Toyota Supra 1979–2026
This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.
On a 1993–1998 Mk IV, hunt an unmodified hardtop Turbo with the six-speed, and walk away from hidden crash damage. On a 1986–1992 3rd gen, look hard for a leaking head gasket. On a 2020–2024 GR Supra, make sure the starter and fuel tank recalls were done.
Learn
Badges
The name on the trunk. Each one has its own page, with every generation that wore it.
Generations
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1st gen 1979–1981
A longer, six-cylinder Celica: a fuel-injected straight-six, four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension, sold as a personal luxury car.
Options, colors and years for the 1st gen → -
2nd gen 1982–1985
Square-cut and tuned by Lotus, with a twin-cam 2.8L six and a choice of the flared Performance Type or the L-Type.
1 color, 1 interior
Options, colors and years for the 2nd gen → -
3rd gen 1986–1992
No longer a Celica: a 3.0L twin-cam six, a Turbo from 1987, a targa roof and optional anti-lock brakes.
9 colors
Options, colors and years for the 3rd gen → -
4th gen 1993–1998
The supercar Supra: a lighter, shorter body on Lexus SC300 parts, a 220 hp six or a 320 hp sequential twin-turbo six, and a six-speed manual behind the Turbo.
10 colors, 2 rare catches
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Crash damage and bad modifications All years Walk away if found
What to check: Run a history check, look for filled panels with a paint-thickness gauge, and ask what was changed and by whom.
Classic & Sports Car says most have been modified, often badly, and many have crashed, and an incomplete history may hide serious problems. Hagerty's specialist also warns of filled panels and of wiring harnesses changed by past owners.
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5th gen 2020–2026
The Supra returns as a two-seat coupe engineered largely by BMW, with a turbo inline-six, a turbo four from 2021 to 2024, and a six-speed manual from 2023.
15 colors, 8 interiors, 11 rare catches
Options, colors and years for the 5th gen →
Timeline
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1st gen 1979–1981
What changed, year by year (3)
- 1979 New model, a Celica stretched to take a 2.6L six, with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.1,2
- 1980 Mostly cosmetic changes, with new side mirrors and standard 14-inch aluminium wheels.5
- 1981 A 2.8L six replaces the 2.6L, the automatic is revised, and a Sports Performance Package becomes optional.1,2,5
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2nd gen 1982–1985
What changed, year by year (4)
- 1982 Redesigned with the Celica line. The 2.8L six gains twin overhead cams, and the L-Type and Performance Type are offered.1,2
- 1983 Leather becomes available on the P-Type, and so does two-tone paint.5
- 1984 Manual cars get a higher compression ratio and a larger intake, for 160 hp. Two-tone paint is offered on the L-Type too.1,5
- 1985 The six is rated at 161 hp.5,6
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3rd gen 1986–1992
What changed, year by year (6)
- 1986 New model from the middle of the year, which Toyota calls 1986½, a Supra of its own now that the Celica has gone to front-wheel drive. A 3.0L twin-cam six only.1,2,6
- 1987 The Turbo arrives, with an intercooler and the Sports Package as standard. Toyota calls it its first car offered with both a turbo and anti-lock brakes. The targa Sport Roof becomes optional.1,2
- 1989 The Turbo is rated at 232 hp. Headlamp washers end in the US, and the White Package is introduced.5
- 1990 A driver's airbag is added. Anti-lock brakes stay optional.7,5
- 1991 A power sunroof is added to the options.5
- 1992 The targa roof is no longer offered on the non-turbo. Edmunds notes revised shift points for the automatic.5,8
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4th gen 1993–1998
What changed, year by year (6)
- 1993 New model, on sale from the summer, as a non-turbo or a 320 hp Turbo, with dual airbags and anti-lock brakes standard.1,9
- 1994 The non-turbo gets a revised final-drive ratio for quicker launches.10
