2024 Toyota Supra 45th Anniversary Edition Review: The Model That Should’ve Launched From The Get-Go

When Toyota revived the Supra current fifth-generation in 2019, it was one of the most anticipated automotive comebacks of all time—if not the most anticipated. Since the previous Mark IV Supra was the star car of the Hollywood blockbuster The Fast and The Furious and became an archetype for the Japanese underground racing scene, the model sat on an extraordinarily high pedestal.

Despite its revival, however, the A90 Supra arrived to mixed reception. Many sports car fans were ecstatic to see Toyota’s most iconic sports car return. But plenty of others saw Toyota’s decision to build the Supra using the BMW Z4’s backbone and powertrain as a half-assed attempt. Toyota had the right ideas, but seemingly went about them in all the wrong ways. Rubbing salt in the wound was the fact that the Supra launched with only an automatic transmission.

But in 2022, Toyota finally caved in and gave prospective buyers what they wanted all along: a manual transmission. Fast-forward to today, and the A90 Supra turned six years old, with the nameplate itself, turning 45. Commemorating the moment, while also giving buyers a chance to own a special edition model that also signifies the end of its series production run, Toyota gave us this here 45th Anniversary Edition.

2024 Toyota Supra 45th Anniversary Edition First Impressions

When I first drove the A90 Supra back in 2019, looks wise, I neither loved it nor hated it. I appreciated it for its unique appearance, which largely resembled the FT-1 Concept, the car that set the stage for the Supra’s revival. At the same time, however, I was a little put off by how the production Supra didn’t match the FT-1 proportionally. But now the Supra’s been around for a few years and its baked into society, I’ve come to enjoy seeing one and its distinctive lines out and about in public.

But more so, this specific 45th Anniversary GR Supra, with its protruding adjustable rear trunk spoiler, black finished wheels, and other subtle aesthetic upgrades, left me feeling like this is the exact car Toyota should’ve launched back in 2019. When most people visualize the Supra today, many think of the modified orange Mark IV Supra Twin-Turbo that Paul Walker’s character championed in The Fast and The Furious. Toyota even admits that this 45th Anniversary Edition specifically harks back to some of Supra’s heritage. With so much nostalgia riding on the Supra’s revival at the time, it makes me wonder why they didn’t.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Regardless of the marketing missteps and Toyota’s controversial choice to collaborate with BMW, there’s no bouncing around the fact that those BMW bones work extremely well. The Supra may share its parts bin with the Z4. But choosing from some of the best powertrain and chassis engineers in the business isn’t a bad thing. It’s like starting a new rock band and choosing Elton John and Roger Daltrey as the main leads.

The Z4’s disadvantage is its lack of a fixed roof, which compromises on structural rigidity. It’s also heavier than the Supra from all its chassis reinforcements compensating for the roof deficit. The Supra needs none of that and, as a result, it feels like a harder-edged, lighter, and more performance-focused Z4, compliments of its more aggressive tuning, smaller body, and fixed roof. If there’s one true takeaway from the A90 Supra’s driving experience after all these years, it’s simply one of the best driving sports cars of its time, regardless of where it gets its parts from.

Braking And Acceleration

I’ve said it once before and will continue saying it until some external circumstances force BMW to discontinue its legendary straight-six. If there was one engine I’d choose today to put in almost any car, it would be Bavaria’s exquisite B58 turbocharged inline-six. It’s just so wondrously versatile, powerful, and musical to the ears, all the way up to its 6,500 RPM redline.

The B58B30 is even more of a lover with its bespoke ZF six-speed manual, engineered and designed specifically for the Supra’s application. It reinforces the question as to why Toyota really decided to omit an optional manual from the get-go. Rowing the shifter rewards with short and distinctive strokes and zero play in any direction. If there was one slight criticism, the clutch pedal’s catch point can be vague in some situations. But it’s a total nitpick. And the Brembo brakes are just as sublime as its propulsion unit.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 4.0 Seconds (Estimated)
• Top Speed MPH: 155 MPH (Electronically Limited)

Performance Specifications

2024 Toyota GR Supra Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the manual-equipped GR Supra as capable of up to 19 miles per gallon in the city, 27 on the highway, and 21 combined. It’s significantly less than the automatic’s 23 city, 31 highway, and 26 combined figures. But that’s the price to pay for more driver involvement and fun from having two fewer gears, and a shorter rear end differential ratio. The latter results in faster engine revs at any speed.

During my week-long test of the GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition, which came with the optional six-speed transmission, the onboard trip computer reported an average fuel consumption of around 17-19 miles per gallon. The figure did register above 20 on more highway-oriented drives. But because the Supra is just so darn fun to drive quickly while making good use of that BMW B58B30, it’s not at all a surprise that fuel consumption was less than stellar.

Interior Design And Comfort

With the A90 Supra being a two-seat sports car, space is not very plentiful, especially for those nearing the six-foot mark or above. Its narrow seats also do get taxing on longer drives, especially for those who are a bit on the wider side, like yours truly. Despite having shockingly compliant suspension, the Supra is certainly a sports car first and a comfortable daily-driver second. Though, it obviously depends on your levels of tolerance. It’s also a bit of a PITA to get in and out of.

