2021 Toyota Supra | Review
Kelley Blue Book Kelley Blue Book
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 Published On May 13, 2020

For the latest Toyota GR Supra pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/toyota/supra/

We got our hands on both the 4- and 6-cylinder Toyota GR Supra. Well, that sounds like a good engine comparison to me!

Quick note, gear ratios on the 8-speed automatic, steering ratios, and suspension setups and all the same on both cars. Wheels and brakes are bigger on the 6-cyl, otherwise, this should make for an excellent comparison.

Toyota goosed up the 3.0-liter inline-six under the hood. This sucker now squirts out 382 hp at 5,800 rpm. That’s 47 more ponies than the previous model.

You’ve also got improved torque numbers, too.

386 lb-ft instead of 365 to be specific.

That extra juice works in your favor nicely during low range shifting situations. Max torque kicks in at 1,800 rpms.

But is it that extra oomph noticeable? Honestly, it is.

I genuinely think the Supra delivers a solid sports car experience. And now that’s amplified.

This engine is energetic and exciting. It has gravitas and feels confident and substantial from the driver’s seat.

With that wall of low-end torque, the Supra explodes out of turns in the canyons. And that’s even if you’re not picking the optimal gear.

On the highway, if you’re looking to gun it, the twin-scroll turbo pretty much makes any lag indiscernible and power delivery feels smooth and continuous in upshifts. I mean, we thought the acceleration before in this sucker was bueno. Now it’s super bueno.

And it sounds great, yes Bimmer-esque, but still great. It’s sort of like if a Tasmanian devil swallowed a weed whacker. But in a totally good way.

VO: Honestly, this really is a fun pod on wheels.

So now you expect me to get into a four-cylinder car with less horsepower.

Don’t judge too quickly. There are many examples we can think of where a smaller-engined iteration of a car scores just as many fun points.

The four-cylinder Jaguar F-Type and the Aston Martin DB11 V8 are two right off the top of our heads.

The Supra’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder churns out 255hp @5,000 rpm 295 hp @1,550 rpm, 131 fewer horses than its 6.

But you’re also looking at an over 200-pound weight reduction in the 4. Let’s see how that translates.

The first thing you notice is the sound. You don’t get that cacophonous chortle. that crackle in Sport mode when you accelerate that you get with the 6. That just means with the 4-banger you can crank up the Van Halen. Don’t like Van Halen? Then subscribe to the KBB YouTube channel. No, those have two things have nothing to do with each other at all.

VO: I feel the turbo lag more here, yes, and no, it’s not as quick. 0-60 times are projected by Toyota at 5 seconds instead of the 6’s 3.9 seconds.

But this car definitely feels lighter on the road. Where the 6 gets squirrely and starts to lose the back end, in this, if you go over a bump at speed it feels like you might get four wheels off. Man, this thing is spry and cheeky.

But truthfully the balance of the car feels better here.

The power to weight ratio is better on the 6, but it’s pretty respectable here, too.

It feels like this car doesn’t take itself as seriously as the 6.

One thing I do notice is that even though you get max torque lower in the rev range in the 4, it doesn’t feel as potent. The gear ratios should be retuned for the 4. The 6 can muscle itself out if you’re not in the right gear, but the four just doesn’t quite have the same juice. This is where this car begs for a manual.

However, it still kicks butt and it’ll cost you less money for all this rollicking enjoyment. I would like to have the 6’s upgraded Brembo brakes on this, though. Those are way better.

Not going to lie, there are definitely things about this car I would change. I still think it looks like something only a mother can love, but if you buy one you’re the mama, so you’ll love it. And lots of people really love this thing.

Once you’re on the road, who cares what it looks like. With either engine, the Supra truly is a fun driver. I think I might like the 4 better. I guess I'll have to keep driving.

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