Why The Toyota GR Supra is my Biggest Disappointment of 2021!

Today, I finally get to drive the reborn legend - the Toyota Supra. Released to great fanfare, the car met with very divided opinion. Platform shared with the BMW Z4, and built in Austria, loyal fans felt like this was a betrayal of the Supra's JDM roots. Toyota argue that they were involved in the car's development to make it their own too, and that you should judge the car based on its merits not its manufacturer. So, is it any good?

#Toyota #Supra #GR

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[thillyard]

As the owner of a 2021 3.0 Premium Supra I have to say some of your criticisms are fair and legit. The interior is tight and dark. The stock audio system is below average. The fake vents are somewhat silly. I live in the US, so I think the pricing is skewed for you as a car like an M2 CS or Cayman, etc is much closer to the Supra than in the US. The wind buffeting in the car is terrible if you try to roll the windows down. The lack of Android audio (I am an Apple guy) is frustrating. Luckily most of these issues are easily fixed (wind buffeting is a $7-150 fix, audio is some setting changes and adding ports and speaker wadding and disabling the fake engine noise through the speakers).

I do find your review overly harsh, but that is fine it's your opinion and I know some of this is show. I own and have owned a lot of cars, and I do take my cars to the track so I feel like I am speaking with some objectivity (again even though I own the car). My last 5 cars in order. 2020 Camaro SS1LE, 2018 Shelby GT350, 2018 ND Miata, 2017 Focus RS, 2016 C7 Z51. (And I've owned tons of other cars including RX-7's of evert gen, 300ZX TT, BRZ, BMW M3, etc, etc. A Toyota or BMW fanboy I am not. I love this car. So much so that I had a C8 on order and cancelled it (the Supra was just supposed to get me through the summer from May to Sep).

I fell into the Supra by accident. My C8 Corvette production date got significantly bumped and I had already sold my SS1LE (for far more than I paid). I went straight to Porsche and drove a gently used Cayman S manual and a GTS (4.0) PDK. I could not stomach the 4 cylinder 718 S, and really did not like the gearing of the manual at all. The car was used certified and over $80K. Nope. I fell in love with the 4.0 GTS PDK. But the sticker was around $100K with normal options. Yikes. I looked into the M2 CS. I liked the car but didn't feel like it was worth $65-75K (average used to new price here in the US). Drove the Supra and was sold. I paid $53K out the door (in May) on a $58K sticker car and there was nothing else out there that can touch it here in the US for the price.

With a few minor suspension mods I feel like I have the handling dialed in and this car is so easy to make more power. The engine and trans are really well programmed and synced and the car is a blast on straights or on the track. It is inexpensive and easy to add more power. In terms of quality I feel like it has the perfect balance of tech and quality materials. Overall build quality and material is leagues above the GT350 and SS1LE and my C7 Corvette. Like all cars it's not perfect and if your a bigger guy most sports car seats are not comfortable (I am 5'11" and 190lbs and fit perfect, in fact I wish the seats were a little more aggressive like my GT350 Recros).

I personally don't get all the hate on this car for the price range (US numbers). Styling is always subjective you either love it or hate it. People living in the past with the MK4 Supra are not grounded in reality. That car was a massive sales failure for Toyota in North America. 2 models years of the MKV have outsold 6 model years of the MK4 in the US alone. Could Toyota have built a halo Supra in house with an all new chasis, engine, trans, etc? Sure. But it would have been a $100K+ car and it would sit on the lot. Honda/Acura did that with the new NSX (which is a great car but far too expensive to build).

[SpookyShaw]

Everyone bashes these. I can't wait to get one when they come down in price. It looks great to me, with a great tunable engine and you hardly see them. I think theyll be considered great in 20 years and people will regret not giving it the time of day.

[jakeatkinson]

Glad I didn't watch this video before buying one or I might have decided against it. I have absolutely loved the car since getting it. It's a great comfortable daily and takes to mods incredibly well. Anyone who let's the whole bmw debate bother them is silly imo. Why bother. It's like a little kids argument and typically one made by people who have never even driven one. Take the car for what it actually is, ignore the gossip and you won't be disappointed at all.

[hexgraphica]

You know Mazda is about to manufacture all themselves a new inline six engine. Since they're currently in joint venture with Toyota for the Aygo and 2 models, my dream is they'll make their new sportscars together, with the same platform and chassis, if they can't justify the expenses making it on their own.

[Fastvoice]

The production plant in Graz (Austria) is not owned or managed by BMW. It belongs to Magna Steyr which is an independent austrian company.

[thedetailingdoctor]

I’ve said this before about other cars … when they come down in pric everyone will be doing manual swaps and big turbo setups and it will all of a sudden be a amazing car lol

[FrankZR]

"I think BMW conned Toyota here, what BMW managed to do was get an updated Z4 M Coupé." - JayEmm

Best take on YouTube of this true swing and miss of a legendary nameplate.

[giusepperocchi]

I’m afraid we’ll regret “disappointments” like this in the years to come.