- 1995 No changes, says Edmunds.11
- 1996 The Turbo is offered only with the automatic, for emissions rules, and the targa roof is standard on every US Turbo.1,12,5
- 1997 The six-speed manual returns to the Turbo, prices are cut, and the 15th Anniversary badges and equipment arrive. Head and tail light surrounds turn from chrome to graphite, and frame strengthening and sound deadening are added.1,13
- 1998 VVT-i gives the non-turbo 225 hp, a limited-slip differential is standard, and the radio is redesigned. The Turbo is not offered in California-emissions states. The last US year.1,14,2
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5th gen 2020–2026
What changed, year by year (7)
- 2020 New model, on sale from May 2019, with a 335 hp 3.0L six and an 8-speed automatic, as the 3.0, the 3.0 Premium and the Launch Edition.15,5
- 2021 The six rises to 382 hp. A 2.0L four arrives as a new entry model, and the A91 Edition is offered. The 3.0 gets aluminium braces and retuned suspension and steering.16
- 2022 The A91-CF Edition. Heated seats become standard on the 3.0, and the 3.0 Premium can be had in red leather.17
- 2023 A six-speed manual becomes available on the 3.0. Every 3.0 gets retuned suspension and steering and a standard active differential. The A91-MT Edition, and Stratosphere paint.18
- 2024 The 45th Anniversary Edition, a Hazelnut interior for the 3.0 Premium and revised suspension tuning on the 3.0.19,20
- 2025 Toyota lists only the 3.0 and 3.0 Premium; the 2.0 is not named.21
- 2026 The MkV Final Edition and the GT4 style pack. Toyota says production of this generation ends in spring 2026.22
Buy
Rare catches
Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.
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Good find
Deep Jewel Green Pearl Color · 4th gen
A special paint for the 15th Anniversary Edition5
384 built, 28% of 15th Anniversary Editions5,23
Why it is a good find: Barrett-Jackson, writing up an unmodified one for auction, calls the finish beautiful and a stock fourth generation Supra a rare find.23
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Rare
A91-MT Edition Trim · 5th gen
A limited run for 202318
500 built for the US18
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Rare
A91-CF Edition Trim · 5th gen
A limited run for 202217
600 built for North America24
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Good find
45th Anniversary Edition Trim · 5th gen
For 2024, half in each of two colours20
900 built25
Why it is a good find: Motor1 sees its Mikan Blast paint and adjustable rear wing as nods to the Mk IV Supra.25
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Rare
A91 Edition Trim · 5th gen
For 2021 only16
1,000 built16
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Rare
15th Anniversary Edition Package · 4th gen
The 1997 US anniversary edition5
1,379 built5
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Rare
Launch Edition Trim · 5th gen
The first Mk V Supras16
1,500 built16
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Rare
Refraction Color · 5th gen
A91 Edition only16
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Rare
Matte White Color · 5th gen
A91-MT Edition only18
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Rare
CU Later Gray Color · 5th gen
A91-MT Edition only18
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Rare
Mikan Blast Color · 5th gen
45th Anniversary Edition only, half of its 90020
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Rare
Burnout Color · 5th gen
A matte colour with the GT4 style pack22
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Rare
Undercover Color · 5th gen
A matte colour with the GT4 style pack22
Recalls 15
- 83V133000 1984
A fault in the voltage regulator's integrated circuit can overcharge the battery, which can damage it and cut electrical power, including the lights and ignition, without warning. The regulator is replaced.26
- 84V108000 1983–1984
