Key Takeaways:
- The Subaru BRZ, Toyota 86 and Scion FRS are all the same vehicle, in 2016 the Scion brand was discontinued so the Scion FRS became the Toyota 86.
- The BRZ/86 continues to sell well in America and abroad and for the near future there are no reports of the vehicle being discontinued.
- The BRZ/FRS/86 is a great vehicle and makes driving fun again with sturdy manual transmission and responsive paddle shifters.
Is the Subaru BRZ the same as the Toyota 86?
Yes, the Subaru BRZ is the same as the Toyota 86, which used to be known as the Scion FRS. Scion was a division of Toyota up until 2016 when it was cut off, and the Scion FRS now uses the Toyota logo and wears the name 86. The two companies (Toyota and Subaru) released the vehicle in 2012 making it one of the few joint venture vehicles in the market today.
Is the Scion FRS a Toyota 86?
Yes, the Scion FRS and the Toyota 86 are the same vehicle, the Scion FRS is just an older version of the Toyota 86 which has been the name of the vehicle since 2017. Scion went the way of the dodo in 2016, and only a few of the vehicles lived on into the new generation, and one of those was the Scion FRS. Due to the popularity of the affordable sport focused vehicle, the FRS/BRZ/86 continues because it is incredibly fun to drive and a very fun entry level vehicle for speedsters who still want a manual driving experience.
Will the Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 be discontinued?
There are no reports of either the Subaru BRZ or the Toyota 86 being discontinued in the near future in America. With many of us not being able to buy a brand new Porsche, BMW, or any other of the speedy vehicles we have come to love, the BRZ/86 comes in new at around $30,000 and as we specialize in used vehicles they can be found at much cheaper prices. For example a 2014 Limited Subaru BRZ in very good condition on Kelley Blue Book runs about $13,000 to $16,000.
What are the different versions of Used Subaru BRZs or Scion FRS’s?
The Subaru BRZ, Scion FRS and Toyota 86 all have the same generations, engines, and body shapes. The one difference between the vehicles is simply the logo. So we will break down the two generations of the vehicle and what you can expect to find.
First Generation 2013 to 2021
In this generation the vehicle wore the name Scion FRS until 2017, when it changed to Toyota 86. This generation uses a flat four engine that outputs 200 horsepower, or 205 horsepower on more recent model years. The steering is so responsive and beyond fun. The other benefit of this generation is that aesthetically it looks just like the current generation. This generation goes 0 – 60 in 6.5 or 6.3 seconds with the supercharged models, or premium hatchback models. The interior design is exactly what every speedster wants, low to the ground bucket seats, and a mostly black interior with a manual transmission. The bucket seats are not as comfortable as large sedans and some other coupes, but what the BRZ/FRS/86 lacks in comfort it makes up with drivability and handling. This is the generation we are most likely to have in stock and that you will find on the market currently for decent prices.
Second Generation 2022 – Present
The only problem with the first generation was the engine was not as powerful as some would have wished. The new engine has been fine tuned to have 228 horsepower and is even more peppy than the previous generation. The aesthetics have also been improved so that the newer generation rear end looks more like a Supra’s and the front end goes largely unchanged. The interior is more modern but still a little plasticky. However, for one of the few remaining vehicles that comes with a stock manual transmission, the current generation lives on as a great entry level speedster.