Used 2019 Toyota 86 TRD SE for sale 

For the 2019 Model Year, Toyota extends its lineup to 3 trims and there is a new, limited edition trim added for 2019. The TRD Special Edition is an even sharper handling package, but sadly does not have a power bump. It uses the same stock engine with the same power output.

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If you are reading this review while the TRD variant is still available, then go buy it before you proceed further. Otherwise go buy the GT.

The 2019 Toyota 86 makes do with 205 horses under the hood, which isn't a lot. The naturally aspirated mill was developed in a joint effort with Subaru, hence the boxer layout. You get the option to command gear changes, either via a gear stick, or vis paddles behind the wheel (Optional on the 6-speed automatic gearbox).

The engine is slightly detuned in the automatic variant and makes an insignificant 5 HP less. The limited-edition TRD has no power advantage over the base model, for reasons best known to the manufacturer. For the premium it demands (it costs $32,420), Toyota could have offered an engine upgrade.

The different cars in this segment offer vastly different powertrains, ranging from tiny 2.0 liters on most of the vehicles to 3.6-liter V6 on the Dodge Challenger. There are manual transmissions as standard on a few, as they are both cheap and engaging.

2019 Toyota 86 Acceleration

There is only so much the 2-liter boxer can pull. It takes a little over 6 seconds to reach 60 MPH from a standstill. The stock car struggles to overtake its rivals, which is why, if performance is your need, you could get some aftermarket mods installed. Being a popular car amongst tuners, there are plenty of customization options, both domestic and imported.

The EcoBoost Mustang pulls ahead of the group owing to its raw power. BMW 4-series follows behind with Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro in its rear-view mirror. The rest of the competition is significantly slower.

Braking

With anti-lock brakes, stability, and traction control as standard, you can confidently floor the brake pedal of the 2019 Toyota 86. The car screeches to a halt in just 120 feet, great figures for a "budget" car. The TRD variant gets colored Brembo calipers all around, and the Michelin rubber aids them in deceleration.

The 2019 Toyota 86 has comparatively smaller brakes of below 12-inches, while the rest of the competitors have disc brakes more than 12-inches at both front and rear. But the lighter weight of the Toyota 86 makes the braking performance much with shorter stopping distance than most of its rivals.  

2019 Toyota 86 Ride and Handling

Handling is where the 86 excels, and with better tires, you will understand that the limits of the chassis exceed the limits of the engine. The car takes to a mountain road like fish to water, and experienced drivers are sure to love its tire-shredding antics.

With larger 18-inch wheels and premium dampers for suspension, the TRD 86 is a far better handler. Where the 86 loves to wag its tail like a playful dog, the TRD goes about like a wolf on the hunt. Grip levels are enormous, unsettling even if you aren't prepared for it. It sounds great, but remember, the BRZ offers everything except the colored brake pads.

The tiny Subaru engine returns 21 miles to the gallon in the city, decent for this segment. Highways return a little more, 28 miles per gallon. The auto has a better gas mileage, adding 3 miles every gallon to the manual's figures, although a heavier right foot might change all that.

The EcoBoost Mustang stands well to its name, being quite economical with a combined mileage of 25 mpg. The cake, however, is taken by the Beemer which returns 24 miles to the gallon in the city, and 34 on open roads. The 2019 Dodge Challenger sits at the bottom of this chart with a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg. 

With its compact dimensions and sloping coupe roofline, there is no way passengers would be comfortable in the rear seats of the 2019 Toyota 86. The utterly cramped rear seats are best used when folded down for extra trunk space. Two adults can easily fit in front seats, which are quite comfortable and accommodating. The cabin quality isn't premium, but the build quality is solid.

The TRD gets red accents everywhere; the seats, the steering wheel, the stitching, etc. The dash is adorned with one TRD logo, which serves to remind the passenger that they aren't inside a simple no-thrills 86. Apart from that, there aren't many differences.

