When it comes to iconic sports car nameplates, the Toyota Supra is truly one of the all-time greats. Even though it had a fairly humble start as a trim level for the Celica, the Toyota Supra's evolution has seen it grow into one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable sports cars of all time, with values of older models absolutely soaring.
After years of rumors and assumptions, Toyota finally brought back the name in 2019. This time, it was being worn by a smaller sports car that was built in collaboration with BMW, and it turned out to be pretty impressive. There are loads of reasons why the new GR Supra is better than the old one, but in some cases, it's quite the opposite.
10 New Supra - It's Cheaper
This is an obvious one. With how much Mk4 Supra values have exploded in the last few years due to the unfortunate passing of Paul Walker and the car's prominent appearance in the Fast and Furious movie franchise, the older Supra's prices are way out of control.
The newer one, meanwhile, is quite a lot cheaper. Some Mk4 Supras are selling for $100,000, and some even for half a million, but the new GR Supra starts at around $51,000, and around $43,000 if the 4-cylinder is opted for. Plus, the potential buyer gets the peace of mind of buying a brand-new car with a factory warranty and single-digit miles on the odometer.
9 Old Supra - 2JZ Power
One of the reasons why the Mk4 Supra is so highly regarded among car enthusiasts is found under its hood. That's where you'll find a 3.0 liter inline-6 engine, known as the 2JZ-GE, and 2JZ-GTE in turbocharged models.
In its stock configuration, the 2JZ was a very good engine. It made 222 hp in its naturally aspirated form and 320 in the Supra Turbo. However, the 2JZ's party piece was discovered a while later, when tuners found out how durable and capable the engine is. Most of them can be (and are) easily tuned for around 1,000 hp.
8 New One - More Tech
While the Mk4 is a cool car in quite a lot of ways, there's one thing that can't be denied; it's still a car from the 1990s. Even though it was outfitted with tons of cool features from the time, it could be seen as dated today. The new GR Supra is a different story, though.
As is expected from a brand-new car, the new Supra is filled with all the tech most people would expect. The BMW-sourced infotainment system comes as standard, and features like standard Apple CarPlay connectivity, wireless charging, and a heads-up display. There's also available leather upholstery, and tons of safety tech to make driving the Supra on the road a comfortable experience.
7 Old One - It's Simpler
While the tech in the new Supra is very welcome and nice to have, it ultimately means there's more to go wrong. Technology in the automotive world is advancing quickly, and it's getting difficult to keep up, even by the manufacturers themselves.
As the Mk4 Supra is much older and not as filled with technology and electronics, that makes it a lot simpler. It's easier to fix, and there's less to go wrong with it. Not that it will go wrong anyway, because that's something that never happens with a 90s Toyota. Ever.
6 New One - Looks Better
Styling is entirely subjective, but looking at the Mk4 Supra from a modern point of view, it starts to look a little dated. It's a bit... bulbous, and many people are starting to realize that it's a bit too oversized for its own good. The GR Supra doesn't have any of those problems.
While some may disagree, the GR Supra is a beautiful car. It's a lot smaller and more compact than the Mk4, making it look more fun and inviting to throw around corners. Toyota's design team did a smashing job with the exterior design. While it's a bit busier and not as clean as the Mk4, everything looks good, and it does look very modern. Everything looks purposeful.
5 Old One - It's A Legend
Say what you will about the Mk4 Supra, but there's one thing that absolutely cannot be denied; it's a legend. The Fast and The Furious was the movie that started an obsession with cars for a lot of enthusiasts, and the Supra's prominent role in that movie has cemented its reputation.
For a lot of people, the Mk4 Supra is their favorite car of all time simply due to its appearance in the Fast Saga and countless video games like Gran Turismo and Need for Speed. It may be getting more and more expensive by the minute, but at least there's a lot of heritage included in the price.
4 New One - It Handles Better
With quite a few drivetrain modifications, the Mk4 Supra can be quite the machine to take around the track. However, in its stock form, it's not as good as many think. There are countless handling test videos on the internet that show the Mk4 wallowing and leaning in the turns.
The Mk5 is a different story, however. It's designed to be a proper sports car from the get-go, and that's evident in the way it drives. The drivetrain is much better suited for spirited driving, and the more compact dimensions make it a lot more fun and a lot more competent on the racetrack.
3 Old One - Better Aftermarket Support
If you're in the market for an Mk4 Supra, chances are you have plans to modify it. Basically, every Mk4 Supra ever made is modified in one way or another, and there's a very good reason for that. The JZA80 is famously supported by aftermarket brands, even down to the tiniest parts.
As well as tons of aftermarket parts, ranging from engine upgrades to gauge clusters, there are tons of parts to be found for the Mk4 in general. Not that it'll ever go wrong, but in case something does happen, there are still quite a few parts available, and reproductions exist in case a part is difficult to track down.
2 New One - It's Still Pretty Tunable
The 2JZ still reigns supreme in the Supra family as the most tunable engine, but truth be told, the new Supra's powertrain doesn't seem to get nearly as much credit as it deserves. Toyota was seemingly well aware of what the Supra means for a lot of enthusiasts, and that's noticeable in its tunability.
Very soon after the Supra went on sale, various tuners found that the B58 I6 under the hood is very easy to tune. With only a few minor upgrades, outputs of around 400 hp are totally possible, and some have even managed to take it up to 700 hp.
1 Old One - It's More Reliable
Even though it's been proven that the new Supra's BMW-sourced I6 is more than capable of making masses of power, there's still a bit of a gray area. BMW has never had the greatest reputation for reliability, and that's something to think about even with the Supra.
The Mk4, meanwhile, has a legendary reliability record. The engine, as well as being able to make tons of power without imploding, is pretty much bulletproof in general. 150,000 or 200,000 miles is easily achievable as long as it's regularly serviced, and that might give some people much more peace of mind.