Toyota GR Supra A90: Why the Internet Was Wrong to Hate It
The 2019 Toyota GR Supra A90 did not arrive quietly. After 17 years of silence, Toyota brought back one of the most beloved sports cars in history. But instead of universal celebration, the internet delivered backlash. No manual transmission. No 2JZ engine. A BMW-based platform and turbocharged four-cylinder underpinnings. The online car community lost its mind before most people even sat in one. And that reaction was wrong.
Photo by Giles Coghlan on Unsplash
Why Did the Internet Hate the A90 Supra?
To understand the A90, you need to know what people expected. The original A60 Supra (1979-1986) was a grand tourer with style. The A70 (1986-1992) became more refined and powerful. Then came the A80 (1993-2002), arguably the most iconic model - lightweight, fast for its era, and a legend in tuning circles. The 2JZ-GTE became automotive mythology. That was the bar.
When Toyota finally killed the 17-year drought with the A90 in 2019, they did something unforgivable in the eyes of purists: they partnered with BMW. The chassis came from the Z4. The engine is a BMW-sourced B58 turbocharged inline-6, not a bespoke Toyota mill. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic, no manual available. The car weighs around 3,400 pounds - hardly a featherweight compared to the old-school A80 at 3,000 pounds.
The internet decided, sight unseen, that it was a disappointment. Memes flooded forums. Comparisons to the "real" Supra dominated YouTube. Lost in the noise was a simple truth: the A90 is actually a brilliant, purposeful, driver-focused sports car that makes sense for the modern era. It was not designed to resurrect the 1990s. It was built to be a 2020s Supra, and it delivers on that promise in ways the haters refused to acknowledge.
The B58 Engine: Turbocharged Power With Serious Potential
The B58 is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six that produces 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque from the factory. On paper, that might sound modest compared to the mythologized 2JZ, but context matters. The 2JZ-GTE made 320 hp in its final North American form, though it was tunable to legendary levels in other markets. The B58 starts at 335 hp, comes with modern efficiency, and has a modification ceiling that early 2000s turbos could only dream of.
This is where the B58 engine truly shines. The tuning community has unleashed B58 monsters, with capable shops easily extracting 400-450 hp through ECU tuning, turbo upgrades, and proper fueling. The internet ignored all of this. They saw "BMW engine" and decided it lacked soul. They missed the point entirely. The B58 has soul - it just required people willing to exploit its potential.
The eight-speed automatic transmission, another source of complaint, is actually a sophisticated piece of engineering. It delivers quick shifts, supports the power band well, and adapts to driving style. Yes, a manual would have been romantic. But the auto is faster, more modern, and frankly, more practical for a car designed in 2019. The fact that no one mentions the auto in 911s or Corvettes tells you something about perspective.
Driving a Modern Supra: Better Than You Think
Here is what the haters missed: the A90 is remarkably good to drive. The chassis balance is neutral. The steering is quick and communicative. The brakes are strong. The weight distribution benefits from the transverse-mounted B58, creating a planted, stable platform that inspires confidence in the curves.
Compare this to actual driving experience, not internet sentiment. Journalists from Car and Driver and Road & Track praised the A90 as a cohesive, well-engineered driver's car. The suspension is tuned for real-world roads, not just circuit work. The adaptive dampers adjust to input. The whole package works together in a way that suggests people who understood the assignment built it.
Living with the A90 Supra means owning a car that is genuinely fun on a backroad, comfortable enough for a weekend trip, and forward-thinking in its approach to performance. It is not the car of the past. It is the car of its time, built by people who understood that modern sports cars need to balance engagement with usability.
Owning a GR Supra A90: What You Need to Know
If the A90 Supra is on your list, here are the key ownership considerations for the B58 platform:
- Oil and Filter Service: The B58 is a turbocharged engine that demands quality synthetic oil. Follow the 10,000-mile service interval religiously. Cheap oil and a missed service are the quickest way to turbo wear and carbon buildup. Use Toyota's recommended 0W-20 synthetic or an equivalent Mobil 1 product.
