I hated all the criticism that was leveled at the Toyota Supra when it first came out. All the complaints about it feeling too much like a BMW were counterproductive and frustrating to me. In a world of standard hybrid crossovers, you shouldn’t complain about great sports cars, even if they feel like other great sports cars. Because that’s exactly what the Supra is: a great sports car that feels like another great sports car. And now that it’s available with a manual transmission, it’s even better.
By now, you almost certainly know that the 2024 Toyota GR Supra is basically a BMW. But in case you don’t know the story, here’s the heavily abridged version. Both Toyota and BMW teamed up to build a chassis on which they would build their own sports cars. BMW built a new Z4 and Toyota revived the Supra. Both cars are assembled by Magna Steyr, making the Supra about as Japanese as schnitzel and sauerkraut.
But does it really matter? It doesn’t look like a BMW, or any other car on the road, and it’s always been fun to drive. Now it’s fitted with a manual transmission, making it part of the dying breed that car enthusiasts claim to be trying to protect. So does it matter where it’s built? No, it doesn’t.
The basics
OK, so how much of the Supra comes from BMW? Actually, quite a lot. The Supra uses a BMW engine, the same transmissions as BMW, BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, and so many interior parts from Bavarian parts that its interior actually smells like that of a BMW. Basically, it’s a Z4 coupe with fancier looks.
Thankfully, the Supra looks like no other on the road. It’s not the prettiest sports car on the market, but the Supra has such undeniable road presence that you can’t look away. It’s just so damn cool, with its long nose, massive rear fenders, and ducktail spoiler. Sure, some of its fake vents are a little embarrassing, but who cares when the car looks this good? Since it was a 45th Anniversary Edition, my test car looked like a classic, with its bright orange paint and black wheels that not-so-subtly referenced the Fast & Furious Supra undoubtedly catapulted this car’s name to the legendary status it enjoys today.
Unfortunately, the Supra’s stunning looks aren’t limited to the cabin. The all-black interior is pretty drab, with a steering wheel from a Mini Cooper, air conditioning from the BMW parts store, the last generation of BMW iDrive in Toyota colors, and the world’s smallest instrument cluster. The worst thing about the cabin, however, is visibility. Loophole front windows, thick C-pillars, and a narrow rear window mean visibility to the sides and rear is virtually nonexistent. Even the windshield is short, so it felt like I was looking out of a World War I trench even though I’m only 5’9″. I feel sorry for anyone over 5’11”. However, I really like that gearstick as it looks cool and fits perfectly in the hand, and the seats are nice.
Driving the Toyota GR Supra
One part that BMW has carried over that no one should complain about is under the hood. BMW’s 3.0-litre B58 turbocharged inline-six is as brilliant as ever. With 382 hp and 460 Nm of torque paired with a tight six-speed manual transmission, the Supra fast. If you pull second gear, you’ll lose your license on normal roads. The clutch feels very similar to modern BMW clutches, which means it’s not very good. But that’s easy to overlook when you’ve got a six-speed stick in your hand and nearly 400 horsepower at your disposal with your right foot. This is one of the best drivetrain combinations on the market and we should appreciate it before it’s gone forever.
Toyota was smart enough to give the Supra a manual transmission because it transformed the car. Well, actually it just shifts your focus as a driver, allowing you to concentrate more on the good things about the Supra rather than the bad. As brilliant as the engine is, it felt too much like a BMW when mated to the eight-speed automatic – it shifts and behaves practically the same. But with a manual transmission, that’s in your hands, allowing you to concentrate on the performance and smoothness. With a manual transmission, the Supra’s drivetrain feels more like its own thing. Plus, you’re more actively involved in the driving experience, meaning the razor-sharp but too-light steering, killer brakes and playful rear axle are all the more noticeable.
It’s been a long time since I drove the Supra, but the steering feels lighter and the suspension stiffer than I remembered. And it no longer feels like just a Z4 coupe, it has its own charisma that I appreciate.
What the Supra does right, though, perhaps more than anything else, is that it makes driving it an event. Everything about it – looking at its incredible good looks, sinking into its low-slung seat, hearing the fiery roar of the inline-six, and shoving the gearshift into first gear before setting off – feels special. The whole car is an event, something to look forward to, and isn’t that the point of a sports car?
The ups and downs
There are so many beautiful things about living with and driving the Supra. But the absolute best thing about it is the way it looks and drives. Standing next to such a striking looking sports car every day provides regular dopamine hits. Kids will jump around and wave at it, and people will ask you about it. Then you get in and drive it, taking advantage of its incredible engine and manual transmission. Few tonics for a bad day at work can match the healing effects of a powerful engine and manual transmission. The Supra has both.
However, it’s not without its faults. As great as it is to have three pedals in the Supra, the third can be a bit of a nuisance to use. Like all modern BMW clutches, its engagement point is vague and it’s too springy right in the middle, so as soon as it tries to engage, it jumps up your foot, making it difficult to operate smoothly. However, once I got used to it in a week, owners will be fine with it. Plus, there are a few inexpensive aftermarket solutions that can help. The price is also a bit high when you start adding options and packages. While the 3.0-liter’s $55,595 base price is actually pretty good for a car with the Supra’s power, the premium packages that include things like the good JBL speakers and advanced safety tech like collision warnings and pedestrian detection smell like $70,000 and that puts it in Corvette territory. However, the Corvette is delivered without a manual.
Features, options and competition for the Toyota GR Supra
To be fair, the Supra doesn’t need a lot of extras or packages. The base model comes with adaptive sport suspension, limited-slip rear differential, Brembo brakes and heated seats. There’s really nothing the base model needs.
Does Toyota’s sports car stand out from the crowd? I’d say yes. For similar money, you can get rear-wheel drive sports cars like the Ford Mustang GT, BMW M2 and Nissan Z. The Supra, however, is the only true two-seat, purpose-built sports car of them all, and in my opinion, the most unusual looking. OK, the other cars are more practical, with rear seats and bigger trunks, but who needs practicality when you look this good?
Fuel consumption
I didn’t get decent fuel economy during my week with the Supra, but how could I? I had 382 horsepower and six forward gears and wasn’t looking for efficiency. However, if driven carefully, the Supra would have gotten by just fine. With an EPA rating of 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, it’s the most efficient of all the above competitors. Nobody buys a car like the Supra for its fuel economy, but it’s nice to know it’ll cost you less at the pump than most other sports cars in its class.
Value and judgment
For the money, the 2024 Toyota Supra is a clear recommendation for anyone looking for a rear-wheel drive sports car. Its performance and driving fun levels rival, if not exceed, anything else in its price range. However, I would say go easy on the extras.
I don’t care what anyone says about its BMW-ness or its supposed lack of distinct feel. The GR Supra is a damn good sports car with great looks, an inline-six engine – like every Supra should have – and an optional six-speed manual transmission. Cars like this won’t be around forever, so who cares where it’s made? Let’s appreciate it while it’s still here.
The Supra is awesome.
| 2024 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Technical Data | |
|---|---|
| Base price (45th Anniversary Edition MT as tested) | $55,595 ($65,470) |
| Drivetrain | 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine | 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive |
| PS | 382 at 5,800–6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 460 Nm at 1,800-5,000 rpm |
| Seating capacity | 2 |
| Cargo volume | 3,389 pounds
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