Want to purchase an extremely fast car at a relatively modest price? Then check out the Toyota Supra.
For car buyers who have been around for a while, the Supra is not a new name. Toyota launched the original Supra as a high-performance version of its Celica in 1978. Toyota ended production 20 years later following moderate sales that hit a high of 34,048 in 1982.
However, there is little in common between the initial Supra and the one Toyota debuted in 2020. For starters, the new Supra is a head turner, one that the neighbors will definitely eye with a certain amount of envy.
Toyota did a smart thing when developing the new rear-wheel drive Supra. It worked with BMW to develop two sports cars with some similarities. The Supra and the BMW Z4 share much of the same chassis and powertrains, and are built in the same Austrian plant. Due to the BMW name, note the Z4 sells for roughly $9,000 more than the Supra.
Long and lean like many sports cars, the Supra has a prominent front grille with six lens LED headlights. The rear design includes a built-in spoiler on the liftgate, dual exhaust with stainless steel exhaust tips, and small LED taillights. Also distinctive is what Toyota calls an aerodynamic double-bubble roof design.
The look is definitely appealing, but let’s return to the original premise – speed and price tag. The sticker price for the standard model is approximately $44,000, which is a bargain by sports car norms. The Supra is thrilling to drive and requires lots of self-control not to regularly exceed the speed limit.
The 2021 Toyota Supra has two turbocharged powertrains – an inline-four and an inline-six. The 2.0-liter, inline-4 generates 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It travels 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and gets fairly good gas mileage (25-32 mpg). It weighs 3,347 pounds, just under 1,000 pounds less than another relatively new sports car, the Lexus LC 500.
The Supra 3.0 version is even faster, employing a turbo inline-6 that produces exhilarating speed due to its 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. It goes a Tesla-like 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and gets 22-30 mpg.
Vehicles capable of excessive speed always seem to come with a great driving experience, and the Supra doesn’t disappoint in this area. Its steering is agile and responsive, making tight turns and challenging roads a fun experience.
AT A GLANCE – 2021 TOYOTA SUPRA
- Performance: turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 255 horsepower; turbo 3.0-liter, six-cylinder, 382 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 25-32 mpg; 22-30 mph
- Price estimate: $44,100 to $54,900
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain: 5 years/60,000 miles; roadside assistance: 3 years/unlimited; corrosion: 5 years/unlimited
The Supra has a user-friendly 8.8-inch infotainment display and utilizes physical buttons and knobs for the primary audio and climate controls.
Standard safety features include lane-departure and forward collision warning, lane keep assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and automatic high-beam headlamps. Like practically every sports car, the Supra has poor rear visibility.
One area where sports cars typically disappoint is limited interior space. Yet that’s not the case with the Supra. It seats two people comfortably, providing adequate head and leg room for taller folks. One complaint is a somewhat low roof line can make it a chore to exit following a long drive.
The Supra employs a user-friendly 8.8-inch infotainment display and utilizes physical buttons and knobs for the primary audio and climate controls. We were pleasantly surprised regarding the roomy cargo area. It measures 10.2 cubic feet and can even accommodate a normal-sized golf bag.
We love many aspects of the Supra, but have two suggestions. It would be fantastic to offer the Supra with manual transmission. Right now, it employs only an eight-speed automatic transmission. A convertible model would also be a wonderful addition.
Monthly sales continued to increase late in 2020 for the Supra. We expect the 2021 numbers to exceed its sales totals for its first year thanks to its enormous performance, attractive exterior, great handling, and affordable price.
Weidel on Wheels is featured regularly on www.tahoeskiworld.com. Auto writer Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel.
