Flash Drive: 2021 Toyota Supra 2.0

New Entry-Level Supra Completes Toyota’s Sports Car Line-up

When Toyota and BMW got together to create the 2020 Toyota Supra 3.0, they knew this rear-wheel drive sports car had to have immediate cred. So they game out of the gate with a 3.0-liter, twin-scroll turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that produces 335 horsepower (hp) and 365 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. They called on the German company ZF (Zed-Eff) for a slick-shifting eight-speed automatic, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, to produce quick 0-to-60 times around 4.0 seconds.

The Supra 3.0 is a blast to drive, so as Toyota used to say, “Who could ask for anything more?” Well, how about a Supra that delivers the fun but at a lower price?

Bring on the all-new 2021 Supra 2.0, which will be in dealerships late in 2020. Toyota is positioning the 2021 Supra 2.0 as an intermediate sports car, slotted between the 86 and the Supra 3.0. Looking at the below performance and price comparisons of the three sports cars, this makes sense as it gives Toyota a compelling story on value for performance.

Supra 3.0 v Supra 2.0 v 86

What are the main differences between the Supra 3.0, 2.0 and the 86? Here is a rundown of what you will find:

Supra 3.0

Supra 2.0

Toyota 86

Supra 2.0: Entry Level, But No Slouch

The 2021 Supra 2.0 has a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder with a twin-scroll turbocharger that produces 255 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Clean Fleet Report had a brief two days driving a Supra 2.0 prototype and were able to turn consistent 0-to-60 times around 5.0 seconds. The rear wheels are driven by the same eight-speed automatic, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, as offered in the more powerful Supra 3.0.

Based on the above chart, the obvious departures between the Supra 3.0 and 2.0 are the weight, engines, horsepower, torque and wheel/tire size. Other differences are:

• The Supra 2.0 uses smaller front brake rotors than the Supra 3.0 (330mm x 24mm vs. 348mm x 36mm), with single-piston calipers vs. four-piston.
• The Supra 2.0 does not have the Active Differential and Adaptive Suspension used on the 3.0 model.
• A four-speaker audio system is standard, vs. the Supra 3.0’s 10-speaker system.
• Supra 2.0 seats are manually adjustable, vs. 14-way power-adjustable in the 3.0.

Road Session

Clean Fleet Report had a quick two days in a prototype version of the 2021 Supra 2.0. The understanding when driving a prototype is it may not be as complete nor sophisticated as a production model. That’s fine with us as getting seat time in a car that won’t be in dealer showrooms for months to come is a treat.

The 2.0 handled better than the 3.0. Sacré bleu! First, because it weighed 200 pounds less, but also because the reduced horsepower and torque were more usable in more situations. The best performance comes into play when cornering hard is enhanced by having the ability to use all the available power when you need it.

When the Mazda MX-5 Miata came out with a new engine in 2018, there were many who wanted it to be more powerful. When you drive the Miata, you will see why Mazda’s engineers constrained themselves on the horsepower and torque. Svelte handling is never compromised by having too much power and torque. This is the same with the Supra 2.0, which has all the power anyone needs for carving mountain passes, and allows you to lay down the power to the rear wheels with control.

Observations: 2021 Toyota Supra 2.0

Clean Fleet Report will do a full Road Test review when the 2021 Toyota Supra 2.0 goes on sale later in 2020, seeking-out the tightest mountain corners and the longest sweepers we can find. We will report back on the 2.0 handling, fuel economy and if the $8,000 lower price compared to the Supra 3.0 would affect your joy factor.

Oh, we probably should mention the 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 is getting an increase in horsepower to 382 and torque to 368, so maybe that will be a factor if you go for the more powerful Supra.

It is great having so many options!

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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by Lex Adams.

Whatever you end up buying, Happy Driving!

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Road Test of Supra’s Big Brother—the 3.0

Road Test: 2020 Toyota 86

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.