It’s been a while, but I have had the pleasure of driving the 2022 model year Toyota GR Supra and Toyota GR86 over the past couple of years. Both cars attracted a lot of attention when I drove them, in addition to providing smile-inducing thrills. However, out of the two vehicles, there is only one that I would consider driving every day. Check out which one I would choose.

The 2022 Toyota GR Supra turned more heads than the GR86

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In that case, the 2022 Toyota GR Supra that I drove around for a week was quite the looker because it attracted a lot of eyes. A few times, I pulled up to a traffic light and noticed an onlooker step out into the street to take a picture.

Once, a modified Subaru WRX pulled up next to me while cruising on the freeway. I expected the driver to give me the obligatory “thumbs up” that many onlookers were giving me that week, but instead, he wanted to race me. He even honked his horn a couple of times to signify the start of a potential roll race. 

I didn’t take the bait. But I’m thrilled that he liked the car. I don’t blame him or anyone, considering the GR Supra’s aggressive curves, fake vents, and substantial rear end make it look like nothing else on the road. Especially considering I live in Colorado, where Subarus and Jeeps reign supreme.

The 2022 Toyota GR86, on the other hand, attracted some attention but not as much. It might be due to it being a smaller car and, thus, less road presence. Or it could be because it looks like the previous generation Toyota 86, which is prevalent in the streets of Denver. But I still got a few thumbs up, which made me feel like I was driving something special.

The GR Supra, however, wins my vote in the aesthetics department.

Both cars have plenty of power for everyday driving

I drove both iterations of the 2022 Toyota Supra – 2.0 and 3.0. Obviously, the Supra 3.0, with its 382 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque, is the one I would recommend if you want some tire-shredding fun. But honestly, the Supra 2.0 will work for anyone just as well.

The Supra 2.0 comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that pumps 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. That’s enough power to get the 3,770-pound car to 60 mph from a standstill in 5 seconds, according to Toyota. On the street, those numbers translate into you getting pushed back into the seat under hard acceleration and the car getting onto the freeway very quickly.

On the contrary, the Toyota GR86 is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine that produces 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. With that kind of power, the 2,811-pound coupe can get up to 60 mph from a stop in 6.1 seconds. I could feel that difference on the street at the GR86 had plenty of power in the upper-RPM range but lacked the extra mid-range grunt that the GR Supra had in either guise.

In this case, the Supra wins when it comes to all-out power. But that doesn’t mean that the GR86 is a slouch. Its lower horsepower rating means you can have fun while driving at the speed limit.

How did each car handle?

Considering I drove both of these cars on the street and through my favorite canyon road, as opposed to a proper race track, I could only test the lower-speed handling of each. They both handle well, but as you can imagine, the GR86 is lighter on its feet. The Supra took the tight turns quickly as well. But if I wanted to carve up a tight road course occasionally, the Toyota GR86 would be the better all-around performer.

The GR Supra, on the other hand, needs a racetrack with long straightaways and sweeping turns for the most optimal driving enjoyment. The GR86 can is light enough and quick enough to be enjoyed anywhere and anytime.

The Toyota GR86 was a little more pragmatic than the Supra

In terms of interior comfort, both cars felt similar. The GR Supra’s seats are well-bolstered and comfortable, with plenty of room for two people. However, its small trunk and lack of usable storage spaces make it a little tougher to live with daily.

The GR86’s interior felt comfortable as well. Its seats are well-positioned, with a decent-sized trunk for carry-on bags or backpacks. Additionally, there’s a back seat that’s big enough for small children or a small bag when needed. The infotainment system was easier to use, and its cupholders were big enough for large water bottles. Overall, the GR86’s interior felt more practical than the Supra for everyday use.

2022 Toyota GR Supra vs. Toyota GR86: Which car would I pick?

If I could buy either car at MSRP, I would pick the Toyota GR86 as my daily driver. Its nimble handling, usable powerband, and comfortable and more-practical interior make it a better all-around pick. It also helps that it costs around $32,000 compared to spending $44,000 to $56,000 on the Supra.

That said, if you’re shopping between these two cars, you can’t go wrong with either one. But if you want to make the most of your money and don’t care about all-out speed, the Toyota GR86 is the one to get.