Changan Alsvin vs Toyota GR86

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Changan Alsvin in South Africa

Changan Alsvin

1.5 AT CE Petrol 5-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 289,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 78 kW 🔧 145 Nm ⛽ 14.49 km/l
VS
Toyota GR86 in South Africa

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 173 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 10.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Alsvin vs Toyota GR86: the short answer

GR86 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.

Alsvin starts ZAR 500,000 cheaper Alsvin from ZAR 249,900 · GR86 from ZAR 749,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Alsvin GR86
Maximum Power Alsvin78 kW GR86173 kW @ 7000 rpm
Maximum Torque Alsvin145 Nm GR86250 Nm @ 3700 rpm
Engine Size Alsvin1500 cc GR862387 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Alsvin14.49 km/l GR8610.9 km/l
Ground Clearance Alsvin150 mm GR86130 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Alsvin

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

GR86

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

Alsvin

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

GR86

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Alsvin GR86
Model Introduced Year 2025 2022
Generation Current South African Alsvin generation launched with two locally named derivatives in 2025. Second generation GR86 with improved 2.4L engine
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced since the current range entered local retail sale. Second generation introduced in 2022 with more power
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable 2022
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Sedan Sedan
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active published
Segment Compact sedan Sedan
Vehicle Type Passenger car Sedan
Color Note - White, Red, Black, Grey, Blue
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg - 1270 kg
Spec Alsvin GR86
Length 4390 mm 4265 mm
Width 1725 mm 1775 mm
Height 1490 mm 1310 mm
Wheelbase 2535 mm 2575 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 150 mm 130 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed -
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 l 50 l
Boot/Cargo Space 390 l 237 l
Kerb Weight 1069 kg 1270 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1470 kg 1660 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed -
Towing Capacity 705 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 4 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows -
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m 5.4 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed -

In depth: how these cars differ

This Alsvin and GR86 comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Alsvin 35 vs GR86 67.

Efficiency index: Alsvin 56 vs GR86 45.

Safety-equipment index: Alsvin 32 vs GR86 96.

Practicality index: Alsvin 54 vs GR86 46.

Ownership-cover index: Alsvin not separately scored vs GR86 43.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

GR86 leads by 18 points

GR86 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.

Evidence leader 61 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 79% source coverage
61
#1 Evidence leader

GR86

79% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Ownership 43
Performance 67
Efficiency 45
Safety 96
Practicality 46
Ownership 43
Leads by 18 points
43
#2

Alsvin

66% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 56 Check Safety 32
Performance 35
Efficiency 56
Safety 32
Practicality 54
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance GR86 +32 Efficiency Alsvin +11 Safety GR86 +64 Practicality Alsvin +8

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

GR86

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 46/100
Ownership 43/100

Alsvin

Performance 35/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 32/100
Practicality 54/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Toyota GR86 leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts vs 43 pts for Alsvin

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, GR86 leads. However, Alsvin may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Alsvin vs GR86 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.