Op-Ed: GR Supra is Currently the Best Lexus/Toyota Driver’s Car
The LC is my favorite current Lexus, but the GR Supra is the presently best driver’s car being sold under a Toyota or Lexus badge.
I don’t know if this is controversial or obvious or garners a different reaction altogether. Regardless, if you’re walking into a Lexus or Toyota dealership during the 2023 or 2024 model year and covet the best driver’s car, I recommend buying a GR Supra 3.0.
To be clear, there’s no intention to knock other Lexus or Toyota performance vehicles. In fact, the Lexus LC 500 Convertible remains my personal favorite for the way it blends its high-revving V8 engine with a sumptuous interior, gorgeous design language, and top-town engagement. But that’s a Grand Tourer, or GT, car. Its refinement and structure make it pretty heavy, roughly 1,000 pounds more than a GR Supra 3.0 Premium. So, as I was pondering about the rest of the Lexus and Toyota lineup, the current Supra, controversial as it can be in some circles, vaults to the top of my objective list of sports or driver’s cars available to purchase this year.
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What Makes an ‘Amazing Driver’s Car?’
Naturally, there’s no way to nail down empirically what makes a great driver’s car (it’s a subjective choice). But here are a few factors to which, I’d argue, many auto enthusiasts can relate —
- Thrilling acceleration
- Impressive braking
- Engaging sounds
- Grippy cornering
- And maybe toss in a touch of comfort and amenities.
The GR Supra 3.0 — with either the auto or manual transmission — drives like a go-cart for adults. The B58 turbocharged inline-six hits 369 ft.-lbs. of peak torque at 1,600 RPM, which hauls you off the starting line, with the whole thing pulling to redline more like a naturally aspirated engine. It’s not the fastest out there, but at roughly 3,400 lbs, it’s all the fun you need. The 2UR-GSE 5.0L V8, by comparison, peaks at just under five grand. It, for better or worse, loves to stretch its legs already at speed.
The GR Supra’s brakes are also sublime, as are its sporty street tires (Michelin Pilot Super Sports). This is a car that I’ve personally witnessed doing a full week of hotlapping for a press launch event without losing steam. (Although the tires do break down at these temperatures, but that’s just reality, not a criticism.) The engine sounds — especially in sport mode — amazing. I’m more of a V8 guy, but the B8 definitely feels like it honors the 1JZ and 2JZ motors of yore. And if you like pops and crackles, you’re going to be thrilled.
BMW owners sure liked to show off their burble tunes when I was around.
Around corners, the GR Supra 3.0 is light and nimble and low to the ground. It feels like you could hit any corner, no matter how sharp, at any speed. (Even if physics prevents such antics.) With almost 400 fewer pounds than the various RC-F Fuji/Track editions, the Supra feels almost like a Miata or S2000, or even the GR Corolla, but with a LOT more power, which makes it more dynamic and more challenging to learn.
On the inside, the GR Supra isn’t the best of the vehicles we’ll discuss today. BMW’s infotainment lags behind Lexus and Toyota these days and, at these prices, ventilated seats would be nice. But the seats are very comfortable and well-bolstered. There’s also the issue of wind-buffeting, but fortunately, it’s caused by misdirected airflow around the side mirrors and, therefore, a pretty easy fix.
BMW Controversy
No Mark V Supra discussion is complete without mentioning the obvious. Pop the hood or root around the battery compartment or even fire up the radio, and you’re going to see a lot of German and/or BMW logos. That’s because, just in case you don’t know, Toyota co-developed the GR Supra with BMW, but BMW, which released this vehicle as the Z4 Roadster, handles production.
So I get it… A legend, known for its reliability and mod-potential, returns… from a brand not exactly known for making long-lasting vehicles. Is it a slap in the face?
Personally, after speaking with Toyota engineers at a couple of press events, I’d say no, not at all.
First, the Supra wouldn’t exist without this partnership. That doesn’t mean you have to love it just for existing. But this was it, the chance to build a sports car in a world dominated by SUVs. Second, Toyota Gazoo Racing designed the Supra’s body and suspension and handling characteristics. So I trust that these engineers and designers are genuinely proud of their work (at least I trust them more than anonymous people on the Internet). The same can be said for the manual transmission. It’s a ZF box, but designed by Toyota and outfitted with parts exactly to Toyota’s specifications and needs. It may have taken a village to raise this sports car, but the results are thrilling and engaging in all the right ways.
Will electrical gremlins make these a nightmare in 10 to 15 years? Maybe? Will the B58 motor last as long as a 2JZ? I couldn’t say. But, generally speaking, online it has a reputation for being strong and surviving various modifications.
The Other Lexus & Toyota Contenders
The LC 500 is my personal favorite Lexus that’s currently for sale. (And I’ve never driven an LFA.) It is a bit on the chunky side, as it’s a grand tourer, not a true sports car. But its screaming 2UR-GSe 5.0L V8 paired with that 10-speed transmission and an amazing exhaust provide a transformative and engaging driving experience. It’s amazing even though it’s not the quickest. And even though it’s more comfortable and sounds better, its driving dynamics don’t compare with the Supra.
The RC F has been a weird car for me to drive. It has the same V8 as the LC, but a different exhaust and, although one of our members pointed out that the 8-speed has an AISIN-rated shift time of 100 ms vs 120 ms on the LC’s 10-speed, I prefer the gearing on the LC as well as the way the LC happily rev-matches when downshifting. To me, that’s more engaging. The RC F is effectively the Japanese Mustang, but I’ve never been a fan of its looks. And it always feels a bit odd when driving it, for reasons I can’t quite explain, even though I’ve seen professional drivers drive them extremely hard on track. Again, the RC sounds better than the Supra and it’s a lot of fun, but the Supra is lighter and more nimble. Honestly, I wish Lexus could steal the Supra’s chassis and swap in the 2UR-GSE because that would be an incredible combination.
The IS 500 is, effectively, a better-looking RC F with four doors. I absolutely love it even though it’s not a true F model. But it too lacks the driving-on-rails sensation the Supra provides. As a father, I’d probably buy the IS 500 over a Supra for its blend of practicality/fun. But the Supra’s driving experience is next level.
The GR Corolla, especially in Morizo trim, is arguably the most fun you can have in a Toyota or Lexus vehicle for the money. (Before the greedy dealers show up.) It too provides a go-cart-esque driving experience at real-world speeds. And its all-wheel-drive system is glorious. You can drive this thing at ten-tenths almost everywhere. But having tracked the GR Supra and Corolla back-to-back, the Supra’s extra horsepower and torque are simply more intoxicating. It’s true, the Supra demands more caution at times. But the GR Supra is a missle in automatic form; and the perfect GR track toy when Manual-equipped.
The GR 86 is another incredible driver’s car and the most affordable on the list. Like the Supra, it too suffers from a touch of two-company engineering in the sense that it’s not a wholly original Toyota product. But, alas, once you’ve tasted the power and sound characteristics of every other car on this list, the 86 doesn’t stand a chance. (Even though, again, it’s very fun.)
Bottom Line
Lexus and Toyota make amazing vehicles. And, depending on your budget and needs, the GR Supra may not be the best fit. But if it does fit your needs, I’d argue that the GR Supra provides a superlative driving experience to its GR siblings and Lexus cousins.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with extra context about the RC F and its transmission.
Images: Lexus, Toyota, Michael S. Palmer
