2023 Supra manual
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Sep 07, 2022 at 7:00am ET Show A manual transmission isn't some magic formula that instantly makes a car more fun to drive. There are plenty of bad manuals out there and some great automatics; drive any Hyundai N product and you'll see what I mean. For an enthusiast car like the Toyota Supra, though, a manual gearbox is, if not a must-have, a definitely-want. Toyota, thankfully, knows its audience better than most. And although it took a few years too long to come to market, the 2023 GR Supra 3.0 is finally getting the six-speed manual fans have been waiting for. Praise be. A vehicle's verdict is relative only to its own segment and not the new-vehicle market as a whole. For more on how Motor1.com rates cars, click here.
Gallery: 2023 Toyota Supra Manual First Drive ReviewRow, Row, Row Your OwnThe fact that a manual exists on this car at all is a great thing. Toyota says it researched tirelessly and consulted with the smartest German engineering experts to find a gearbox that best fit the personality of this car. The outcome? A ZF-sourced six-speed with minor tweaks. Sure, the ZF is essentially the gold standard for over-the-counter transmissions, but it feels completely unspecial here. The catch point is narrow and a rubber band-like clutch action means this car will be a chore in traffic. And the throws are moderate in length but pretty notchy; the six-speed in the Nissan Z still feels snappier by comparison. The good news is that rev-matching technology comes standard, and the manual does have a tighter final drive ratio than the automatic, dropping from 3.15 to 3.46. The shift lever itself is interesting, too; the perfectly circular shift knob weighs just 7.1 ounces. But more than anything, there is an undeniable satisfaction to rowing your own gears in the Supra at high speeds. The sublime turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six – the only way to get the 6MT – still produces 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque here. Although it takes the manual model 4.2 seconds to hit 60 as opposed to the automatic's 3.9-second sprint, your butt dyno won't be able to tell the difference. This car is still stupidly quick.
Dynamically, the Supra goes unchanged, with a taut but not-too-firm suspension making it still fun to fling around in the corners. Toyota says it made minor tweaks to the traction control and stability control on the manual model, even adding a Hairpin+ setting that tweaks the torque distribution allowing for more free wheelspin on twisty roads. But in a dozen or so laps around the Utah Motorsports Park, it was hard to notice any difference. The manual Supra, though, could have really separated itself from the automatic if Toyota improved the brakes. The same four-piston Brembo calipers and 13.7-inch rotors carry over unchanged; the pedal feel is still vague and they have a tendency to fade on the track. But that's a small criticism in the larger scope. Give A ShiftKeen eyes will be able to point out the manual Supra’s updated looks. The new 10-spoke, 19-inch rims sharpen up the wheel wells and the handsome Stratosphere Blue helps brighten up the Supra’s exterior. Matte White and the cleverly named CU Later Gray are also available on the A91-MT Edition, which is limited to just 500 units in the US and adds a fancy Cognac leather-trimmed interior. But the manual transmission is still the biggest draw – and Toyota won’t ask for any extra cash if you want one over the automatic. The 2023 Supra costs $53,595 with the $1,095 destination fee included, and the limited A91 edition asks $59,440. The six-speed manual doesn’t immediately make the Supra a better car, and there certainly could have been more significant tweaks added beyond the gearbox (ie: the brakes). But the Supra was already a solid sports car; the do-it-yourself shifter makes it that much harder to ignore.
FAQs:2023 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium 6MT Engine Turbocharged 3.0-liter I6 Output 382 Horsepower / 368 Pound-Feet Transmission Six-Speed Manual Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive Speed 0-60 MPH 4.2 Seconds Efficiency 19 City / 27 Highway / 21 Combined Weight 3,400 Pounds Seating Capacity 2 Cargo Volume 10.2 Cubic Feet Base Price $52,500 + $1,095 Trim Base Price $53,595 As-Tested Price $56,660
Will the 2023 Supra be manual?For many enthusiasts, something just didn't sit right about such a legendary nameplate at the top of the brand's Gazoo Racing–developed lineup being available only with an automatic. Fortunately, Toyota heeded the call to save the manuals, introducing a stick-shift Supra for 2023. It's as good as we'd hoped.
What manual transmission is in the 2023 Supra?For 2023, Toyota remedies this with a clutch pedal and a six-speed manual transmission. There is one major catch. The stick-shifted Supra will be available exclusively with the 3.0-liter straight-six engine that makes 382 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque—same as the eight-speed automatic-equipped GR Supra.
How much will the 2023 manual Supra cost?That's been rectified for 2023, with a six-speed stick now available in the six-cylinder model. The GR Supra 3.0 has a starting MSRP of $52,500, but with delivery charges and a mandatory Safety & Technology package added in, the manual starts at $56,215.
Will the 2022 Supra have a manual transmission?Since before the new Supra was officially revealed in January 2019, we've been asking Toyota what it would take for a manual transmission to become available. In April 2022, the automaker finally announced that our request, and that of enthusiasts everywhere, had been granted for 2023.
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