One year after its resurrection, the Toyota Supra is back with some major updates for 2021. It comes in two variants for 2021: The first is a new base four-cylinder model dubbed the GR Supra 2.0. The other is a souped-up version of 2020’s six-cylinder, now called the GR Supra 3.0. Toyota’s sports coupe also gets tech and chassis upgrades for the new model year. Still, a lot carries over from the 2020 Supra — some things it got right and some it got wrong.
Related: 2021 Toyota Supra Review: More, and Less, Power Make Up Sophomore Changes
Want to know everything about the new Supra? Cars.com editor Joe Bruzek’s review (via the related link above) has the top-to-bottom details. But if you’re just looking for the fast facts, here are seven things we like, and five not so much, about the 2021 Toyota Supra.
Things We Like
1. Powered-Up Six-Cylinder
The Supra 3.0 gets a new turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine with an extra 47 horsepower over the 2020 (from 335 hp to 382). Torque bumps up to 368 pounds-feet from 365 in the previous model. That added power is especially noticeable in the high-rev range, taking more to get to peak acceleration than the previous engine This 14% increase in power is due to a new exhaust manifold design, Toyota says, as well as a revised piston that allows for more combustion control. The 2021 Supra six-cylinder can hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
2. Underrated Four-Cylinder
The base Supra 2.0 is powered by a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the same engine as in the BMW Z4 30i. (The Supra shares a platform, powertrain and a host of smaller parts with the Z4 roadster.) One side effect of BMW sourcing is an underrated engine: On paper, this four-cylinder is rated at 255 hp, but on the road, it feels a lot more like 300 hp.
3. Chassis Changes
For 2021, the Supra gets minor upgrades to the chassis. The Supra 3.0 gets aluminum under-hood braces that increase roll resistance and enhance stability in cornering. Bruzek said you likely won’t notice these changes unless you’re pushing this thing to its limits.
4. Upgraded Multimedia
All models will get an 8.8-inch multimedia screen, a step up from the now discontinued 6.5-inch touchscreen.
5. Some Standard Safety
Safety features that carry over from 2020 include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist and automatic high-beam headlights. Still, it’s not the total suite of safety features you’d expect in a 2021 vehicle. We expand on that lapse in the Cons section.
6. Transmission
Though many stick-shift lovers will have to keep waiting for a manual Supra, the eight-speed automatic transmission — a carryover from the 2020 model — standard in both the 2.0 and 3.0 is actually a pretty good one. Shifts are quick and crisp.
7. Unique, Nostalgic Look
If nothing else, the Supra just looks really cool. Whether you have a four-cylinder or the six-cylinder under the hood doesn’t matter when you’re cruising down the road in a bright yellow sports coupe. The new A91 Edition builds off the 3.0, adding a carbon-fiber lip spoiler, exterior graphics, matte-black wheels and blue-and-black Alcantara interior.
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Things We Don’t
1. Devil’s in the Details
In order to make the four-cylinder Supra 2.0 cheaper than its six-cylinder counterpart, a lot of features are downgraded. The adjustable suspension is replaced with a fixed suspension, the brake calipers are downgraded and the wheels are cast aluminum instead of forged aluminum. Other features are simply missing: The 3.0’s new under-hood strut-tower brace doesn’t carry over to the 2.0. Also missing are the head-up display, heated seats, power seats and limited-slip differential.
2. Four-Cylinder Feels Casual
While it accelerates well, the new four-cylinder in the Supra 2.0 lacks the aggressive handling and playful attitude of the six-cylinder. It’s an entry-level car, and it feels like one — with slower reactions and more body roll than its beefier 3.0 stablemate.
3. Some Media and Safety Tech Cost Extra
While the Supra does come with a lot of the safety and driver assistance tech you’d expect, plenty of features are wrapped into the optional Safety and Technology Package. The package includes adaptive cruise control, which comes standard on many cheaper Toyotas as part of Toyota Safety Sense. But the BMW-based Supra doesn’t get this suite. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, wireless Apple CarPlay and navigation are also part of the package.
4. The Wind Gets In
If you’re going faster than 45 mph with the windows down — which is probably most of the time if you’re driving a Supra — you’re going to experience awful wind buffeting. Unfortunately, the only way to fix it involves some aftermarket parts or a trip to the hardware store.
5. Still No Manual
A carryover complaint from the 2020 model year: The Supra still doesn’t have a manual transmission. The standard eight-speed automatic is the only transmission offered in this latest version of the car.
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