With the Toyota Supra back after a twenty-year hiatus, enthusiasts are asking which is faster, the Ford Mustang GT or Supra? Hardcore loyalists of the Mustang may be interested in hearing why the Supra makes the list as one of the fastest Toyota cars of all time and why it could be better. And we might all be interested in learning what kind of speed the Mustang is bringing in its GT model without the hefty price tag associated with the more costly Shelby. 

While both cars have rear-wheel drive, automatic transmissions and are equally tired, the guys at Throttle House took this question to the track. After testing both vehicles in a drag race and by comparing lap times, this is what they found. 

2020 Ford Mustang GT

One of the “cheapest ways to get into a V8”, even after tacking on the performance pack and Ford factory suspension upgrades, the Ford Mustang GT still comes in at $10,000 cheaper than the Supra. The 5.0-liter V8 gives you 460 hp at 7,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque. You can choose either the 6-speed manual with Rev Matching or the 10-speed automatic although MotorTrend found the 2018 Mustang automatic to be so much quicker than its manual counterpart. 

U.S. News and World Report rates the Mustang as second for best sports cars giving it a 9.1 for performance. They quote Edmunds as saying, “The Mustang GT is impressively quick thanks to its gutsy V8…The 10-speed automatic works very well, too. It picks the best gearing without seeming to be overly busy.” And Kelley Blue Book writes that after driving the 10-speed automatic that you may never go back to a manual. 

2020 Toyota Supra

The reborn Supra makes its comeback after a two-decade absence explains Consumer Reports “focused on being a great sports car”. With 335 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder, it reportedly downshifts fast but comes only in an 8-speed automatic and not manual.

Car and Driver tested the Supra and reached 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Other findings were 0-100 mph in 9.5 seconds and for rolling start, 5-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Other brag-worthy stats that they reported were a 12.3-second quarter-mile at 113 mph. Definitely lighter than earlier models, the lack of a rear seat also makes it 108 lbs lighter. 

Coming in at 9.2 rating for performance by U.S. News and World Report, they praise the reinvented Supra for being a “coupe that’s just as capable on a winding road as it is on a race-track“. 

Track results and which is faster?

The take-off by the Supra was quicker and being relatively light, this comes as no surprise. But with more horsepower, the Mustang pulled through crossing the finish line first and coming out the drag race winner. 

Observations by the reviewers at Throttle House is that the sound of the Mustang is “glorious” and naturally aspirated. Steering though is not that intuitive. The supercharged Supra does downshift fast but with synthetic sounds from the in-line 6. 

Lap time results showed the Supra coming in a hair faster at 1:15:06 than the Mustang at 1:15.18.

Mustang and Supra came out head-to-head a tie, with Mustang taking the drag strip and Supra making faster lap times. These are both incredibly fast machines and a thrill to drive making them worthy and equal competitors in the world of speed.