East Tennessee // Literal sibling substitution
No Toyota 86. The BRZ is literally the same car.
Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ were co-developed on the same platform. Different badges, same chassis, same engine in the original generation.
You searched for Toyota 86 / GR86
We don't rent that. Try the 2020 Subaru BRZ Limited.
The Toyota 86 (sold as GT86 internationally and 86 in North America) and the Subaru BRZ were co-developed under a joint Toyota-Subaru program using the shared FA platform. In the first generation (2012–2021), the 86 and BRZ shared the same FA20 2.0L boxer engine, same chassis, same body structure, and nearly identical suspension geometry. Toyota tuned the 86 slightly differently (different spring rates, slightly different steering) but the cars are so similar that most drivers cannot distinguish them in blind testing. Our 2020 BRZ Limited is the direct match for a Toyota 86 search.
Spec for spec
Aspect
Toyota 86 / GR86 (what you searched)
2020 Subaru BRZ Limited
The BRZ and 86 are the same car
Toyota and Subaru co-developed the 86 and BRZ simultaneously using the same FA platform. The goal was a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car that neither company could economically develop independently. The result was one of the most driver-focused platforms of the modern era — a car that weighs 2,800 pounds, sends all its power to the rear wheels, and rewards smooth inputs and chassis communication above all else.
If you searched for a Toyota 86, the BRZ is the car you were looking for. The suspension tuning differences between the two original generations are minor enough that most drivers cannot distinguish them in everyday driving. On Tail of the Dragon, both are the same car.
The GR86 difference
The second-generation GR86 (2022+) uses the larger FA24 2.4L engine producing 228 hp instead of the first-gen's 205 hp. Our BRZ is the 2020 model with the original FA20, so it has 205 hp. If the GR86's extra 23 hp is meaningful to you, you'll feel a modest difference on full-throttle exits. On the Dragon, where the speed limit is 30 mph, it's irrelevant.
Frequently asked questions
Are the BRZ and 86 exactly the same car?
In first-gen (2012–2021), functionally yes — same platform, same engine, same weight, near-identical dynamics. Minor tuning differences exist but they're subtle. In second-gen (2022+), the GR86 upgraded to the FA24 2.4L; Subaru followed with the BRZ's FA24 in the same year. Our 2020 BRZ is first-gen spec.
Is the BRZ good for Tail of the Dragon?
The BRZ is the consensus best Dragon car in our fleet. Lightweight, RWD, 6-speed manual, balanced — it's the car the Dragon was designed to be driven by.
Is there a Toyota 86 or GR86 on Turo in East Tennessee?
Occasionally — private 86 and GR86 listings appear on Turo in the Knoxville area. Availability is inconsistent; the BRZ in our fleet is a more reliable option.
What is the BRZ like to drive daily?
Manageable but uncomfortable by sedan standards — firm ride, hard seats, limited rear legroom. It's a sports car, not a touring car. For a multi-day rental that includes long highway miles, the Supra is more comfortable. For a day on the Dragon, the BRZ is perfect.
Does the BRZ have enough power for the Dragon?
Yes. 205 hp in a 2,800-lb car with RWD and a 6-speed manual is exactly the formula the Dragon rewards. The road has a 30 mph speed limit — you're using the car at 8/10ths, not 10/10ths.
Can I pick this up if I'm staying in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge?
Yes. Our pickup is near TYS in Maryville/Alcoa. From Gatlinburg it's about 50 minutes; from Pigeon Forge or Sevierville it's 40–45 minutes. Many guests pick up at TYS on arrival and drive the BRZ directly to the Dragon.
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Not a 86. The same car with different badges.