I’ve never really agreed with those that feel let down by the A90-generation Toyota Supra. But I completely understand why some don’t like it and why it continues to ruffle feathers.
In the four years since its release, there remain plenty of enthusiasts who simply can’t get over the fact that it was developed alongside BMW and shares many parts with the Z4 and other BMW models. I know people that still say “Oh, nice BMW!” to A90 Supra owners but it’s important to remember that were it not for Toyota’s partnership with BMW, a new Supra likely never would have never been created. And, after all, BMW has a rich history of building incredible sports cars, so what’s the big deal?
| › Model: | 2023 Toyota GR Supra GTS |
| › Starting Price: | AU$106,015 (As Tested – AU$108,065) |
| › Powertrain: | 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six |
| › Output: | 382 hp (285 kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque |
| › Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| › On Sale: | Now |
SWIPE
Of course, some will say that had Toyota developed the Supra by itself, it would have been better. Were Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division to make a new Supra in 2023, we suspect it could be better but sadly, that’s not the reality we’re living in as when the car was being developed, GR was still focused on motorsport, not road cars like it is now.
So that brings me to today. All of these thoughts were running through my mind as I picked up the keys to the most enthusiast-oriented version of the new-age Supra, the six-speed manual model. What I found before me was a front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car with a powerful engine and a stick shift. That sounds like the perfect recipe for success. However, it took more than the first drive for me to fully appreciate just how good this thing is.
Read: Nearly Half Of 2023 Toyota GR Supra Buyers Opted For Manual Transmission
As you probably already know, the Supra is powered by BMW’s B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six and while some markets also have the option of a 2.0-liter turbo-four, Australia only gets the 3.0-liter. This engine is superb and pumps out an impressive 285 kW (382 hp) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque and for the first few years of the car’s production run, was exclusively paired to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.
Then came along the six-speed manual. This is the car that many car enthusiasts had been waiting for and it is certainly the better of the two options. The gearbox takes the form of a modified ZF system that includes a new clutch and tweaked linkages. As we found out, it also adds a whole new thrill to driving the Supra.
Two versions of the Supra are sold in Australia. The entry-level model, priced from AU$96,101 ($61,514) including on-road costs, is dubbed the GT and is very well-equipped. In addition to coming with the choice between the eight-speed auto and the six-speed manual, it lands with 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, seven airbags, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, safety systems like Pre-Collision Safety with daytime pedestrian and cyclist detection, and 10-speaker audio system.
Our test car was the Supra GTS. It starts at AU$106,015 ($67,860) and adds 19-inch forged alloy wheels, a head-up display, and a 12-speaker JBL audio system. It can also be optioned with tan leather-accented seat trim or black Alcantara seat trim in addition to the black leather that is the sole option on the GT. The Matte White paint of our test car, as well as Nurburg Matte Grey, are offered exclusively on the GTS and add AU$2,050 ($1,312) to the sticker price.
Toyota’s nicest cabin
Stepping into the Supra for the first time I was quickly reminded of just how compact the cabin feels. You sink down into the excellent GR sports seats and get a good view of the road but with everything finished in black, it can feel a little claustrophobic and is certainly tighter than the interior of the new Nissan Z.
The gear shifter immediately caught my eye. It is small and looks a little dainty when compared to the shifters of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla but feels premium and is nicely weighted (more on that later). The rest of the cabin is familiar with the automatic Supra and plenty of BMW models too.
Read: I Drove A 2020 Toyota GR Supra GTS For A Week, Here’s What I Think About It
Sitting atop the dashboard is an 8.8-inch infotainment display with BMW’s iDrive software and those who hate touchscreens will be pleased to know it can also be operated with a controller on the transmission tunnel. It’s nice that the Supra retains physical buttons and knobs for the HVAC system and the inclusion of a wireless smartphone charger with a little cradle to keep your phone secured is also most welcome. The cabin is absolutely more premium than that of the new Nissan Z.
Fun, sporty, and poised
But, let’s be honest, you don’t really care about the interior of the Supra, do you? What you really want to know is how it drives, right? Well, we’re happy to report that the six-speed Supra is an absolute joy to drive and to live with.
I wasn’t so sure during my first 20 minutes with the car, however. After slotting the car into first gear and pulling away, I was surprised by how light the clutch is and how high the engagement point is, especially compared to the GR Corolla I drove just a few weeks prior. I was also taken aback by just how light and undramatic the shifting action is. Toyota says the Supra has a 200-gram gear knob but it doesn’t really feel like it. The shifting action is a far cry from that of the Nissan Z where you feel like you’re getting an arm workout every time you drive. It is also less notchy than the six-speeds used in other GR products.
In the GR Corolla, the engagement point feels like it is just a few millimeters off the floor, allowing you to slam it through the gears without a care in the world. The six-speed of the Supra requires a little more finesse and on more than one occasion I found myself inadvertently riding the clutch while making a change. Once I got used to the unique feel of the gearbox is when I really started to feel at home in the Supra.
The thrill of driving – in a Toyota
The 3.0-liter engine pulls strongly throughout the entire rev range and while it does not feel as muscular as the twin-turbo V6 of the Z, it makes for a very quick car and one that can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 4.2 seconds.
The Supra really begins to pull away from the Z from a dynamic standpoint. While the Z is newer, there’s no doubt that the Toyota has it beat in the handling stakes. Equipped with a sticky set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, our GTS test car offered superb levels of grip and a particularly responsive front end. It feels light on its feet through corners and while it is quite powerful, the rear-end isn’t particularly frisky like it is in the Z.
It feels like an altogether better-sorted and more premium option to the Nissan for those seeking an out-and-out sports car. It’s not a bad daily driver either. The automatic rev-matching system works very well as do the strong brakes.
