The Toyota GT86 and Mazda MX-5 RF are very similar cars. Both the vehicles have strikingly similar built and features. When the cars come in the same price range too, then it becomes a war!
However, the cars never seemed to pose a threat to each other as they haven't been on the comparison microscope. The cars did not compete with one another. The GT86 is priced at £25,000 and is a coupe with back seats and a decent boot. Mazda MX-5 RF is priced below £20,000 and is a strict two-seater with a soft top, titchy load space.
The Toyota GT86 and Mazda MX-5 RF are well-known cars both having simple rear-wheel-drive. Both the cars belong to the sports car category. They are powered by turbo-free engines which are driven through manual gearboxes, reported Auto Trader.
The GT86 reigned since it arrived in 2012. It was well appreciated and even received the "Car of the Year award" by Top Gear. It was stylish and it was fun to drive.
After the MX-5 RF joined the Mazda bandwagon, the MX-5 received tweaks. And the price of the car also hiked. This suddenly brought it face to face with Toyota GT86 which seemed to be reigning in the territory, reported Top Gear.
The roof of the Mazda folds in and that was a striking difference. It looked impressive when the roof concertinas into a space above the boot before the panel returns into position. However, the drawback was that the interior button had to be held down. However, the Toyota did not offer a spectacle like that.
It did seem that Toyota did not display outright of how cool the car was. Most of the power in the vehicle was concealed in the components rather than a show to awe onlookers. However, the Toyota GT86 got an update recently. This included a new stability control mode which helps show off on a circuit.
The Toyota turned boastful. All the good things of the car are now telegraphed though a fancy electronic screen beside the speedo. G-force, lap times, the car's power and torque curves. The car does not take much effort to revs right up to 7,500rpm. Toyota claims 0-62mph takes 7.6 seconds.
The Mazda seems a little more urgent as it revsThough in comparison, its 158bhp and 148lb ft fall short of the GT86's 197bhp and 151lb ft. But the Mazda seems to be more urgent and this is proven by the 7.4sec it takes to zoom from 0-62mph.
Toyota has fitted numerous modes to the stability control like an intermediate track mode between 'on' and 'off'. It does showcase that the car cares about the drive quality. Both of these cars have wonderful six-speed manual gearboxes, but the Mazda's is just that little bit easier to operate, and there's more grip to handle the throttle. Toyota does not boast of that grip.
Mazda MX-5 RF's soft-top makes the car extremely appealing. It is a good looking car and the ability to flip the roof up and down with your left arm, in seconds is just awesome. It has an interior to match the exterior too. It has an easy-to-operate touchscreen and an uncluttered dashboard.
The oversight that the car made was that the seat is too high for a sports car and the steering wheel doesn't stretch out far enough. But a big central rev counter and perfectly placed pedals make the car seem like good news.
The Toyota's seat cranks very low and is more supportive than the Mazda's, and you can pull the wheel right towards your chest. The driver's legs stretch out more horizontally than in the MX-5. Also, there is a nice central rev counter.
In the interior, the controls and media screen are not something to die for. However, the car has back seats.
It cannot be said that either car is perfect. However, if it is the style that appeals to a buyer then Mazda MX-5 RF will be the pick. But the most exciting car to drive is the Toyota GT86. It depends on the car buyer's choice of what experience means for £25,000.
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