Tamiya GR86 vs. Subaru BRZ: Compare Kits 24361, 24324 and 24362

The kit number settles the most important GR86-versus-BRZ question. Tamiya Toyota GR86 24361 depicts the newer 2021-generation car. Subaru BRZ 24324 depicts the earlier car introduced in 2012. For the newer Subaru counterpart, look for BRZ ZD8 24362.

All three are 1:24 plastic assembly models, but the shared scale does not make their subjects interchangeable. This guide helps you select the right generation, understand the display features and plan the finish. It is especially useful if you are trying to model a car you own, compare the Toyota and Subaru designs, or avoid buying the wrong BRZ box.

Put the three kit numbers side by side

The measurements come from Tamiya’s pages for GR86 24361, BRZ 24324 and BRZ ZD8 24362. The BRZ ZD8 appears here as an identification reference; its inclusion in this table does not indicate a current MM stock offer.

When you want to reproduce a particular car

Start with the generation, then compare the front bumper, lights and rear body shape with photographs of your intended subject. A matching paint color cannot correct a different body generation. If the project is a gift for an owner, a photograph of their car and the exact kit number are more useful than asking only whether they drive a Toyota 86 or a Subaru BRZ.

For a newer Toyota-and-Subaru pairing, compare 24361 with 24362. For a display of the earlier Subaru next to the newer Toyota, 24324 and 24361 can tell a different story: how two related sports-car subjects changed across generations. Label that display accordingly instead of presenting the cars as the same-year alternatives.

A specific road car may also differ from the kit in wheels, trim, market specification or later modifications. Separate the features that matter to your project from the ones you are happy to leave as supplied. If exact factory specification is the goal, use photographs and the kit instructions to decide whether further research or parts are needed before beginning the build.

Both listed MM kits offer an engine display

An opening hood is not unique to the GR86. Tamiya documents a hood support and engine-bay detail for the earlier BRZ 24324 as well. The BRZ also includes an optional rear spoiler, metal transfers and window masks. That makes the generation and the particular body you want stronger deciding factors than simply asking which box contains an engine.

Think about how you will show the finished car. A raised hood directs attention toward the mechanical work; a closed hood keeps the full body line in view. Plan the paint order with that choice in mind and check where the instructions call for small parts to be fitted around the engine. Leave access for the work you intend to do before enclosing an area.

On the BRZ 24324, decide whether to use the optional rear spoiler before committing to the body finish. Follow the kit’s attachment instructions instead of assuming an optional part can be added and removed without affecting the finished surface. The same planning habit applies to any display choice that changes which parts you will use.

Use the kit’s measurements when choosing a case

The GR86 and older BRZ differ by only 1 mm in their listed length, yet Tamiya gives the earlier BRZ a width 10 mm greater. Those are manufacturer model measurements, and they are more useful for planning shelf space than an estimate from the scale alone. Tamiya’s cited page gives length and width for 24324; measure the completed model’s height before committing to a tightly fitted enclosure.

Compare the clear space inside a case with the model, not just the case’s exterior dimensions. Allow room for mirrors, a raised hood and your chosen viewing angle. A car positioned diagonally uses a different footprint from one placed parallel to the sides. You can sketch the intended arrangement on paper before buying, then confirm the final clearances with the completed model.

A two-car display also needs breathing room between the models. The GR86’s 178 mm length is not a recommended case length; it is the length of the model itself. Our Tamiya scale and display-size guide explains how to compare different subjects without treating scale as a universal size label.

Make a paint plan for the exact box

The two MM product listings describe assembly kits with paint and model cement supplied separately. Read the instructions for the kit number on your box, then select one exterior scheme and its interior colors. Keep body-color alternatives separate from colors required for small details. A manufacturer’s page offering several paint schemes is not a shopping list that requires every alternative.

Also distinguish decals, masking stickers and metal transfers. Decals provide graphics; masks protect areas during painting; metal transfers add specific surface details. Their presence does not mean the surrounding body or cabin arrives finished. Our Tamiya paint and supplies guide can help you organize the remaining materials.

Choose kit 24361 if you want to build the newer Toyota. For the original Subaru, use 24324. If you want the newer Subaru beside the GR86, research 24362. Keep those numbers with your project notes, and use the Tamiya kit collection for current offers or the Tamiya guide hub for another comparison.