The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata and the 2026 Toyota GR86 are considered to be two of the last affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports cars in the United States that still run on a manual transmission. Both cars cost from just a bit less to just over $30,000 each, and prioritize driver engagement and lightweight engineering over raw power. While the Mazda Miata is a dedicated two-seat roadster, the Toyota GR86 is a 2+2 coupe with back seats, for whatever good that does. That’s if a full-grown human being could fit in there.The GR86 produces more power than the Mazda Miata while giving you that proper GT feel when driving, but the 2026 Mazda Miata's much lighter gross vehicle weight makes it more nimble and gives that pure feel on the road. If you're standing in a showroom with your fingers in your teeth, and for you it's a battle of the Toyota GR86 vs the Mazda MX-5 Miata, wondering which to buy, run through this article quickly, because we'll run a comparison test on head-to-head performance on paper and on the road, how they handle, their interiors, practicality and reliability, and eventually which vehicle will give you the best value for your money. Powertrain & Performance David Alpert / HotCarsThe GR86 is fitted with a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated flat-four engine, which produces 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The 2026 GR86 comes in either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission, like the Mazda Miata. With the manual configuration, the GR86 can achieve 0–60 mph in 6.1 seconds. But that's going by official records; a few experts have run independent tests with the 2025 GR86 and have returned 0–60 mph times of 5.4 seconds. The automatic transmission is considerably slower at 6.6 seconds. The manual trim hits a top speed of 140 mph, 6 mph more than the automatic.Via: Mazda On the other hand, the 2026 Mazda Miata is the lightweight purist's fun option, fitted with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G engine, producing 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The power gap between the ND Miata (fourth generation) and the GR86 stands at 47 horsepower, but the soft-top Miata doesn't seem to realize this, as it hits 0–60 mph in 6.2 seconds, although experts have been able to push it to 0–60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The retractable fastback option adds approximately 50 pounds to the vehicle’s weight due to the mechanism that operates its roof, making the vehicle marginally slower. It still achieves 0–60 mph in about 5.9 seconds. In addition to the Mazda's lighter weight, its use of a high-pressure direct injection system gives it a linear power curve that keeps climbing until its 7,500 RPM redline. The GR86’s D-4S dual-injection system eliminates the torque dip problem of the previous generation, helping it achieve peak torque at a much earlier rpm of 3,700 RPM. Both vehicles use aluminum alloy engine blocks to keep their overall weights under 3,000 pounds. Handling, Dynamics & Track Capability MazdaWeight & Balance ComparisonOne of the mechanical reasons why the GR86 is seen as the superior track weapon out of the box is its grip advantage. The GR86 has a wider track, which creates a larger footprint that helps it resist weight transfer during hard cornering. It achieves this through its tires and stiff chassis. On the Premium trim, the Toyota GR86 is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, which allow it to hit much higher speeds before breaking traction. This means a lot on the track because it means you can enter a bend 5–10 mph faster than the Miata, yet the GR86’s tires still won’t squeal or understeer. The GR86 also enjoys torsional rigidity that’s 50% better than the previous generation, putting all the work on the shoulders of the suspension rather than the frame. This makes handling more predictable.David Alpert / HotCars What helps the MX-5 Miata compete is its lightweight architecture. Its greatest strength is its power-to-weight ratio. At approximately 2,341 pounds curb weight, the Miata is roughly 480 pounds lighter than the GR86, making it more nimble while driving. The lower mass produces less inertia, giving you much better steering-response times and feedback, and better brake response. The Miata was designed with a perfect 50/50 balance, and uses Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) to engage the inside rear brake whenever you corner hard, keeping the car level and reducing body roll. That said, at lower speeds, the rear-wheel-drive ND Miata was designed with softer suspension to make you feel the weight of the vehicle being tossed around the corners, creating a more communicative feeling between the driver and the road. While the GR86 may be the better track day option, the Miata makes driving on the road more fun. Interior, Features & Daily Usability Toyota The Toyota GR86’s interior is designed as a 2+2 coupe with small rear seats that would be more practical for children, occasional passengers, or a carpeted storage shelf. This makes it a more practical option for a small family. On the other hand, the 2026 MX-5 Miata is a pure two-seater with a cabin that feels minimalist to a fault, featuring the absence of a glovebox and door pockets, with a lockable space between the seatbacks all you get. Well, you also get removable cupholders. The driver uses a rotary knob just within reach to control the infotainment screen because it won't respond