The 2020 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 is attempting to achieve what many Toyotas have failed to accomplish: look cool in the eyes of consumers everywhere. Toyota is a giant in the car industry, but even the company might admit automobiles are often more about function than form. But with its halo car, the Supra, Toyota is trying to offer the best of both worlds. And in this case, it may be succeeding. 

Toyota becomes cool?

At first glance, one might not expect the Supra to be a Toyota coupe. Its exterior design resembles that of a BMW or even a higher-priced sports car. The Supra has sleek, rounded edges that set it apart in the average parking lot. And despite relying heavily on the tried-and-true BMW aesthetic, it manages to have its look while winking at other cars. 

The Supra stands only 50 inches tall and 60 inches wide. It comes in an attractive array of glossy grays, silvers, blacks, reds, whites, yellows, and blues. Thanks to its rounded design, it looks both modern yet classic, which is a big draw. However, it’s not good enough to merely look like the competition. It has to compete beneath the trunk, too. 

What happens under the hood? 

The Supra packs decent power on the streets. According to Car and Driver, it has an intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6 engine and a gasoline direct injection system. And it peaks at over 382 hp and 368 torque. It also offers eight gears, 25 mpg, and a fuel capacity of just under 14 gallons.

The Supra holds only two people, but it boasts decent headroom despite its smaller build, though bigger drivers might still struggle to get comfortable inside the compact space. Eight speeds, rear-wheel drive, a stainless steel exhaust, and several other vital features mean consumers are getting a lot of power in a tiny package when they switch to the Supra. 

It also comes with SiriusXM, Bluetooth, a hands-free phone, and other infotainment features that modern consumers expect. But according to interviews conducted by Car and Driver, the Supra’s biggest selling points are its contemporary design and history of loyal fans. 

People are sold

Taking the Supra cross-country, Car and Driver’s reviewers found it resonated with people in unexpected ways. A man followed one of the reviewers to a Jimmy John’s to take a picture of the car to send to his brother. Another reviewer noticed a lot of onlookers tended to give it envious stares as she drove past. 

Yet another reviewer, Eric Tingwall, was impressed by the reactions the Supra elicits from people. 

“This car attracts constant attention from males ages 8 to 40. They all know it’s a Toyota Supra, they think it’s cool, and those who are aware that BMW builds it could not care less about its origins,” Tingwall told Car and Driver. “The Supra appears to be rehabbing Toyota’s beige reputation far more successfully than the Scion FR-S/Toyota 86. This is a halo car doing exactly what halo cars are supposed to do.”

Toyota appears to have hit it out of the park with the Supra. It resonates with modern consumers in ways that seem impossible in today’s market. And its attractive design, combined with a relatively affordable price and enviable performance, makes it a no-brainer. All of this considered, Toyota has proven it doesn’t just make cars. It makes them cool, too.