Our test car was lacking a little in the sound department. When we first tested the Supra at the start of 2020, the exhaust cracked and popped feverously when it was in Sport mode. Not the case here. In fact, the best we got was some burbles, a fry cry from the gunshot shots we were expecting. According to the internet, 2020MY Supra models sounded the most manic of them all, and the six-speed simply isn’t as loud as the auto. Shame.
We were pleasantly surprised with the fuel efficiency of the Supra. Toyota’s official claim is that it consumes 8.9l/100 km (26 U.S. MPG) over the combined cycle and while we did not average that given we did quite a lot of sporty driving, the Supra will happily sit at 8.0l/100 km (29.4 mpg) at highway speeds.
All told, the 2023 Toyota GR Supra GTS with the six-speed is a brilliant sports car. While we think it could have been even better if its transmission was more similar to that of the GR Corolla, it remains infinitely more enjoyable to use than the eight-speed automatic.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/CarScoops
FAQs
Review: 2023 Toyota GR Supra GTS Six-Speed Gets The Heart Racing And Blood Pumping? ›
All told, the 2023 Toyota GR Supra GTS with the six-speed is a brilliant sports car. While we think it could have been even better if its transmission was more similar to that of the GR Corolla, it remains infinitely more enjoyable to use than the eight-speed automatic.
Is the 2023 GR Supra worth it? ›Toyota's halo sports car, the 2023 GR Supra, delivers enough excitement, style, and drama to make up for the brand's more sedate sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs. Developed and built alongside the BMW Z4 convertible, the GR Supra offers similar build quality and simpler—but still handsome—interior materials inside.
Is the 2023 Supra reliable? ›We expect the 2023 Supra to have about average reliability when compared to other new cars.
How fast is the 2023 Toyota GR Supra? ›A top speed of 155 MPH along with a 0-60 time of just 3.9 seconds proves that the Supra is infused with race-bred excitement.
What is the fastest Toyota Supra in 2023? ›The 2023 GR Supra ranges in power from the 2.0 with 255 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 5 seconds to the A91-MT Edition with 382 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds.
Does the 2023 GR Supra have a BMW engine? ›Powertrains. The Supra is powered by two BMW-sourced engine options: a turbocharged B48 2.0-litre inline-four or a turbocharged B58 3.0-litre inline-six.
Does the GR Supra hold its value? ›The mainstream sports car with the highest resale values is the Toyota GR Supra. It was introduced in 2020, so that's the year we're using for its value comparison.
What are the disadvantages of the Supra? ›- Automatic Transmission May Not Shift Correctly at High Mileages. ...
- Failed Emissions Test Due to Blocked EGR System. ...
- Replace coolant and thermostat every 60,000 miles. ...
- Engine Stalling When Warm. ...
- Flush brake fluid every 60,000 miles. ...
- Vehicle Won't Crank Due To Starter.
Con: The Supra is not very fuel-efficient
In my week of testing, I averaged around 19-20 mpg in mixed driving conditions, which is on par with the EPA estimates. But it should be noted that if you plan to drive it daily, be prepared to pull up to the pump a lot.
Toyota Supra Maintenance Costs
A Toyota Supra will cost about $4,950 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for popular coupe models by $2,473.
Which is faster Supra or Lamborghini? ›
VIDEO: 1400HP Toyota Supra vs 1800HP Lamborghini Gallardos, Supra wins by a whisker. We have seen a 1200hp Lamborghini Gallardo cleaning the floor with a 1001hp Bugatti Veyron in a drag race.
Is Bugatti is faster than Supra? ›There is a HUGE performance difference in favor of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 1001 PS : in acceleration and on recovery.
How fast can a Supra go without limiter? ›An external GPS speedometer says the car maxxes out at 262 km/h, but both numbers round to about 163 mph. As Motor1 points out, this isn't the first time we've seen that number. A video released last year also showed a Supra hitting Vmax at 163 mph, 8 mph over its official top speed.
Can a Supra beat a bugatti chiron? ›The Chiron, with its incredible performance, is simply too powerful and fast for a Supra to beat. While it's possible to increase the Supra's horsepower, it still wouldn't be enough to match the Chiron's speed. In short, the answer to whether a Supra can beat a Chiron is no.
Is there any car faster than Supra? ›Chevrolet Camaro/Camaro ZL1
, in particular, surpasses the power of even the more powerful Supra engine, using a 6.2-liter V8 engine rated for a whopping 650 horsepower.
The MK4 Supra, which was produced between 1993 and 2002, is widely considered to be one of the greatest sports cars ever made. It is known for its exceptional performance, reliability, and timeless styling.
Is the new Supra worth buying? ›The Supra is a fantastic sports car. There's no “one” perfect thing that makes it that way, rather, it's the amalgam of features that you just don't see very often: good design, turbocharged inline-six, rear-drive, two-doors, and all paired with a manual transmission. It makes its mark as a driver's car.
What will happen to Supra in 2023? ›All models of the 2023 GR Supra will come standard with an 8.8-inch audio touch screen. The 3.0 includes a 10-speaker audio system and 14-way power-adjustable seats, while the 2.0 comes with a 4-speaker system and the seats are manually adjustable.
What is special about the GR Supra? ›GR Supra comes equipped with a number of intelligent safety features, including a Pre-Collision System * with Pedestrian Detection, * Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist, * Automatic High Beams * and Speed Limit Information.
How much horsepower does a 2023 GR Supra 2.0 have? ›Producing 382 horsepower * with an impressive 368 lb.-ft. of torque, this engine gives you plenty of power, and instant response. 2.0 shown in Nitro Yellow. Prototype shown with options.