When Toyota released the new fifth-generation A90 Supra at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, I wasn’t terribly impressed by its styling, saying that it looked like a “dumbed-down, bastardized version” of the FT-1 concept upon which it was based. And I still think that’s true - the FT-1 is an amazing piece of design, and the production A90 Supra can’t live up to the standard it sets. However, after spending some one-on-one time with the A90 in Virginia (courtesy of Toyota), I’m starting to come around.

First Impressions

I didn’t like it. It looked strange to me. I didn’t like the V-shaped upper portion, or the twin lower air blades below. I think it looked pinched and faux-functional. Granted, it was an upgrade over Toyota’s traditional gaping maw, but it still didn’t sit well with me all the same.

For the most part, I didn’t mind the rest of it, though. I thought the profile’s cab-back proportions were spot on, with the large fenders rolling across the side of the car made some big performance promises. The double-bubble roof and window line played a solid counterpoint. However, I thought some of the vents seemed a bit tacky and unnecessary, as did some of the lower character lines.

At the same time, I thought the rear end looked pretty good thanks to its cool duck bill spoiler providing a fitting endpoint for the sculpted roof. The downward sloping vents coming off the taillights looked a bit weird, but the large diffuser made up for it.

So then, when it was first released, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the 2020 Supra’s styling, especially up front.

2020 Toyota Supra exterior dimensions

Wheelbase:

97.2 inches

Overall Length:

172.5 inches

Overall Width:

73 inches

Overall Height:

50.9 inches


Pictures Don’t Do It Justice

There cuts are deep cuts, the character lines are dramatic, the fenders are enormous. Standing still, it seems to shout at you.

However, in person, it starts to make sense. Walking around it, the new Supra’s design will flow together, with the eye going from one bit to the next, rather than getting hung up on any particular section like it can with a picture.

Once the Supra gets moving, things get even better. Suddenly, all those vents and creases make sense. The huge wheels fill the arches well, adding even more motion to the thing. Suddenly, the “sculpted by the air” motif starts to click.

2020 Toyota Supra interior dimensions

Seating Capacity:

2

Headroom:

38.3 inches

Legroom:

42.2 inches

Shoulder Room:

54.4 inches

Passenger Volume:

50.9 cu-ft


What Do I Think Now?

That front end is still a little, well, “nosey,” but it’s not nearly as big and obtrusive in person. And I like the rest of it even more. The profile in particular really grabs my eyeballs.

That shouldn’t be surprising, though. I’ve long been a proponent of “controversial” styling over the plain-Jane and mundane. And that fits well with Toyota’s latest habits, too. In 2017, President Akio Toyoda declared that Toyota would produce “no more boring cars,” and that extends to its design work. One look at the latest Toyota Avalon, or Toyota Corolla hatchback, or even the Toyota Prius will confirm that. Say what you will about the horsepower or driving experience these vehicles provide - they’re certainly not “boring” to look at.

It’s funny, because something something similar happened when I drove the Toyota 86. Back in 2017, I wrote: “After spending an afternoon with the car, the look has grown on me. There’s more character than can be found on the outgoing model, and I can appreciate the changes as adding a little extra spice to an otherwise unassuming design.”

There’s one more part to it - the size. The 2020 Toyota Supra is surprisingly small in person, and while the curvaceous exterior might seem a bit garish in pictures, it starts to make sense when you see it play out with your own two eyes.

What do you think, dear reader? Do you like the Supra’s styling, or do you think it needs a do-over? Let us know in the comments section, and make sure to stay tuned, as we’ll be covering the 2020 Toyota Supra all week, culminating in a full driven review on Sunday!

2020 Toyota Supra drivetrain specifications

Engine

3.0-liter twin-scroll turbo six

Horsepower

335 HP

Torque

365 LB-FT

Transmission

8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters

0 to 60 mph

4.1 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph


Further Reading

The 2020 Toyota Supra Is Surprisingly Small In Person

Read our review of the 2020 Toyota Supra

How Much BMW DNA Can Be Found In The 2020 Toyota Supra?

14 Little-Know Facts About The 2020 Toyota Supra A90

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW Z4.