On cars with the 5M-GE engine and an oil pressure gauge rather than a warning light, the oil pressure sender may be faulty. Under heat and pressure it can leak oil or let the engine seize without warning. The sender is replaced.27
- 19V653000 2020
The mount for the driver's seat belt guide loop may be poorly welded and fail in a crash. It is inspected, and a car with a faulty one is replaced.28
- 19V684000 2020
A camera setting can hide the rear view image and stays set. The camera software is updated.28
- 19V850000 2020
The headlight control units can fail and leave one or both headlights out. They are replaced.28
- 20V033000 1997–1998
The driver's airbag inflator can absorb moisture, which may make it rupture or under-inflate the airbag. The inflator is replaced.29,30,31
- 20V355000 2020
The steering tie rods can be damaged in high heat or on rough roads, and may break. They are replaced.28
- 20V516000 2020
The headlamps can be aimed sideways, against the federal lighting standard. The adjustment plugs are checked and corrected.28
- 20V700000 2020–2021
The weld between the fuel tank's halves may fail and leak fuel. The tank is replaced.28,32
- 21V554000 2021
The passenger seat belt's automatic locking retractor may switch off too early. The retractors are inspected and replaced if needed.32,33
- 21V598000 2020–2021
Engine software can cause a loss of brake assist while the engine starts. The software is updated.28,32
- 23V821000 2023
A faulty weld on the transmission control unit's cover can let oil in, which can seize the gears and cut power. The mechatronics module is replaced.34
- 25V636000 2020–2022
The starter relay can corrode, overheat and short circuit, raising the risk of fire. Owners are told to park outside until the starter is replaced.28,32,35,36
- 26V056000 2021–2023
The engine starter can overheat and catch fire from wear on a part inside it. The starter is replaced.32,35,34,37
- 26V438000 2023–2024
Extends recall 26V056000: the engine starter can overheat and catch fire from wear inside it. The starter is replaced.34
Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.
Before you pay
A buyer's checklist for each generation: every warning and recall, with a box to tick.
Sources
The specs and year changes here are facts from Toyota's US newsroom, Edmunds and Wikipedia, with colours for the 3rd and 4th gens from Edmunds' specs pages for single model years and the chassis codes from Wikipedia alone. Few figures for the first two generations come from Toyota itself. The claims and issues are reputation, from Hagerty, Classic & Sports Car, PistonHeads and two owner forums, and none is measured against sale prices yet. Recalls are from NHTSA's records, checked for every model year.
- Toyota Newsroom (Supra chronology)
- Hagerty (Supra history)
- Classic & Sports Car (A80 guide)
- Hagerty (Smithology on the Mk IV)
- Wikipedia (Supra)
- Motor Authority (Supra history)
- Edmunds 1990 review
- Edmunds 1992 review
- Edmunds 1993 review
- Edmunds 1994 review
- Edmunds 1995 review
- Edmunds 1996 review
- Edmunds 1997 review
- Edmunds 1998 review
- Toyota Newsroom (2020 Supra)
- Toyota Newsroom (2021 GR Supra)
- Toyota Newsroom (2022 GR Supra)
- Toyota Newsroom (2023 GR Supra)
- Toyota Newsroom (2024 GR Supra)
- Toyota Newsroom (45th Anniversary Edition)
- Toyota Newsroom (2025 GR Supra)
- Toyota Newsroom (MkV Final Edition)
- Barrett-Jackson
- SlashGear
- Motor1 (Supra 45th Anniversary)
- NHTSA campaign 83V133000
- NHTSA campaign 84V108000
- NHTSA recalls (2020 Supra)
- NHTSA recalls (1997 Supra)
- NHTSA recalls (1998 Supra)
- NHTSA campaign 20V033000
- NHTSA recalls (2021 Supra)
- NHTSA campaign 21V554000
- NHTSA recalls (2023 Supra)
- NHTSA recalls (2022 Supra)
- NHTSA campaign 25V636000
- NHTSA campaign 26V056000
Also read for this model 14
- Edmunds 1991 specs
- Edmunds 1992 specs
- Edmunds 1993 specs
- Edmunds 1994 specs
- Edmunds 1996 specs
- Edmunds 1997 specs
- Edmunds 1998 specs
- Grassroots Motorsports forum (2nd gen rust)
- Grassroots Motorsports forum (Mk3 Turbo)
- PistonHeads (Mk3 guide)
- Sports Car Market (1985 P-Type)
- SupraMKV forum (drawbacks)
- SupraMKV forum (used buying guide)
- SupraMKV forum (which year to buy)