Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.You Can't Lose With Either OneWhen my kids become legally able to drive and I pass down my Mazda6, I will need something, say, more personal. I know for certain that it will be an affordable manual transmission sports car. There are only a handful of new cars left that you can buy with a clutch pedal for less than $40k, and two of them have been keeping enthusiast driving hanging on for a decade.Amos KwonThe 2026 Toyota GR86 and the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata are two of the last affordable purist sports cars: naturally aspirated, rear-wheel drive, light, and happiest when you're doing the shifting yourself. One is convertible only, the other is hard-top only, but don't let those limitations restrict you. Both of them are superb in their own right, and the still exist in a world where crossovers permeate American roadways.AdvertisementAdvertisementI spent time with both of these delightful cars, on the same broken Chicago suburban roads, on ramps, and freeway traffic blitzes. They end up in your garage for similar money, but they are not the same—and the answer to which one wins depends far more on your desires and druthers than on pure numbers. Neither one will break the bank, and both of them will bring a smile to your face more than high horsepower numbers and a premium badge can.The Numbers, Not That They Solely MatterAmos KwonThe GR86 starts at $31,500 plus a $1,195 destination charge, with the Premium at $34,400. Under the hood is the Subaru-built 2.4-liter flat-four making 228 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft at 3,700 rpm, driving the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission. Options like the $1,500 Performance Package, the $2,700 GR Aero Kit, and $475 premium paint colors can send the price just north of $40k.The MX-5 undercuts the GR86 slightly. The soft-top Sport opens at $30,430 plus $1,315 destination, and the top trim soft top Grand Touring will cost you $35,730 before destination. Options like the $1,560 Appearance Package and the $560 lip spoiler don't send the price over $40k. Add the Brembo/BBS RECARO Package (BBS wheels, Brembo front brakes, heated Recaro seats), and that price jumps by $5,050, sending it above $40k.Amos KwonThe Miata's 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G four makes 181 hp at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft, revving to a 7,500-rpm redline, and the six-speed manual is standard across the range—Sport and Club are manual-only, and the automatic is a Grand Touring option at no extra cost, thankfully.AdvertisementAdvertisementOn paper the Toyota should walk away with 47 more horsepower. It doesn't, because the Miata is a featherweight. The GR86 checks in at 2,811 pounds, while a tested RF Club came in at 2,454 pounds—and that's the heavier hardtop version. The result is a dead heat: 5.4 seconds to 60 mph for the manual GR86 versus 5.5 for the Miata, with quarter-miles of 14.0 and 14.3 seconds.Thinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.Driving the GR86 PremiumAmos KwonThe GR86 feels like a proper sports coupe. There is real muscle in the middle of the tach now that the 2.4-liter has replaced the old 2.0-liter, and third gear pulls hard enough that you stop planning downshifts three corners in advance. The shifter is short, mechanical, and slightly heavy in the way that makes you want to rev-match just for kicks. Steering is quick and full of heft, and the chassis rotates on throttle with tremendous predictability.Amos KwonThe GR86's steering feels sharper but offers less feedback than the Miata's. Also, the taller shifter isn't as satisfying as the Miata's, which also feels a tad more precise. I also prefer a spring-loaded shifter for reverse (Miata) instead of the collar lock on the GR86. It's quicker and uses the direction of motion you're already performing versus the upward pull on the GR86's. The GR86 is easy to drive hard, but it doesn't feel as tossable as the Miata, largely due to the additional weight.Amos KwonA huge plus is the fact that it's definitely the more usable car by a significant margin. It has real door pockets and can hold a water bottle. Cupholders are still behind your but not as far back, and they can actually hold more than travel tumblers. A phone and keys will fit no problem. Running errands in the GR86 is much easier, as I found out on multiple occasions. There's a six-cubic-foot trunk plus folding rear seats. Don't toss your kid back there, but absolutely throw gym bags, sports gear, groceries, etc. The flexibility matters when your fun car is also your only car.Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementFuel economy isn't as good a the Miata's (26 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined). It's rated 20/26/22 mpg with the manual, and the cabin is loud enough on the highway that long trips can get tiring. If you want the good stuff—Sachs dampers, 12.8-inch front Brembo rotors—it's a $1,500 Performance Package on on the Premium trim, but it's worth it, especially if you plan on track or autocross days.Driving the MX-5 Miata Grand TouringAmos KwonThe Miata is a slightly different animal behind the wheel but no less satisfying. You fold yourself into the Miata and remember what light feels like. Everything happens sooner: the nose takes a set instantly, the steering is feathery and communicative, and the shifter has the shortest, most satisfying throw of any manual sold today. The top-down dynamic is a game-changer, but it presents challenges in Chicago when winter is palpably half of the year.One big gripe is the lack of accessible storage space. It sucks in the Miata. My iPhone didn't fit anywhere except in the flimsy cupholders. Throw the Miata hard into a turn, and it loves it but hates your phone, sending it flying somewhere into the cabin. There are zero door pockets, and the glove compartment is behind you.Amos KwonMX-5 Miata Club and manual Grand Touring models get Bilstein dampers, a front shock tower brace, an induction sound enhancer, DSC-Track mode, and an asymmetric conical clutch-type limited-slip differential—hardware the GR86 essentially matches only with the $1,500 Performance Package which adds Bilstein shocks and SACHS dampers. That said, the GR86 grips harder than you'd expect too, pulling 0.98 g on the skidpad compared to the Miata's 0.985 g.Amos KwonThe interior dimensions are weird. On paper, the Miata has more legroom and headroom, but the actual experience is more cramped. I'm 6'0″, 200-lbs, and I barely fit inside. I have to wear thinner-sold shoes just to make it in, and my head almost brushes the soft top. The bulkhead behind the seats restricts seat adjustment, and the wide tunnel cramps footroom. The GR86 feels bigger, the seat has more adjustability, and the footwell is much wider.Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementThe four-cubic-foot trunk holds just one carry-on, and a bulkhead behind your head where additoinal storage should be (the measly glovebox between the seats doesn't really count). It's also the noisier place to sit on the highway. On the bright side, the Miata is cheaper to run with an EPA-rated 29 mpg combined.2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring (6MT)2026 Toyota GR86 Premium (6MT)Base price$35,730 + $1,315 destination$34,400 + $1,195 destinationEngine2.0L Skyactiv-G naturally aspirated DOHC inline-4, direct injection, RWD2.4L naturally aspirated DOHC flat-four (Subaru-built), port + direct injection, RWDHorsepower / torque181 hp @ 7,000 rpm / 151 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm228 hp @ 7,000 rpm / 184 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpmCurb weight2,366 lb for Grand Touring 6MT2,848 lb for an Premium 6MT0–60 mph5.4 sec5.4 secFuel economy26 city / 34 hwy / 29 combined20 city / 26 hwy / 22 combinedSteering setupElectric power-assisted rack-and-pinionElectric power steering, rack-and-pinionSuspension setupFront double wishbone / rear multi-link; 6MT Grand Touring adds Bilstein dampers, front shock tower brace, asymmetric conical clutch-type LSD, DSC-Track modeIndependent MacPherson strut front / double-wishbone multi-link rear, front and rear anti-roll bars, Torsen LSD; Sachs dampers + Brembos optional in $1,500 Performance PackageLegroom / headroom (front)43.1 in. / 37.4 in.41.9 in. / 37.0 in.Cargo space4.59 cu ft trunk; two seats6.2 cu ft trunk plus folding rear seatsImportant standard featuresManual soft top, Bilstein dampers, LSD, induction sound enhancer, heated leather seats, 8.8-in display w/ wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, Bose 9-speaker, Mazda Navigation, adaptive front lighting, high-beam control, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, auto climate18-in matte-black wheels, LSD, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, ducktail spoiler, heated seats w/ suede inserts, aluminum pedals, 8-speaker audio, 8-in touchscreen, 7-in digital cluster (Normal/Sport/Track), blind-spot monitors, AEB, adaptive cruise, dual-zone climateThe VerdictI expected to hand this to the Miata, in all honesty. But again, it all comes down to your needs and desires. For my purposes, the GR86 wins but not handily. I chose the car I'd actually want in my driveway—and the 2026 Toyota GR86 wins. It's quick, telepathic, more practical, and a bit more winter ready than the soft-top. The extra 47 hp and 33 lb-ft mean the GR86 can execute a little better. Oddly, the answer isn't always Miata.A GR86 Premium undercuts the manual Grand Touring Miata by more than $2,000. The seat has more adjustability, and that extra rear space and trunk space are pluses for this dad. Six cubic feet of trunk, better in-car storage, and folding rear seats make it more everyday practical. In favor of the Miata are better gas mileage and niceties like convertible capability and Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GR86 Premium is the more complete sports car and the better value. Whichever you choose, choose it with three pedals. In 2026, that's the part that matters most.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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