When the Toyota GR86 and the second-generation Subaru BRZ were launched in 2021, they were expected to be the stars of the show. However, the Japanese arrival of the Chevrolet Corvette C8 stole their thunder and went on to win Japan's Performance Car of the Year award. Why?
That's an interesting but silly question. Why did the C8 Corvette win the award that was supposed to be for the second-generation ToyoBaru twin coupes? Before that, let's have a quick re-introduction of these cars.
The Toyota GR86 and the second-generation Subaru BRZ were unveiled in 2021. They are built on an improved version of the signature platform, with upgraded suspension and chassis for better cornering and traction. The flat-4 engine has been increased from 2.0L to 2.4L, resulting in more horsepower and torque.
The eighth-generation Corvette is no longer the Corvette the world knows. For the first time in its history, it's been morphed into a mid-engined supercar, a move that displeased most Corvette purists. Being the first production mid-engined car from General Motors, the C8 Corvette is powered by an all-new 6.2L LT2 V8 engine with 495HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque. Mated to a Corvette-first 8-speed Double Clutch Gearbox, it does 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out in 312kph. It features a brand-new Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 which reads the road every millisecond and adapts in about 10 to 15 milliseconds, as well as double wishbone suspension with height adjustable capability.
The Chevrolet C8 Corvette defeated the second-generation Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 to become the 2021-2022 Japan Performance Car of the Year, the first for an American-made car to win the title.
With Horizon Mexico's smallest circuit track set in the town of Guanajuato becoming my laboratory, the second-generation ToyoBaru coupe twins joined forces to battle against the C8 Corvette. The question is, will they beat the mid-engined American monster machine? Let's roll the tape.
And here are the results...
BRZ ZD8 - 1m00.077s
GR86 - 59.526s
C8 Corvette - 55.005s
The C8 Corvette massively defeated the second-generation ToyoBaru twin coupes with such margins. It's no wonder the Japanese motoring press turned their faces away from them in favor of the Corvette.
Despite being defeated by the Chevrolet C8 Corvette in the title of 2021 Japan's Performance Car of the Year Award, both the GR86 and the BRZ are still one of the best sports cars of the early 2020s because of their affordability, accessible dynamics, and limitless tuning possibilities to turn these reasonably fast cars around. Speaking of which, it's time to reward the ToyoBaru twins for the hard work they've done today. In the spirit of Let's ¡Go!, how about a little Making Drama to spice things up? But first...
The GR86, for the first time in Horizon Mexico, is donning the role of Himitsu no AiPri's main character, Himari Aozora. Suits her personality. As for the BRZ...
My BRZ is donning the role of Himitsu no AiPri's other main character, Mitsuki Hosihkawa. When you look at them, they remind you of the two heroines from "Himitsu no AiPri" who are known for their idol activities across the metaverse. Today is "AiPriVerse Day!"
With the ToyoBaru twins versed in, the GR86 will battle against the competition in a neon-packed EventLab creation called "Neon City Race". At the same time, the BRZ takes on what's known to be an EventLab re-enactment of Malaysia's Genting Highlands, where the mountain roads evoke the drivers' Initial D fantasies. As MC AIMU would say, "AiPriVerse Day!"
Who performed better? Himari or Mitsuki?
The GR86 and BRZ are the fruits of the wonderful collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. These two cars are fit to take on the bold challenges of the Reiwa era. These cars may not live forever in the age of electrification, but the 86 and the BRZ have created an impressive legacy that will be remembered forever for many generations.
In case you forgot, Toyota ended sales of the Camry executive midsize sedan in Japan at the end of last year. Japan did bid farewell to the Camry and with it popped up on Forza Horizon 5, it's time to have my last words with the Camry.
The tenth-generation Toyota Camry popped up on Forza Horizon 5 as a prize car in the High-Performance Dailies Storm Season Playlist and now that I got it, it's time for the final word with the last Camry sold in its native market.
The tenth-generation Toyota Camry was launched in the summer of 2017 and it runs on the TNGA platform. In Japan, it's offered only as a hybrid and it features a brand new 2.5L A25A-FXS petrol engine mated to an 88kW electric motor and a Li-ion battery, resulting in a combined power output of 211PS of power. With a CVT standard, fuel efficiency varies by 28.4 to 33.4km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards. With sales of the Camry ending in Japan at the end of 2023, the 10th-generation Camry will be the last Camry sold in Japan.
