2020 Toyota Supra Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a reviewPros
Fun to drive
Standard advanced safety features
Great handling
Cons
Poor ergonomic design
Doesn't feel special
The Toyota Supra returns with better performance than ever before, but it leans heavily on BMW for everything but its exterior styling. Should that matter?
The 2020 Toyota GR Supra is one of the most eagerly anticipated cars of this year. One could argue the all-new, mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette made a bigger splash, but that came seemingly out of nowhere. The hype train for the new Supra left the station back when Toyota’s FT-1 Concept bowed in 2014. And now that it’s back, we’re very excited.
But along the way, certain announcements and press releases arrived, and rumours began of a team-up with BMW for the engine and eventually even the chassis. According to Toyota, it would have cost a billion dollars to develop its own turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine for the Supra, and BMW happens to be really good at making those. Considering the straight six was a core component of the Supra’s heritage, it was a natural partnership. But for the chassis, too? At some point, when does this stop being a new Toyota and instead become just a rebadged and re-skinned BMW? After a 22-year absence in North America, it would have been nice to see a completely homegrown Toyota sports car.
This criticism is not unfounded, especially since this is allegedly such an important car for Toyota. Partnerships like this happen all the time in the industry, but as we’ll explore in the following chapters, seldom is the DNA of one automaker so evident in another’s vehicle. We needed to find out if the Supra’s driving dynamics make up for its controversy, and the only way to get to the heart of this vehicle was on the track.
As mentioned, the new Supra is a pretty faithful representation of the FT-1 Concept from 2014, but with more realistic proportions. I was never in love with the front end of the FT-1, and frankly, even in production form, it feels a bit too busy. The bulbous nose and fin-like lower front valence are reminiscent of a svelte Mercedes-Benz SLR-McLaren. But the Supra's design would look a lot cleaner if the front end was smoother, if it featured fewer vents, and if it included a high-back spoiler, like on the Mark IV Supra from the 1990s. In fact, such concepts and aftermarket projects are already popping up on the web.
That said, the new Supra looks much better in person than it does in photos. The design appears almost organic in the way the rear fenders flow into the ducktail rear spoiler. And, really, any qualms I may have with the styling are utterly moot when presented to the court of public opinion. People absolutely love this car. In just a week driving the Supra, I was stopped in parking lots and gas stations and honked at on the road. People are excited about this car, and they always say something to the effect of “I had one right after college” or “I loved this car when I was a kid!”
But for a car so important to Toyota, things look distinctively un-Toyota when you slide into the cozy two-passenger cabin. The floating centre touchscreen, the shifter, and the rotary-dial controller in the centre console are all out of the BMW parts bin. While the 2020 BMW Z4’s interior details might be a bit more upscale, these are distinctly BMW components, including the look and feel of all the digital screens. Toyota changed just enough to ensure the Supra did not look like a new Z4, but it still looks like a BMW.
In Canada, Toyota offers the Supra in a single configuration at launch. It comes standard with 19-inch wheels, Michelin high-performance tires, LED head- and taillights, and remote keyless entry. Inside, the Supra comes standard with heated 14-way sport bucket seats, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It also comes with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a suite of driver-assistance features, a 12-speaker JBL sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a head-up display.
Under the hood lives a 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder engine, configured as front-engine but set far enough back to yield a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. (Put another way, this means that the Supra launches in Canada in the configuration sold as Supra 3.0; the Supra 2.0 with the four-cylinder engine will arrive here next model year.) With the help of a twin-scroll turbo, this engine makes power specs of 335 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. A quick search around the Internet will reveal that some early dyno testing by YouTubers has yielded even higher numbers. And if you’re familiar with BMW inline six-cylinder engines, that’s not totally surprising.
An eight-speed automatic transmission routes power through the powertrain to rear-wheel drive (RWD). You can operate it via paddle shifters or a Sport mode, but there is no manual transmission option. And, aside from the BMW/Toyota interior criticisms, that has probably been the biggest source of ire from would-be shoppers. I can count myself among those lamenting the dearth of manual-transmission options in new cars, but for the common sedan or crossover, automatics have become the more efficient option, and thus it’s illogical to offer a manual. For limited-run sports cars, it doesn’t make a ton of financial sense to develop a manual and an automatic variant. Since Toyota went to a completely different automaker for nearly the entire car, developing a manual transmission was just never in the cards.
But here’s the thing: On a track, you don’t miss the manual. Amid a collection of twists, turns, rises, and dips, you’ll be supremely focused on braking zones and corner apexes. While a manual might be more engaging for back roads, paddle-shifters really are a tool for the track-focused driver.
And speaking of track-focused, we should address the “GR” in the Toyota GR Supra’s name. It’s short for Gazoo Racing, which is Toyota’s road racing program. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans the last two years, which is one of the most grueling motorsport events in the world. The “GR” signifies that the Supra has been tuned by Gazoo, and these are the right people to be sorting out any car, even a BMW.
