The Nissan GT-R has been the king of the hill for a while now, ever since it zoomed its way on the automotive scene way back in 2009 and into the hearts of enthusiasts. The car has a powerful output and an outstanding AWD system that makes it the perfect street racer.
The Nissan GT-R turned heads way back in 2009 when it first arrived on the sports car market and continues to do so today. The new Nissan GT-R while retaining the unadulterated performance of the original version, has improved upon it further with additional power, a minor facelift, and renewed interiors.
With its price tag ranging between $109,990 and $174,990, the Nissan GT-R Coupe goes up against giants in the segment like the Porsche 911 Turbo, the Audi R8 (Coupe), and Acura NSX. The GT-R houses a 3.8L DOHC Twin Turbo V6 engine that chugs out an impressive 565 bhp @ 6,800 rpm and 467 lb-ft of torque, ensuring it holds its own in this competitive segment. The powertrain is a sporty AWD, while the dynamics of the car are sure to make it an enjoyable ride.
With three trims available in total, the lower two trims offer the same engine and performance. The Nismo variant that features an upgraded version of the Premium and Track Edition engines, maxes out at a whopping 600 bhp. The GT-R finds middle ground with its pricing, however, in the form of the Track Edition trim, which teases you with what's further up the ladder using select features from the flagship Nismo variant.
Trim |
Premium |
Track Edition |
Nismo |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$109,990 |
$127,990 |
$174,990 |
Key Feature |
Leather upholstery with synthetic-suede inserts |
Alcantara Headliner |
Stiffer Sport Suspension |
Dual-zone automatic climate control |
Recaro Seats |
Larger air intakes |
|
Heated eight-way power driver seat (four-way for the front passenger) |
Sport Tuned Suspension |
Sporty Side Skirts |
|
Rearview camera |
Rear Wing |
||
Manual tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel |
Recaro seats |
||
8-inch touchscreen with navigation and voice controls |
Lightweight forged alloy wheels |
||
NissanConnect mobile-app integration |
The base variant which Nissan has titled the 'Premium' trim is by no means lacking in its specs. It features improvements almost everywhere, including the interiors, the infotainment, and the exterior styling. If you're the type that looks forward to taking the GT-R out onto the track every two weeks or so, the Track Edition straddles the line between the tuned-up Nismo and the Premium variants.
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Of the three variants available, the Track Edition priced relatively reasonably at $127,990 is by far the best bet of the lot and certainly worth the money spent. The addition of select features from the top-of-the-line Nismo version gets you the feel of an authentic ready-to-race machine, with the added advantage of everyday luxuries such as dual-zone climate control and a sweet-sounding Bose audio system with active noise cancellation.
Under the hood, the GT-R has a 3.8L twin-turbocharged V-6 engine that makes 565 horsepower and 467 foot-pounds of torque. The power is sent to the road through a proficient and well designed AWD setup. The GT-R has been powered by the same V-6 motor since its inception, though the engineers at Nissan, managed to get more performance out of the motor almost every single year. The NISMO GT-R has even more output, with 600 horsepower and 467 foot-pounds of torque from the same motor.
The Dual Clutch transmission is brilliant at serving up straight-line speed, and also has great response when you press the throttle hard. Though it fails to deliver at lower cruising speeds where it can be quite jarring. The AWD setup and the handling are tuned by Nissan to now be even more responsive and precise.
Models |
Nissan GTR |
Acura NSX |
Audi R8 (coupe) |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$109,990 |
$156,000 |
$162,900 |
$159,200 |
Engine |
3.8L DOHC Twin Turbo V6 |
3.5L Twin-Turbocharged 24-Valve DOHC V6 |
5.2L FSI V10 DOHC |
3.8L Twin-Turbo 6 Cylinder |
Drivetrain |
AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
Transmission |
6-speed Dual Clutch automatic |
9-speed Dual Clutch automatic |
7-Speed S-Tronic Automatic |
7-Speed PDK Automatic |
Horsepower |
565hp @ 6,800rpm |
573hp @ 6,500rpm |
540 hp @ 8,100 rpm |
540 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
Torque |
467lb-ft @ 3,300rpm |
476lb-ft @ 2,000rpm |
398 lb-ft @ 6,400 rpm |
486 lb-ft @ 1,950 rpm |
The Nissan is competitively powered in comparison with its peers. The 6-speed gearbox on the coupe seems to be the oldest transmission in the competition, though Nissan still manages to push the performance rather well.
