2021 Toyota Supra 2.0 

The Supra gets more attention than anything I have driven, in years.

By Isaac Bouchard

The Supra gets more attention than anything I have driven, in years. I probably shouldn’t have been surprised, but the fourth time someone shouted at me from a passing car within two blocks—in Cherry Creek!—it began to sink in how much the public digs the Toyota. And this affection is spread widely across demographics of (apparent) wealth, age and other parameters. That’s pretty amazing insofar as the last, A80 generation Supra was discontinued almost 20 years ago. I bet most people didn’t know I was piloting the newer, four cylinder model, either, as the only give away are great looking 18-inch wheels, one inch smaller in diameter than those on the six cylinder model.  

No doubt some did know that the Supra was codeveloped with BMW; true sports cars now sell in tiny numbers, meaning the business case for going it alone has left the building. Thankfully, the Bavarian connection has helped yield one of the most superb driving, semi-affordable two seaters of recent years. There’s super-direct steering, pointy front end and excellent handling. You sit way back over rear axle, with a long, sensually shaped hood filling the lower third of the slender view out the front window—unusual in the car world today, and a constant reminder of the Supra’s sporting intent

The 2.0-liter version has non-adjustable damping but still rides well; its only real dynamic weakness is a set of brakes that are not up to track day use (though they feel great in normal driving). This BMW built 255hp engine makes the Supra more than fast enough, sounds rorty as it rips to redline, and will hit 60mph in 4.5 seconds using a drag race-style start. Many of us used to dream of affordable six or eight cylinder cars that would do that. However, in independent 0-60mph testing of the 2.0 Toyota, rolling starts—say from a stop light—take 5.7 secondswhich isn’t quite as thrilling.  Ready access to the engine’s 295lb-ft of torque is provided by a quick shifting 8-speed automatic, but the lack of a manual counts against the Supra amongst some true believers and this auto doesn’t shift as perfectly as a twin clutch unit—or even some other torque converter transmissions. For instance its upshifts in the sportier programing mode are violet, probably to try to fool one into thinking the Supra is even faster. But all this ends up doing is breaking traction at the rear, especially if the chassis is loaded up in a corner. The Supra 2.0 does get great fuel eco, though. 

Inside it is nicely constructed (no surprise given its corporate parents) and the Supra blends BMW controls and an iDrive interface nicely with some Toyota parts. The only exception is the main instrument display, which looks a bit cheap and shiny compared to what Toyota offers in various Lexus models. The Supra is a tight fit; this is not a criticism, but it’s certainly not as roomy as some competitors like the Ford Mustang. Practical storage nooks and a rear cargo area accessed by a hatch add practicality. The Supra 2.0 fits nicely between the Toyota 86 and the six cylinder Supra, with pricing in the $40k-bracket. For those (like me) for whom there can never be enough go or woah, it’s hard not to think the 3.0 is the one, however. Its 382 horses allow it to blast to 60mph in only 3.8 seconds—that is seriously fast—it sounds even better, rides well on its adaptive dampers and has the brakes to haul it all back down, corner after corner. All for less than $5,000 more than the 2.0, if you forgo some optionsEither way, it is wonderful to see the Supra back after all these years. 

EPA Ratings: 25/32/28mpg 

0-60mph: 4.5sec (indep test) 

Price as tested: $47,615 

Here is what Toyota has to say. 


Contact Isaac Bouchard for help saving time, money and hassle when buying or leasing one at [email protected]

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