Esquire Chooses 2020 GR Supra as Its 2019 Car of the Year
Despite the BMW heart and bones, the men’s magazine proclaims the Supra will blow minds in a field of ho-hum sports cars.
December brings more than Christmas trees, clay dredles, and the darkest winter nights. The month also delivers on end-of-year lists, reviews, and awards. Whether it’s music, big news events, or even a recap of all the big names we’ve lost over the year, you cannot escape the annual wrap-up extravaganza.
For example, Esquire chooses a vehicle for its Car of the Year award. In 2013, it was the 2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport. A few years later in 2017, the LC 500 took home the title of “Best-Designed Car of the Year.” This year, though, Lexus’ parent company, Toyota, takes the top prize with its new GR Supra.
According to the men’s magazine, the Supra stands-out amid the luxury sports cars on the streets of Los Angeles. In fact, should you be driving one, you’ll have quite the crowd following your every move, as if you were a Hollywood starlet coyly courting TMZ.
As the saying goes, though, absence makes the heart grow fonder. For the fifth-gen Supra, that’s a two-decade-long absence, one brought to an end with the help of Toyota’s partner in the production of the new car, BMW. The Toyota has plenty of Teutonic DNA underneath its body panels, as the 3.0-liter turbo-six, ZF eight-speed auto, and the infotainment system all belong to the Bavarians; those pieces are shared with the new BMW Z4.
Unlike the Z4, though, the Supra has tons of attractive styling. Think of it as the “Baby Yoda” of the car world, calming drinking its share of premium gasoline while Porsche and BMW fight for everyone’s attention in front of it. All the Toyota has to do is park, and the crowds gather.
Of course, there’s nothing like a backstage pass. The lucky owners get to make full use of the turbo-six’s 335 horses upon the winding roads outside of L.A., all without breaking the bank. For just over $50,000 to start, the Supra is the perfect car for making a big impression without trying. No wonder Esquire chose it for its 2019 Car of the Year award.
Photos: Esquire
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