Toyota GR86: The Last Great Affordable Sports Car in South Africa

The Toyota GR86 might be the last of its kind. A two-door rear-wheel-drive sports car with a high-revving naturally aspirated engine, available with a six-speed manual gearbox, at a price that mere mortals can (almost) afford. In an era dominated by SUVs, electrification and turbocharged engines optimised for economy, the GR86 is a magnificent anachronism. At R849,900, the GR86 2.4 AT (automatic) sits in a market without direct competitors. The Mazda MX-5 ND is cheaper but smaller; the Porsche Cayman is in another price galaxy; the Toyota Supra has been taken off South African sale. The 2.4-litre naturally aspirated flat-four engine is a revelation — producing 174kW and 250Nm, it revs to 7,400rpm with an enthusiasm that turbocharged engines simply cannot replicate. The engine note — a flat-six-adjacent bark as the revs rise — is one of the most satisfying sounds in modern motoring. The rear-wheel-drive chassis is perfectly judged. At normal road speeds, the GR86 behaves with predictable, faithful handling. Push beyond the limit and the rear steps out with progressive, manageable oversteer — this is a car that teaches you to drive fast rather than relying on computers to do it for you. On Kyalami''s Grand Prix circuit during our test session, the GR86 was perfectly balanced — turn-in is instantaneous, the car rotates cleanly through slow corners and the mechanical limited-slip differential manages corner exit traction with precision that an electronically controlled unit often cannot match. The interior is functional rather than luxurious — a 10.5-inch touchscreen, supportive Alcantara-trimmed seats and a driving position that places you low and close to the controls. No unnecessary luxury; everything focused on the connection between driver and machine. The GR86 is not the most practical car in South Africa. It is not the most economical (9.7L/100km on our test). But it is the most purely enjoyable car available under R1 million, and in 2024, that counts for everything.