This marks the third TNGA Toyota car to enter the world of Forza since the Lexus LC500 and the Toyota GR Yaris and here's hoping for more TNGA Toyotas.
The car shown here is not the one I mentioned. It's the North American-exclusive Camry TRD. It has a 301-hp 2GR-FKS 3.5L V6 petrol engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It also has a TRD-tweaked aero kit and improved dynamics.
It's amazing that North America still has V6-powered Camrys like this, although the tenth-generation model marked the final time a Camry is powered by a V6. Anyway, long story short, it's time to find out just how good the un-Japanese Camry TRD is by tackling the competition in one of the four new sprint races that debuted in the High-Performance Dailies update. Let's roll the tape.
This Camry TRD is a road-legal NASCAR hero. It's a lot of fun to drive, especially since it may be the last time a Camry like this is powered by a not-for-Japan V6 engine.
The Toyota Camry is already discontinued in Japan, but it continues to be sold in other countries. It's a sad time for Japanese car enthusiasts and another sign that Japan is becoming more of an isolationist state when it comes to world cars. Yes, I said that at the moment Toyota announced the end of the Camry in its home market after 43 years. Long story short but you get the point.
First made a worldwide premiere at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR is now a living thing, and with prices starting at 6.5 million Japanese Yen plus additional costs, you can now have an LBX that is as good as a Toyota GR Yaris but with extra doors for your buddies.
2025 Lexus LBX Morizo RR
The first-ever Lexus LBX Morizo RR is the result of what happens when a regular Lexus baby crossover watches too much shonen anime content and goes over 9000 if you know what I'm saying. Metaphors aside, the naming is proof that this hi-performance compact is the handwork of Morizo, former Toyota boss Akio Toyoda's nickname.
2025 Lexus LBX Morizo RR
2025 Lexus LBX Morizo RR interior
Although it looks and feels just like a normal LBX, the sporty aerodynamics and the sports seats up front are proof that this is no ordinary LBX. This is basically a glorified Toyota GR Yaris with two extra doors for everybody. Want to know the kicker? A random 100 customers will have a chance to personalize their own interiors courtesy of the Bespoke Build variant with eight seat colors, three seatbelt colors, and three stitching offered for its 100 randomly chosen potential customers. Yes. Randomly chosen because of the lottery system implemented just like the Toyota GR Corolla a while back.
Powering the LBX Morizo RR is the same G16E-GTS 1.6L 3-cylinder intercooler turbo engine that powers the recently facelifted GR Yaris, producing 304PS power output and 400Nm of torque. In addition to the 8-speed Direct Automatic Transmission, which debuted on the GR Yaris minor change, the LBX Morizo RR is the first Lexus to be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Yes. The first-ever Lexus with a stick shift. How about that? Don't say anything.
Being pleased about the Lexus-first manual gearbox implemented on this crossover, the LBX Morizo RR accommodates its electronically controlled full-time AWD driveline with the suspension layout of the AWD version of the base LBX, which is MacPherson struts in front and a double wishbone arrangement at the rear. Thanks to the dynamics inherited from the facelifted Toyota GR Yaris, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR is well-prepared to tear through asphalt or dirt if you're into that.
At long last, there is now a Lexus that is worth addictive to drive in GR Yaris-sized chunks, and with the Lexus-first manual gearbox, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR is too awesome to be missed. This is your newest JDM favorite.
Available Colors: White Nova Glass Flake & Black, Heat Blue Contrast Layering & Black, Red Spinel & Black, Sonic Chrome & Black, and Graphite Black Glass Flake.
The new era of JDM sports cars is here, and it's being led by the GR Supra, the GR Yaris, and the GR86. These three models are the first of their kind in this current era, and they're all from Toyota, a Japanese motoring giant.
Toyota has always been at the forefront of automotive innovation, and they're continuing that tradition with these three new sports cars. They're all designed to be fun to drive, and they all have the performance to match. If you're looking for a new sports car, one of these three is sure to be a great option.
The GR Supra is the first of the Reiwa-era JDM sports cars. It was launched in May of 2019 and hailed as the return of "The Sports of Toyota." This car has been met with mixed reactions, but it’s definitely the first JDM sports car of the new era.
Though it’s a Supra, it's basically a BMW Z4 G23 underneath due to the connection between BMW and Toyota. Its design borrows inspiration from the FT-1 Concept and shares most of its engines with the BMW Z4, like the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for the range-topping RZ variant. The RZ variant produces 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All of the engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox.
