Two Generations, One Legacy
There are few cars out there that can match the affordable driving aura like the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ. The first generation of these shared-platform vehicles built a strong reputation thanks to a lighter-than-air chassis, nimble handling, as well as an incredibly friendly price point that made it easy for enthusiasts to dive right into the world of rear-wheel drive performance without feeling like it’s a massive financial commitment. These builds are about more than just chasing horsepower numbers and lap times, they’re also about finding an incredible connection, feeling of balance, and the unfiltered feeling of joy that comes with wringing every ounce of excitement from the platform.
Building on this sentiment, the introduction of the second generation didn’t debut with the goal of re-inventing the wheel, more like sharpening it. They featured more power, broader torque, and an incredibly refined suspension, culminating in the second generation feel much more like an evolution of the first instead of a sidestep. You got a little more pep in your step without moving away from the original purpose that made the BRZ/GR86 great in the first place. These two generations might not be rivals, but we’ve decided to go ahead and look at them from that perspective and see what each one boasts in terms of lightweight performance.
How Both Generations Stay Relevant
When you’re stacking these two generations against each other, we’re doing more than looking for a clear-cut “winner”. What we’re really doing is appreciating how each one takes a slightly different approach to the same goal. The first gen focuses on a back-to-basics style of thrill that appeals to drivers seeking an unfiltered connection, while the second iteration is geared more towards more muscle and polish to sharpen that same connection. Think of them as the push and pull of the tides, butting heads in a way that highlights their respective strengths, placing an emphasis on perspective, instead of solely focusing on competition.
Engines & Performance
The first-gen BRZ/86’s flat four isn’t built for raw muscle, their emphasis is on momentum. Driving this platform feels like you’re running a relay race, trying to keep the baton moving. If you start dropping the pace, you’ll be left scrambling to catch back up. If you’re trying to stay in the fun zone, you’re looking to chase higher revs, nail your shifts, and keep your car singing like it’s headlining a concert. This constant feeling of push-and-pull is what gives the first gen that scrappy, rewarding character, turning even the easiest backroad drives into a game of total precision.
When the second generation pulled up with a 2.4L boxer, that mid-range suddenly felt much more alive. You’d experience smoother pull, more torque, and less hunting for power, so you’ll get out of corners quicker, with greater enjoyment on the streets. You might hear a bit of griping that you’re trading that rev-it-out personality for a more broad usability, and that’s a fair sentiment, but that’s part of the beauty of these two generations. One of them makes its living on being wrung out, while the other is able to flex harder with less effort, but both manage to bring something fun and unique to the table.
Shop All Upgrades for BRZ/GR86
Chassis & Handling
If you’ve never been in a first-gen BRZ/GR86, the best way we could describe its driving experience is a scrappy street fighter. This is because the chassis begs you to push it to the limit. It feels light, playful, and eager to rotate, making it a setup that rewards confidence while punishing laziness. If you’re shooting for a vibe that feels like you’re driving a go-kart on the streets, then the original fits that perfectly, even if your back end sometimes gets twitchy if you happen to overcook a corner.
The second version didn’t reinvent that formula because it didn’t need to, instead it refined the hell out of it. A stiffer chassis and retuned suspension made it feel more planted but without sacrificing that fun factor. It’s light on its feet, but manages to carry itself with composure, able to withstand bumps mid-corner that could’ve unsettled the first-gen platforms. The tradeoff with this is you might miss that raw, on-edge feel of the original, but the added confidence keeps enthusiasts coming back to this model. Both cars know how to dance, they just do it to a different rhythm.
Styling & Design
A low roofline, a long hood, and enough curves to keep it sleek are great features to use when describing the lean, classic-sports car vibe of the first BRZ/86. This isn’t the flashiest car out there, and that’s totally fine, it’s not really meant to be. The design feels like a blank canvas of sorts, ideal for drivers who want to mod/personalize every possible aspect of their ride. Even just leaving it stock gives it an understated level of cool that still hits right more than a decade later.
The difference between the first and second gens is that the second rolls up with a little more attitude right off the bat. It’s got wider fenders, bolder rear and front fascias, not to mention lines that look like they’re flexing even when you’re sitting in park. This generation tends to feel more modern and aggressive, showcasing a greater “look at me” style than the predecessor. First-gen purists will say that the original sports a sense of simplicity better than the second, but others tend to love the sharper, muscular presence of the newer one better. It’s two different takes on the same formula, so whichever one suits your fancy better is fine, they each have their own flavor of appeal.
Toyota GR86 Performance Breakdown
Aftermarket Playground
When you’re looking for upgrade options, choosing the first generation is like being first in line at an all-you-can-eat buffet. A decade on the market means a seemingly endless supply of upgrades for any purpose. We’re talking turbo kits, widebody fenders, coilovers, the whole nine yards. This platform has been tuned, tested, and pushed in every way you can think of, which means you can essentially choose your own path knowing that someone else has probably created a similar build if you’re looking for guidance or recommendations.
The second generation is a little bit newer to the aftermarket scene, but don’t worry because it’s catching up fast. Numerous aftermarket manufacturers were quick to seize opportunity with this one, rolling out exhausts, aero upgrades, and suspension kits as quickly as possible. While it doesn’t have quite the same extensive catalog as the first model, you’ll still have no shortage of options available, as well as the added bonus of fresh tech and next-gen parts for the updated chassis and powerband. Either way, the aftermarket scene keeps both cars in the spotlight long after they’ve left the showroom.
Discover the True Potential of the First and Second Generation BRZ/GR86 with MAPerformance!
Line up these two generations next to each other and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a legitimate winner and loser, what you’ll find instead is two sides of the same coin. The original model carved out a niche with its scrappy energy, momentum-based driving appeal, and an upgrade-friendly design with limitless potential. The second version refined that winning formula while adding more muscle, sharper looks, and easier day-to-day polish. It doesn’t really matter which one is better, so no matter which you go with, MAPerformance will have all the parts you need to make these vehicles your very own! We offer free shipping and quick delivery on all purchases, and we also have some great financing options available to make every purchase feel easier and more affordable than ever. And if you’re in a bind and need some help or recommendations, our world-class customer service team is always around to help you out. Both these cars keep rear-wheel-drive platforms in the spotlight; proving that you can take different approaches to accomplish the same mission.
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