- What’s the New Manual Like to Drive?
- Same Old Shortcomings
- Should You Get the Manual or the Automatic?
The return of the Toyota Supra for the 2020 model year confirmed the Japanese automaker was serious about high-performance sports cars. That said, it was missing a feature important to many enthusiasts: a proper manual transmission. That’s been addressed for 2023 with the introduction of a new six-speed manual, which is available for the optional 382-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. (The base 255-hp turbo four-cylinder only comes with an automatic.)
After driving the manual-transmission GR Supra on the track at Utah Motorsports Campus near Salt Lake City, as well as on some nearby roads, it’s clear this version of the sports car will be an appealing addition for drivers who prefer the greater level of engagement that comes with shifting gears yourself. Not surprisingly, however, it doesn’t fix some of the two-seat sports car’s other issues. (Cars.com pays for its own airfare and lodging when attending manufacturer-sponsored events.)
What’s the New Manual Like to Drive?
The GR Supra’s new six-speed manual is sourced from German supplier ZF, and it includes a rev-matching feature that automatically matches engine rpm when downshifting. The manual-transmission GR Supra also gets a shorter 3.46 final drive ratio versus the 3.15 final drive of automatic-equipped models. This helps the manual Supra take off quicker than it otherwise would, but the automatic GR Supra 3.0 is still quicker to 60 mph; Toyota says it can go from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds versus 4.2 seconds with the new manual.
2023 Toyota GR Supra | Cars.com photo by Mike Hanley
Overall, the six-speed manual delivers the kind of feel you want from a stick shift, with short throws and precise movements. It takes a bit of effort to engage gears because the shifter doesn’t slide between them as easily as in some manuals, but there’s a mechanical precision to its movements that’s appealing.
The shifter works with a clutch pedal that’s easy to use. Like the shifter, it takes some effort to push the pedal to the floor, but it’s not so heavy that you’ll have to worry about your left leg getting tired. There’s a good amount of pedal travel before clutch take-up, which makes smooth gear changes easier. The six-speed manual in the new 2023 Nissan Z offers similarly short throws and good precision, but it takes less effort to engage gears, and its clutch pedal is lighter.
The greater degree of control and connection that the manual offers was a good fit for lapping Utah Motorsports Campus’ 2.2-mile west track, even though 3rd gear was about as high as you needed to shift to navigate the winding course. The transmission is well matched to the smooth-revving six-cylinder, and even though the engine makes lots of power and the car can aggressively take corners, the GR Supra is more about refined than rough-around-the-edges performance.
Same Old Shortcomings
Things that haven’t changed include poor outward visibility — even by sports car standards; the side windows are short and, when paired with the car’s black headliner, the cabin feels claustrophobic. What’s more, tall drivers intent on taking their GR Supra to the track may not be able to fit comfortably; I’m around 6 feet tall, and I barely fit with a helmet on — even with the driver’s seat in its lowest position. The seats have adjustable side bolsters, but the seatbacks themselves are too narrow.
Should You Get the Manual or the Automatic?
The price of the 3.0 and 3.0 Premium trim levels doesn’t change whether you get the eight-speed automatic or the new six-speed manual: the 3.0 starts at $53,595 and the 3.0 Premium at $56,745 (all prices include destination). The manual-only A91 trim, of which only 500 will be offered in the U.S., costs $59,440. While automatic-equipped GR Supras can have optional adaptive cruise control, cars with the manual transmission get traditional cruise control.
For a conventional automatic, the Supra’s eight-speed transmission is impressive; it makes quick gear changes when needed and generally performs well on both the track and the street. It’s not as involving as the manual transmission, but it does make the car quicker to 60 mph and gets better gas mileage; for 2023, the automatic six-cylinder GR Supra is EPA-estimated at 26 mpg combined, while the manual is rated 21 mpg.
Nowadays, however, choosing a manual in a sports car is less about the numbers and more about whether it enhances the driving experience or not. The GR Supra’s new six-speed manual does this, making it a worthwhile addition to the lineup.
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Keyword: 2023 Toyota GR Supra Manual Transmission First Drive: Better Late Than Never