Texas Awards a Tiny Toyota With a Promising Performance Award
This year, after members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) tested and voted on our favorites, a tiny Toyota earned the Performance Vehicle of Texas award. In fact, it was the 2021 Toyota Supra. And it really is an awesome car.
A day at the Texas Auto Roundup left me in a whirlwind
On the day of the Texas Auto Roundup, hosted by TAWA, I drove several performance vehicles (among many others). I felt like a racecar driver in the 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody model. I powered around the track with an instructor, as she gave me driving tips and information about the vehicle.
The 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport was smooth and quiet, yet still delivered in terms of power. But overall, I have to say I agree with the vote. The 2021 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 is a value-packed performance vehicle with a fun side.
Is the 2021 Toyota Supra a good car?
Yes, the 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 is a great car. It’s a spritely performance coupe that offers a lot in terms of value as well as an engaging driving experience. There’s a reason why so many journalists, bloggers, and critics voted to make this the Performance Vehicle of Texas.
The 2021 Toyota Supra at the event was striking. I immediately fell in love with the matte Storm Gray paint coat. In fact, even after finding out that this paint color costs $1,495 extra and that the final assembly has to take place in Austria due to this unique paint job I thought to myself–– “if I bought this car, this is the only color to have it in.”
It’s rather inconspicuous compared with others at the roundup such as the Lexus LC500 or the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye. But in that Storm Gray metallic paint it is absolutely stunning. It’s aesthetic appeal alone had me at hello. But when I got to have it to myself for 20 minutes, zipping around at the Texas Motor Speedway I realized why so many people love this car.
2021 Toyota Supra specs
The 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 (called the GR Supra on the Monroney sticker) employs a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger. This mighty little engine generates up to 382 hp and 368 lb-feet of torque.
An 8-speed automatic transmission moves power to the rear wheels. All four wheels of the 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 are 19-inches of aluminum wrapped in Michelin Pilot super sport tires. The Premium trim Supra I tested comes with all the bells and whistles. This includes niceties such as an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 12 speaker JBL audio system.
How much is this year’s Performance Vehicle of Texas?
The MSRP for the 3.0 engine Premium trim Supra starts at $54,490. The one at the Texas Auto Roundup costs $58,250 as equipped. However, there are other options too.
The 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 without the extras that the Premium trim adds starts at $51,090. Toyota also offers a 2.0-liter four-cylinder version of the GR Supra starting at $43,090. Overall, the Toyota Supra earned its title as the Performance Vehicle of Texas. It’s compelling and value-packed––and I still can’t get that matte paint coat out of my head.