Next up is the GR Yaris that I won from Forza Horizon 5 Modern Horizons Dry Season Playlist. The new Toyota GR Yaris is a road-legal rally car, and it’s the second JDM sports car of the Reiwa era. It’s based on the fourth-generation Yaris, but it’s wider and has two fewer doors. It’s powered by a 1.6L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, and it has a GR-FOUR four-wheel-drive system. There’s also a cheaper RS variant with a 1.5L engine and a CVT.
Lastly but not obviously the least is the Toyota GR86. The GR86 is a worthy successor to the GT86. It keeps all the qualities that made the GT86 so popular, while also improving upon them in many ways. The updated platform and suspension give it better handling than ever before, and the larger engine provides a noticeable boost in power. If you're looking for an affordable sports car that's fun to drive, the GR86 is definitely worth considering.
Here we go again. It's time to give these Reiwa-era Toyota sports cars a quick lap around the Lookout Circuit located near the Horizon Rush site. As the trio of Reiwa-era Toyota sports cars flex its Japanese muscles, it's time to give them a one-lap time attack just to find out which one is best. Roll the tape.
And here are the results...
GR Supra - 1m04.548s
GR Yaris - 1m06.633s
GR86 - 1m06.667s
The Supra is still the king of Toyota sports cars even in its modern form. I have no judgment here. It's a great car, and it's easy to see why it's so popular. If you're looking for a new sports car, the Supra should definitely be on your list.
The Reiwa era has shown signs of what the future holds. In the case of sports cars, will the future include them or will they be wiped out? It’s going to be a tough battle for companies who still make sports cars, including Toyota, but an exciting one nonetheless.
So thank you, Toyota, for creating sports cars enthusiasts will love in the midst of the new normal.
EPILOGUE
With the GR Yaris completing the Reiwa era JDM sports car First Three in Forza Horizon 5, it's time to give this road-legal rally car the spotlight it deserves. This calls for a makeover.
And here she is. Ann from Aikatsu Planet, come on down!
With Ann's name written all over the GR Yaris and I made some rally-spec calibrations to match the GRMN Yaris Rally Package's specifications, it's time for its one-car show as my GR Yaris takes on a complex rallycross creation made by a certain Forza fanatic. If by complex, it really is, especially while battling against a horde of old cars preparing to meet their makers. Send in the video.
Complex as expected but the Rally Package on my GR Yaris worked wonders.
The GR Yaris is definitely a rally weapon, but it's still an enjoyable sports car. It's every bit as much fun to drive as the GR86, and it's even more exciting than the king of Toyota sports cars: the GR Supra. If you're looking for a road-legal rally car that's fun to drive nearly everywhere, the GR Yaris is a great option. It's a well-rounded car that can do it all.
Toyota's GR Yaris is the only three-door super hot hatch they make. It's been given a minor change for the 2025 model year. Although controversial, it's been given major upgrades to make it more accessible for speedo boys everywhere.
2025 Toyota GR Yaris
The 2025 Toyota GR Yaris, starting at 3,490,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, is the improved version of what Toyota claims to be a road-legal rally car. Although it's insane to call it, the latest revisions are a love-or-hate affair at first sight. Don't ask why.
Beginning with the exterior, the GR Yaris now sports a new front bumper design while the rear view ditches the Toyota logo while donning the Durango-esque taillights. The new look mimics its rally car equivalent, although explaining why is complicated.
2025 Toyota GR Yaris interior
The inside job is where the GR Yaris' minor change draws flak from observers. Instead of the dashboard from the normal Yaris, the new center console is repositioned to the driver's side, and as an optional extra for the entry-level RC version, you can have the handbrake positioned near the gear lever, giving you the experience that rally drivers and drifters do. Flashy but it works wonders.
The revised interior also sports the new 12.3-inch color instrument panel displaying real-time driving information and improved driving position to make driving slightly more accessible.
2025 Toyota GR Yaris
The G16E-GTS 1.6L 3-cylinder intercooler turbo engine that powers the GR Yaris has been improved with added 32PS of power compared to the pre-facelifted GR Yaris, meaning it produces 304PS power output and 400Nm of torque. With the 6-speed manual gearbox, fuel economy is 12.4km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.
The 2025 GR Yaris marks the debut of the 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, an automatic gearbox recalibrated with sporty driving in mind. Although it feels cheesy compared to the 6MT variant, it's good for 10.8km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.