The AWD system on the GT-R has no equal. The system seems to respond as well as quickly at the same time with barely any infringement on the handling prowess of the car. The moment you press the accelerator of the car, the GT-R lurches forwards and sends all of the extreme power down to the reload. This gives it a 0-60 mph time of a staggering 2.9-seconds.
Models |
Nissan GTR |
Acura NSX |
Audi R8 (coupe) |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
2.9 sec |
2.7 sec |
3.2 sec |
2.9 sec |
Quarter Mile |
11.2 sec |
11.1 sec |
11.5 sec |
11.3 sec |
Top Speed |
205 MPH |
191 MPH |
205 MPH |
205 MPH |
Engine |
3.8L DOHC Twin Turbo V6 |
3.5L Twin-Turbocharged 24-Valve DOHC V6 |
5.2L FSI V10 DOHC |
3.8L Twin-Turbo 6 Cylinder |
Compared to its peers the GT-R is almost uncannily fast in its performance. Almost every one of its competitors costs at least $45,000 more than the GT-R, yet the car manages to put out competitive performance and response.
Nissan has reworked the steering response for the GT-R, and the addition of the paddle gearshift system certainly adds to the track-ready feel of the car. The all-wheel-drive capability and traction control allow for the car to be more planted while ripping through corners at high speed, although some experienced drivers might miss the back wheels kicking out from underneath as you throw the GT-R into a sharp corner.
Understeer is an evident issue in the GT-R, however, it is preferred by some drivers. The new front bumper and hood add to the downforce, which makes the car more grippy in corners. The stiff ride quality makes the GT-R a perfect track racer.
Despite being the most front-heavy machine amongst its peers, the Nissan GT-R Coupe sports a set of fantastic Brembo brakes that nicely offset its whip-like acceleration off the line. It takes a mere 95 feet to come to a complete halt thanks to its significantly large 15.4-inch front and 15.0-inch rear brakes.
Model |
Nissan GTR |
Acura NSX |
Audi R8 (coupe) |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
15.4 |
14.5 |
14.4 in |
15.0 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
15.0 |
14.2 |
14.0 |
15.0 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3933 |
3803 |
3649 |
3516 |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
95 |
103 |
103 |
100 |
The GT-R more than holds its own in the braking aspect, with a hefty curb weight of 3933 lbs, a figure that overshadows its competitors like the Acura NSX (with a curb weight coming closest to the GT-R with 3803 lbs) and the Audi R8 (with a curb weight of 3649 lbs).
The Nissan is slightly underwhelming in terms of fuel efficiency, with a mere 16 mpg within the city and an on-par figure of 22 mpg on the highway. The car comes with a large 19.5-gallon fuel tank, which gives it a range of around 470 miles.
Model |
Nissan GTR |
Acura NSX |
Audi R8 (coupe) |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
16 |
21 |
14 |
19 |
MPG (highway) |
22 |
22 |
22 |
24 |
MPG (combined) |
18 |
21 |
17 |
21 |
Though the city figures do not come close to its principal competitor (the Acura NSX), the highway figures are a respectable 22-mpg, a figure comparable with the Porsche 911 Turbo as well as the Audi R8 Coupe.
Not entirely unrecognizable from its previous counterparts, the GT-R Coupe certainly does seem a bit nostalgic on the inside. From the familiar high-mounted screen to the easily recognized performance-oriented infotainment menu, the Coupe has improved upon the interior design by reducing clutter. With far fewer buttons and switches (many of which have been integrated into the new circular center console knob), Nissan's interiors seem far tidier than in past iterations.
Four full-fledged seats are hard to come by in most sports cars, and the GT-R wins in this regard. Although the rear seats aren't the greatest in class, the fact that the GT-R can seat four makes it better as a grand tourer than most of its other competitors, save for perhaps the Porsche 911 Turbo.
Model |
Nissan GTR |
Acura NSX |
Audi R8 (coupe) |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
4 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.1/54.3/44.6 |
38.3/57.7/42.9 |
39.0/55.0/40.9 |
39.4/55.6/39.2 |
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
33.5/50.0/26.4 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
The car features leather-trimmed seats as standard that are quite comfortable in the front, although it must be pointed out that the rear seats are fixed in place and non-adjustable. The front seats are powered, although the heated seat option is limited solely to the driver's side. It's also notable that the Nissan GT-R has the most room for your legs when compared to competitors like the Acura NSX and the Audi R8. Here is a list of the standout features in the coupe's cabin:
The GT-R comes standard with the NissanConnect infotainment system that seamlessly links to your smartphone and with its wide 8-inch screen, the menu is familiar looking and easy to use. The kind of detail that is visible on the new screen in terms of performance is sure to satisfy every sports car nerd's dream.
