Toyota May Split From Subaru and Turn to Mazda for Next-Gen GR86

Fresh reports from Japan suggest Toyota could end its long-standing partnership with Subaru and look to Mazda’s Miata platform for the future GR86 – a move that could redefine the affordable sports car market.

Toyota and Subaru’s collaboration gave us two of the most beloved budget performance cars of the past decade: the GR86 and BRZ. But according to industry rumors, that partnership may soon end. Instead, Toyota is said to be exploring a new alliance with Mazda, potentially basing the next GR86 on the lightweight, rear-wheel-drive Miata platform. This would represent a major turning point in Japan’s compact sports car scene.

Why Mazda Makes Sense

Mazda’s Miata has long been the benchmark for pure, driver-focused handling, while Toyota’s latest turbocharged and hybrid four-cylinder engines are generating excitement for their blend of performance and efficiency. Combining these strengths could deliver a sharper, lighter GR86 with the Miata’s agility and Toyota’s powertrains – an irresistible formula for enthusiasts craving old-school driving fun with modern reliability.

What It Means for Enthusiasts

The current GR86 has always stood apart from the Miata by offering four seats and more practicality, but it also carried extra weight that dulled some of its edge. If Toyota does adopt Mazda’s architecture, the next GR86 could gain the nimbleness and precision of the Miata while retaining Toyota’s design and engineering cues. Such a move would finally put the GR86 in direct competition with Mazda’s legendary roadster, rather than positioning it as a slightly larger alternative.

Trouble for Subaru’s BRZ

Meanwhile, Subaru’s BRZ faces an uncertain future. With the brand increasingly focused on all-wheel-drive crossovers and SUVs, the rear-drive BRZ doesn’t quite fit the lineup, and its sales reflect that struggle. Enthusiasts might mourn the BRZ’s potential departure, but a Toyota-Mazda GR86 revival could be the silver lining – ensuring that affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars remain a reality in an era dominated by electrification and SUVs.