Overall Rating
Updated on: July 20, 2020
Automotive Journalist
Dubbed the ‘Godzilla’ by fans, the 2020 Nissan GT-R returns. Albeit not much different than the first time it was launched in 2009. It was a supercar killer when it unveiled, taking on cars like the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Ferrari 458 at a way lower price tag. Fast forward ten years and much of its rivals have upgraded to a whole new level, while the GT-R has not. There have been a few improvements here and there, yet there is no noticeable difference between various versions when you get behind the wheel.
See detailed review »Breathtaking Acceleration
Composed and comfortable ride at low speeds
Everyday Practicality
Dated infotainment system
A lot of understeer, especially at higher speeds
The NISMO trim gets better aerodynamics
All trims get an engine tune-up
Addition of a limited 50th Anniversary trim
$113540
2dr Coupe
4
all wheel drive
232
565 hp @ 6800 rpm
467 lbs.-ft. @ 3300 rpm
Dual-Clutch 6-Speed w/Paddle-Shift
Independent front double wishbone suspension
Independent rear multi-link suspension
15.3/15
109.4 in.
63 in.
74.6 in.
53.9 in.
3933 lbs.
79 cu ft.
8.8 cu ft.
16660
794
2.8 sec.
11.2
16/18/22 mpg
429.0 mi.
3 yr./ 36000 mi.
5 yr./ 60000 mi.
5 yr. /unlimited
Yes
$113,540
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) | Starting at $113,540 MSRP | (16/18/22) | 565 hp @ 6800 rpm, 3.8 L, V-6, premium unleaded (required) | Dual-Clutch 6-Speed w/Paddle-Shift | all wheel drive | 4 |
$123,040 - $125,040
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50th Anniversary Bayside Blue 2dr (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) | Starting at $123,040 MSRP | (16/18/22) | 565 hp @ 6800 rpm, 3.8 L, V-6, premium unleaded (required) | 6 speed automatic | all wheel drive | 4 | |
50th Anniversary Pearl White TriCoat 2dr (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) | Starting at $123,040 MSRP | (16/18/22) | 565 hp @ 6800 rpm, 3.8 L, V-6, premium unleaded (required) | 6 speed automatic | all wheel drive | 4 | |
50th Anniversary Super Silver QuadCoat 2dr (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) | Starting at $125,040 MSRP | (16/18/22) | 565 hp @ 6800 rpm, 3.8 L, V-6, premium unleaded (required) | 6 speed automatic | all wheel drive | 4 |
$145,540
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Track Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) | Starting at $145,540 MSRP | (16/18/22) | 600 hp @ 6800 rpm, 3.8 L, V-6, premium unleaded (required) | Dual-Clutch 6-Speed w/Paddle-Shift | all wheel drive | 4 |
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Features
Engine And Performance
Fuel Economy
Interior
7.1
OVERALL RATING
Overall Rating
Well, still with no major update, you should never mistake the GT-R for a slow car. It comes packed with a twin-turbo 3.8L V6 engine, pushing out 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. And if these figures sound low you can still opt for the NISMO variant which bumps up the fun factor by offering up to 600 hp. Yes, there are a number of race cars out there but GT-R can still carry up to 4 people in the cabin.
7.0/10
Features
9.0/10
Engine and Performance
3.0/10
Fuel Economy
7.0/10
Interior
For the 50th Anniversary edition, four trims are on offer for the 2020 GT-R: Premium, 50th Anniversary, Track Edition and Nismo. The Premium trim starts at $115,235 and the more performance packing Nismo edition $212,435. Compared with the 2019 edition, there is a price bump of around $17,000 for the Premium variant.
