2023 vs 2022 Supra Suspension

[_suprajay_]

I know the 2023 got suspension tweaks and one of the new Hairpin features, but has anyone driven both the 2023 and the previous year and tell me if the 2023 feels more comfy in comparison or whatever the differences you have noticed?

Sponsored

 

[FuzzyRev]

Yes, the AVS programming and dampers themselves are different. The 23 is not only more comfortable, but doesn't get as upset by mid-corner bumps as the 21-22 did. The tendency to lift you out of the seat on large humps has also been reduced a bit more.

 

[Davedaveee]

I went from a 2020 to 2023, the handling differences are very noticeable. The steering feedback is better, and you get a better sense of what the front and rear end are doing in turns and such. The traction control seems more refined, kicks in more but the car doesn't snap oversteer. If you turn off the nannies the car will still be a nice handful. Feels overall refined and more raw. Less tail happy.

 

[Kolme]

I have not driven both. From the words of others the 2023 is an improvement - however many of those commenters have the manual, which will have its own handling characteristics separate from the AT.

If you plan on driving the car to the limit, which is where you’ll likely feel those differences most, then the aftermarket scene can certainly close the gap between 22’ and 23’.

 

[baagel]

Think it's worth it / possible to retrofit newer suspension onto older model years? Is the AVS programming something that could be updated with ISTEP?

 

[BMWAF]

Think it's worth it / possible to retrofit newer suspension onto older model years? Is the AVS programming something that could be updated with ISTEP?

In almost all cases I know of - irrespective of marque - this is never an easy or cost effective thing to do. Toyota aren't stupid.. they want you to but a new car! As someone else mentioned, the aftermarket is your best bet.

 

[alan7467]

I have not driven both. From the words of others the 2023 is an improvement - however many of those commenters have the manual, which will have its own handling characteristics separate from the AT.

If you plan on driving the car to the limit, which is where you’ll likely feel those differences most, then the aftermarket scene can certainly close the gap between 22’ and 23’.

Curious what evidence is available to backup the claim that the manual handles differently? There's a small weight difference, but other than that I thought the suspension was setup identically.

 

[Kolme]

Curious what evidence is available to backup the claim that the manual handles differently? There's a small weight difference, but other than that I thought the suspension was setup identically.

The manual is a tad lighter (40lbs) and the manual specific chassis received specific changes to the ABS and traction control, separate from the AT.

I imagine the realistic differences between MT and AT aren’t much

 

[alan7467]

The manual is a tad lighter (40lbs) and the manual specific chassis received specific changes to the ABS and traction control, separate from the AT.

Interesting. I thought the AT received those same changes, but now that you mention it I can recall an automotive YouTuber parroting something to that affect about the MT.

 

[Kolme]

Interesting. I thought the AT received those same changes, but now that you mention it I can recall an automotive YouTuber parroting something to that affect about the MT.

Yeah but I really wouldn’t stress it, I doubt many of us would be able to tell a difference lol.

 

[SupraCess]

Interesting. I thought the AT received those same changes, but now that you mention it I can recall an automotive YouTuber parroting something to that affect about the MT.

2023 AT did receive the changes in the suspension with the hairpin features. A lot of reviewer are not currently talking about it because the MT is currently hot topic at the moment.

 

[alan7467]

2023 AT did receive the changes in the suspension with the hairpin features. A lot of reviewer are not currently talking about it because the MT is currently hot topic at the moment.

Was just rereading this C&D article:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a39843195/2023-toyota-supra-manual/

They highlight the following:

Other changes for the manual car include recalibrated traction-control and stability-control programming

...and then:

All 2023 Supras will receive revised tuning for the shocks and power steering system, plus a new feature that Toyota calls Hairpin+. It's meant specifically for steep uphill hairpin turns and is said to permit a greater difference in wheelspin between the left and right rear tires.

Part of me wonders if the traction and stability control was changed on the manual out of necessity due to the different gear ratios vs the auto, and then marketing jumped on it as something to call out. It sounds to me like the bigger changes happened elsewhere for all 2023 3.0s. Or at least that's what the guy waiting for the delivery of a 2023 auto is telling himself

 

[Kolme]

Was just rereading this C&D article:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a39843195/2023-toyota-supra-manual/

They highlight the following:

Other changes for the manual car include recalibrated traction-control and stability-control programming

...and then:

All 2023 Supras will receive revised tuning for the shocks and power steering system, plus a new feature that Toyota calls Hairpin+. It's meant specifically for steep uphill hairpin turns and is said to permit a greater difference in wheelspin between the left and right rear tires.

Part of me wonders if the traction and stability control was changed on the manual out of necessity due to the different gear ratios vs the auto, and then marketing jumped on it as something to call out. It sounds to me like the bigger changes happened elsewhere for all 2023 3.0s. Or at least that's what the guy waiting for the delivery of a 2023 auto is telling himself

Yeah maybe so! Either way, it won’t matter much. It’s the platform that matters most!

 

[FLtrackdays]

Yes, the AVS programming and dampers themselves are different. The 23 is not only more comfortable, but doesn't get as upset by mid-corner bumps as the 21-22 did. The tendency to lift you out of the seat on large humps has also been reduced a bit more.

But will I notice a difference, 2022 vs 2023, if I throw sway bars on, install every known SPL part known to man and… add a really nice set of coilovers?

*(asking for a friend)* ?

 

[Spart]

Part of me wonders if the traction and stability control was changed on the manual out of necessity due to the different gear ratios vs the auto, and then marketing jumped on it as something to call out. It sounds to me like the bigger changes happened elsewhere for all 2023 3.0s. Or at least that's what the guy waiting for the delivery of a 2023 auto is telling himself

I haven't driven both so this is just an educated guess, but I'm going to venture that either this is effectively the case, or even that the MT's traction control could be more intrusive than the AT.

The TC on the manual punishes you for doing aggressive shifting. It's one of those where, instead of just working semi-transparently in the background, the power gets almost completely taken away for what feels like longer than necessary. As if to remind you not to do that again. It's not very.... sporting?

I've been spoiled with the excellent TC on the S550 platform for the past several years. You only ever noticed that setup coming on strong when you got too much yaw angle or really started to build some wheel speed vs the front tires. It wouldn't let you drift or do a rolling burnout, essentially. But anything short of that, and you didn't really feel the TC working. You can do a full-tilt 1-2 shift, and as long as you're not doing anything abusive like "power" shifting (flat foot shifting) the TC must just be silently managing the traction as you lay down a pair of stripes, if it's doing anything at all.

It was good enough that I left the TC fully engaged on my GT350 on track, and I only ever felt like I was "driving around" the TC on turn 18 at OIR. And that wasn't worth disengaging the TC for the rest of that track's ~4 miles.

Perhaps that's out of the ordinary for this era and I should adjust my expectations?

I can't imagine driving the Supra with the TC engaged around a track. It would be an awful experience. That speaks to my impression of this car generally; the CDV being another example of engineering choices made with disdain for the enthusiast driver. These are fixable things of course - delete the CDV and disable TC - but there are a lot more things that aren't easily fixed, like the shocking lack of gauges and underutilization of the LCD cluster and HUD. No track-focused tach or shift light is really annoying. This car has frustratingly worse gauges than a friend's 2016 Beetle that I've been driving recently. I could go on, but this is already a rant.

TL;DR the TC in the MT Supra is your mom wagging a finger and the TC in the GT350 is your uncle telling you to floor it.

Sponsored