Toyota GT86 Pre Model Manual Car Review - July 2012

Under the bonnet you get a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine which develops 197bhp right at the top of the rev range. It's not the torquiest engine in the world -- you only get 151lb-ft -- and you have to keep the revs quite high to stay on the power. However, this all just adds to the fun.

The GT86's front-engined, rear-drive chassis is absolutely superb, and the steering is crisp and precise. Despite this, the ride isn't completely bone-shaking; however, its credentials as a long distance cruiser are spoiled somewhat by the relatively poor refinement. At speed, road, engine and wind noise are all audible but, then again, you wouldn't buy this car if you wanted a comfortable place to sit.

We can't quite make our mind up about the GT86's looks. In fact, Toyota's sports cars have always divided opinion in the looks department. The Celica, the Supra and even the MR2 were never exactly what you'd call stunners, but maybe this is the point. Whereas a Scirocco or a TT is a style statement, the GT86 is a pure-bred driver's car, unconcerned with the fripperies of fashion. And this makes it pretty cool.

The interior is a bit of a let-down. The whole cabin feels very dated and is built from the sort of plastics which would be immediately familiar to anyone who drives a 1990s supermini.

Apart from the choice between manual and automatic gearboxes, there is only one GT86 on the market, and the good news is that it comes with plenty of standard equipment. You get alloys, climate control, electric mirrors and windows, cruise control, keyless entry, and Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. Sat-nav is available for an extra £750, leather seats will set you back £1600 and metallic paint can be specified for an extra £450.

There are many strings to the GT86's bow, but practicality isn't one of them. Unless you're Douglas Bader -- which we're guessing you're not -- the rear seats are all but useless. However, on the plus side, you do get a decent sized boot at 243-litres.

The GT86 should also be a very safe car. It hasn't yet been tested by Euro NCAP but you do get seven airbags to protect you in the event of a crash, and stability control to stop you having one in the first place.

Reliability should not be an issue either; Toyotas do not break down. However, the GT86 is offered with an impressive five-year/100,000 mile warranty as standard to protect you in the unlikely event that something does go wrong.

At £24,995, the GT86 is astonishing value for money -- it really is impossible to have more fun for less money. Depreciation, however, is likely to be an issue and don't for a second think that the GT86 will hold its value as well as its German rivals.

On top of this, it's not the most frugal car in its class, managing just 36.2mpg on the combined cycle, and CO2 emissions of 181g/km mean that the GT86 falls under a relatively high VED band: I.

However, if you're quibbling over 10mpg here and a VED band there, you're missing the point. The GT86 is a sports car, an indulgence, and it would be foolish to think it could match a conventional hatchback or even a hatchback-derived coupe on running costs.