Should I buy a Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ

You’re looking for an affordable sports car and trying to deciding whether to buy a Toyota 86 or a Subaru BRZ. Well, you’re not alone it’s a question we're asked regularly at carsales and it’s as difficult a decision as picking your favourite child or pet.

Actually, in this particular case, it’s even more complicated -- as the Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ are (very) near-identical twins, having been conceived, developed together. And now, in the years since their arrival in 2012, they have also matured at the same rate.

Ultimately, whichever way you go, the Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ twins are two of the most exciting and engaging sports coupes on sale in Australia at the moment. And they stand out against the fleet of front-drive, turbo-charged hot hatchbacks for the same money - with their rear-drive layout, high-revving atmo horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine and swoopy style.

But let’s dig a little deeper and see if there are significant character differences which might sway the decision either way.

For starters, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are virtually the same car, as they were co-developed by the two Japanese car makers after Toyota purchased a 10 per cent stake in Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries.

Toyota wanted to utilise the basic architecture of the previous-generation Impreza platform and its signature boxer engine. The components were considered key elements in rebuilding its sports car credentials after a decade in the doldrums following the demise of models such as the Toyota Celica and Toyota Supra.

As a result, both the 86 and BRZ share the same mechanical layout; each powered by an identical 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder that produces 152kW at 7000rpm and 212Nm between 6400-6800rpm when equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission.

If you choose the optional six-speed automatic, you get the convenience of a self-shifting transmission and better fuel consumption (7.1L/100km compared to 8.4L/100km) but fractionally lower outputs of 147kW and 205Nm.

Both the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ have the same fundamental two-door body style, but with slightly unique styling elements that set them apart. These include exclusive front bumper bars, different LED driving lights and tail lights and each cars has their own alloy wheel designs.

Here’s where the two Japanese brands deviate from each other, as Toyota offers the 86 in two specifications (GT and GTS), while Subaru has three model variations for the BRZ; standard and Premium versions as well as a flagship tS that brings some flavour from its vaunted STI high-performance division through a host of exclusive visual elements.

Toyota has a price advantage with the GT, as it starts at $31,440 (plus on-road costs - which equates to approximately $35k in your garage).

Subaru alternatively offers a $38,520 national driveaway price for the BRZ as it comes standard with extra equipment including larger 17-inch alloys (the 86 rides on 16-inchers), dual-zone climate control (the Toyota has manual air conditioning), push-button start (the 86 GT has a conventional key) and a higher-grade audio system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen that features smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices.

Paying an additional $6400 for the Toyota 86 GTS (at $36,640 plus on-roads) at least brings some of those goodies, including 17-inch alloys, the push-button starter with keyless entry and dual-zone climate as well as leather-accented front seats with fake suede inserts, a digital information screen in the instrument cluster and a standard rear wing.

The gap between the regular BRZ and Premium isn’t as dramatic, with the mid-spec model costing an additional $1500 -- essentially for the same heated front seats with leather and Alcantara trim as the 86 GTS. However, the BRZ tS offers more exclusivity for its $44,620 driveaway asking price, with additional aerodynamic add-ons, such as a deeper front bumper, lower side skirts and STI 18-inch alloys that are wrapped in grippier Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres and surround larger Brembo brakes.

The tS’ cabin is equally dressed-up with STI logos in the instrument cluster, a leather steering wheel, red seat belts and additional Alcantara trim highlights.

In lieu of having a third model like the tS, Toyota offers an optional Dynamic Performance Pack on both the GT and GTS that costs $2900 and adds Brembo front brakes, Sachs dampers that are slightly stiffer in character and black-painted alloy wheels.

For the most part, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ deliver the same fizzy, fun-to-drive character.

With the exception of the BRZ tS on its larger wheels with stickier tyres or if you choose the optional Dynamic Performance Pack on either 86 variant, both of which offer marginal improvements in at-the-limit grip and sit fractionally flatter during hard cornering, all variations on the Toyabaru twins have super-sharp steering, slick manual gearboxes and an engine that performs at its best when screaming high in the rev range. All of this make them highly engaging to drive.

In everyday situations, they perform exactly the same with a fairly stiff ride that can tiresome over rough roads. On a smooth road or racetrack though, both the 86 and BRZ are a barrel of laughs, even if they are not all that quick in a straight line.

In a track environment, there are some very minor differences in their suspension settings that do separate them at the absolute limit. The Toyota’s front-end is a little stiffer, which helps promote the tail stepping out, while the Subaru is more neutral and requires a more aggressive approach to unsettle the rear.

In reality though, you would need to drive them on the same track, on the same day -- and at ten-tenths -- to really comprehend their subtle idiosyncrasies.

Whichever you choose, you cannot lose as there is very little to separate the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ -- both of which remain such enjoyable cars to drive even against newer alternatives.

For those on a tighter budget, the Toyota 86 GT does come with a slight price advantage over the equivalent Subaru BRZ, but is also misses out on some key equipment. It’s a no-frills, all-thrills machine.

However, the convenience of features such as sat nav, Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and dual-zone climate control could be worth greater than the disparity in price and tip the ledger back in favour of the Subaru BRZ.

There really is nothing to split the mid-level options - either on price or equipment - other than whether you prefer the look of the 86 or the BRZ. And the Subaru BRZ tS stands on its own at the top of the line-up, particularly if you want a degree of exclusivity.