The Toyota 86 2022 Philippines and the Mazda MX-5 Miata are the two apparent alternatives on the market if you’re seeking for a tiny two-seat sports vehicle. The first is a coupe, while the second is a convertible. One is the offspring of two Japanese manufacturers, while the other has become a legend over the last 30 years. The name–Toyota 86 has been changed to Toyota GR86.
I’ve had the pleasure of testing both of these cars over the last year, and they’re both a delight to drive every day. I, on the other hand, prefer one to the other. Here’s a short comparison between the GR86 and the Miata MX-5.
1. The Toyota GR86 is more comfortable to drive on a daily basis than the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
To be clear, the 2022 Toyota GR86 is a 2+2 seater, however, most adults will find the back seat unsuitable. Children may certainly fit in the rear, but I mostly utilized it for extra storage during my time with the car. However, I regard it to be a two-seater.
On a daily basis, I found the GR86 to be more comfortable to drive than the MX-5. The seats are more comfortable, and the interior space gives front-seat passengers additional head and legroom. The GR86 is also easier to get into and out of than other tiny coupes.
2. The Mazda MX-5 has a more aggressive appearance than the GR86 and delivers more open-air pleasure.
When it comes to aesthetics, any automobile is subjective, but I believe the Mazda MX-5 appears crisper than the GR86. Perhaps it’s the MX-5 RF’s flying buttresses or the sculpted hood and body panels. In any event, I like the MX-5’s more aggressive appearance. Miata is also the solution if you want to have some open-air fun.
The Toyota GR86, on the other hand, isn’t even available with a sunroof.
3. Both automobiles get roughly the same amount of gas mileage.
The manual-transmission 2022 GR86 can score up to 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, according to fueleconomy.gov. With a manual transmission, the Mazda MX-5 can achieve up to 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the interstate. During the week I had each car, I averaged roughly 26 miles per gallon in real-world testing.
Why? Because your right foot wants to cling to the floorboard as much as possible when driving any of these automobiles. (In other words, they’re entertaining to drive, which means poor fuel economy — especially at high altitudes.)
4. The GR86 has a larger freight capacity.
The Toyota GR86 is the way to go if you require even a smidgeon of cargo space. The trunk space is 6.26 cubic feet, compared to 4.59 cubic feet in the MX-5. Aside from official figures, I was able to squeeze a small carry-on luggage in the MX-5, but the GR86 could likely accommodate more. In addition, the GR86’s rear seatback slides down for additional storage space.
Overall, there is no contest between these two tiny sports vehicles.
If you haven’t already guessed, I prefer the Toyota GR86 2022 over the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The GR86 doesn’t give up sporty driving qualities for a more comfortable ride, and I like the extra storage space, even if it’s just a little amount.
Don’t get me wrong: the Mazda MX-5 Miata 2022 is a sports car legend, and it will always have a special place in my heart. The Toyota GR86, on the other hand, is the way to go if you want a sports coupe that can also be used as a daily car.