These days, where greyscale paint reigns supreme, it’s not often a car comes straight from the factory in the perfect spec. It’s even more surprising when that vehicle comes from a mainstream automaker. Toyota is showing once again how it can get things right by bringing back the glorious GR86 Hakone Edition for 2025.
Toyota first introduced a Hakone Edition with the previous-generation 86 in 2019, and the new one follows the same formula. It’s named for the Hakone Turnpike, a legendary road in Japan known to those who are into drifting and “Initial D.” The exterior is finished in Ridge Green paint that’s accented by 18-inch satin bronze wheels, a color-matched ducktail spoiler, black accents and a Hakone Edition badge on the rear.
Inside, things get even better. The black ultrasuede sport seats have tan leather trim and tan stitching, and the Hakone Edition has its own shift knob. There’s a special edition plaque too, of course. The Hakone Edition is based on the GR86 Premium trim, so all the tech and features you want are present including an 8-inch touchscreen, a suite of driver-safety aids and a premium audio system.
While no power upgrades were made to the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, Toyota did retune the throttle mapping for faster off-the-line acceleration and shift blipping on manual-equipped versions. The Hakone Edition also comes standard with re-tuned SACHS dampers and Brembo brakes.
If you’re like me and you want one of these GR86 Hakone Editions, you’ll have to act fast. Toyota says it’s only making 860 for the U.S. market for the 2025 model year, and while Toyota isn’t talking price just yet, the company says we can expect to see the GR86 Hakone Edition at dealers this fall.