One thing that’s interesting to note is how far back the driver and front passenger sit. The seats are pretty much against the rear wheel well, so the driver actually needs to consider this when timing turns. This might manifest itself more on a track, but even on back roads, it’s apparent.
The 2020 Toyota GR Supra returns fuel consumption of 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 7.7 hwy, and 8.9 combined. In a week of combined city and highway driving, we observed fuel consumption of 13.8 L/100 km. I’d like to say that was from our time at the track, but that was actually observed before we even arrived. We had the Supra in Sport mode the whole time, which will definitely bring down fuel efficiency.
Of course, if the Supra were some 700-horsepower super coupe, its fuel efficiency would be even worse. And that leads into what I love most about the Supra—it’s not some high-horsepower grand tourer. A true driver’s car doesn’t need that much power, and anything over 500 horsepower is overkill. Frankly, the ideal sports car has something around 350 horsepower and a true focus on cornering abilities. This car delivers that in spades.
Getting into a sports car smoothly always takes a little practice. The first two times I tried getting into the Supra, I slammed my head against the roof. You have to put one foot into the cabin, tilt your body slightly, dip your head, and slide in. It also helps to put a hand on the upper doorjamb when getting in and out.
Once in the Supra, it’s intimate, but not totally cramped. The seat, fitted with leather upholstery, has enough room to adjust, even for my 6-foot-3-inch frame. You get two cupholders, which are set back by your elbow. Be aware of them, or your elbow will inadvertently squish a plastic Starbucks cup on entry or exit.
The Supra’s cabin has tiny storage trays in the doors, behind the cupholders, and in the centre console. These aren’t adequate for large items, but luckily, there’s open passage behind the seats into the rear hatchback area. That provides 290 litres of cargo space, which is good for a few weekend bags.
The Supra comes standard with an infotainment system that is operated via touchscreen or by a rotary dial next to the shifter. There’s no getting around it: This is BMW iDrive. Thankfully, iDrive has gotten much easier to use in recent years.
In Canada, the Supra ships with an 8.8-inch display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay. You connect via Bluetooth, and that’s it—no need for cables.
And while the Supra’s BMW DNA helps with the wireless CarPlay, it does have a potential downside. In a bit of highway robbery, BMW charges its customers $80 a year for CarPlay, and Toyota originally planned to pass that cost on to Supra owners. Keep in mind that Apple CarPlay is free from most major mass-market automakers, including Ford, Chevrolet, Kia, Hyundai, Subaru, Honda, and more. Toyota says it will cover the first four years, and then you are on your own. Supra second owners will have plenty of fun contacting BMW to figure out where they need to send a cheque to keep CarPlay activated.
Standard driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. These join standard safety features such as a backup camera, traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and front- and side-impact airbags.
A driver assist package of extra-cost safety features and driver assistance technologies is available. These include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive front lighting with automatic high beams.
Base MSRP in Canada for the 2020 Toyota GR Supra is $67,259, not including $2,284 in fees.
When you get chassis dynamics and power delivery this right, the result is pure driving joy. All the criticisms out there regarding the Supra’s BMW parts sharing or the nickel-and-diming BMW does for Apple CarPlay simply don’t matter when you are completely and entirely consumed with mastering each turn of a track. But not everyone gets to take the Supra to the track, and on back roads, you will still appreciate all this car provides in terms of driving experience.
But when you do park the car, your heart rate will come down, and you’ll start to notice the BMW parts again. It might seem weird that we’d have a beef with a Toyota that has an engine, chassis, and interior borrowed from a more upscale car brand. And it might be crazy to have this beef, knowing that in doing so, Toyota was able to keep the price of the Supra down. But based on the excitement people had for this car when they approached us, the Supra is special, and it’s supposed to be special to Toyota. I think if the company had put a bit more resources into making the cabin more its own, it would have avoided this whole line of criticism. Thankfully, the drive is so good, it’ll almost make you forget about all that… almost.
Note: Images show a US model.
User reviews for 2020 Toyota Supra
Write a reviewWhat users have asked
2020 Toyota Supra Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 205 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.7 · Front brake width: 1.42 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brake width: 0.79 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: carbon · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: vehicle and key memory · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 14
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.15 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: black · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Supra Command · Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 8.8 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 14
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: suede · Upholstery accents: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.1
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · 500 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.7 · Front brake width: 1.42 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 13.6 · Rear brake width: 0.94 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: carbon · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 14
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.15 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: black · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Supra Command · Infotainment screen size: 8.8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 8.8 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 14
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.1
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: lock operation
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Premium Brand: JBL · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · 500 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.7 · Front brake width: 1.42 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 13.6 · Rear brake width: 0.94 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: carbon · Dash trim: carbon · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: vehicle and key memory · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: cargo net · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 14
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.15 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: red · Rear bumper color: black · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8.8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 8.8 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 14
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.1
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse