Toyota Supra Returns

Written by Marco Carvajal

The Supra Returns

The Supra is back in the market. I am test driving the 2021 GR Supra 2.0, the base trim in the new Supra lineup

Twenty-two years ago we the classic sports sedan Supra left the U.S. It has been two decades since Toyota stopped producing the beloved Supra, until recently in 2020 Toyota surprised many of us with the release of the Supra in 2020, a completely renovated Supra.

The new Supra is an advanced engineering mixture of German and Japanese car technology and design. Its bodywork is shared with the sporty BMW Z4, including its engine and gearbox.

The Supra is a classic sports car originally released by Toyota in 1978. The original Supra was derived and influenced by the Toyota Celica.

The name Supra comes from Latin, meaning “above” or “to surpass”. The first four generations of the Supra were produced from 1978 to 2002 when the Supra stopped being produced for almost 20 years until the new 2020 Supra was released again by Toyota.

2021 Supra GR

GR stands for Gazoo Racing, a motorsport-influenced signature for special vehicles, an addition to the Supra moniker, which means that the Supra is very important to the image of the Japanese automaker.

Toyota broadens the Supra’s appeal for 2021 by adding an entry-level trim, the Supra 2.0. that I am driving.

The GR Supra 2021 has more power and a four-cylinder engine. Trims 3.0 and 3.0 Premium will now have 382 liters. Also, 1000 special limited versions of the Supra A91 will be released.

The new engine and eight-band automatic will gain speed and power. It is equipped with alloy 18-inch discs with reduced brakes instead of forged 19-inch ones, does not have an active differential, adaptive suspension, and electric seat adjustment, and instead of an audio system with 10 speakers, it has only four.

The Toyota GR Supra has become better at resisting roll and cornering more confidently due to the reconfigured chassis and software updates of a number of systems.

An 8.8-inch touchscreen is now standard on all versions, including the base one, which was previously offered a 6.5-inch screen.

A new Safety and Technology equipment package has been included for Supras sold in the United States, a set of Driver’s Assist options was left available for the three-liter engine Supra trims.

The Toyota Supra 2021 is a sports coupe for two passengers, available in four different trim models: The base 2.0, 3.0, 3.0 Premium, and A91 Edition.

The A91 limited edition includes a new package of equipment with fiber fibers, special graphics, and unique paint color.

Driving the Supra GR 2.0

The base trim 2021 Supra GR 2.0. that I am test driving is new for 2021.  It has a lower price than other Supra models starting at $43,090 MSRP.

The Supra offers an exhilarating blend of performance, style, and fun, with just the right amount of 21st-century heritage and technology. If you are looking for a true sports car the Supra can be a great choice.

The Supra GR 2.0. includes 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, manually adjustable seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8.8-inch center screen, four-speaker sound system, a 1.5-amp USB port.

Engine and Performance

The base 2.0 Supra uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, combined with an 8-Speed Automatic

All other models feature a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 382 horsepower, 368 pound-feet of torque.

The eight-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission available for the two engines, sending its power to the rear wheels.

Fuel Economy for the Supra GR 2.0 is 32 MPG highway, 25 MPG city, and 28 MPG combined.

Its 2.0 turbo engine provides good acceleration but does not compare to the 6-cylinder. The engine noises are not very noticeable when driving at high speed, but it is evident when driving in the city.

Around the corners, the steering wheel stays firm and precise, similar to a BMW. Ride quality is firm but not tough. Because you sit so close to the rear axle, large vertical movements feel more pronounced.

The revised suspension is also better at retaining grip, but it doesn’t feel less lively, which means better cornering and a less immediate tendency to oversteer.

The interior of the Supra is loud, it is not quite as there is a fair amount of road and wind noise. It allows the correct amount of induction noise and exhaust gases when driving in sport mode.

Ride quality is firm but not tough. Because it sits so close to the rear axle, the large vertical movements feel more pronounced. The Supra is really fast and lively, but it’s also comfortable enough to be your daily driver, as long as you don’t need to have more than two passengers including the driver, or as long as you don’t spend a lot of time on rough roads.

