Michael SatterfieldSpending two weeks behind the wheel of the 2021 Toyota GR Supra, both the 2.0 four-cylinder and the more powerful 3.0-liter inline-six, proved that Toyota’s modern sports car has only gotten better with time. The changes may be minor, but each refinement makes a difference.
If you were an early adopter who paid over MSRP for a 2020 launch edition, the 2021 update might sting a bit. The 3.0-liter model now packs 382 horsepower, a 47-horsepower increase over the previous year, thanks to revised engine tuning and exhaust work. Toyota also added strut-tower braces for better rigidity and painted “Toyota Supra” on the front brake calipers of A91 and Premium models. The chassis feels more planted and confident through corners, yet the ride remains refined enough for daily driving.
The Four-Cylinder 2.0: Light, Balanced, and Surprisingly Fun
The Supra 2.0 is no slouch. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four delivers 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It shares the same rear-wheel-drive layout as the six-cylinder model but is 231 pounds lighter, giving it a nimble, approachable character.
On a winding back road, it feels alive and well-balanced, with precise steering and a surprising amount of grip. Visually, it’s almost identical to the 3.0, so unless you tell someone, no one will know you’re driving the entry-level version.
Still, at an expected starting price in the low-$40Ks, the 2.0 faces serious competition. A Mazda MX-5 RF offers similar fun for less money, and the aging Nissan 370Z delivers more horsepower for about the same price. The Supra responds with a more modern interior, a refined chassis, and five extra cubic feet of trunk space, a surprising bonus in this segment.
The 3.0: Power, Precision, and Purpose
Then there’s the 3.0. Toyota’s inline-six is an engineering gem shared with BMW’s Z4, but tuned distinctly for the Supra’s character. With 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, the car launches from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, squarely in Porsche Cayman territory. In sport mode, the exhaust burbles and crackles with purpose, the eight-speed paddle-shift automatic snaps through gears, and the rear tires dig in with authority.
This is what the Supra is meant to be, brutal yet precise, a modern interpretation of Toyota’s performance heritage. When you’re not carving corners, switch back to normal mode, and the car settles into a quiet, comfortable commuter. Even fuel economy is respectable at about 25 mpg combined.
Starting just over $50,000, the 3.0 is one of the best deals in the modern sports-car world, offering more horsepower than a Porsche Cayman T or Jaguar F-Type for tens of thousands less. It’s hard to beat that combination of power, style, and daily livability.
A91 Edition: The Collector’s Choice
For those chasing rarity, Toyota built just 1,000 units of the 2021 GR Supra A91 Edition. Available in Nocturnal Black or Refraction Blue, the special trim adds carbon-fiber mirror caps, a black lip spoiler, matte-black wheels, and blue interior stitching. It’s a small but meaningful nod to Supra collectors who want something that stands apart.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never driven the six-cylinder version, the Supra 2.0 feels like a great sports car. But once you experience the 3.0, it’s hard to look back. The 2021 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 embodies the balance of power, precision, and heritage that made the Supra name famous in the first place. It’s the sports car Toyota fans have been waiting for, and one of the most exciting driver’s cars on the market today.