Coupes rarely offer spacious rear seats, and that tradition is well followed in this segment. Rear seats are best reserved for younger members of the family, and adults should strictly stick to the front. Thus even if the passenger capacity is 4, it is best used with only two people in the front seats with the rear seats folded for improved cargo volume. Here is a list of the interior features that are available with the 2019 Toyota 86:

• Height-adjustable driver's seat
• Contrast stitching
• Push-button ignition
• Dual-zone automatic climate control

2019 Toyota 86 Cargo volume

As was with the rear seats, the trunk volume of the 2019 Toyota 86 is extremely limited. There aren't many things you can fit in there, and the small loading bay makes matters worse. If you like to spend the weekend on the road, you could pull down the rear seats to get a fair amount of usable space.

Dodge wins with its spacious boot, best in here, courtesy of its gigantic dimensions. BMW demands a premium over the other cars, but manages to only play runner up in the cargo space category.

There hasn't been any change in styling of the 2019 Toyota 86, and except for the added decals on the TRD, you'd never know the difference between this and the 2018 model. The aerodynamic styling looks very pretty and adds visual appeal to the side profile, along with the 17-inch wheels. The tail section completes the look with a simple yet elegant design. The TRD variant looks a little sharper, with a fresh front lip and grille design. The rear too has been updated with split bumpers surrounding the dual exhaust pipes.   

 There is also a rear splitter under the body, but it's for looks rather than functionality. Being short, low, and well, just tiny, the little Toyota manages to save quite a lot of building material. With well under 3000 pounds, the 86 is super easy to flick around and fit into tiny spaces. With length under 170 inches and width under 70, this car sits at the bottom of every size chart. The wheelbase is just 101-inch, which further adds to the maneuverability.

The 2019 Doge Challenger hauls the most metal and consequently is the heaviest and the largest in here. The Beemer is closely matched to the Subaru in terms of dimensions, followed closely by the Mustang. The Camaro holds a comfortable middle ground here, being neither tiny nor enormous. Here is a list of the exterior features that are available with the 2019 Toyota 86:

• 17-/18inch alloy wheels
• Automatic LED headlights
• Rear spoiler
• LED foglights
• Aerodynamic underbody panel

2019 Toyota 86 Safety Features

The NHTSA has given the 2019 Toyota 86 a 4-star safety rating for the front while the rollover segment gets a perfect 5-start safety rating. The IIHS has also given it a 'Good' rating in most of the test segments. Thus the 86 provides to be a safe car according to these ratings. Along with that the 2019 Toyota 86 comes loaded with a host of safety features. Here is a list of a few of those features:

• Vehicle Stability Control with Track mode
• 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System
• Brake Assist
• Daytime Running Lights
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Airbags
• Height- and tilt-adjustable active front-seat head restraints

2019 Toyota 86 vs Mazda MX5 Miata

The Miata is the original lightweight fun car, and anyone who ever owned one will have fond memories of the car. Many boy racers would still argue that the MX5 Miata is the best buy here. That, however, would be an ill-informed decision. If you're a day over 17 years old, you'd outgrow this car pretty fast. Not to say that the 86 is a powerhouse, but the Miata just feels like a knife in a gunfight.

There is a silver lining here. Just like the 86, Miata has a plethora of aftermarket upgrades. You could have a reputed mechanic install those for you, or if you grease on your elbows, do it yourself.

2019 Toyota 86 vs Subaru BRZ

These two cars are twins who were born together but raised separately. As a result of Toyota and Subaru's joint collaboration, the platform is one of the best things to come out of Japan in recent memory. There aren't many differences between the two outside of a few equipment changes and upgrades. Look for the better deal on the two, as different dealerships have different ongoing offers in different cities.

Until the Toyota Supra starts production, Toyota 86 is the closest you get to a small, purpose-built Japanese performance coupe. If rumors are to be believed, the 86 might be the only budget offering amongst the two. Supra might compete in the big leagues, not unlike the Acura NSX, which is another retro name revived recently by another Japanese Manufacturer. Excusing the tiny engine, there isn't much to complain about this pocket rocket. It was built for a cheap thrill, and it offers three bags full. One piece of advice: get the manual. Don't know how to drive a stick? Go sign up for driving classes.