Interior Design

The interior of the Supra feels at a good level similar to other sports cars. The doors on the Supra are slightly shorter than average and quite light. The interior is very attractive but interior space is limited.

The seats provide excellent support, but you might find them a bit confined around your shoulders.

At 10.2 cubic feet, the Supra’s trunk has less space than the Porsche Cayman and BMW M2, however, I was able to fit a large suitcase and a smaller carry-on suitcase on top of each other.

Trims and Pricing for the 2021 Toyota GR Supra

Owning a Supra will cost from $43K to $54K, this is not a cheap toy. All the performance, power, and sporty style you will get with a Supra come at a high cost compared to other sport sedans.  Perhaps one of the reasons why the Supra has a premium price is due to the fact that Toyota is only producing a limited amount of Supra models and the addition of BMW technology into the Supra. In the future with more massive production, the cost can probably be lower.

• 2021 Supra GR 2.0
  $43,090 Starting MSRP

• 2021 Supra GR 3.0
  $51,090 Starting MSRP

• 2021 Supra GR 3.0 PREMIUM
  $54,590 Starting MSRP

• 2021 Supra GR A-91 EDITION
  $54,795 Starting MSRP

Standard highlights for the trim Supra GR 3.0 include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, adaptive suspension dampers, dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated leather, and suede upholstery, and power front seats with driver’s seat memory functions. It also comes with a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

Optional for the 3.0 trim is the Navigation + JBL audio package that adds an 8.8-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker premium JBL audio system, and Toyota remote services.

The 3.0 Premium brings the aforementioned and adds upgraded rear brakes, full leather upholstery, a front screen, wireless charging, and heated seats.

The A91 Edition doesn’t include the front screen of the Premium, but adds carbon fiber exterior mirrors, carbon fiber rear spoiler, leather seats and synthetic suede with blue stitching, sport pedals.

The Supra’s combination of sharp acceleration, agility, and sharp steering makes driving a pleasure. The interior is stylish and well done, and the seats provide ample cushioning and room for passengers of all sizes. The Supra is also pretty practical by sports car standards. The car has many safety features, a convenient infotainment system, and low fuel consumption.

Technology-Based on the BMW iDrive System

Those familiar with the old BMW iDrive system will feel right at home with Supra infotainment.

But if you are a new user, you will need to familiarize yourself with the system and menu layout. All the other controls are pretty straightforward.

The navigation system is quite good at understanding natural language commands and locates specific points of interest without an address. It’s easy to use voice commands to configure your route.

There is a USB port, an optional wireless charger, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

A Supra is definitely worth considering if you are looking for a true sports car.

Toyota might have taken an unconventional route to revive its iconic sports car, but the result is very good. This Supra offers an exhilarating blend of performance, style, and fun.

2021 Toyota GR Supra Highlights

• 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger

• 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger

• 16-Valve DOHC, chain drive, with Variable Valve Timing

• 24-Valve DOHC, chain drive, with Variable Valve Timing

• Direct Injection

• Premium Fuel

• 8-speed automatic transmission

• Double-joint type MacPherson strut

• Multi-link with a five-arm construction

• LED front turn signal indicator and Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

• Six-lens auto-leveling LED headlights (3
  low beam, 3 high beam)

• Auto-tilting passenger-side outside mirror
  (when in reverse)

• Auto-dimming driver-side outside mirror

• Aerodynamic underbody panel

• 8.8” full digital TFT LCD gauge cluster
  including tachometer, speedometer & MID

• Large knee support cushions

• Carbon fiber interior trim

• Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters

• Smart key with smart entry and start

• Dual-zone automatic climate control

• Auto-dimming mirror with garage door opener

• Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers

• Manual tilt and telescopic steering column

• Directional parking lights

• 3-point seatbelts for both seating positions

• Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)

Safety Systems

The Supra is a safe sports car, it comes standard with antilock brakes, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. Lane Keeping Assist steers the car back into your lane if it starts to swerve over the lane marker, Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking, warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios, control cruising Optional on all models is the Driver Assist package that adds full-range adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors.