2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone Edition: POV Driving Impressions and Review

Hakone Edition Overview

• 🏎️ The 2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone Edition is featured, presented in a striking Ridge Green color with matte bronze wheels.
• 🔑 This edition includes the standard Performance Pack, featuring Brembo brakes, Sachs dampers, and 18-inch wheels.
• ✨ Exclusive Hakone touches include tan interior trim, stitching, a special shift knob, and a unique trunk mat.
• 📌 Limited to 860 units, it signifies a special iteration of the GR86, building on previous special editions like the Trueno.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

• ⚙️ The GR86 is powered by a 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
• 💨 For 2025, tweaks to throttle tuning and steering aim to improve the driving feel, making it more fluid and easier to drive.
• 🕹️ While the clutch feels slightly heavier, the overall stock driving experience is enhanced, making the driver feel more like a "hero."
• 🔊 The car features a GR Sport exhaust, though its effectiveness is debated, with suggestions to opt for aftermarket brands like Corsa or Borla for better sound.

Interior and Features

• 🎶 A subwoofer is noted as a dealer accessory that negatively impacts the sound system and access to the spare tire area.
• 📱 The interior boasts Alcantara suede, tan stitching, and a special Hakone shift knob, similar to the GR Corolla Morizo edition.
• 🔊 The car suffers from piped-in engine noise, which is easily disconnected, and some tire noise from the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
• 🛣️ Adaptive cruise control and lane centering are integrated into the manual transmission, a notable achievement in usability.

Comparisons and Value

• ⚖️ Compared to the ND Miata, the GR86 is considered a better all-rounder, though the Miata offers sheer driving thrills and a more premium interior feel.
• 💰 The Hakone Edition is priced higher, leading to a discussion on whether the premium is justified over a base GR86, with the suggestion that a base model allows more budget for personal modifications.
• 🔧 The car is praised for its nimble chassis and lightweight feel, offering significant enjoyment for enthusiasts, especially given the scarcity of naturally aspirated, manual, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports cars.
• 🌟 The Hakone Edition's appeal lies in its special appearance and unique trim, making it a more visually appealing and special place to be, even if the core driving experience is similar to a standard GR86.