I just got back from Middleburg, Virginia, where Toyota provided me with a 2020 Supra to flog around a racetrack. You’ll have to come back Sunday for my full in-depth driving impressions and review, but until then, there’s still a few things to say about the brand’s latest performance machine. For starters, the new Supra is surprisingly small in person.

2020 Toyota Supra Startup, Engine Noise, and Track Driving

A Compact Footprint

This week, I finally got to see the 2020 Toyota Supra in person. Of course, like most of you, I poured over the auto show pictures and the official press shots following the Supra’s debut in Detroit earlier in the year, but this was the first time I had actually seen it in the metal.

In fact, a direct comparison between the Supra and the 86 is a great way to understand what I’m getting at. Let’s start with the 86, which comes with a wheelbase that measures in at 101.2 inches and an overall length of 166.7 inches. That’s smaller than the Volkswagen Golf, which comes with a wheelbase measured at 103.8 inches and an overall length of 167.6 inches, which means the 86 has a wheelbase that’s 2.6 inches shorter and an overall length that’s 0.9 inches shorter than the Golf.

2020 Toyota supra vs competition - exterior dimensions

Now put those numbers up against the Supra, which has a wheelbase measured at 97.2 inches. That means this latest-and-greatest coupe has a wheelbase that’s a full 4 inches shorter than the 86!

Chalk it up to that sizable bumper and long hood line. That said, the Supra is still nearly 16 inches shorter than the Ford Mustang!

The Styling Makes A Difference

Looking over the specs, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised at how small the 2020 Toyota Supra really is. However, I think a lot of shock comes down to the way in which the Supra is styled.

In pictures, the Supra looks bold. The deep cuts and pronounced styling elements enhance this as well, exaggerating the car’s lines and lending an air of boldness that’s uncommon in the compact segment.

Of course, that’s all part of the modern Toyota philosophy. In 2017, Toyota President Akio Toyoda declared the company would produce “no more boring cars,” and that extends to the company’s styling department. Clearly.

So What’s It Like Inside?

With such surprisingly small exterior dimensions, you’d expect the 2020 Toyota Supra’s interior to be a bit cramped, no?

Well, after sitting in the thing, I found headroom to be a bit lacking at times, but only while wearing a helmet. I’m 6’1” and about 190 pounds, and with the seat all the way down, I could touch the roof with my helmet when sitting up straight and stretching my neck a bit. However, with the helmet off, the headroom issue pretty much went away. The rest of the dimensions were totally comfortable.

2020 Toyota supra vs competition - interior dimensions

Of course, I also have to mention that my predilections tend to gravitate towards smaller cars in general. I like to feel as though I’m really “inside” the machine, especially when it comes to sports cars, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Final Thoughts

While I was initially surprised by how small the Supra is in person, after a few hours with it, I felt as though the exterior dimensions were just right for the nameplate.

Stay tuned, because I’ll be covering the Supra all week, with my full in-depth driving impressions and review dropping on Sunday!

Further Reading

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.