The car market today is all about SUVs, crossovers, and electrification, which has left traditional enthusiast cars increasingly squeezed out. Affordable sports cars, in particular, are becoming harder to find, which is why models like the Toyota GR86 and Mazda MX-5 Miata still matter. Both stick to the basics — light weight, rear-wheel drive, and driver involvement — without chasing luxury or tech for its own sake.
But while the Miata remains the reference point for open-top, lightweight fun, recent U.S. sales show the GR86 edging ahead, with about 9,940 units sold in 2025 compared with the Miata’s 8,727. In a small segment, that gap counts, and it reflects a growing number of buyers looking for a sports car they can enjoy every day, not just on weekends.
Why The 2025 Toyota GR86 Outsells The Mazda MX-5 Miata
Higher Sales Volume In The U.S. Market
Look purely at the numbers, and the picture becomes clear. In 2025, the GR86 outsold the Miata by just over 1,200 units in the U.S. market. On its own, that might not sound dramatic, but context matters. These aren’t mass-market cars selling in the hundreds of thousands. Annual volumes live firmly in the four-figure range. A gap of that size represents a real difference in buyer behavior. The trend also isn’t limited to a single year. Go back to 2024, and the pattern is even more pronounced.
Toyota sold 11,426 GR86s, while Mazda moved 8,103 Miatas. That’s a margin of more than 3,000 cars, reinforcing the idea that the GR86’s stronger performance isn’t a one-off spike driven by supply or timing. Those figures suggest that the GR86 aligns more closely with how many Americans actually use their cars. The Miata, for all its brilliance, is often treated as a second vehicle. It’s the car that comes out on weekends, on sunny days, or when the drive itself is the destination.
Daily Usability For One-Car Garages
The GR86, on the other hand, is more often bought as a primary car — the one that has to do everything. That distinction matters. Buyers looking for a single car that can handle commuting, longer highway trips, and the occasional backroad blast tend to lean toward something more flexible. The GR86’s coupe layout, extra space, and fixed roof make it easier to justify as an everyday choice. Yes, it’s still not practical, but comparing it to the Miata, it wins there. Toyota’s larger dealer footprint certainly helps visibility, but the sales gap exists mainly because the product fits more people’s lives.
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Entry-Level Pricing Of The Toyota GR86 Reaches More Buyers
Price has always been central to the appeal of both the GR86 and the Miata. Neither would exist if it didn’t deliver serious driving enjoyment at a high price. That said, the way each car approaches value varies slightly. The Toyota GR86 starts at around $30,000, making it an accessible entry point for buyers moving up from hot hatches or compact sedans who want a proper sports car without paying premium-brand prices.
The Miata is priced similarly at the base level. Still, costs rise quickly with higher trims — especially the retractable fastback — which can make a two-seat roadster harder to justify as a daily driver. The GR86 avoids that dilemma by sticking with a fixed-roof coupe across the range. That keeps costs in check while also providing practical benefits. Greater rigidity, fewer mechanical complexities, and better noise isolation all add up to a car that feels more settled in everyday use.
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It also helps that the GR86 doesn’t feel stripped at entry level. Rear-wheel drive, a naturally aspirated engine, a limited-slip differential on most trims, and the choice of manual or automatic are all there without digging deep into an options list. That straightforward approach to value is a major reason the GR86 connects with a broader group of buyers — and why more of them ultimately leave showrooms with Toyota keys.
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Power And Variety Drive Strong Demand
Multiple Powertrain Advantages Of The Toyota GR86 Compared To The Miata
Under the bonnet, the differences between these two cars become more obvious. The GR86 is powered by a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated flat-four, producing 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Compared with the previous generation, it delivers stronger mid-range response and a more relaxed feel in everyday driving. The Miata uses a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with around 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.
On paper, the numbers clearly favor the GR86. The Miata still has the edge in outright lightness and balance. Few cars communicate the road quite like it does. But there’s no escaping the fact that some buyers prefer a bit more muscle. For drivers used to stronger straight-line performance, the GR86 feels more substantial when leaned on, especially in daily use. That extra output makes it easier to live with and broadens its appeal beyond purists who prioritize delicacy above all else.
Transmission Choice Also Plays A Role Here
Both cars offer excellent six-speed manuals, and enthusiasts will continue to gravitate toward them. But the GR86’s automatic has improved significantly and no longer feels like an afterthought. It’s quicker, sharper, and better suited to modern traffic. That matters to buyers who want sports-car styling and performance without committing to a manual every day — and it helps explain why the GR86 reaches a wider audience.
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Everyday Usability Makes A Difference
More Space And Practicality In The Toyota GR86 Than A Two-Seat Roadster
If there’s one area where the GR86 consistently wins over undecided buyers, it’s usability. As a compact 2+2 coupe, it offers just enough flexibility to make a real difference. The rear seats are small, but they’re useful — whether for short passenger trips or extra storage when needed. Cargo space tells a similar story.
The GR86’s trunk is larger and easier to load than the Miata’s compact boot, making it far more accommodating for everyday errands, weekend trips, or carrying gear. For buyers planning to live with their sports car year-round, those details matter more than they might expect.
Inside, the GR86 feels roomier and better insulated thanks to its fixed roof. In contrast, the Miata’s snug, driver-focused cabin can feel tight on longer drives, making the Toyota easier to live with for a wider range of owners.
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How The Toyota GR86 Scales From Daily Driver To Weekend Toy
Ultimately, the reason the Toyota GR86 outsells the Mazda MX-5 Miata comes down to versatility. The GR86 is a car that adapts. It can commute during the week, handle long road trips without complaint, and still deliver genuine satisfaction when the road opens up on the weekend. Its suspension tuning is firm enough to reward spirited driving yet compliant enough to handle imperfect surfaces. Modern infotainment and safety features make it livable, while the underlying chassis and drivetrain ensure it never forgets its purpose.
The Miata, by contrast, excels when used exactly as intended. As a lightweight, open-air sports car, it remains one of the purest driving experiences on sale. But that purity comes with compromises. Space, comfort, and year-round usability all take a back seat to the driving experience. For many buyers, that’s a trade-off they’re happy to make — but it does limit the Miata’s audience. The GR86’s ability to scale from daily driver to weekend toy without major compromise makes it the more rational choice for many buyers. In a market where practicality increasingly influences purchasing decisions, that rationality translates directly into higher sales.
The GR86’s Popularity Is Holding Steady
The Toyota GR86’s success over the Mazda MX-5 Miata in the U.S. market isn’t about hype or fleeting trends. With 11,426 units sold in 2024 and solid momentum carrying into 2025, the GR86 has demonstrated real demand for a sports car that blends performance, affordability, and everyday usability in one package.
That said, the MX-5 still has the wow factor. It’s cooler, arguably better looking, and will always be a firm favorite among enthusiasts. If you need the added space and flexibility, the GR86 makes a strong case for itself. But if you’re like me — someone willing to forget practicality and give up a bit of power for the experience — the Miata remains hard to beat. Drop the roof, head for your favorite road, and let it do what it does best.
In the end, the Miata remains a near-perfect expression of the lightweight sports-car philosophy. But in a market shaped as much by real-world needs as passion, the GR86 offers something more adaptable. It fits into more garages, suits more lifestyles, and asks fewer compromises from its owners. That balance explains why it outsells the Miata — and why it remains one of the most compelling affordable performance cars on sale today.
Sources: Toyota, Mazda, TrueCar