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Toyota GR Supra sports car on display at Brussels Expo

Is the 2021 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 Efficient Enough to Matter?

Practicality is not typically associated with the decision-making process when buying a sports car. As technology has ramped up in car production, we have have been able to introduce a smidge of practicality into our sports car checklist. In recent years there has been a solid roster of smaller displacement, fuel-friendly sports cars, like the …

Practicality is not typically associated with the decision-making process when buying a sports car. As technology has ramped up in car production, we have have been able to introduce a smidge of practicality into our sports car checklist. In recent years there has been a solid roster of smaller displacement, fuel-friendly sports cars, like the Fiat 124 Spider, Miata MX-5, and the Subaru BRZ, just to name a few. However, none have made quite as big of a splash as the 2020 Toyota Supra did. 

OK, OK. I think it’s safe to say that most people considering the purchase of a sports car aren’t overly concerned with any sort of practicality like fuel efficiency, legroom, or passenger comfort. These cars, categorically, aren’t exactly the most practical. They serve one function – excitement. That being said, the 2021 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 is reported to be impressively responsible at the gas station – that is until you see its numbers compared to its bigger badder twin.

The Toyota Supra’s fuel economy

With the introduction of the 2021 Toyota GR Supra 2.0, many expected to see a significant jump in fuel economy. MotorTrend reports that the new one is only marginally better than its larger predecessor.

According to the EPA, the new Supra gets 25 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. We aren’t saying that’s bad at all – in fact, those are great numbers for something as sporty as a Supra, but they are a little confusing when taking into account the 3.0 inline-six model gets 25 mpg combined.

New Toyota Supra GR 2.0 specs

Yes, the new Toyota Supra 2.0 has a significantly smaller motor with two fewer cylinders than the 3.0. And with that, a horsepower drop from its re-energized, larger counterpart – but has that stopped it from being a full-blown ripper?

Car and Driver reports the 2.0-liter Supra will make 255 hp compared to the 3.0-liter’s 382 hp. That power difference is clearly significant, but the 2.0-liter’s horses can stretch a bit further since it is 219 lbs lighter. And the cleverness hasn’t stopped there. 

Car and Driver reports that the Toyota Supra GR 2.0 will support the same width tire as the 3.0, but it’ll sport a smaller wheel giving the tire more sidewall. Manual seats, slightly smaller brakes, and one-third the number of speakers all add up to this new lightness. 

Toyota made some significant changes to the new models in the handling department, says MotorTrend. The 2021 Toyota Supras have new electric power steering, adaptive variable suspension, electronic stability control, and active differential programming. MotorTrend reports that these tweaks have given a massive and much-needed update to the cars handling. 

But is the Toyota Supra Gr 2.0 worth it?

Toyota GR Supra sports car on display at Brussels Expo
The Toyota Supra | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Sure, why not. Listen, at the end of the day sports cars are all about what grab you. No, the new Supra still doesn’t have back seats, a very useable trunk, or the comfiest cabin, but if you are excited about a lighter, cheaper, and slightly more efficient version to help argue practicality, go for it! If you want to burn tires, raise hell, and only spend slightly more on gas, I say go for that too. Any way you cut it, this new batch of Supras are efficient machines that seem like a pretty good time. Go have some fun.

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