Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Toyota Supra coupe - Engines, drive & performance

A sweet-sounding six-cylinder engine and balanced chassis make for a rewarding drive

Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Engines, drive & performance Rating

4.5 out of 5

The previous Supra was known for its mighty six-cylinder engine, so when Toyota came to revive the model this kind of engine was the obvious choice. However, the Japanese brand no longer made this type of engine for any other model in its range, so it somewhat controversially partnered with BMW to share some development costs, and gain access to the German brand’s performance engines.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Supra has been designed to be a serious sports car for enthusiasts, so alongside the powerful engines, it is also great to drive. It was later upgraded with improved suspension parts, along with a manual gearbox option for those who love to change gear themselves.

Drive quickly on track and the Supra corners with real precision, but there's also lots of adjustability to change the cornering line without any nasty surprises. This ability to play with the car at its limits makes it very rewarding for the driver, and it's no coincidence because Toyota was aiming to beat the class-leading Porsche 718 Cayman.

There's slightly more body roll in the Supra but the car still feels rigid and composed, with lots of grip on dry roads. In the wet, we found the Supra to be more playful, especially if the throttle was applied early in the corner. With a 2.0-litre engine fitted, not only is the Supra more than £8,000 cheaper, it's also around 100kg lighter. While not as fast in a straight line, less weight at the front of the car means the entry-level Supra actually feels more agile. The steering is more responsive too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

With a 2.0-litre engine fitted, not only is the Supra more than £8,000 cheaper, it's also around 100kg lighter. While not as fast in a straight line, less weight at the front of the car means the entry-level Supra actually feels more agile. The steering is more responsive too. However, if you’re considering the 2.0-litre model, it’s also worth keeping in mind the smaller GR86 – its non-turbo 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine is only down on power by about 24bhp compared to the 2.0-litre Supra, but comes with two small rear seats and a manual gearbox, is arguably just as fun as this model and a fair bit cheaper.

Toyota Supra petrol engines

It's easy to see why Toyota wanted the Supra to have a six-cylinder engine so badly because it’s smooth and spiritually in keeping with Supras of old. Power is impressively linear in its delivery, too, with peak torque lasting from 1,600 to 4,500rpm and there’s barely any lag when you accelerate out of a corner or go to overtake slower traffic. Our only complaint is that there's little reason to rev the engine to the redline, but turbocharged rivals suffer from this characteristic too.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The 3.0-litre produces 335bhp, which is enough to get the GR Supra from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and make it the fastest Toyota so far. Launch control is included to help achieve the perfect start, while a Track setting can loosen the reins on the electronic safety net at track days. It might not be as powerful as the BMW M2 Competition, but the Supra is easily fast enough to overtake anything on the public road and satisfy at a track day.

The eight-speed automatic works well most of the time, even if upshifts can be slightly jerky and downshifts are sometimes a fraction too hesitant. But, despite being just off the pace of Porsche's PDK, the gearbox doesn't blunt the engine's muscular feel, and an electronic rear differential helps the Supra swoop into and fire out of corners.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

A manual gearbox was later introduced for the 3.0-litre model following high demand. This version of the Supra is a really appealing car for keen drivers because it provides more of a connection to the driving experience, and it’s the best version to choose if you care about that kind of thing. The shifter is really slick and precise, plus the engine feels even more potent with direct control of the gears. There’s even an auto rev-matching function to make daily driving even easier.

We also much preferred its relatively thin steering wheel to the chunky ones fitted in most BMW M cars, even if feedback is slightly lacking compared with the Porsche.

While slow to arrive here, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine made its debut in UK versions of the Supra in 2021. It’s another turbocharged BMW engine that’s also used in the BMW 330i and Z4, and here it produces 254bhp. 

Power is fed to the same eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 0-62mph of 5.2 seconds is still very convincing. Indeed, you rarely feel like the 2.0-litre Supra needs more power, as it pulls strongly from 2,500 to 6,500rpm. The Supra is a fairly well-insulated car, so artificial engine noise is pumped into the car using speakers, and it's a shame it sounds so synthetic.

The Supra feels like a solid, well-insulated car, which will make it good on longer trips, but we can’t help but feel that some of the drama is lost in more spirited driving due to a muted engine note, even with the larger one fitted. Artificial engine noise is pumped into the car via the speaker system, but it’s a shame this sounds so synthetic.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Toyota Supra review – the return of a legend
Toyota Supra front 3/4 view
In-depth reviews
12 Jan 2024

Toyota Supra review – the return of a legend

Most Popular

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500
Skoda Elroq front quarter
News
1 Oct 2024

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
4 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

The best-selling cars in the UK 2024
Best-selling cars in the UK 2024
Best cars
4 Oct 2024

The best-selling cars in the UK 2024

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024