In addition to numerous revisions underneath the shell, the GR Yaris is prepped with the Drive Mode Select, which allows drivers to select three different modes that can alter the electronic power steering, air con, and powertrain's behavior. There's even a Circuit Mode feature that unleashes the full majesty of the GR Yaris while you're in tracks like Tsukuba, Fuji, or Suzuka. Although mild and menacing for a 4WD super hot hatch, it's more addictive to drive compared to the old GR Yaris.
With the flagship RZ "High Performance" variant, you can expect specially tuned suspension, red-colored calipers, an air-cooled intercooler with spray, a piano black radiator griller, and brake ducts.
As expected, the GR Yaris comes with the Toyota Safety Sense, blind spot monitor and safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert for MT variants, parking support brake for AT variants, and a rearview monitor.
Love it or hate it, the 2025 GR Yaris minor change is a better version of Toyota's road-legal rally car that is not afraid to get itself dirty. From the streets of Tokyo to Hokkaido's dirtiest roads, this 4WD super hot hatch is ready to roll for more. Are you not entertained?
Available Colors: Super White II, Platinum White Pearl Mica, Precious Metal, Precious Black Pearl, and Emotional Red II.
After four generations, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is no more. In its place, a new successor is taking over in the Light Duty class of the Toyota Land Cruiser lineage, sitting between the Heavy Duty-type Land Cruiser 70 and the flagship Station Wagon-type Land Cruiser 300. Welcome to the all-new Land Cruiser 250.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250
Starting at 5,200,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the first-ever Land Cruiser 250 picks up where the Prado left off with its boxy styling, luxurious interior, legendary off-road capability, and an array of tech worthy of bearing the Land Cruiser bloodline.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250
Beginning with the design, the Land Cruiser 250 uses the cubic approach that will leave observers Tetris-eyed. Be there and be square, they said, and like the final Prado it replaces, the Land Cruiser 250 doesn't feature a rear spare wheel. Fair enough.
In observance of the Land Cruiser's heritage, the 250 doesn't use Toyota logos all over and instead uses TOYOTA letterings. A real blast from the past.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 interior
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 interior
Apart from the squarish exterior design that makes their square pants fizz, the all-new interior stays true to the Land Cruiser's character as a luxury off-roader not only works as a family-oriented vehicle but for taking VIPs and executives to their important points of interest. The driver's side is packed with a 12.3-inch TFT display that tells most of the important stuff around this car, the available 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment purposes, HUD, digital rearview mirror, climate control, Nanoe X, and heated steering wheel, among others.
Apart from that, the Land Cruiser 250 is offered with a choice of a 5-seater or a 7-seater. Whichever seating layout you're on, you will be greeted with luxurious features like the power moonroof, and the available JBL Premium Sound System. As for boot space, it's good for up to four golf bags with all of the passenger seats folded down. For easy access, the Land Cruiser 250 comes with a hands-free power liftgate that can automatically open with your foot lift.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250
With the TNGA platform and a ladder frame chassis, the Land Cruiser 250 is better to drive and more rigid than the Prado. It even has improved braked towing capacity as well. For the first time in a Land Cruiser series, the 250 features electric power steering and a brand-new Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism (SDM) that allows drivers to manually switch the stabilizer between 'locked' and 'free' for extended wheel articulation. Other useful features of the Land Cruiser 250 include Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select, the improved Multi-Terrain Monitor with a Toyota-first back underfloor view, full-time 4WD with Torsen LSD, Downhill Assist Control, Hillstart Assist Control, A-TRC, electric rear diff lock, and Drive Mode Select.
The Land Cruiser 250 is offered in a choice of a VX-exclusive 163PS 2.7L 2TR-FE petrol engine mated to a 6-speed Super ECT and the one engine that scares all Japanese straight, a 204PS 2.8L 1GD-FTV diesel engine (optional on the VX model, exclusive to the GX and ZX models) mated to a Direct Shift-8AT with paddle shifters. The petrol version has a fuel economy of 7.5km/L while the diesel version does 11km/L. All are based on WLTC Mode standards.
In terms of safety, the Land Cruiser 250 features the new and improved Toyota Safety Sense comprising advanced features such as the Pre-Collision Safety System with Pedestrian Detection and Road Sign Assist, among others.
Being the Prado's successor can be stressful work, especially with the diesel engine being the cream of the crop. The kind of engine that terrifies Gen Alfa Japanese people lately. Despite mixed results, the Land Cruiser 250 is still the Prado's successor worth waiting for. The middle child of the Land Cruiser family is now cubed for perfection. Let's see if the Japanese public had their word with this off-roader.
