2021 Toyota Supra vs 1994 Toyota Supra: Which is Better?
Throttle House compared both models of Supra against each other, and came to a pretty solid conclusion.
When automakers reintroduce legendary nameplates, inevitable comparisons between old and new arise. However, in the case of the Supra, things are a bit different. Toyota largely focused on their core vehicles like the Camry and Rav4 over the last 20 years, ignoring performance models. Additionally, they partnered with BMW for the latest Supra, making its reintroduction even more controversial.
Over 1 year after its revival, numerous outlets compared the new model to its predecessor. Thomas Holland and James Engelsman of Throttle House recently embarked on this match-up and had a lot to say about both cars. But they seemed to have selected a victor among the duo.
2021 Toyota Supra: Good but Hardly Perfect
Engelsman first piloted the 2021 Supra to get reacquainted with it. First impressions? Despite lacking a manual, it worked extremely well. “If I have to be denied the manual shifter, I will take the ZF, because it’s great,” says Engelsman. Instant torque and quick shifts convinced the host that the 8 speed automatic really doesn’t leave anything to be desired. Later on in the video, Holland gets behind the wheel. He immediately pans the new Supra for its exhaust notes because they sounded artificial. He also disliked its high price, especially compared to the old model, as the resale value now puts the old one at roughly the same dollar amount. “But then I look at the old one and I know what it is and what it represents. And it immediately makes me want it more,” says Holland.
1994 Toyota Supra: An Absolute Legend
In some ways, this comparison isn’t exactly fair. The previous generation earned its status as one of the best Japanese sports cars of all time. Toyota created an icon that may never be topped ever again. Holland felt a connection with the classic Supra and its engine pretty quickly. “The most characterful powerband I think I’ve driven in a car. You can feel the transition between the turbos. They’re sequential. So that means once I get past 3,000, you get hit with a second turbo, which rips you right to 7,000 rpm,” says Holland. And the power itself convinced him that it’s still a pretty relevant vehicle in 2020. “I was expecting this car to not feel quick by today’s standards. It really does,” says Holland. Numb steering was the only thing that Holland disliked about the 1994 Supra, but the chassis itself responded well to steering inputs.
Supra Comparison
Stacked directly against each other, how did the duo like the two models? Both exhibited solid driving dynamics. But simple quality of life issues limited the 2021 model’s appeal. Visibility issues in the new Supra earned some scorn from the guys. “I say this all the time. People say that the Camaro has terrible visibility. This is at least as bad,” says Engelsman. Oddly enough, there is another issue impacting the new Supra too. Apparently, either BMW or Toyota wanted a pretty lame sounding horn in their new coupe. If equipped in a subcompact hatchback, the horn would sound right at home. In a fairly expensive performance model? It’s a bit out of place. “I feel like a Vespa has more baritone there,” says Engelsman. By comparison, although the older Supra had some weird design choices, the pair liked how “Japanese” it felt.
Clear Verdict
In terms of styling, handling, drivetrain, and overall appeal, the guys ultimately picked the 1994 Supra as the superior vehicle. Although Engelsman stated that he’d pick the new model if his money was on the line. Without context, they acknowledge that the current Supra stands on its own as an extremely competent sports car. However, when judged against its older counterpart, it comes up a bit short. The 1994 Supra exhibits a ton of character and still drives incredibly well, over 25 years after its introduction. There’s a reason why enthusiasts have jacked up the resale value of existing, unmodified examples. It’s still one of the highest points in Japanese engineering. We may look on the new model with similar eyes several decades from now, but in 2020 the older Supra still reigns supreme. Make sure to check out the video to see their comprehensive comparison.