toyota 86 | First-generation continuation | 86 TRD Special Edition; Hakone documentation appears in the 2019–2020 cycle. |
| 2020 | Toyota 86 | First-generation final regular U.S. model year | 205 hp and approximately 2,800 pounds as described by Toyota; Hakone commonly identified with this model year. |
| 2021 | — | No regular U.S. Toyota 86/GR86 page in Toyota’s retrieved archive | Do not generalize the U.S. archive gap to every global market. |
| 2022 | Toyota GR86 | Second-generation launch | 2.4-liter boxer-four, 228 hp, 184 lb.-ft., stiffer structure, new body and cabin. |
| 2023 | Toyota GR86 | Second-generation continuation | 860-unit 10th Anniversary Special Edition and one-year NASA membership for all grades. |
| 2024 | Toyota GR86 | Second-generation continuation | TRUENO Edition with standard Brembo/SACHS Performance Package. |
| 2025 | Toyota GR86 | Second-generation continuation | 860-unit U.S. Hakone Edition and range-wide chassis/control calibration updates. |
| 2026 | Toyota GR86 | Second-generation continuation | 860-unit North American Yuzu Edition with standard Brembo/SACHS equipment. |
| 2027 | Toyota GR86 | Announced second-generation continuation | Throttle, shift-feel, interior, convenience, and color updates; expected dealer timing was summer 2026, subject to regional availability. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there a 2021 Toyota GR86 in the United States?
Toyota’s retrieved U.S. newsroom archive does not list a regular 2021 Toyota 86 or GR86 page; it jumps from 2020 Toyota 86 to 2022 Toyota GR86. That establishes an absence from the cited U.S. archive, not necessarily a worldwide absence of a 2021 model year.
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What was the first Toyota GR86 model year?
The first Toyota GR86 model year was 2022. It launched the second generation with a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer-four, 228 hp, 184 lb.-ft. of torque, a redesigned body and cabin, and a substantially stiffer structure.
Is the 2024 GR86 TRUENO Edition a new generation?
No. The TRUENO Edition is a limited version of the second-generation GR86. Its two-tone styling and standard Brembo/SACHS Performance Package distinguish the trim, not the generation.
Do Toyota 86 and GR86 parts fit each other?
Do not assume they do. The 2022 redesign changed the engine, structure, suspension calibration, wheels, brakes, interior, electronics, and body panels. Verify the exact model year, grade, and package with the manufacturer or seller before ordering.
The Bottom Line
The U.S. timeline is best understood as first-generation Toyota 86, 2017–2020, followed by the second-generation Toyota GR86, 2022 onward. The 2021 model year is not listed in Toyota’s retrieved U.S. archive, and limited editions remain variants within those generations. For buying, maintenance, or parts research, use 2022 as the hard compatibility boundary and verify the exact model year, grade, transmission, and performance-package equipment.
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