Toyota GR Supra 3.0

A Supra with a German heart

The GR Supra arrived in 2019 as a joint project with BMW. It shares its platform, engine and much of its interior with the Z4, but Toyota tuned the suspension and the steering to its own taste. The result is a two-seat coupe with a short wheelbase, rear-wheel drive and a turbocharged straight-six.

The 3.0-litre B58 engine produces 382 bhp in the later cars, up from 335 bhp in the earliest versions. It is paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic, and a six-speed manual was added later. The Supra is quick, with a 0-62 mph time around four seconds, and it is happy to cruise. It is not as raw as the old A80 Supra, but it is a much more usable car.

The GR Supra's reputation has been complicated by the BMW connection. Some purists dislike the fact that it is built in Austria and uses a German engine. That is a shame, because the car is genuinely good. The B58 is one of the best six-cylinders on sale, and the chassis is well balanced. If you can accept the mixed parentage, it is a compelling sports coupe.

Running costs

Toyota services the GR Supra every 12 months or 10,000 miles. A minor service is £300 to £500 at a Toyota dealer, and a major service with plugs and filters is £500 to £800. The B58 is generally reliable, but it is not a cheap engine to repair if something major fails. Independent BMW specialists can also service it, often for less than a Toyota dealer.

Tyres are reasonable for a sports coupe. A set of premium 19-inch tyres is £600 to £900. Brake discs and pads are £600 to £1,000 for the standard system. The Supra is not a heavy car, so consumables last longer than they would on an M3 or an RS6. Fuel consumption is around 30 mpg on a run and mid-20s in town.

Insurance is higher than a regular coupe because of the performance and the relatively high value. Road tax is standard for the emissions class. The Supra is not a cheap car to buy, but it is not ruinous to run. Budget £1,000 to £1,500 a year for maintenance and consumables if you cover 10,000 miles.

Known weak points

The B58 is a strong engine, but it has a few known issues. The oil filter housing gasket can leak, and the plastic coolant pipes can become brittle with age. Check for oil residue around the front of the engine and coolant stains around the thermostat housing. The PCV valve can fail, causing a rough idle or a whistle. None of these are catastrophic, but they are worth fixing before they become bigger problems.

The active rear differential is a common complaint. A whine, a clunk or a warning message can indicate a problem. The differential fluid should be changed on schedule, and a car that has been driven hard may need it sooner. The eight-speed gearbox is strong, but low-speed hesitation and rough downshifts are reported. A software update can help.

The Supra's infotainment system is BMW-derived and generally works well, but check the screen, the wireless charging pad and the parking sensors. The car has a small cabin, and the seats can wear on the bolsters. The paint is thin on the front bumper and the leading edge of the bonnet, so check for stone chips.

Wind buffeting with the windows down is a well-known Supra issue. Toyota sells a wind deflector, and many owners fit one. It is not a fault, but it is a sign that the car was designed with the windows up. The same applies to the small boot: it is enough for a weekend bag, not a set of golf clubs.

Buying checklist

Ask for the full service history and check that the running-in service was done. The B58 is sensitive to oil quality, so look for invoices that show the correct specification. A car with a gap in its history is a risk, especially if it has been modified.

Check the engine for oil leaks around the filter housing and the valve cover. Look for coolant residue around the thermostat and the water pump. Start the car from cold and listen for a rattle from the timing chain or a whistle from the PCV. A compression test is worthwhile on a high-mileage car.

On the test drive, listen for a whine from the rear differential and a clunk from the suspension. Check the gearbox for smooth shifts and the brakes for a firm pedal. Inspect the tyres for matching brands and even wear. The Supra is sensitive to alignment, and a car with worn bushes can chew through tyres.

Check the infotainment, the digital instrument cluster and the driver assistance systems. The Supra has a lot of technology, and a faulty module can be expensive. A pre-purchase inspection by a BMW or Toyota specialist is worth the money. Ask for a diagnostic scan of all control units.

Market and depreciation

The GR Supra 3.0 has depreciated, but it has a strong following. Early 2019 and 2020 cars with 30,000 to 50,000 miles were £35,000 to £42,000 at the time of writing. Later, low-mileage cars with the 382 bhp engine and a manual gearbox were £45,000 to £55,000. The limited-run A90 Edition and the manual cars hold value better.

The manual gearbox is the enthusiast's choice and is likely to be more desirable in the long term. The automatic is faster and easier to live with, but it is less involving. A car with a full Toyota service history and no modifications is the safest buy. Avoid cars with questionable tunes, aftermarket exhausts and suspension changes unless you know the installer.

The Supra is likely to depreciate further, but not dramatically. It is a niche car with a loyal following, and the B58 engine is well regarded. A clean, standard car should hold its value reasonably well. The fact that it is a Toyota also helps with parts availability and dealer support.

Who it suits

The GR Supra suits someone who wants a fast, rear-wheel-drive coupe that can be used every day. It is comfortable enough for a long drive, quick enough for a track day and small enough for city streets. It does not suit someone who needs rear seats, a large boot or a raw, analogue experience.

If you want a more practical car, the BMW M2 has rear seats and a bigger boot. If you want a lighter, more nimble car, the Porsche 718 Cayman is the benchmark. The Supra sits between them: faster than a Miata, more usable than a Cayman, less practical than an M2.

Alternatives

The BMW M2 is the obvious rival. It has the same B58 engine in a smaller body, rear-wheel drive and a manual option. It is more practical and more playful, but it is also heavier and more expensive. The Nissan Z is a closer spiritual rival, with a twin-turbo V6 and a manual gearbox, but it is less refined and less efficient.

The Porsche 718 Cayman is the sharper choice. It has a mid-engine layout, a better chassis and a more precise steering feel. It is also more expensive to buy and to maintain. The Alpine A110 is lighter and more agile, but it has a smaller dealer network and a less practical cabin. The Supra is the value pick of the group.

How this review was compiled

This review is based on Toyota's published technical and service information, owner reports from SupraMKV and GR Supra forums, independent specialist servicing guides and current Auto Trader listings. Treat these as UK guide prices; mileage and condition move them.