First Drive: 2021 Toyota Supra


I recently spent two weeks behind the wheel of the 2021 Toyota Supra, both the 2.0 four-cylinder and the more powerful horsepower 3.0 inline six-cylinder. Having driven the launch edition I didn't really expect too much to have changed and really there weren't many, the changes I did notice were all improvements. 

If you did by a launch edition in 2020, likely paying a premium over MSRP, you are going to be slightly disappointed since the 3.0 Supra gets a 47 horsepower bump for 2021. Other then the addition of strut tower braces and "Toyota Supra" being painted on the front brake calipers on A91 and Premium models, nothing has changed. The bump in horsepower appears to be computer magic, as nothing else has changed under the hood, so if you do own a 2020 and don't mind voiding your warranty, more horsepower is likely easy to come by.


I started off driving the new 2.0 four-cylinder, which is a very capable sports car, with 255 horsepower, it is 74 more horsepower than you get in the much lighter, and much less expensive, Mazda MX5 RF. It offers a similar driving dynamic to the Mazda, but you do feel the additional weight. The Supra 2.0 does offer more trunk and cabin space than the RF, but with the rumors swirling that the four-banger Supra will start in the high $30K-low $40K range, it might be hard to justify the 2-liter over the very capable MX5. 


While many would say that the MX5 comparison is unfair, they both offer two-seat, four-cylinders, and nearly identical power-to-weight ratios. The Supra scores points by having five more cubic feet of trunk space, but you can enjoy open-top motoring in the RF. Another car that the Supra 2.0 will have to fend off is the ancient Nissan 370Z, which while it doesn't offer a lot in the world of modernity, it does still offer two seats and 332 hp for around $30,000. On a back road, the 2.0 Supra is a joy to drive, well balanced, smooth, and visually it is indistinguishable from the more powerful six, so no one needs to know you bought the base model.


Had I not known that the six-cylinder existed, I could be at peace with how good overall the four-cylinder Supra is. But then I got behind the wheel of the 382hp Supra 3.0 and everything that made the 2.0 good, was just so much better. The sound of the exhaust in sport mode, the brilliant eight-speed paddle-shifted automatic gearbox, the brutal acceleration, it is just better. It is what the Supra is expected to be.


The 3.0 Supra has a rumored price starting just over $50,000. If that is the case, it will be one of the better deals on the sports car market today, offering more horsepower for a lot less money than the Porsche Cayman and Jaguar F-Type. Both Supras settle down to a comfortable daily driver or highway cruiser at the flip of a switch. Turning back to "normal mode" the car is quiet and easy to drive around town and great for long stretches on the highway. The trunk is fairly cramped, but with careful packing, you can get everything you need in the car for a long weekend road trip for two. You can even get a smaller golf bag in the trunk if you try.


If you are interested in exclusivity, for 2021 Toyota is making just 1,000 A91 Editions which come in Nocturnal Black or Refraction Blue, it gets carbon fiber mirror caps and spoiler, with blue stitching inside, blacked-out wheels, and some badging. If you are in the market for a sports car the 2021 Supra should be on your list, but if you do end up buying a 2.0, don't ever drive the 3.0 because you'll be at the dealer looking to trade it in. 


Head over to YouTube to watch my video review of the 2021 Supra HERE.