The Toyota Supra returned to production in 2020, over two decades after its initial discontinuation, and with the innards of a high-powered BMW, the 2022 Supra is Toyota’s most impressive coupe, built to compete with muscly roadsters like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and modern pony cars like the Camaro and Mustang.
The Supra has a great price range, but it’s really the upgraded turbocharged 6-cylinder engine of the Supra 3.0 that makes for the most excitement and commotion in the sports coupe world. The turbo 4-cylinder engine offers a peppy 255 horsepower, able to push the Supra from 0 to 60 in just 5 seconds. Those extra 2 cylinders on the turbo I-6 shave that down to about 4 seconds—not too shabby!
1. Porsche 718
Starting price: $61,850 to $143,050
Selling points: Porsche’s ultimate all-out sports coupe
Weak spot: Porsche-level price point, disappointing interior
The Porsche 718 is pretty much the car that the Toyota Supra aspires to be. It’s available as a Cayman model or a Boxster convertible, and there are 2.0-liter turbo-4 and 4.0-liter flat-six engine options.
The base 4-cylinder engine gets 300 horsepower, sending it from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The 394 horsepower GTS 4.0 with a Sport Chrono Package shaves that number down to 4.3 seconds and gets a top speed of 182 mph on the track. With the Cayman GT4, you get an engine with 414 horsepower, and the GT4 RS gets 493. With its naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-6 engine, the GT4 RS accelerates to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, faster than any other non-turbo engine.
Another big selling point here over the Supra is available manual transmission for drivers who want that extra bit of control.
2. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Starting price: $28,665 to $39,215
Selling points: Incredible value, pure fun
Weak spot: Not a muscle car (and not trying to be)
It’s hard to find a better sports coupe for your value than the Mazda MX-5 Miata. It significantly undercuts the price points of the more muscular sports coupes like the Supra, and while it’s not quite packing 200 horsepower, the Miata is all about fun. Its light body and simple engine offer a 6-second 0-60 time and properly modern fuel efficiency.
While the Supra may be far more powerful, the Miata puts its power directly in your hands, offering a classically responsive six-speed manual transmission. The Miata’s nimble reputation is respected throughout the automotive world.
If you planned to go for the I-4 Supra, consider the far more fuel-efficient, equally enjoyable, and arguably far more stylistic Miata. But if you’re looking for a sports coupe with some muscle, there are plenty of other fantastic options.
3. Subaru BRZ
Starting price: $29,615 to $32,115
Selling points: Bona fide fun machine, more affordable
Weak spot: No muscly engines, lots of road noise
As far as cars in this price range are concerned, you’re unlikely to find anything more fun than the Subaru BRZ and its Toyota twin, the GR86 (but if you do, it’s probably a Miata).
The BRZ and GR86 entice the ultimate driving enthusiasts with a standard six-speed manual transmission powered by a 2.4-liter flat-four engine that has a power output of 228 horsepower.
It may not have significant drag strip prowess compared to the higher-end Toyota Supra and its top competitors, but it fills the same niche as the Miata quite effectively. It even beats the Miata’s 0-60 time, coming in at 5.4 seconds.
4. Chevrolet Camaro/Camaro ZL1
Starting price: $26,395 to $71,895
Selling points: Serious pony muscle, fair pony prices
Weak spot: poor visibility, less fun
If you’re looking for value but are more interested in power than nimbleness, then a pony car like the Chevy Camaro is the car for you. The Camaro ZL1, in particular, surpasses the power of even the more powerful Supra engine, using a 6.2-liter V8 engine rated for a whopping 650 horsepower.
Key TakeawayWhile we love both the Miata and the Camaro, the Supra does well to encompass much of the best of both worlds. That said, it can’t match the value of cheaper sports coupes.
5. BMW Z4
Starting price: $50,895 to $64,695
Selling points: More available power than the Supra, available as a convertible
Weak spot: Still doesn’t meet the caliber of the best sports coupes
The BMW Z4 is the sister vehicle to the Toyota Supra—both were created from a collaboration between Toyota and BMW. They get the same engine options, but the BMW has some extra goodies, specifically in the form of optional sport packages like the M Sport Kit and Dynamic Handling package that can add a signature suspension upgrade, more aerodynamic body, retuned differential, and upgraded performance brakes.
If you’re looking at a Supra because you kind of wish it was a BMW, you might do better to get an upgraded Z4. The Z4 also manages to get better fuel economy ratings than the Toyota.
