Compare the2026 Mazda MX-5 MiataVS 2026 Toyota GR86

The MX-5 Miata has standard Secondary Collision Reduction, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GR86 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The MX-5 Miata has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the GR86 Premium/Yuzu Edition offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the MX-5 Miata has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the GR86 Premium/Yuzu Edition offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both the MX-5 Miata and the GR86 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the MX-5 Miata’s reliability 40 points higher than the GR86.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fourth.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda MX-5 Miata is faster than the Toyota GR86 (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the MX-5 Miata gets better mileage than the GR86:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda MX-5 Miata uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GR86 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The MX-5 Miata stops shorter than the GR86:

The MX-5 Miata has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GR86’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The MX-5 Miata’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the GR86’s (55.3% to 44.7%). This gives the MX-5 Miata more stable handling and braking.

The MX-5 Miata Club handles at .97 G’s, while the GR86 pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the MX-5 Miata’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the GR86’s (30.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Mazda MX-5 Miata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Toyota GR86.

The MX-5 Miata is 1 foot, 1.8 inches shorter than the GR86, making the MX-5 Miata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MX-5 Miata's optional power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The GR86 doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

A standard locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the MX-5 Miata. The GR86 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The MX-5 Miata Grand Touring’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The GR86’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The MX-5 Miata Grand Touring’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GR86 doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Toyota GR86, based on reliability, safety and performance.