Someone should check on Subaru. The automaker could be trying to recover after a harsh breakup. Send it some ice cream and a list of shows to binge. Toyota sports cars are looking to dump Subaru to work with Mazda instead. 

Toyota sports cars pass on Subaru for Mazda 

If you think large automakers can coexist in Japan without a little drama, think again! The mingling between brands like Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, Honda, and Nissan can lead to rumors, marriages, and breakups. 

The Toyota Racing Division (TRD) could be looking to dump Subaru to collaborate with Mazda instead. But many great things have come from Subaru and Toyota sports cars as the automakers have worked closely on plenty of successful projects. 

For example, the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ were born after a successful partnership began. They also codeveloped the Subaru Solterra and Toyota BZ4X EVs. 

But according to The Drive, rumors suggest that Toyota is eyeing the Mazda Miata. Toyota could be wanting to develop the next GR86 and MX-5 on a shared platform. However, the report that mentions this information doesn’t include anything about Subaru. 

I don’t mean to throw shade, but the BRZ isn’t one of the most popular sports cars available. In 2025, the BRZ sold 3,345 models. But the GR86 sold 11,436 units. Then the Mazda Miata sold 8,103 cars. 

Toyota could be making moves to increase sales and avoid tariffs. It may seem like building sports cars with Mazda makes more sense, as Subaru is seen as a rugged, off-roading brand. However, Subaru has been in the game since the mid-1980s with the XT Coupe.