6. Ford Mustang
Starting price: $28,865 to $57,665
Selling points: The more consistent pony car
Weak spot: Less power for price than the Camaro, gas-guzzling
Another great option in the world of high-powered sports coupes is the Ford Mustang, and for many drivers, the decision between Ford and Chevy is one that’s already been made.
The Mustang’s base turbocharged I-4 engine has 310 horsepower, more impressive than the base engine on the Toyota Supra. A High-Performance Package bumps this up to 332 horsepower.
Unfortunately, the Mustang doesn’t come near the fuel efficiency of the Supra, and its most impressive versions—specifically the Shelby GT500 models—are way out of the Supra’s price range.
7. Chevrolet Corvette
Starting price: $63,195 to ~$80,000 (2023)
Selling points: Continues to be one of the best, fastest sports cars ever made
Weak spot: No manual transmission, much pricier than the Supra
If you’re looking for pure acceleration and unmatched supercar-level performance, the 2023 Chevy Corvette is likely to satisfy your craving. With the Z51 performance package, Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds for the Corvette powered by a 495-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
Unfortunately, the modern Corvette has also forgone its manual transmission, but there are shift paddles on the steering wheel for a manual racing feel. A 70th Anniversary model is also available for the Corvette this year if you’re okay with paying a premium price.
8. Volkswagen Golf R
Starting price: $45,185
Selling points: A whole lot of fun, more practical than a coupe
Weak spot: Less sporty-looking, definitely not a muscle car
While the Volkswagen Golf doesn’t fall into the sports coupe category or the muscle car category, if you’re looking for a car that’s fun to drive even just to work and back, the Golf R is the ultimate practical sports car, a vehicle designed for seasoned car lovers who crave responsiveness and incredible handling.
And don’t be fooled by its unbecoming looks—the Golf R is a high-performance vehicle with plenty of ability to dominate the track. The R’s turbo-4 engine offers 315 horsepower, it gets better fuel economy than the Supra, and it has an available manual transmission for the most engaging driving experience.
Toyota Supra vs. the competition
Curious about how all the specs line up between the Toyota Supra and its top sports car competitors? Here’s how it looks on paper.
| Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum horsepower | Best 0-60 time | Maximum torque | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Toyota Supra | $44,635 to $64,375 | Turbo I-4, turbo I-6 | 382 @ 5800 rpm | 4 seconds | 368 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm | 22/28/25 mpg |
| 2022 Porsche 718 | $61,850 to $143,050 | Turbo I-4 or flat-6 | 493 @ 8400 rpm | 2.8 seconds | 331 lb-ft @ 6250 | 20/26/20 mpg |
| 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata | $28,665 to $39,215 | Inline-four | 181 @ 7000 | 6 seconds | 151 lb-ft @ 4000 | 26/34/29 mpg |
| 2023 Subaru BRZ | $29,615 to $32,115 | flat-four-cylinder | 228 horsepower | 5.4 seconds | 184 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 20/27/22 mpg |
| 2022 Chevrolet Camaro | $26,395 to $71,895 | Turbo I-4, V6, V8, supercharged V8 | 650 @ 6400 rpm | 3.4 seconds | 650 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm | 19/28/22 mpg |
| 2022 BMW Z4 | $50,895 to $64,695 | Turbo I-4, turbo I-6 | 382 @ 5000-6500 rpm | 3.8 seconds | 369 lb-ft of torque @ 1600-4500 rpm | 25/32/28 mpg |
| 2022 Ford Mustang | $28,865 to $127,895 | Turbo I-4, V8, supercharged V8 | 760 horsepower @ 7300 rpm | 3.4 seconds | 625 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 21/29/24 mpg |
| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette | $56,350 to $71,650 | V8 | 670 @ 8400 rpm 2 | 2.8 seconds | 465 lb-ft @ 5150 rpm | 15/27/19 mpg |
| 2022 Volkswagen Golf R | $45,185 | Turbo I-4 | 315 @ 5,600 rpm | 4.7 seconds | 295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 24/34/28 mpg |
Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car
Cameron Thiessen is an insurance writer specializing in car and home insurance. Cam has written over 450 articles to deliver engaging content on car insurance and current issues. Cam’s expertise spans vehicle maintenance, licensing, and insurance coverage topics, with a dash of DIY repairs. Before joining Jerry’s editorial team, Cam worked as a research assistant and made written contributions to independent news outlets such as the Mars’ Hill Newspaper.
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit. Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
