- Toyota enhances handling in the 2025 GR86, drawing from track insights.
- Upgrades include refined shock absorbers and more responsive power steering.
- New “RZ Ridge Green Limited” edition offers unique exterior and interior colors.
Toyota is giving the GR86 a subtle refresh for the 2025 model year in Japan, with a clear focus on what truly matters to enthusiasts: handling. The company claims to draw on insights gained from the racetrack, where the GR86 has already proven its capabilities, to deliver an even more “unique driving feel”.
Now, onto the juicy details. The upgrades target sharper handling and a more connected feel with the road. Toyota has massaged the shock absorbers and electric power steering control for better response, giving you a tighter grip on the tarmac.
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They’ve also tweaked the throttle control (manual transmission) for a more direct connection between your foot and the engine. For automatic transmission drivers, engineers have expanded the engine-speed tolerance during downshifts, allowing for smoother and more responsive gear changes.
Speaking of upgrades, the 2025 GR86 in Japan also boasts a couple of new features: a tire pressure warning system and, believe it or not, daytime running lights.
But Wait, There’s More (For Some)
If exclusivity is your game, Toyota is holding a lottery for the new “RZ Ridge Green Limited” edition, with only 200 units slated for production. It sports a striking green paint job, paired with bronze 18-inch wheels wrapped in 215/40R18 performance tires. The interior gets some love too, with swanky embroidery and two-tone black sport seats with tan accents in a mix of suede and leather.
The standard GR86 starts at ¥3,195,000 (equal to $20,100 at current exchange rates) for the manual and ¥3,293,000 ($20,700) for the automatic. The “Ridge Green Limited” edition, as you might expect, comes at a premium, starting at ¥3,897,000 ($24,500) for the manual and ¥3,995,000 ($25,100) for the automatic.
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Just remember to get your lottery application in for the “Ridge Green Limited” before July 28th, or you might miss your chance to stand out from the pack (and its standard silver paint).
Global Market Update
While these upgrades were announced for the Japanese domestic market model, it’s highly likely that we’ll see the chassis revisions applied to all global market versions in the coming months. However, don’t get your hopes up for the “Ridge Green Limited” edition – that will likely be a Japan-only treat.