Otherwise, the Supra’s inside remains very straight-forward and easy to use. And that’s because the Supra’s switchgear and interfaces are where it unabashedly doesn’t hide its overt use of BMW’s parts bin. The radio and HVAC controls are still from an old F30 BMW 3 Series, its transmission shifter bezel and drive system buttons are from the Z4, and a big ‘ol iDrive control knob sits to the right of it all.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Because the A90 Supra’s interior is the same as it’s been since launch, BMW’s previous iDrive system still powers all the interior tech, signature control knob, fonts, menus, and all. But it’s all been slightly reworked with Supra graphics and visuals to separate the system’s application versus its previous placement in the Z4 and older BMWs.

However, since it’s from an old 3 Series, the Supra’s system is still as easy and simple to use as it’s always been. Especially if you’re familiar with BMW’s iDrive. Despite its age, its use, function, loading speeds, and overall intuitiveness almost feel refreshing compared to the more complicated and comprehensive versions of iDrive today.

Cargo And Storage Space

Much like the interior cabin, trunk and cargo space is limited. Again, unsurprising given the Supra’s focus as a purpose-built sports car with some grand-touring characteristics. With 10.2 cubes of trunk space, there is enough room for a weekend getaway for the two occupants. Aiding the space is the Supra’s slightly raised, yet, sloping fastback roofline and hatch-like trunk. The Nissan Z is considerably smaller at 6.9 cubic feet and the hardtop Mustang leads with 13.5 cubes. But again, if you’re after a sports car, cargo space isn’t a priority.

• Trunk Cargo Capacity: 10.2 Cubic-Feet

2024 Toyota GR Supra Vs. Its Competitors

As a two-door sports car with a starting price of less than $60,000, there isn’t much in the way of competition as two-door sports cars in general are very niche. But there are some rivals, such as the Nissan 400Z and the Ford Mustang. When fully equipped, the Supra even encroaches BMW M2 territory, which starts at around $65,500.

How The Toyota GR Supra Compares To The Nissan 400Z

As one of Japan’s defiinitive sports cars, the Supra continues its long rivalry with the Nissan Z. The latter debuted in its latest RZ34 form with its GT-R-derived 3.0-liter VR30DDTT twin-turbo V-6 for the 2023 model year. While the G90 Supra arguably features a slightly superior inline-six versus the Nissan’s V-6, the Nissan boasts greater bragging rights as a more thoroughbred Japanese sports car since it’s made entirely in-house. Both are excellent at performing and executing the midsize Japanese sports car thing and both are absolute hoots to drive, while offering some levels of everyday practicality. Another major up for the Nissan is its considerably cheaper starting price, at $42,970, versus the Supra’s $57,000.

Performance

Both the Supra and the Z pack six force-fed cylinders with around 400 horsepower and the choice of either a six-speed manual or an automatic. The Supra’s automatic is a ZF-sourced eight-speed and the Nissan’s is a nine-speed Jatco JR913E sourced from Mercedes-Benz. The Supra’s six-pot comes from BMW in the form of its legendary B58B30 engine—the same you get in a 440i coupe and convertible—whereas Nissan’s comes from its own factory and is derived from its previous GT-R supercar.

Supra’s BMW-sourced six produces slightly more torque at 368 lb-ft versus the Nissan’s base 350 lb-ft, as is the case with most inline-six engines versus V-6s (inline-sixes tend to generate more torque). But the Nissan has a leg up with the NISMO Z, which bumps its V-6’s output to 420 horses and 384 lb-ft. However, the NISMO’s V-6 is sadly mated only to the nine-speed auto. Both cars in all forms hit 60 MPH from a standstill in the neighborhood of four seconds.

Comfort

Neither of these cars are particularly comfortable for long drives or everyday use, when compared to something far more practical. But they are certainly capable of such duties if you have high tolerances for cramped spaces and stiff suspension. Both have narrow and hard sport-oriented seats and not a lot of room to stretch out. If comfort takes priority, but still want two doors and performance, a four-seat Ford Mustang might be a better option.

Technology

Since the A90 Supra is basically a heavily rebodied and modified Z4 with an adapted version of BMW’s iDrive and safety tech, it unsurprisingly behaves like one on the tech front. If you’re familiar with any BMW made in the 2010s, you’ll feel right at home in the Supra. Everything’s just been slightly reworked with Toyota and Supra graphics and fonts.

Nissan’s system is lifted straight out of some of its other vehicles, such as the Altima and the Pathfinder. But it’s just as easy to use with its massive, driver-oriented touchscreen, physical radio and HVAC knobs, and large Nissan graphics. Neither have their ups and downs as they both go about doing the same things in their own ways. But if you don’t want to be reminded of another car’s parts source, the 400Z is all strictly in-house.

The A90 GR Supra Remains One Of Japan’s Definitive Sports Cars, No Matter The Parts Bin

With the A90 GR Supra coming to the end of its series production run after six years, it’s undoubtedly reestablished itself as one of the go-to two-door sports cars. It may have arrived to a polarized reception because of its BMW-sourced roots. But that didn’t at all disparage its capability as a true performance car.

There are few cars out there that provide just as much performance and joy as a two-seater, especially at its price point. You do have the Nissan Z and the Ford Mustang. But otherwise, you’ll have to make some serious leaps into the premium category to get even close to a Supra’s level of driver engagement and performance. And as I said when the Supra first launched back in 2019, regardless of my bittersweet feelings, I’m just glad the nameplate’s back and that hasn’t changed six years later.