Is the Toyota Supra a Good Daily Driver? (7 Essential Facts)

Sports cars typically aren’t suitable for everyday use, but the fifth-gen Toyota Supra is a surprisingly good daily driver with plenty of pluses and few flaws.

It packs plenty of performance and driving rewards for the money that the shortcomings are forgivable.

Toyota Supra’s Negatives as a Daily Driver

#1 Cramped Cockpit

Entering and exiting the Supra’s low-slung cabin will require some athleticism, especially for taller occupants.

The doors are shorter and thus lighter than average, which is a plus, but you will still need to watch your head if you’re of average height.

Once inside, the driver’s space is narrow, and shoulder room is limited and noticeable when driving at a leisurely speed.

Larger drivers should test-drive one to see if the interior space is a comfortable fit.

The Supra’s competitors, the Porsche Cayman and BMW M2, do a better job of making the cabin feel roomy.

#2 Restricted Visibility

For a small sports car with a fairly low stance, the compromised outward visibility isn’t surprising.

The views out of the cockpit are limited in every direction.

The relatively thick windshield pillars, high dashboard, and long hood compromise the driver’s vision out the front; the short glass all-around doesn’t help either.

Seeing over the hood and traffic lights, plus maneuverability in tight parking spaces, will be challenging.

Opting for the blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear automatic emergency braking systems is crucial if you want to subject a Supra to daily driving duties.

Toyota Supra’s Positives as a Daily Driver

#3 Tolerable Ride Quality

The latest-gen Supra has BMW and Toyota parentage, sharing hardware from the stiff-riding Z4 roadster.

Fortunately, it benefits from Toyota’s unique tuning, which makes the ride relatively more agreeable for daily use.

Tire noise from the high-performance summer rubber fills the cabin, and wind and road noise are omnipresent, although they aren’t unpleasantly loud.

The sporty bucket seats are comfortable and supportive with a multi-way lumbar adjustment, although larger occupants will find them narrow and tight for long-distance comfort.

Overall, ride quality is firm but not harsh, and Comfort is the preferred mode for daily commute.

#4 Superior Fuel Economy (Compared to Rivals)

The Supra is as nimble around corners as it does rocketing from a standstill in under 5 seconds.

Still, its near-30-mpg combined fuel economy is a pleasant surprise and a commendable achievement given its performance capability.

EPA rated the fifth-gen turbocharged four-cylinder variant at 28 mpg overall and the inline-six at 25 mpg, although real-world tests return improved results.

All Mk5 trim levels require the more expensive premium fuel, but few Supra enthusiasts will complain.

#5 Limited (But Acceptable) Storage

You don’t usually find plenty of trunk space in sports cars, and the Supra is no exception.

It has less cargo capacity than the Porsche 718 Cayman and the BMW M2 – two of the closest competitors to the Supra.

	Cargo Capacity (seats in place)
Mazda MX-5 Miata (convertible)	4.6 cubic ft.
Toyota GR86 (coupe)	6.3 cubic ft.
Subaru BRZ (coupe)	6.3 cubic ft.
Chevy Camaro (coupe)	9.1 cubic ft.
Toyota Supra (coupe)	10.2 cubic ft.
Porsche 718 Cayman (coupe)	14.9 cubic ft.
Ford Mustang (coupe)	13.5 cubic ft.
BMW M2 (coupe)	13.8 cubic ft.
Dodge Challenger (coupe)	16.2 cubic ft.

On paper, the Supra’s 10.2 cubic feet is more than double the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but its narrow and long space means utilizing it will require some planning.

That said, a weekend getaway for two is possible.

The Supra’s trunk can comfortably fit two roller suitcases, each measuring 23L x 15W x 12D inches, with the cargo cover in place – with the cover up, you could stand three such suitcases on their shortest sides.

Storage space in the cabin is deficient, with small door pockets and glovebox, but it’s a minor drawback.

#6 Thoroughly Inexpensive Upkeep (for a Sports Car)

Toyota Supras cost an average of $561 per year to maintain, according to RepairPal – a reasonable amount considering its near-$50,000 price tag.

Let’s see how they differ from year to year.

Year	Annual Costs (Supra)	Annual Costs (MX-5 Miata)	Annual Costs (718 Cayman)
1	$220	$209	$547
2	$244	$241	$637
3	$283	$293	$781
4	$345	$376	$1,012
5	$397	$445	$1,203
6	$478	$554	$1,505
7	$643	$774	$2,117
8	$709	$862	$2,360
9	$770	$943	$2,586
10	$861	$1,064	$2,922
11	$872	$1,079	$2,965
12	$969	$1,209	$3,325

The probability of significant repair logically increases with the Supra’s age:

• 1.30% in year 1,
• 6.10% in year 5,
• 12.57% in year 10, and
• 24.21% in year 12.

These probability figures are lower than those of the MX-5 Miata and 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman.

#7 Relatively Strong Resale Value

The fifth-generation Toyota Supra debuted in 2020, slightly over two decades after the last model of the previous generation vacated dealerships.

But judging by the fourth-gen’s resale value, the Supra holds its value reasonably well.

It sheds approximately 40% after the initial five years – consistent with many other sub-$100k sports cars – and a mere 54% after ten years.

	5-yr Depreciation	10-yr Depreciation
Mazda MX-5 Miata	38%	55%
Audi R8	40%	47%
Toyota Supra	40%	54%
Nissan GT-R	40%	56%
Dodge Challenger	40%	61%
Chevy Camaro	40%	62%
Subaru WRX	40%	70%
Nissan 370z	42%	58%
Ford Mustang	43%	66%
Porsche 911	45%	63%
Dodge Charger	48%	75%

In the sub-$50k price range, only the Mazda Miata retains value better than the Supra.

Toyota Supra Generations

Here’s a summary of the Supra generations:

• 1^st gen (Mk1): 1979 to 1981 Toyota Celica Supra.
• 2^nd gen (Mk2): 1982 to 1985 Toyota Celica Supra.
• 3^rd gen (Mk3): 1986 to 1993 Toyota Supra.
• 4^th gen (Mk4): 1993 to 1998 Toyota Supra.
• 5^th gen (Mk5): 2020 to present Toyota GR Supra.

Although the latest Supra is part-BMW, its external styling remains distinctly Toyota.

Daily Driving an Older Generation Supra:

Can You Daily Drive a Supra Mk3?

Mk3s cover the period between 1986 and 1993.

The Supra Mk3 is a poor daily driver because it can only average sub-20-mpg and is old and unreliable with pricey parts.

Comparatively better visibility and unique styling, unfortunately, are its only plus points, and they contribute little in costs and practicality.

It can work if you can and are willing to work on the car, but the Mk3 is an expensive and problematic everyday vehicle for most drivers.

Can You Daily Drive a Supra Mk4?

It was the last model before the decades-long hiatus.

The Supra Mk4 is a gas guzzler (below 20-mpg combined) by today’s standards, and by now, they are used models with heavy modifications, translating into a thirsty and unreliable daily driver.

Toyota makes reliable vehicles, but Supra’s easy-to-modify platform means the used Mk4 you’re eyeing has likely seen countless modifications that would have compromised its reliability.

If you can accept the gas mileage and find one in good condition, it’s a fun daily ride.

References:

https://www.toyota.com/grsupra/

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/05/01/toyota-supra-luggage-test/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Supra

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2022_Toyota_GR_Supra.shtml