Toyota's Supra 'Lite' still delivers those racy thrills

This review first appeared in the October 2021 edition of the Cruisin' News published out of Folsom, California – mg 

Sacramento, California ­– I reviewed the Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium sports car a year ago, and the experience was a blast.  Not only did the two-seater deliver a solid punch with a 335-horsepower, 3-liter, in-line 6 dishing it out, I was waved over by a fellow motorist who wanted to take a photo of the car.

Special wheels?  I'd say so.

So, I awaited delivery of the 2021 Toyota GR Supra 2.0 with some edgy kid-on-Christmas-Eve enthusiasm.

Santa delivered again, with a gleaming piece of sports car sculpture wearing blinding "Nitro Yellow" paint.  It looked racetrack-ready.

On the move, I noticed some differences between last year's 3.0 and this year's 2.0. The 2.0 is powered by a 2-liter turbo-4 engine with 255 horsepower. Knowing that the Supra 3.0 now boasts a whopping 382 horses, it's a fair difference.

Consider the 2.0 "Supra Lite." But it still delivers significant thrills, just in a different way.

For example, starting the Supra 3.0 produces a sound not that far removed from a purpose-built, top-tier NASCAR machine.  Those standing nearby can feel the rumble in the soles of their feet.

The turbocharged Supra 2.0 is more of a muscular whine, with a promise of quick sprinting ability.  And it does just that on the open road.

There's no turbo lag as the Supra 2.0 jets from post to post.  And it can be zipped into tight spaces with complete confidence.  I found myself adjusting to the Supra 2.0's particular performance characteristics within minutes.

Simply put, the Supra 2.0 is a very pleasing premium performance coupe ... and there's a bonus to be had straight-up against its 3.0 sibling.

The Supra 3.0 I tested last year had a sticker price of $57,259.  My 2021 GR Supra 2.0 was priced at $48,040, which included more than four-thousand bucks in optional extras.

Yes, that's right: You can possess a primo sports car -- one that some automotive experts rank on near equal footing with the Corvette and Porsche 911 -- for less than $50,000.  In this segment, that's a big deal.

Just remember that for all its heart-racing, sporty charms, the Supra is not an extended road trip warrior.  Seating is for two, and cargo space is, uh, limited.

But if peppy performance and driving fun are your top priorities, the GR Supra 2.0 might be just what you need.