- Turbo Health and Air Intake: The factory turbo is robust, but higher-mileage examples need attention. Listen for any unusual whistle or whine. The air intake system benefits from a quality aftermarket filter for improved flow, especially if you plan any tuning. OEM replacement costs around $150-200 for the element.
- Tire Selection: The A90 comes on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber, which are excellent but expensive to replace (around $1,000-1,200 per set). Plan for tire costs upfront. Consider mid-range alternatives like Bridgestone RE-71RS or Continental ExtremeContact for daily driving.
- Transmission Fluid: The eight-speed auto requires genuine Toyota ATF. Do not substitute. Transmission fluid should be inspected at 60,000 miles and fully serviced at 100,000 miles if you plan to keep the car long-term.
- Specialist vs. Independent Mechanic: Most of the A90 is conventional Toyota engineering, but the B58 engine has BMW roots. Find a Toyota specialist familiar with turbocharged platforms. A competent shop that understands forced induction will serve you better than a general mechanic unfamiliar with boost dynamics.
Common A90 Supra Issues and Solutions
Carbon Buildup on Direct Injection Valves: The B58 is direct-injected, meaning fuel sprays directly into the combustion chamber rather than at the intake valve. Over time, carbon deposits can accumulate on the intake valves, reducing efficiency and throttle response. This typically occurs around 40,000-60,000 miles depending on driving style. Solution: Use quality fuel with top-tier detergents (Costco, Shell, Chevron), or schedule a professional intake valve cleaning every 50,000 miles for peace of mind. Cost is around $300-400.
Transmission Hesitation or Jerky Shifts: Some early A90 examples reported occasional rough shifts or hesitation during normal driving. This is usually not a mechanical failure but rather the transmission adaptation learning parameters becoming stale. Solution: Perform a transmission adaptation reset through a Toyota scanner or have a dealer perform the procedure. This is usually a free or low-cost fix and resolves 90 percent of reported cases.
Intake Valve Carbon Issues and Cold Start: Some owners report slightly rougher cold starts or a slight stumble during acceleration in cold weather. Again, this ties to carbon buildup. Solution: Regular short-trip highway driving helps burn deposits naturally. If symptoms persist, the intake valve cleaning mentioned above will address it. Never ignore a check engine light - the B58 will log codes if carbon buildup affects O2 sensors.
GR Supra A90: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the A90 Supra really a "real" Supra? Yes, absolutely. It carries the lineage, the badge, and the engineering intent. The idea that a Supra must have a specific engine or transmission to be legitimate is gatekeeping. The A90 was designed as a modern, driver-focused sports car that honors Supra tradition while existing in the 2020s. That is not a betrayal - that is evolution.
Can the B58 match the 2JZ for tuning potential? In raw maximum power, probably not without extreme measures. The 2JZ is legendary for its ability to handle boost and could reach 600+ hp reliably. The B58 caps out around 450-500 hp before you are fighting thermodynamics and fuel system limits. However, for real-world driving and moderate tuning (400 hp), the B58 is every bit as capable and more modern in its efficiency and response.
Should I buy an A80 Supra instead? If you want a classic, sure. If you want a driver's car that works now, with modern brakes, modern steering feel, and modern reliability, the A90 is the choice. A80 Supras are appreciating assets and vintage dreams. A90 Supras are tools that make every drive enjoyable. Different purposes, both valid.
Wear Your Supra Pride
If the A90 Supra's silhouette lives rent-free in your head, our Toyota collection has artwork inspired by the entire Supra legacy. Pick up the Supra Evolution poster to celebrate the A60, A70, A80, and A90 together, or grab the Supra J29 silhouette tee to rep the new generation. The A90 Supra mug makes a perfect daily reminder that the internet gets it wrong sometimes.
The A90 Supra will never be a 2JZ-powered icon like the A80. That car belonged to the 1990s and early 2000s. The A90 belongs to now, and it is a masterpiece of modern sports car design that deserves respect. The internet was wrong. You do not have to be.
Curious how other modern Japanese sports cars stack up against the criticism they received? Read our defense of another misunderstood modern legend in Subaru BRZ: The Affordable Sports Car That Punches Above Its Weight.