Toyota GR86 vs Changan Hunter Diesel

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

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
VS
Changan Hunter Diesel in South Africa

Changan Hunter Diesel

4WD AT CE Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 569,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 Nm ⛽ 10.99 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Toyota GR86 vs Changan Hunter Diesel: the short answer

Hunter Diesel has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

Hunter Diesel starts ZAR 300,000 cheaper GR86 from ZAR 749,900 · Hunter Diesel from ZAR 449,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification GR86 Hunter Diesel
Maximum Power GR86173 kW @ 7000 rpm Hunter Diesel110 kW
Maximum Torque GR86250 Nm @ 3700 rpm Hunter Diesel350 Nm
Engine Size GR862387 cc Hunter Diesel2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy GR8610.9 km/l Hunter Diesel10.99 km/l
Ground Clearance GR86130 mm Hunter Diesel226 mm

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

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Changan Hunter Diesel

4WD AT CE

Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

GR86

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

Hunter Diesel

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

GR86

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

Hunter Diesel

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec GR86 Hunter Diesel
360 Degree Camera Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Autonomous Emergency Braking Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Lights Standard -
Auto Wipers Standard Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Warning Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Cruise Control Standard Cruise Control
Driver Fatigue Alert Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Emergency Braking Not Available -
EV Mode Not Available -
Lane Departure Warning Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Lane Keep Assist Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Parking Distance Sensors Rear -
Parking Sensor Rear -
Parking Sensors Rear Rear (2 sensors)
Pre-Collision System Not Available -
Rain Sensor Wipers Standard -
Rear View Camera Standard Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Rear View Camera Standard -
Reverse Camera Standard Yes
Reverse Camera Type Standard -
Reversing Camera Standard -
Surround View Camera Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Parking Sensors Rear Yes
Auto Highbeam Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Park Assist Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Forward Collision Warning Not Available Not Officially Disclosed
Spec GR86 Hunter Diesel
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles Standard Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout RWD 4x4
Differential Lock Not Applicable Rear
Differential Type Front Not Available -
Differential Type Rear Not Available -
Drivetrain RWD 4WD
Drivetrain Layout Rear Wheel Drive Front-engine, four-wheel drive
Engine Position Front Longitudinal -
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears 4 6
Gear Shift Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Automatic
Gearbox 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters 6-Speed Automatic
Gearbox Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Torque-Converter Automatic
LSD Available Torsen LSD Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters Standard Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Yes
Transfer Case Not Applicable Yes
Transfer Case Guard Not Available -
Transmission Speeds 4 6
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Clutch Type Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

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

Performance index: GR86 67 vs Hunter Diesel 62.

Efficiency index: GR86 45 vs Hunter Diesel 45.

Safety-equipment index: GR86 96 vs Hunter Diesel 88.

Practicality index: GR86 46 vs Hunter Diesel 75.

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

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

Hunter Diesel leads by 8 points

Hunter Diesel has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 61% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

Hunter Diesel

61% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Efficiency 45
Performance 62
Efficiency 45
Safety 88
Practicality 75
Leads by 8 points
61
#2

GR86

87% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Ownership 43
Performance 67
Efficiency 45
Safety 96
Practicality 46
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance GR86 +5 Efficiency Level Safety GR86 +8 Practicality Hunter Diesel +29

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Hunter Diesel

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 75/100

GR86

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan Hunter Diesel leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 61 pts for GR86

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

GR86 vs Hunter Diesel questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.