Being aware that enthusiasts have waited too long for the all-new 2020 GR Supra, Toyota has released U.S. pricing simultaneously with the car’s world debut in Detroit.
So we learned that the base 3.0 trim level starts at $50,920, including $930 destination. Our first instinct was to compare the Supra with the pricing of its platform sibling, the BMW Z4 Roadster. As it turns out, that comparison puts the Toyota in very good light.
You see, the 2019 BMW Z4 M40i starts at $65,690, including $995 destination. That makes it almost $15k more expensive than its brother with a Japanese name, despite the fact that both cars feature essentially the same mechanicals.
Yes, the turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six delivers 47 extra horsepower in the BMW but the roadster is 46 lbs (21 kg) heavier. Still, the two cars are evenly-matched from a performance standpoint: the Z4 M40i’s recently updated 0-60 mph time is 3.9 seconds, undercutting the Supra by just 0.2 seconds.
All things considered, the Supra definitely makes more financial sense than the Z4 M40i in the United States, although they target different types of customers. But will the Japanese sports car have it as easy when compared to other fixed-roof rivals that cost about the same?
We’ve compiled a list of sports coupes that hover around the $50,000 mark to try and anticipate how well the Supra will do when going on sale later this year. For obvious reasons, we’ve restricted our search to rear-wheel-drive cars and we tried not to go beyond $10,000 in either direction. Buckle up.
2019 BMW M240i Coupe | 335HP 3.0L I6 | $46,795 MSRP
While the Z4 M40i isn’t a direct rival for the Supra, the M240i Coupe might as well be. An M2 on a budget, it undercuts the Supra by a little over four grand — despite packing the same 335-hp engine. It’s almost as fast as the Toyota, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds when fitted with the optional eight-speed automatic. Furthermore, it features the same 50:50 weight distribution and the added benefit of rear seats. Want more? You can even have it with xDrive AWD and it still would be cheaper than the GR Supra. Plus, it doesn’t look like it swallowed a jar of steroids, allowing you to fly under the radar most of the time.
2019 BMW M2 Competition | 405HP 3.0L I6 | $59,895 MSRP
The Supra just can’t shake BMWs, can it? Despite costing nine grand more, the BMW M2 Competition is too good to ignore for anyone who’s in the market for a performance coupe. Unlike the previous M2, the Competition features a proper BMW M engine. It’s slightly quicker than the Supra, going from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds with the optional seven-speed double-clutch transmission. The icing on the cake? It comes with a standard six-speed manual gearbox.
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt | 475HP 5.0L V8 | $47,690 MSRP
We haven’t gone mad, it’s just that the Mustang Bullitt is too good an offer to ignore. Think about it: for about $3k less than a Supra, you can get a V8 Mustang with a lot more power and torque, standard manual transmission and the iconic looks of Steve McQueen’s classic Mustang Bullitt. If you’re good with the clutch, it does 0-60 in about the same time as the Supra. It may not be as rewarding to drive but it’s a lot roomier — even though that comes with a significant weight penalty over the Supra.
2019 Nissan 370Z Nismo | 350HP 3.7L V6 | $46,585 MSRP
The fact that we’ve included the aging Nissan 370Z Nismo in this list is telling of the Supra’s shift from a Nissan GT-R rival back in the day to a 370Z competitor now. Still, one should never underestimate the 370Z Nismo. With a 0-60 time of 5 seconds with the standard six-speed manual transmission, the 370Z is slightly slower than the Supra but as sharp to drive and as analog as it gets. Plus, you can also have it with a seven-speed automatic.
2019 Porsche 718 Cayman | 295HP 2.0L FLAT4 | $56,900 MSRP
The only four-cylinder car in this list is also the only one in a mid-ship configuration. The 718 Cayman may be the entry ticket into the world of Porsche sports cars but it feels anything but entry-level. It’s an extremely balanced, well-built machine that also goes fast. It’s slightly off the Supra’s pace, though, with 0-60 mph taking 4.7 seconds when equipped with the PDK transmission (4.9 seconds with the standard manual gearbox). The only downside is the underwhelming sound of the turbo flat-four.
2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray | 455HP 6.2L V8 | $56,995 MSRP
Our sixth and final choice is most certainly the best value for money. For around six grand more than the Supra, you can get a V8-powered Corvette Stingray that’s much quicker than anything in this price range. 0 to 60 takes 3.8 seconds with the standard seven-speed manual or 3.7 seconds with the available eight-speed automatic. It’s the only car in this group that goes under 4 seconds and the only one nearing supercar territory. Need we say more?
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