Toyota 86 vs. Subaru BRZ vs. Scion FRS: which is better?

Last Updated on February 14, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 are almost the same vehicles since they are both designed and built by a combined effort between Toyota and Subaru. On the other hand, Scion FRS was marketed as an affordable sports car, but it had almost similar features to the others.

Key Takeaways

• The Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, and Scion FRS are virtually identical vehicles but they have differences in standard and optional features
• The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine while the Scion FR-S had a 2.5-liter engine
• The Toyota 86 offers better-handling characteristics than the BRZ and FR-S thanks to its upgraded suspension
• The Toyota 86 has different badges and branding compared to the BRZ and FR-S

Comparing the different specifications of Toyota 86 vs. Subaru BRZ vs. Scion FRS

We shall look at all their latest models for this comparison: 2022 Subaru BRZ, 2022 Toyota 86, and the 2016 Scion FR-S. The Scion brand was discontinued, so their latest model is 2016 one. 

	Toyota 86	Subaru BRZ	Scion FRS
MSRP	$27,700	$27,995	$26405
Engine	2.4L flat 4 gas	2.4L flat 4 gas	2.0L flat 4 gas
Drivetrain	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
Transmission	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	6-speed automatic
Fuel economy	City: 20 MPG, Highway: 27 MPG, Combined: 22 MPG	City: 20 MPG, Highway: 27 MPG, Combined: 22 MPG	City: 25 MPG, Highway: 34 MPG, Combined: 28 MPG
Seating capacity	Four-seater	Four-seater	Four-seater
Fuel tank capacity	13.2 gallons	13.2 gallons	13.2 gallons
Torque	184 lb.-ft @3700 rpm	184 lb.-ft @3700 rpm	151 lb-ft@6400 rpm
Horsepower	228 hp@7000 rpm	228 hp @7000 rpm	200hp@7000 rpm
Curb weight	2811 lbs.	2815 lbs.	2806 lbs.
Carbon iv oxide emissions @15,000 miles/ per year	8.0 tons/ year	8.0 tons/year	6.3 tons/year
Cruising range highway	356.4 miles	356.4 miles	448.8 miles
Cruising range city	264 miles	264 miles	330 miles
Cargo trunk volume	6.3 ft3	6.3 ft3	6.9 ft3
Steering turning diameter	35.4 ft	35.4 ft	36.1 ft
Standard interior material	Black, fabric seat trim	Black, cloth upholstery with red stitching	Black, fabric upholstery
Infotainment system	HD radio, Bluetooth connection, premium sound system, satellite radio, smart device integration, auxiliary audio input, and MP3 player	HD radio, Bluetooth connection, satellite radio, smart device integration, auxiliary audio input, and MP3 player	HD radio, Bluetooth connection, premium sound system, auxiliary audio input, and MP3 player.
Warranty summary	36,000 miles/3 years basic warranty, five years/ unlimited miles corrosion warranty, 5years/60,000 miles drivetrain warranty, two years/25,000 miles maintenance warranty, and two years/unlimited miles roadside assistance	36,000 miles/3 years basic warranty, five years/ unlimited miles corrosion warranty, 5years/60,000 miles drivetrain warranty, and three years/36,000 miles roadside assistance	36,000 miles/3 years basic warranty, five years/ unlimited miles corrosion warranty, 5years/60,000 miles drivetrain warranty, two years/25,000 miles maintenance warranty, and two years/unlimited miles roadside assistance

How Does Toyota 86, Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ Differ in Price, Appearance, and Horsepower?

This section looks at how each model is priced, designed, and performs in detail. We shall tell you which model wins in each category and overall to make it easier for you to choose.

Price

These three coupes have very reasonable prices for sports cars. Their affordability is what makes them popular options for tuning and modification. The 2022 Toyota 86 has an MSRP of $27,700, 2022 Subaru BRZ has an MSRP of $27,995, and the 2016 Scion FRS   is $26,405. Making the Scion FRS slightly cheaper. 

All the models offer significant value for such an affordable price. The models are also fuel-efficient, and they hold their value quite well, making their true cost to own very affordable and economical.

Verdict: The most affordable of the three is the Scion FRS

Performance

All the models are sports cars, and they are designed for speed and power. The Scion FRS has a 2.0L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. This engine gives off 200 hp and 151 lb.-ft of torque. It also has an optional 6-speed automatic transmission to replace the standard six-speed manual. 

There is a limited edition named “10-series FR-S ” to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Scion brand. This edition came with unique exterior color and had upmarket options that weren’t available on the standard FR-S, such as automatic climate control, keyless start, and HID headlights. This edition had a higher price tag, costing $2,000 higher than the standard edition.

The special edition is the best Scion FRS model for daily driving, but the base edition will do if you want a base platform to tune and modify.

The Subaru BRZ is similar to the FR-S mechanically since their transmission, layout, engine, and body structure are similar. The BRZ has more neutral handling due to its suspension.

It has a 2.0L four-cylinder boxer engine connected to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and produces 205 horsepower, which goes to the rare wheels. Additionally, It has a solid and rugged sports suspension that balances the power.

The Toyota 86 has a 2.4L engine with a 6-speed manual transmission that gives off 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose the Toyota Racing Development package to enhance the handling of the Toyota 86.

Verdict: all the models are sports cars that will deliver exceptional speed and handling, but the Subaru BRZ is a winner in performance because it has a better and more robust suspension.

Appearance and design

Who loves a sports car without aesthetics? Absolutely no one. All the models have twerk to their interior and exterior design to make them stand out from regular basic coupes.

 The Toyota 86 is designed with a honeycomb-style grille to make it stand out and look sportier. It also has prominent daylight LEDs and angular fog lights. This model is spacious and has fabric on its seats for maximum comfort for the interior. The rear-row passenger seats are cramped together, making them slightly uncomfortable for taller passengers.

The Subaru BRZ has a more luxurious interior than the Toyota 86; it has luxury seats with Alcantara inserts. It also comes with the latest technology for the infotainment system; you will get Bluetooth connectivity, a satellite radio, a rearview parking camera, and an 8- speaker audio system.

The exterior design of the Subaru BRZ is more basic, with a bland front end featuring a black lip for holding the registration plate and a U-shaped grille. The side indicators are placed in a unique and visually appealing way.

The Scion FRS has a unique exterior color and HID headlights, automatic climate control, and keyless start for a comfortable driving experience.

Verdict: all the models are very similar in appearance, and the winner in this category depends on who’s looking and what they are looking at. However, the Subaru BRZ offers more color options and some unique features.

The Take-Away 

Finding a reliable and affordable sports car is often an uphill task, but the Toyota 86, Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ were made to fill the gap. All these models have a sleek and sporty appearance, and choosing the best design is often confusing. They have above-average performance made possible by the durable and robust suspension. Fuel economy and maintenance costs are also very affordable, with these models making them ideal for tuning. Since all the models have a lot of similarities, the best one depends on your personal preference.

References 1: Scion FR-S, Toyota 86 & Subaru BRZ Buyer’s Guide | DrivingLine

Reference 2: Toyota 86 Vs. Subaru BRZ – Differences (& Which Is Better?) (mechanicbase.com)