Since its debut in 2022, the second generation of the Toyota 86, now known as the GR86, has been making waves as one of the best sports cars you can still buy new. Every year since its release, the Toyota GR86 has offered a special edition variant of some kind for every new model year. First, we received the 2023 10th Anniversary Special Edition, followed by the 2024 Trueno Edition, and then the 2025 Hakone Edition.
- Base Trim Engine
-
2.4-Liter Flat-4
- Base Trim Transmission
-
6-Speed Manual/6-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
228 HP @ 7,000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
184 LB-FT @ 3,700 RPM
- Make
-
Toyota
- Model
-
GR86
- Segment
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Sports Car
For 2026, Toyota has unveiled the most extreme limited-production Toyota GR86 model yet, the Yuzu Edition. Some of you may remember that the 2015 Scion FR-S Release 1.0 Special Edition was the first Toyota 86 that sported an eye-popping Yuzu Yellow paint job. This Yuzu Edition is its successor, as with all the previous GR86 Special Editions, it will be limited to 860 units. Let’s break down everything we know about the Yuzu Edition and determine whether it’s worth the premium or not.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources.
The Yuzu Edition Is The Best Special Edition GR86 (So Far)
Like all the previous Toyota GR86 Special Editions, the Yuzu Edition is based on the Premium trim of the GR86 model. Included as part of the Yuzu Edition is:
- Exclusive Yuzu Yellow paint color
- 18-inch matte-black wheels
- Ultrasuede and leather-trimmed seats with contrast yellow stitching
- Contrast yellow stitching on the steering wheel, parking brake boot, and door trim
- Brembo brakes and SACHS dampers (Performance Package)
- Optional cat-back exhaust
- Optional body kit
While these upgrades may not seem too different from the currently available 2025 Toyota GR86 Hakone Edition, there is one detail that makes a huge difference: the optional body kit.
The Optional Body Kit: The Star Of The Show
While previous GR86 Special Editions have added some fun paint colors and maybe a nice set of wheels and a spoiler, the 2026 Yuzu Edition is the first variant offering a full-blown body kit as an optional part of the package. With this optional body kit equipped, the Yuzu Edition is, by far, the most aggressive iteration of the Toyota GR86 to date.
Perhaps the most notable and modified aspect of the engine is the rear end, which sees a revamp with a protruding rear diffuser design flexing quad exhaust tips. This results in an entirely redesigned rear bumper that is a big step up in style from the more conservative look of the standard model.
Yet, just like the rear, the front end has seen a big upgrade as well, with a large front lip that matches the aggressive shape of the rear end. Completing the package is the new aggressive side skirts that pair nicely with the GR fender vent inserts. If edgy OEM+ styling is your thing, you won’t find many better-looking sports coupes than this.
The Cost Of The GR86 Yuzu Edition
Compared to the 2025 Toyota GR86, the base MSRP of the 2026 model year has increased by $400. However, when comparing the 2025 Hakone Edition and the 2026 Yuzu Edition, the Yuzu variant costs an additional $1,095 over the previous Special Edition model. The official pricing of the 2026 Toyota GR86, including the Yuzu Edition, is as follows:
2025 Toyota GR86 Trims And Price
|
2026 GR86 AT |
$31,900 |
|
2026 GR86 MT |
$30,800 |
|
2026 GR86 Premium AT |
$34,500 |
|
2026 GR86 Premium MT |
$33,400 |
|
2026 GR86 Yuzu Edition AT |
$37,465 |
|
2026 GR86 Yuzu Edition MT |
$36,365 |
Yet, what we still don’t have full pricing details about is the optional accessories, like the quad-tipped GR Performance Exhaust ($1,700 for the current dual-tipped version) or the new body kit (which has never been offered before). Considering the extensive changes, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a $1,500+ cost for the upgraded body kit, which we have to say is worth it.
Is The 2026 Yuzu Edition Worth It?
Considering the $36,365 starting price of the manual transmission-equipped 2026 Toyota GR86 Yuzu Edition, is it worth the additional premium? Well, let’s not forget that the package you see in these very nice studio photos includes the optional quad-tip exhaust and optional body kit (of which we still don’t know the exact price).
However, considering the cost of previous GR86 options, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the price point of the Yuzu Edition break the $40,000 mark. Once you consider that that is about $10,000 of additional cash on top of a base model 2026 Toyota GR86, you have to really be sure if it’s worth it for you. Whether or not you believe in collectability, we can guarantee that these Special Edition models will retain their value better over time than their standard counterparts.
Special Edition GR86 Models’ Value Retention
So, how has depreciation affected the Toyota GR86 since its debut in 2022? According to Kelley Blue Book, the first model year of the Toyota GR86 has depreciated $10,652 or 32 percent in the last three years and has a current resale value of $22,154. This is considering a starting price of $33,325, which is higher than the base MSRP, but closer to a price you might see after taxes and fees.
What we were specifically curious about is the availability and current resale value of the three available GR86 Special Edition models (10th Anniversary, Trueno, and Hakone). The first and only Special Edition we were able to find within a 100-mile radius of the Los Angeles Metropolitan area was a brand-new 2023 10th Anniversary Special Edition with only 364 miles for $38,900. Yet, how does this compare to the current availability of these exclusive models nationwide?
Limited Availability, Though Solid Deals Are Out There
We decided this time to search for every single Special Edition GR86 model available nationwide to see if we could get a better idea about availability and resale value. As we mentioned, all Special Edition GR86 models are limited to only 860 units. Yet, are these limited-production Special Editions a little bit too rare?
Our nationwide search only resulted in 27 examples, the most affordable being another 2023 10th Anniversary Special Edition with 7,578 miles for $27,495, located in Nashville, TN. Considering a flight to Tennessee will only run you a couple of bucks, you could save well over $10,000 by opting for this low-mileage example as opposed to other local options we found, which were clearly overpriced.
Alternative Options That Still Offer Exclusivity
As we have clarified, Special Edition models of the GR86 are surprisingly rare and difficult to find. Within our nationwide search, not a single Hakone Edition popped up, and the vast majority were 10th Anniversary Special Edition variants. The Hakone Edition is still available new right now on the Toyota website, so it’s not too surprising that there still isn’t a used market.
If the $40,000 price point of the Yuzu Edition sounds like just way too much money, we understand. We also found several local examples of the Yuzu Edition’s predecessor, the 2015 Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0, including one with only 44,000 miles for $16,800. Several of these limited edition models are still available with decent mileage for $20,000 or less (which means half the price or less of that of a new Yuzu edition).
The Sports Cars With The Least Five-Year Depreciation
If your priority is having a fun car, but you hate depreciation with a passion, you only have two real options: a Porsche 911 or a Porsche 718 Cayman. For comparison, a Toyota GR86 has an average five-year depreciation of 30.2 percent, while a Porsche 718 Cayman and a Porsche 911 are 21.8 percent and 19.5 percent, respectively.
To even fancy your way into a used base model 718 Cayman, expect to pay somewhere around the $50,000 price point. If you can swing at least a 991.1 generation Porsche 911, expect prices starting at about the $60,000 price point for a base model Carrera 2. A 2026 Yuzu Edition sounds cheap now, doesn’t it? You may not be surprised, but low-production sports cars are a pay-to-play game. Happy hunting!