FWD hot hatch sports car vs. RWD: Which is the best?
“Um, why are you featuring a 30 year old Pontiac in your drag racing videos?” Some of you may be asking this question, so I wanted to address the Trans Am by making another appearance before diving into today’s outing. It’s no secret that your “everyday” sports cars (your Volkswagen GTI Mk8 and your Toyota GR 86) are considerably faster than their direct ancestors. You can thank the automaker’s three decades of R&D for that.
However… there is still a strong conversation around the old ways to be the best Sure, the new cars can get their power down to the ground much more effectively than in the 90s, but they also bring a lot more weight and thrill-killing technology to the table. I mean, the 2023 Toyota GR 86 Premium we have packs with a 6-speed automatic transmission, for crying out loud. I understand why car companies like Toyota and Subaru are leaning towards automatics for cars like these, but as an enthusiast… ugh, just please go through the manual.
Anyway, here’s the question for today’s drag race, roll race and brake test video: can the front-wheel-drive VW GTI show the Toyota GR 86 for what, or will the car win smaller and more nimble rear-wheel drive sports car. Tin neither of them the best of the old school, with a V8 engine, the Firebird Trans Am?
The results are closer than you might think…
At least between the Volkswagen GTI Mk8 and the Toyota GR 86, there are some interesting statistics to ponder. Of course, the 241-horsepower turbocharged GTI only beats the 228-horsepower naturally aspirated GR 86 in a one-mile-above-sea-level drag race. Some of you are probably yelling before or after watching the video what is straight line speed no what Toyota and Subaru’s entry-level RWD sports car is all about (and you’re right).
Fortunately, the new Toyota GR 86 wins some points in the braking test. That said, it’s very close between the two cars there, while they’re also close in our autocross handling test. Both cars cover the course in under 26 seconds, but one manages to pass the other with Tommy at the wheel for both runs.
As for the Trans Am, it’s also a tight race. Check out the full results below and stay tuned for more drag racing coming soon on TFLcar:
