Used 2020 Nissan GT-R PURE for sale 

With the addition of a 50th Anniversary edition, there are three trims on offer for 2020. The Pure trim from the previous years has been dropped now, with the Premium trim starting the lineup at $115,235. The Track Edition gets a price bump, costing $17,000 more than its 2019 version. The Anniversary Edition is the same in terms of features as the Premium, with the extra $8,500 getting you exclusive Nissan two-tone color schemes.

Moving up the trim ladder just unlocks the compatibility with the extensive list of optional features provided by Nissan. Otherwise, most of the fitments remain the same across the lineup.  

What would we recommend?

The Premium trim is good enough since it packs a lot of punch and gets an extensive feature list as standard. The track edition, although it adds more power to the package, costs more than $30,000. You’re better off saving the money for more track days or for spending it on performance upgrades.

Under the hood sits a 3.8L twin-turbo, V6 engine that produces 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque. All this firepower is sent to all of its four wheels via a trick AWD setup which shuffles the power based on the traction available. The GTR is being powered with the same handbuilt V6 motor for over a decade now but it has received a tonne of upgrades which makes it stand head to head with the hardcore competition and the meet the ever-increasing thirst for more power. The 2020 GT-R is now tuned to be 20% more responsive than its predecessors - thanks to the turbochargers that have been borrowed directly from the Nissan GT4 race car.

Nissan has managed to add a hint of excitement in its powertrain by tinkering with the turbos, however, the same cannot be said for the GT-R's gearbox. It comes from an age when a dual-clutch 6-speed automatic was considered a wonder, sure, but the current generation of sports cars have matured now. They are faster and put down the power to the wheels more efficiently, thanks to the closely placed gear ratios. This is where the GT-R takes a fall as no matter how slick-shifting this gearbox might be, it still fails to match the likes of its rivals here. The six-speeder in the GTR feels old and a bit clunky. Tall gearing doesn't help either.  

*2019 MY version used for reference purpose only

Though most of them produce similar numbers, very few rivals can match the GT-R’s powertrain. Even though it has had price hikes, the Godzilla still remains a pocket-friendly track day machine, of course by segment standards. The first car that surpasses its power is the Acura NSX, which doesn’t do it by much while asking for $44,000 more.

How fast is the Nissan GT-R?

We have to give it to the stupendous job executed by the Godzilla's AWD system. It allows for proper traction on all wheels as soon as you plummet the throttle. There's barely any delay between the points where you pin the accelerator and the GT-R reacts. Thanks to this feat, the Nissan GT-R can reach from 0-60 mph in a jaw-dropping 2.9 seconds, establishing itself well in supercar territory.

While that was going all flat-out with the GT-R, its automatic mode isn't as intuitive as compared to the manual control. The gearbox takes a couple of seconds before realizing that the driver is asking for more power. Imagine yourself cruising along the highway when a passer-by challenges you for a head-to-head. In such situations, we would suggest you take the manual control of the gearbox than expecting it to work it out by itself.   

The Audi R8 stays out of the discussion here as all of the competitors need less than 3 seconds to breach the 60MPH mark. Impressively, it's the Acura NSX that emerges as the best performer here, overpowering the rest of the lot, thanks to the instant boost from those electric motors in the front axle. 

Does the Nissan GT-R stop as good as it goes?

Thanks to excellent weight balance and big Brembo disc brakes, the GT-R can come to a full stop from 60 mph within 94 feet, way before any of its competitors. Its superior braking power and handling add to the GT-R's overall safety quotient as well. 

The brake response is instantaneous and the healthy bite inspires confidence especially around the corners. Since it is a high-performance car, various quirks such as nosedive and cabin roll have been restricted competently. 

It is surprising to see how the Nissan GT-R, despite its heft, manages to overpower all the competitors in the discussion here. Its bigger-than-usual rotors ensure that the Nissan GT-R feels sure-footed at all times. The Porsche 911 is a disappointing proposition in this aspect. In spite of the lightest curb weight, it falls behind the GT-R and the Audi R8. Even more disappointing is the Acura NSX that shines in all other departments but loses to each one of them here.

How does the Nissan GT-R feel behind the steering?

The Godzilla is surprisingly tame on open roads. Unless you’re going for the optional sport-tuned suspension, it soaks up bumps easily and handles just like a regular city car at subdued speeds. Opening up the throttle on the track changes its personality entirely. The understeer is well controlled at higher speeds, and the traction is immense thanks to the big fat tires all round and the AWD system which makes the GTR stick to the tarmac like its superglued. The steering is highly communicative for an AWD car. That being said, Porsche is still the king in the steering department. 

Now that the GT-R is a full-fledged track weapon, you would want to lose weight as much as you can. So, sound damping is not one of the top priorities when it comes to buying a sportscar. In fact, it is usually the other way around. The Nissan GT-R doesn't hesitate to scream at its loudest when asked for power. A lot of engine and wind noise keeps the aura of the cabin not fit for conversations. Thankfully though, all the trims come with a noise-canceling audio system that makes the disturbance bearable at highway cruising speeds.

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Despite its high power output, the engine is somehow able to deliver a practical fuel economy. You can very well use the GT-R as your daily driver. With a light foot driving, it is easy to surpass the EPA-rated 22 mpg on the highway. With a fuel capacity of 19.5 gallons, the Godzilla may very well suit you for a weekend getaway.

When compared with the competition, the Godzilla fails to better the NSX in this regard. However, the NSX has an upper hand with its hybrid powertrain enhancing the fuel economy. The Audi R8 also remains out of the question as it is powered by a heavy and thirsty glorious V10 engine that gulps through the fuel like a hungry puppy. More like a fully grown Doberman.

While the GT-R may dominate the segment with its blistering performance, the cabin’s coziness is not exactly ideal. There are premium leather materials available, yes, and the 50th Anniversary Edition has Alcantara headliners. Nevertheless, the GT-R has not yet been able to shake the feeling of sitting in a big plastic box whenever you spend more than a few hours seated in. The front seats are spacious but taller passengers will have trouble sitting in the back.

Basic adjustments for the seats are manual. The heating for the seats is switched from a small easily-missable button on the bottom, which is hard to reach if you’re more than six feet tall. There is no adjustment available for the lumbar support or bolsters, therefore a few laps of the Laguna Seca might be troublesome. The climate control works reasonably well and cools the car fairly quickly.

How good is the infotainment system?

The 8.0-inch touchscreen works well enough to control the major digital systems of the car but feels dated and less responsive than its more advanced rivals. The system has no problem getting used to but offers nothing more than the bare-bones minimum. It has a few connectivity options such as Bluetooth, USB, AUX, and radio. Apple CarPlay is supported if you require better voice control and navigation. No such luck for Android users. Satellite radio and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, pretty much normal for any car of this price bracket, are both absent. 

The audio system seems much more upbeat. It is a Bose Premium Surround Sound System which is now common to all trims. It has 11-speakers and comes with active noise cancellation. It drowns out most of the engine noise, though you have to turn the volume to the max if you properly want to enjoy your favorite tunes.

How much cargo can the GTR take?

While most other performance cars ditch the idea of carrying a bit of luggage for their passengers, the GT-R offers enough space to load in a few bags for your two-day trip. Its 8.8 cubic feet of cargo space is easily accessible. However, the trunk doesn’t go all the way upright, so you might have a problem loading in long items. The rear seats can also hold a bunch of cargo and small items. Upfront, you get a couple of cupholders and pockets to hold in your wallets and sunglasses. A dedicated smartphone stand is badly needed. We hope it features in future versions.

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The GT-R is designed like a brick. Its beauty lies in its serenity and simplicity. Rather than going for a mish-mash of sharp edges and curvy streaks, the smooth cuts reflect the appearance of a noble shinobi, ready to spring into action whenever the need arises. Aside from an upgraded front fascia and silver exhaust tips, most of the 2020 Nissan GT-R is unchanged from the previous year.

Most color schemes are plain and elegant, with only the Anniversary Edition have multiple-tone color schemes to choose from. Though fans of classic Nissans wouldn’t mind spending the extra $8,500 just for the new paint scheme, the sensible shopper would rather save the amount and spend a lot less on pieces of vinyl and custom paint jobs.

The Nissan GT-R is certainly taller than its rivals and has a higher ground clearance. Compared to the Porsche or the Audi where the driver sits low, limiting the visibility of the cabin, the GT-R offers an excellent overall view from the inside and has fewer blind spots. Its longer wheelbase and tighter track width enable the Godzilla to remain stable at the apex.

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At a time when advanced safety systems such as Automated Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control are becoming standard for most 4-seater vehicles, the GT-R puts the driver responsible for avoiding any collisions when driving, with most safety systems focused on keeping the Godzilla on a leash. Still, you do get a few useful features like such as parking sensors and a tire pressure monitoring system that makes living with the GT-R a little easier.

The chassis has not been tested by any federal authority for its safety but you can trust its race-spec carbon-fiber design to keep everyone inside the cabin safe. The design has not changed much from the first generation. There are crumple zones located around the trunk and the engine sits in a reinforced housing. So, you can trust it to do the job of absorbing the majority of impact in the event of a crash.

Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control(ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact beams
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Airbags
• Emergency SOS
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Dual-stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Curtain 1st Row Airbags
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts
• Back-Up Camera

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Nissan GT-R vs Audi R8

While Nissan is more focused on the performance aspect of the GT-R, Audi adds in some luxury and German technology to account for its slower lap times of the R8. The Virtual Cockpit is a much better-looking cluster than the dated analog dials in the GT-R. Around the corners, the Quattro AWD performs well. If you’re a bit flexible with your budget, the extra buck for Tony Stark’s personal pick is well worth it.

Nissan GT-R vs Acura NSX

Acura’s take on the hybrid supercar has enabled it to finally beat the GT-R in terms of performance. Its less powerful gas engine is supplemented by a 73 hp electric setup that gives the combination a total output of 573 hp, 8 more than the GT-R Premium. The drivetrain also improves hugely on the fuel economy, making it go 5 miles further per gallon of fuel than the GT-R. The GT-R doesn’t lag behind it much, and we would happily take the $44,000 along with a more sporty interior.

Nissan GT-R vs Porsche 911 Turbo

The Porsche 911 Turbo is a long-time nemesis of the Nissan GT-R. The 911 Turbo is a star performer of the segment. In true Porsche fashion, it handles like a dream. the steering is superb, the engine is free from any sort of lag whatsoever and gearbox is lightning quick. The GT-R can’t match is the 911’s legendary handling, perfected overtime on Porsche’s home turf of Nurburgring. The 911 is lighter and it feels more nimble and is quick to react to inputs. In terms of practicality, however, it loses out to the GT-R. The trunk in front or the "frunk" of the 911 Turbo is fit for nothing more than a change of clothes. 

Long-time fans of the GT-R would certainly appreciate Nissan’s tradition of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. It is an impressive track car that is capable of assisting you in daily commutes. In spite of all, more than a decade has gone by. It is about time a major overhaul came, making the Godzilla a more powerful, meaner monster able to take on the new titans of the automotive industry.