Just don't call this a Prado anymore because the Land Cruiser 250 is no longer the Prado of yesteryears. This off-roader has turned.
Available Colors: Avantgarde Bronze Metallic, Super White II, Platinum White Pearl Mica, Black, Avantgarde Bronze Metallic, and Smoky Blue.
Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac. Three carmakers took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. I've been asked if I can reimagine the Le Mans' centennial podium as road cars, which car per brand will it be standing in the now-legendary podium and why?
My obvious choices for my Le Mans centennial podium reimagined as road cars are; the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Toyota GR Supra, and the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. When you do an improv on them, you'll know they had learnings from their now-legendary podium-standing equivalents in Le Mans.
The SF90 Stradale uses most of Scuderia Ferrari's motorsport know-how and the teachings from the LaFerrari to create the de-facto flagship PHEV hypercar that can dominate the road and track with surgical precision. Powering the SF90 Stradale is a plug-in hybrid setup, a first for Ferrari, where the turbocharged F154 4.0L V8 engine, producing 780PS of power, is connected to three electric motors, two on the front axle and one between the engine and the 8-speed double-clutch gearbox, resulting to a monstrous 1,000PS of total power output that pushes the SF90 to a 0-100kph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 340kph.
The Toyota GR Supra is the first of the Reiwa-era JDM sportscars when it was launched in May 2019, a month after the beginning of the Reiwa era in Japan. Despite the BMW connection because it runs on the same mechanicals as the BMW Z4 G29, most speedo boys went for the Toyota rather than its BMW equivalent because, obviously, IT'S A TOYOTA. Powering the GR Supra is a choice of a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for the range-topping RZ variant, seen here, producing 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All of the engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox. Later updates gave a power hike on the 3.0L turbo engine as well as the implementation of a 6-speed manual gearbox, which made it slightly lighter and more fun.
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing transforms the sober American businessman's car into a WMD for the road and track. The 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine was a complete carryover from the old CTS-V but it has been boosted to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. It also comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others.
Judging by the performance the reimagined centennial podium possessed, there's no way I would have a three-way shootout between them because, truth be told, the SF90 will mince them both just as Ferrari crushed both Toyota and Cadillac in the Le Mans centennial anniversary race of 2023. I know, the CT5-V Blackwing's more powerful than the Supra but because the Supra is lighter, it slips through the American businessman's car gone mad at ease. Still, using the power of improv, I decided to give the reimagined Le Mans centennial podium a little talent show to demonstrate their native talents and with that, some makeovers.
Using Hana again? I'm starting to fall in love with my in-game GR Supra decorated with Aikatsu Planet's Hana because it has that "main character energy" on it, just like her. This is why I'm using her again for the little exhibition show I've run for her. A final encore, if you like.
The Wings on the Road, CT5-V Blackwing, is now peppered with a touch of Beat from Aikatsu Planet. Suits its personality well because driving the CT5-V Blackwing gives you the impression of pouring a bottle of cola into a teacup and sipping it in. I admire its level of sophistication as much as Beat herself. The CT5-V Blackwing is an awesome super saloon but today, the wings on the road's got Beat's name all over them, the equivalent of drinking cola out of a teacup. Classy, siddity, and elegance.
Lastly, Ferrari's de-facto flagship hypercar, the SF90, is now wrapped in the thorns of Rose from Aikatsu Planet. The toughest ones are always in the Ferrari and Ferrari is the alpha male of the supercar realm, making it the ideal role for the SF90 as Aikatsu Planet's toughest character, the final boss if you like. Up for a real challenge? You'll gonna have to take on her.
With my favorite cars mirrored in, it's time for the reimagined Le Mans centennial trio to have exhibition matches against Horizon's best drivers assembled including dummy drivers in reserve. Time to show these three what they're capable of and how Le Mans influenced sports cars like these. Send in the clips.
The trio put on a great show as if this was the last live show of their lives.
Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. When reimagined as road cars in the form of the SF90 Stradale, the GR Supra, and the CT5-V Blackwing, they really shine because of the learnings from their podium-standing equivalents, and when they're mirrored in, they can see their true colors.
Should the next Le Mans race come in, will Toyota mean revenge against Ferrari? Is Ferrari defending its Le Mans comeback? Or will there be another surprise in store? Only time will tell in the summer...