The system can measure lap timing, show performance, and other cool features if required. The GT-R also comes with an 11-speaker Bose audio system that features active noise cancellation. The infotainment system has features like:
The GT-R has a large rear trunk, owing to its long length and sedan body type. Deep as the trunk is, the high lift coupled with the confined opening on the cargo door does make loading stuff slightly cumbersome.
Model |
Nissan GTR |
Acura NSX |
Audi R8 (coupe) |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Volume (ft.3) |
8.8 |
4.4 |
8.0 |
4.4 |
The GT-R has the largest trunk in its segment. The Audi R8 comes close, but the Nissan outshines the competition, boasting a more-than-just-generous 8.8 cubic feet of cargo space making packing for your weekend getaways just a little bit easier.
Aggressively styled with its over-the-top edges and contours, Nissan has placed significant emphasis on channeling airflow through and around the car in an efficient manner. Added downforce comes by way of the new large drooping hood and air scoop integrated front bumper and grille, allowing for hard cornering on fast tracks. Though it may lack certain finesse in its styling overall, the 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels also help keep the GT-R firmly planted on the road.
Model |
Nissan GTR |
Acura NSX |
Audi R8 (coupe) |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs.) |
3933 |
3803 |
3649 |
3516 |
Length (in) |
185.4 |
176 |
174.3 |
177.4 |
Width (in) |
74.6 |
87.3 |
76.4 |
74.0 |
Height (in) |
53.9 |
47.8 |
48.8 |
51.1 |
Ground clearance (in) |
4.3 |
3.7 |
6.3 |
NA |
Wheelbase (in) |
109.4 |
103.5 |
104.4 |
96.5 |
Track width (in) F/R |
62.6/63 |
65.2/63.7 |
64.5/63.0 |
60.7/62.6 |
By far the heaviest machine amongst its peers, the Nissan GT-R leads the way in terms of curb weight, at a bulky 3933 lbs. It is also the longest of the cars in this segment, maxing out at 185.4 inches in length. The Coupe also tops the list when it comes to wheelbase length (109.4 inches) and remains the tallest car in its class at 53.9 inches. Some of the exterior features include:
The new Nissan GT-R is a rare supercar, and as such, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has rated it in their crash tests. As a performance car, Nissan doesn't bother to outfit the car with drivability or safety assist features and stick to the necessities. Some standard features are Airbags and Stability control, as well as Traction Control. The car comes with some standard safety features, these are:
One of its closest competitors, the new Acura NSX trumps the GT-R Coupe on many fronts whether it's at tackling back roads at speed or luxurious speeds. The steering is precise and the interior quality also surpasses the GT-R. Though in terms of on-road performance and handling, we prefer the GT-R for its well-engineered refinement.
While the GT-R is more focused on performance, the R8 adds a smart touch of styling and luxury. German refinement and precise handling are evident in the new Audi R8, though the higher weight accounts for its slower performance. The Virtual Cockpit is much better to look at as compared to the dials in the GT-R. Though the Audi asks for a hefty premium over the Nissan.
Both the 911 Turbo and the GT-R deliver high performance. However, the 911 is far lighter than the GT-R, allowing it to move quickly whether it's on the street or the track. The new Porsche 911 Turbo also has more safety features as standard, such as the multi-collision prevention system that aids in preventing further accidents in case of a rear-ender situation. If you do not have the means to afford the Porsche, the Nissan GT-R offers competitive performance at a cheaper price tag.
The Nissan GT-R has been the king of the hill for a while now, ever since it zoomed its way on the automotive scene way back in 2009 and into the hearts of enthusiasts. The car has a powerful output and an outstanding AWD system that makes it the perfect street racer. With its upgraded interiors, more powerful engine, and an optional beast mode variant in the NISMO GT-R.
The Nissan GT-R does have a bit of competition coming its way though, in the form of the Acura NSX and the legendary 911 Turbo, which takes the GT-R out in terms of everyday drivability and handling. There's no doubt, however, that the Nissan GT-R is still relevant. Nissan's engineers seem to have hit the sweet spot by making a sports car that is the perfect balance between drivability and track performance.