2021 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium: Brings More Horsepower To The Drive For 2021

 

Highlight: The Supra shares a platform with the BMW Z4.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $54,490 (Base Model: $44, 215)

Seating Capacity: 2

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a hill start assist system; a lane departure warning system with steering assist; automatic high beams; a rearview camera; vehicle stability control; traction control; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (2.0): 18-inch wheels; glossy black auto-folding heated outside mirrors; auto leveling LED highlights; auto tilt passenger side outside mirror; auto dimming driver’s outside mirror; rear spoiler; dual rear exhaust outlets with polished stainless steel exhaust tips; manual seats with driver lumbar support; Alcantata/leather sport seats; carbon fiber interior trim; a leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters; keyless entry; a push button start system; an 8-inch infotainment screen; a dual zone automatic climate control system; auto dimming mirror; a manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel; and electric parking brakes

Standard Equipment (3.0 Premium)): 19-inch wheels; 6-cylinder automatic; 382-horsepower; matte black auto-folding, heated outside mirrors with memory; dual rear exhaust outlets with brushed stainless steel exhaust tips; power driver’s seat with memory; black leather sport seats; sport pedals; a heads up display system; heated seats; a 12-speaker JBL system with an 8-inch touchscreen; a navigation system; Apple CarPlay compatible and Toyota Connect with roadside assistance concierge services;   

Options:  radar activated cruise control system; a blind spot monitor system; a rear cross traffic alert system; parking sensors with an emergency braking function; and carpeted floormats

Other Trim Levels:

GR Supra A91 Edition

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 4-speaker audio system with AM/FM with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Depending on trim

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Apple - Yes

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Standard IS350 Engine/Horsepower: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine/255-hp

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 25-city/32-hwy

What’s New: For the 2021 model year, while the 6-cylinder engine gains more horsepower and an all-new 4-cylinder model joins the line up.

Why: 

A head turner

3.0-liter gets a horsepower boost of 47, bringing it to 382

Sport driving mode allows the ability to amplify the vehicle’s sound

Sporty design which exudes athleticism

Nimble

Revised chassis tuning

Based on a rear-wheel drive configuration

A host of standard safety driving aids

Well-laid out gauges

An easy-to-use infotainment system

A radar activated cruise control system on 6-cylinder trim

A lower priced Supra is available with the addition of the all-new turbocharged 4-cylinder engine

Because of the vehicle’s height, its easier to get out of than Mercedes-Benz’s high dollar SLS

Share some components with BMW’s Z4

Power driver seat availability on 6-cylinder model

HUD (heads up display) available on 6-cylinder model

19-inch wheels available on the 6-cylinder model

But: 

No sunroof

No manual transmission

Center armrest does not allow for storage

No true enclosed trunk, separating the occupants from the rear storage

Only available for 2, but that’s alright by us!

Not compatible with Androids

Verdict: The super sexy GR Supra, with its athletic curves, receives some significant upgrades for the 2021 model year. In fact, an all-new lower priced turbocharged 4-cylinder joined the line up. And the 6-cylinder sports coupe returns. To enhance the overall excitement, the GR Supra receives a 14 percent boost in horsepower, bringing the sports car to a much welcomed 382 horsepower. With the extra horses oozing from underneath the rear-wheel drive coupe elongated hood, the GR Supra offers a retuned suspension system too.

Ironically, with all of the tweaks and enhancements, the GR Supra driving experience is quite exhilarating, although it lacks a manual transmission. The vehicle still allows middle aged folks to relieve their youth and younger folks to experience the capabilities of a true sports car.

Overall Toyota’s fastest car continues to be a hit in our book. Nissan is joining the love next year with its all-new Z. The vehicle is expected to come in at a much lower price point, with a manual transmission option. Could this stimulate the folks at engineering team at Toyota to bring out a stick shift? We shall see. For now, the GR Supra, which shares a platform with the BMW Z4, is worth every penny. As of now, we haven’t spent time behind the wheel of the 4-cylinder, but the Japanese brand has hit a sweet spot with us with the 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder.

Competition: 2021 BMW Z4 and 2023 Nissan Z (available spring of 2022)