24 MPG combined immediately marks the 2025 Toyota GR 86 with the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission as a focused driver’s car, not a fuel economy champion. This isn’t a vehicle purchased to save at the pump; it’s a vibrant, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe engineered for agile performance and an engaging experience behind the wheel. The figures, while not groundbreaking in the grand scheme of vehicle efficiency, are entirely commensurate with its mission: to provide an accessible, thrilling driving machine without completely breaking the bank on running costs, ensuring more funds remain for track days and premium unleaded.

City and Highway Performance

The EPA rates the automatic version of the 2025 GR 86 at 21 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. These numbers firmly delineate its character. The city figure, 21 MPG, reflects the inevitable stop-and-go nature of urban driving mixed with the eager responsiveness of its naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine. This is a car that encourages enthusiastic throttle inputs, and city driving, by its very nature, limits opportunities to maintain a consistent, efficient pace. For those who buy a GR 86, the city MPG is a secondary concern. The primary focus is the immediate, linear power delivery and precise handling that make even a short trip to the grocery store feel more engaging than it has any right to be.

On the highway, 30 MPG is a respectable showing for a sports car. This highway efficiency is achievable thanks to the well-chosen gear ratios of the 6-speed automatic transmission and the relatively light curb weight of the GR 86. Cruising at consistent speeds allows the engine to operate within its more efficient ranges, delivering a pleasant balance of power and economy. Drivers looking for GR MPG across all years understand that while the GR 86 excels in corners and acceleration, it also demonstrates a surprising degree of composure and efficiency during longer hauls. This allows owners to confidently engage in spirited weekend drives to their favorite backroads, knowing the journey itself won’t be overly punitive at the fuel pump.

Annual Fuel Cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $2,400 for the 2025 Toyota GR 86 2.4L 4-cyl with the automatic transmission. This figure is based on a standardized assumption of driving 15,000 miles per year and prevailing national average fuel prices. For the GR 86 owner, this $2,400 figure represents a manageable expense within the context of owning a dedicated sports car. Performance comes with a cost, but one that is deliberately kept within reach. Buyers of this vehicle prioritize the driving experience, the precise steering, the balanced chassis, the immediate throttle response, over hyper-efficient commuting. This annual cost is seen not as a barrier, but as a reasonable operational expense for a machine that delivers joy and engagement on every drive.

Real-world Expectations

In real-world driving, the 2025 GR 86’s fuel economy is highly dependent on the driver’s enthusiasm. If you frequently exploit the engine’s upper rev range to fully appreciate its 228 horsepower, common sense dictates that your observed MPG will trend towards the lower end of the city estimate, or even below it. This car is designed to be driven, and its responsive nature actively encourages spirited driving. However, for those occasions where restraint is needed or desired, the GR 86 can indeed deliver on its highway promise. Gentle throttle inputs, judicious use of cruise control, and adherence to speed limits will see highway efficiency consistently meet or even slightly exceed the 30 MPG mark. The true real-world expectation is that your MPG will directly correlate with how much fun you’re having, and that’s precisely why this car exists.

How it Compares

Comparing the 2025 GR 86’s fuel economy requires looking at its specific segment: affordable, engaging sports coupes. Take a look at a primary rival, the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The 2024 MX-5 Miata with its 2.0L 4-cylinder and automatic transmission achieves a commendable 29 MPG combined (26 City/35 Highway). While the Miata clearly outpaces the GR 86 in efficiency, it does so with less power (181 hp vs. 228 hp for the GR 86) and a slightly different character, leaning more towards lightweight nimbleness than the GR 86’s broader grand touring capability. The buyer weighing these two understands the GR 86 trades a few MPG for a more powerful engine and a fixed-roof coupe experience.

Looking at the other end of the accessible performance spectrum, the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback with the 2.3L turbo 4-cylinder and 10-speed automatic offers 24 MPG combined (22 City/33 Highway). This is almost identical to the GR 86’s combined figure, despite the Mustang’s significantly higher horsepower output (315 hp). However, the Mustang is also a heavier, larger car, and delivers its power with forced induction, which fundamentally alters the driving feel compared to the GR 86’s naturally aspirated immediacy. For fans of all Toyota fuel economy data, the GR 86 slots in as a unique offering, balancing power and efficiency in a pure, unadulterated sports car package. The GR 86’s direct comparison highlights its efficiency as a result of its packaging and calibration, rather than its engine size alone.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency

While the GR 86 is built for exhilaration, driving can still yield improved fuel economy. Avoid aggressive acceleration and hard braking; smooth, progressive inputs keep the engine operating more efficiently and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.

Maintain consistent highway speeds. Using cruise control on open stretches of road helps prevent incremental speed fluctuations that waste fuel, keeping the 2.4-liter engine in its optimal, more economical rev range.

Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and consume more fuel, while correctly inflated tires contribute to both safety and efficiency.

Minimize unnecessary weight in the trunk. While the GR 86 is already light, shedding any extraneous items will proportionally lighten the load on the engine, however slightly, contributing to better fuel economy.

Regular maintenance, including timely oil changes and air filter replacements, ensures the engine operates at peak efficiency. A well-maintained engine burns fuel cleaner and more completely, directly impacting your MPG figures.