Toyota’s latest GR86 is an entry-level sports car. You can buy it from the showroom today and have fun driving it. The same goes for the Nissan Z, especially after the discontinuation of the GT-R; the Nissan Z is what a gearhead needs from Nissan. Neither of these cars makes Hellcat-like power, but they are new, reliable, and somewhat fast—all this for less than the price of the new Mercedes-Benz A-class hatchback! Stay with us for this Toyota GR86 vs. Nissan Z comparison as we compare these cars’ performance, interior, safety, and driver assistance features.
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s learn a thing or two about Toyota and Nissan.
Toyota
Toyota, founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, has evolved from a textile machinery company into the world’s leading automotive manufacturer. Renowned for pioneering efficient manufacturing processes, Toyota built its reputation on reliability, quality, and durability.
The company’s innovative spirit continues with early leadership in hybrid technology through the Prius and advances in hydrogen fuel cells. Toyota’s global presence and commitment to continuous improvement have established it as an enduring industry leader.
Nissan
Established in 1933, Nissan has transformed from a small Japanese automaker into a global automotive powerhouse. Known for bold designs and technological innovation, Nissan has created iconic vehicles like the Nissan Z and the all-electric Leaf.
The company transformed the crossover segment with the Qashqai and is known for delivering vehicles that balance performance with affordability. Despite facing challenges in recent years, Nissan’s commitment to electrification and intelligent mobility continues to shape its identity as a forward-thinking manufacturer.
Toyota GR86 vs. Nissan Z: Editor’s POV
The Toyota GR86 and Nissan Z are not direct competitors. However, these are the entry-level sports cars offered by both Japanese automakers, which makes it a fair comparison. Considering the price difference between the GR86 and the Z, our money is on the Z. It has more cylinders, almost double the power, and better overall aesthetics.
But that’s just our opinion. 200 hp is sufficient if this is your first sports car. The manoeuvrability on the GR86 is terrific as it weighs only 1700 kg. That, a manual transmission, and RWD are the ingredients you need to have fun.
The Toyota GR86 price in the UAE starts from AED 149,900. On the other hand, the Nissan Z price in the UAE starts from AED 215,900.
Performance
Let’s compare the performance of these sports cars:
| Specs | Toyota GR86 | Nissan Z |
| Engine | Flat-4 (Boxer) | V6 |
| Forced Induction | Naturally Aspirated | Twin-turbo |
| Displacement | 2387cc | 2997cc |
| Transmission | 6-Speed AT/MT | 9-speed AT/ 6-speed MT |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
| Power | 233 hp | 400 hp |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 475 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds | 4.3 seconds |
| Fuel Economy | 13.4 km/l | 9.5 km/l |
| Weight | 1670 kg | 1890 kg |
As we can see, the Nissan Z outperforms the Toyota GR86 in terms of performance. However, the GR86 has an impressive fuel economy of 13.4 km/l, all thanks to the NA 4-cylinder engine.
Interior
Let’s look at the interior and comfort these entry-level sports cars bring to the table:
| Specs | Toyota GR86 | Nissan Z |
| No. of seats | 4 | 2 |
| Seat Material | Alcantara + Leather upholstery with Suede trims | Synthetic suede |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | Yes |
| Climate Control | Automatic Dual Zone Climate Control | Automatic Dual Zone Climate Control |
| Multimedia | 8” Multimedia screen + 7″ Multi Information Display | 12.3″ Digital dashboard |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless charging | Unavailable | Optional |
| Ambient Lighting | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Sunroof | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Sound System | 6 Speaker Audio System | 8-speaker premium Bose audio system |
| Seat Functions | Heated front seats | 4-way adjustable seats with heating functionality |
| Boot Capacity | 178.5 liters | 195.4 liters |
The Toyota GR86 justifies its lower price tag in the interior as well. It has more and better seats than the Nissan Z, but Nissan has an overall better and more premium interior than the GR86. This Toyota GR86 vs. Nissan Z competition just got interesting.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Let’s compare the Safety and Driver Assistance features of these Japanese sports cars:
| Specs | Toyota GR86 | Nissan Z |
| Airbags | 7 airbags | 6 airbags |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard | Standard |
| Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | Standard | Standard |
| Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) | Optional | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Intelligent Cruise Control |
| ISOFIX | Standard | Not available |
| Electronic Power Steering (EPS) | Standard | Standard |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | Optional | Standard |
| Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) | Optional | Standard |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | Standard | Standard |
| Hill Start Assist (HSA) | Optional | Standard |
| Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) | Optional | Standard |
| Traction Control (TRC) | Standard | Standard |
| Heads-Up Display (HUD) | Not available | Not available |
| Lane Departure Assist | Available | Standard |
| Lane Change Assist | Not available | Standard |
| 360 Cameras | Not available | Not available |
| Parking Sensors | Not available | Not available |
The Nissan Z outruns the Toyota GR86 in terms of safety and driver assistance features. That sums up the Toyota GR86 vs. Nissan Z conflict. These cars are currently Japan’s A-game and are dominating the world by the minute.
There is a cult following for JDM cars; to them, these cars may be better than a Porsche 718. We hope you liked this comparison. Let us know in the comments which of these cars would be your choice. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.