[poroussi]

This was probably the best review of the Supra to date. Very thorough, well-worded, well spoken and perfectly accurate.

[davidkelly]

I've owned one of these for the last 4 months. Originally I wanted an m4 bmw but the price of an f82 comp was stupid and I didn't feel there worth the premium in the current market. Plus the I interior is really dated. I bought this car as I wanted originally a bmw but I didn't like the bmw image so this seemed the perfect car for me.

When mk4 Supra came out it was never an epic car in standard form. People completely forget that and need to get over it. Their opionion is overshadowed by these highly modified examples with 1, 000bhp. You are right this is more sports car than gt, personally that's what I want. Personally I was never really a fan of the mk4.

The lack of steering feel I agree, however most power steerings aren't feelsome. The steering is oddly too quick yes agree. If only toyota could have added a super sport setting.

As for the styling, I think it looks fantastic. The rear is my favourite angle. I've never driven a car which gets so much attention, people love the look of it and always comment. People are criticising the looks however them same people will say the alpine is a good looking car. That car really isn't a good looking car, front end doesn't match the rear.  I've a had a few comments "nice bmw" but when you look at what their driving its generally whats referred to as a"s##t box.

Seats I like, I'm only 12.5 stone not 20 so the width of them is enough. My main criticism is the interior which is too dark. Wish they had put some colour into it. Yes, I'm not sure why there is no android auto

Handling is brilliant, has more grip than you would think for a rwd yet the chassis is very playful still. Toyota have left areas around the chassis where you can add rollbars to stiffen it up if you want that.

Performance - its brilliant, so much low down grunt, gearbox is brilliant too. With regards to the gearbox "too short". Yet speak to any Cayman GT4 owner they will complain the gearbox in the cayman is too long. You can't keep everyone happy.

Toyota designed this car so you can make it as you want. Agree with the pcp thing, however most people still modify them anyway.

Do I care if it feels like a Toyota? Absolutely no, it drives very well, handles superb, very well balanced. Has a quality interior, comfortable and complient on the road for everyday use. It's a great all around package. I would encourage anyone to buy one.

[keyo]

This car will become more desirable as it gets older- could be a right bargain soon - one passed me the other day on the motorway and it looked pretty damn good to be honest.

[richfixescars]

I think we do need to accept these types of car sell in tiny numbers, so compromise and a partner like BMW is necessary to make them happen at all. It's not ideal but we should be grateful for it, at this price point.

[peterzemanovic]

The CG is not lower on the Supra than the GT86, it's a claim that has been proven wrong by Car and Driver. It is actually not even close. The GR86 should have it even lower. Hope you will do a review of that one soon.

[JamsA]

Couple of points Id like to add: Sporty seats in many smaller cars are likely modelled on ergonomics where the occupants are <82kg. As mentioned, the 2 Series also suffers with this. I really wish this came with a manual gearbox, and the struts/ double wishbone argument may not solve the steering feel issues as the unsprung mass would increase

[troublecluster]

100% agree with you Jay. I wanted to love the new Supra but it's a mess. And the vents are all fake-fake. There is no routing for them especially the ones on the door and at the rear. It was one of the first things I checked when I first saw the car at an unveiling event 2 years ago. It is exactly as you said basically a new Z4M Coupe with a Toyota body.

[spina]

best car reviews on YouTube. everyone's interested in super expensive cars but for many people the real, affordable, mostly second hand cars matter the most. please continue what you doing. big thanks

[HIOP]

James, a few points in response to your opening comments, Magna Steyr is not a BMW manufacturing facility, in fact is a contractor to many OEM's, so is not built by BMW. That steering wheel is exactly the same bar the badge, used by BMW in a number of model lines, in SE trim level, in recent history. It's a moot point as to this car "being a Toyota", in much the same way for just one example, as an A Class diesel being a Mercedes Benz, given the Renault engine under the bonnet. These are the realities of bringing cars to market, that without component sharing and thus cost sharing, there would be no GR Supra, or some others. Would you rather each OEM stayed within their own parts bins, or would you rather the car buying public had as much choice as reasonably possible?. I for one, would rather have such a distinctive car, with a Toyota fettled B58, enabling a 5 year warranty, than a concept car that many would then shout...WHY DON'T YOU BUILD IT NOW?. To conclude, if a buyer is so offended by the very thought of such a collaboration, move on and buy something else.

[MarkFritscher]

That opening minute got me fired up for the video, great work as always!

[MadelnMachines]

Feeling faster with short gearing is surely a good thing. That's what many Porsche enthusiasts want. When are you getting hold of a GR86?

[guzler]

Being an ex Mk.iv supra owner and a current 440i owner, this car really appeals to me. Its hard to compare a modern car with a 2jz powered car from the 90s, there's so much compromise to meet emissions and safety standards, its apples n pears. I have an s2000 as a second car and it's raw fun, but tiring as a daily. Quite like a foot full of torque and mod cons, perhaps I'm just getting on a bit!