to you while you're driving.Mazda That said, the MX-5 surprisingly has 1.6 inches more legroom than the GR86, but because the cabin is very narrow, taller drivers feel cramped in the driver’s seat, with a few complaining about hitting their legs against the steering column. The GR86 offers more cargo space, with its 6.3 cubic feet trunk expandable by dropping the rear seats. The Miata has a fixed trunk, making 4.6 cubic feet all the cargo space you'll get with it. The Miata features a convertible experience that the GR86 doesn’t have, so that’s a plus. The 2026 Mazda Miata’s 8.8-inch touchscreen is bigger than the 8.0-inch touchscreen in the Toyota GR86, but both feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although this connectivity feature is wired on the GR86. From the GR86 Premium trim to the top-of-the-line Yuzu Edition, which is new for 2026, the Toyota GR86 offers 2-stage heated seats. It’s the same with the Miata, with the Club trim, Grand Touring trim, and the limited 35th Anniversary Edition offering 3-level heated seats. 2026 Prices, Trim Levels & Value David Alpert / HotCars / ValnetThe base trim of the 2026 GR86 starts from $31,200 and rises to $33,800 with the Premium trim. The top-of-the-line GR86 Yuzu Edition trim is for sale at $36,365 for the manual and $37,465 for the automatic, and features black ultrasuede-trimmed sports seats with yellow perforation. In 2024, the limited GR86 Trueno edition was released to pay homage to the legendary AE86 Sprinter Trueno vehicle released in the 1980s. This vehicle was limited to 860 units and sold at $35,815 for the manual transmission and $36,915 for the automatic transmission, featuring the Performance Package with Brembo brakes and Sachs dampers, as well as side graphics, black hood wrap, and 18-inch black metallic wheels. In 2025, the limited Hakone edition was also released, this time inspired by the Hakone Turnpike in Japan, with only 860 units produced. The GR86 manual and automatic transmission models were priced at $36,405 and $37,505, respectively.David Alpert / HotCars / ValnetThe Mazda Miata 2026 is the cheaper of the two. The soft-top Sport trim is available for sale at $30,430, while the Club trim starts at $33,930. The top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim starts at $35,730, featuring an adaptive front-lighting system, heated leather-trimmed seats, and automatic climate control. The retractable fastback (RF) trim starts with the Club trim, and costs $41,900, offering a Bose 9-speaker audio system, heated Recaro sport seats, black interior accents, and Alcántara trim. On the Grand Touring trim, the RF costs $38,450. With an 11.9-gallon fuel tank on the 2026 Mazda Miata and a 29 mpg combined fuel economy rating, the Miata can travel 345 miles between fill-ups. On the other hand, the GR86 has a bigger 13.2-gallon fuel tank, but with its 22 mpg combined fuel economy rating, it can only travel 290 miles before needing to refill. Also, since it requires only premium unleaded fuel, it is the more expensive of the two to run. The Verdict: Which Should You Buy? Toyota This is the crux of the matter. We’re back to where we started, standing in the showroom, staring at both the Toyota GR86 and the Mazda MX-5 Miata, wondering which one to buy. Buy the GR86 if you're looking for power and occasionally have a few passengers to cram into the rear, or more luggage than the trunk can handle, or you just want to have fun on the track with a faster vehicle.Mazda Buy the Mazda Miata if you’re an enthusiast who has a slightly tighter budget and wants the purest driving experience, the open-top motoring feel, and you want a nimble, light vehicle you can fling around. Both vehicles offer exceptional driving experiences around bends, on the street, and on the track, so the choice invariably comes down to your driving preference and which vehicle’s driving philosophy meets it best.FAQQ: Is the GR86 faster than the Miata?In a straight line, yes. The Toyota GR86 hits 0–60 mph in 5.4 to 6.1 seconds, which beats the Mazda Miata’s 5.7 to 6.2 seconds.Q: Is the GR86 better for track days than the Miata?For most drivers, yes. The GR86’s stiffer chassis, a wider track, and high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires give it higher cornering limits and stability than the Miata.Q: Why is the Mazda Miata so cheap? The Miata remains affordable because of its minimalist philosophy. All the luxury and complex engine features it skipped keep it closer to $30,000 than the GR86.Q: Why is the GR86 being discontinued? In North America, the GR86 is not being discontinued. Toyota pulled it from the European market in 2024 because it needed a total and costly redesign to meet strict new safety regulations regarding cybersecurity and front-facing cameras. It is currently still not expected to return to the European market in 2026.Q: Is the GR86 just a BRZ? Both vehicles are 90% identical, with the GR86’s suspension tuned for "tail-happy" drifting with a stiffer rear, while the Subaru BRZ is tuned for stability and grip with a stiffer front. Both use the same engine and are built at Subaru’s Gunma plant.Q: Is the Miata RF worth the premium? It boils down to your commute and choice. Its size makes it easy to maneuver through almost any kind of road and park anywhere. The retractable fastback option reduces road noise and provides more security. The soft top version gives you that pure open-air feeling. If you’re a taller person, then the entire vehicle may not be worth the risk long-term.