Trim |
Premium |
50th Anniversary Edition |
Track Edition |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$113,540 |
$123,040 |
$145,540 |
Key Features |
Twin-Turbo 3.8L V6 |
Exclusive Color Schemes |
Modified Twin-Turbo 3.8L V6 |
|
565 hp |
Alcantara Headliner |
600 hp |
|
467 lb-ft of torque |
481 lb-ft of torque |
|
|
6-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic Transmission |
Recaro Seats |
|
|
Leather Upholstery |
Sports-Tuned Suspension |
|
|
Bose Premium Sound System |
We Recommend
The Premium trim is good enough to give you the real feel of a GT-R as it packs a lot of punch. Also, the Nismo edition seems like much of a tuned-up edition and not much has been done considering the extra $32,000 price tag.
The major fun factor lies underneath the hood of the GT-R. A 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque. Although this engine produces identical outputs even after a decade. The 2020 variant is said to be 20% more responsive along with new turbo upgrades done by Nissan. It still packs the Godzilla factor to surprise supercars and new drivers behind the steering. The transmission is long due for an update but it still manages to do its job.
Models |
Nissan GT-R Premium |
Audi R8 Coupe |
Acura NSX |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$115,235 |
$169,900 |
$159,300 |
$161,800 |
Engine |
3.8L Twin-Turbo V6 |
5.2L FSI V10 |
3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 |
3.8L Twin-Turbo Flat-six |
Transmission |
6-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
7-Speed S-Tronic Automatic |
9-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
7-Speed Dual-Clutch PDK Automatic |
Drive |
AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
RWD |
Power output(hp) |
565 |
562 |
573 |
540 |
Torque(lb-ft) |
467 |
403 |
476 |
486 |
GT-R has a league of its own and only a few rivals can match that. It still remains the most pocket-friendly compared to all other rivals even after the price hike. Above all, it still is a track machine made for daily use, if you wish to. The next car coming in its rival list is almost $44,000 more.
AWD allows for a stable and quick acceleration for the 2020 Nissan GT-R. It is blindingly fast in a straight line, it can sprint to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. which is still faster than the prominent rivals. The quick-acting all-wheel-drive setup is something exceptional that allows for proper traction as soon as you plummet the throttle. Coming second only to the NSX that benefits from a hybrid powertrain.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Premium |
Audi R8 Coupe |
Acura NSX |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 mph |
2.8 sec |
3.4 sec |
2.7 sec |
2.9 sec |
Quarter mile |
11.2 sec |
11.5 sec |
11.1 sec |
11.3 sec |
Engine |
3.8L Twin-Turbo V6 |
5.2L FSI V10 |
3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 |
3.8L Twin-Turbo Flat-six |
Emissions(Tons/yr of CO2 at 15k mi/yr) |
12.47 |
11.0 |
10.64 |
10.14 |
Deceleration is as important as acceleration when we talk about supercars. Thanks to excellent weight balance and big Brembo brake discs, the GT-R can come to a full stop from 60 mph within 94 feet, which is enough to deliver fast and smooth braking.
The lightweight and superbly rigid calliper are created from a single-one piece of aluminium. It feels sensitive and provides accurate pedal feel allows stopping the coupe quickly.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Premium |
Audi R8 Coupe |
Acura NSX |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Front Brakes(in.) |
16.1 |
14.4 |
14.5 |
16.1 |
Rear Brakes(in.) |
15.4 |
14.0 |
14.2 |
15.4 |
Curb Weight(lbs) |
3933 |
3737 |
3878 |
3517 |
60-0 mph(ft.) |
94 |
96 |
103 |
99 |
Press the start button on central control and the 3.8-litre v 6 turbocharged powertrain burbles to life. The Godzilla is surprisingly tame on open roads. Unless you’re going for the sports-tuned suspension. The all-wheel-drive capability and traction control allow for the car to be more planted while ripping through corners at high speed. It soaks up bumps easily and handles just like a regular sedan at city speeds. The new hood and front grille design allow for better frontal downforce.
Understeer is an evident issue in the GT-R, however, few tweaks have been done to improve it with the stiff ride quality that leaves the GT-R wanting in the handling arena. Inside the cabin, you will feel the famous growl of the GT-R engine. Although, all the trims come with an audio system that you might not be using when doing highway runs. As the all-wheel-drive system puts more power to the rear wheels, and the torque splits in the 50:50 the car feels more alive when pushed hard.
