Car Comparison: Toyota GR Supra, Subaru STI and Lexus RC F

By John Aaron
Mike Parris
December 31, 2019 | 8:15 AM

<strong>2020 Toyota GR Supra</strong> | $53,990 MSRP as driven — 2020 Toyota GR Supra

The Supra returns after a two-decade absence, through a collaboration with BMW.

As you might expect, handling is both nimble and stable. The Supra is just a tick behind the Lexus RC F Track Edition (below) to 60 miles an hour, taking 4.1 seconds, according to Toyota.

It’s easy to go fast in, with an automatic transmission. With performance as its main mission, interior space is at a premium.

<strong>2019 Subaru STI S209</strong> | $63,995 MSRP as driven — 2019 Subaru STI S209

Mash the gas, wait for the turbo to spool up and then hold on for dear life (don’t forget to shift gears – it’s a good old-fashioned manual). — Mash the gas, wait for the turbo to spool up, and then hold on for dear life (don’t forget to shift gears – it’s a good old-fashioned manual).

The car’s somewhat unpredictable and boorish behavior is part of the appeal.

The car’s appearance is a matter of taste, but it certainly stands out, with its array of vents and air deflectors, including a colossal rear wing.

The S209 is actually 1.7 inches wider than a standard WRX STI.

All of this commands a serious premium over a standard STI, which stickers for $36,995. While only 209 will be made, <a href="https://www.subaru.com/2019-s209" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Subaru’s website</a> says it’s still taking reservations for the car, and <a href="https://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action/?mdId=36773223&mkId=20041&rd=99999&searchSource=QUICK_FORM&zc=20008" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cars.com lists several for sale</a>. — All of this commands a serious premium over a standard STI, which stickers for $36,995. While only 209 will be made, Subaru’s website says it’s still taking reservations for the car, and cars.com lists several for sale.

<strong>2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition</strong> | $102,085 MSRP as driven — 2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition

This bad-boy Lexus features a snorty, rumbly V8 engine, and a carbon fiber hood and roof.

Unlike most of the luxury brand’s offerings, the ride is especially stiff, since it’s a performance machine. Like the Supra, this is an automatic transmission car.

Lexus claims a 0-60 miles per hour time of 3.96 seconds. The car’s styling, notably the rear wing and the red interior, might be a bit much for those willing to drop six figures on a car.

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How do the 2020 Toyota GR Supra, 2019 Subaru STI S209 and 2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition stack up?

Car Review: You can plug-in for better mpg with BMW’s new version of the X3

By Mike Parris
August 31, 2020 | 4:16 AM

Compact luxury crossovers are big business as buyer's trade in luxury sedans for the popular high riders. BMW redesigned its X3 a couple years ago to better compete in a more crowded marketplace. I drove the sporty X3 M40i in 2019 and was impressed with its potent performance. New for 2020 is a plug-in hybrid version that allows for 18-20 miles of electric-only driving. But when you combine the gas engine and that electric motor, the xDrive30e is transformed into a fun performance ride.

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