Despite its high power output, the Nissan GTR with its turbocharged powertrain is good enough to deliver 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, despite its sub-three second acceleration to 60 mph. This fuel economy is considered practical as you can very well use the GT-R as your daily driver. With a total fuel capacity of 19.5 gallons, the Godzilla can be taken for a weekend getaway without any second thought.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Premium |
Audi R8 Coupe |
Acura NSX |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG(City) |
16 |
13 |
21 |
19 |
MPG(Highway) |
22 |
20 |
22 |
24 |
MPG(Combined) |
18 |
16 |
21 |
21 |
Economy figures might not be the best, but the GT-R still manages a decent fuel economy output from its rivals. While the Porsche 911, Turbo puts out the best fuel economy numbers with 19mpg in city and 24mpg in highway conditions. Followed by NSX and R8.
While it may dominate over its rivals with its blistering performance, the cabin’s cosiness is not exactly ideal. The cabin of Nissan GT-R is functional like its exterior, but it is beginning to show its age when compared to modern rivals. The availability of premium leather materials along with Alcantara headliner in the 50th Anniversary Edition.
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 the rear seats are much suited for kids or short individuals. Getting in and out of the GT-R does not require many efforts as the legroom is good enough. Setas are adjustable by manual operations only up to a certain level but, they do get the heating options.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Premium |
Audi R8 Coupe |
Acura NSX |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger Capacity |
4 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
Front Room(Head/Shoulder/Leg)(in.) |
38.1/54.3/44.6 |
39.0/55.0/40.9 |
38.3/57.7/42.9 |
39.4/55.6/39.2 |
The rear seats are small, but still, Nissan takes credit for being a 4-seater car in this segment. While all the cars in this segment come out to be identical in terms of interior space.
The GT-R comes standard with the NissanConnect infotainment system that seamlessly links to your smartphone with the 8.0-inch touchscreen. The centre dash also doubles up to control the major digital systems of the car and shows details related to performance and mechanical factors too. Such as torque, oil temperatures, and 0-100 timings. But, it still feels dated and less responsive than its more advanced rivals.
Basic connectivity functions like Bluetooth, USB, AUX, and radio are present. Now the head unit supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. For moments when you are not interested in listening to that amazing V6 in front of you, Nissan has added an 11 speakers Bose audio system with active noise cancellation.
Being a supercar there is not much space to store your belongings, still, the GT-R comes with 8.8 cubic feet of space which is enough to load in a few bags for your two-day trip. Adding to that, the rear seats can also be removed completely providing you with a little more space.
But, you might face trouble in loading up long items because the trunk doesn’t go all the way up. Although there is no specific smartphone stand inside the cabin, you still get a couple of cupholders and pockets to store basic pocket stuff.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Premium |
Audi R8 Coupe |
Acura NSX |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Storage Volume(ft.3) |
8.8 |
8.0 |
4.4 |
5.8 |
The GT-R provides the maximum cargo space for utility from all of its rivals. With 8.8 cu.ft. of storage space it comes out on the top followed by Audi R8 Coupe. The last two spots are taken by Porsche 911 turbo and Acura NSX.
The GT-R design does not look distinctive, and Nissan has successfully maintained the low-key stance of this performance sports car. The GTR mixes form with function in a great manner. 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. Not many visible changes happened in this update apart from an upgraded front fascia and silver exhaust tips.
While the delicate C pillar diminishes into a vertical fence on the rear fender which is inspired by NISMO GT-R. The design package makes the GT-R a complete tuner car, created in-house. Most of the colour schemes remain plain and elegant, with only the Anniversary Edition having multiple-tone colour schemes to choose from.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Premium |
Audi R8 Coupe |
Acura NSX |
Porsche 911 Turbo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight(lbs.) |
3933 |
3737 |
3878 |
3517 |
Length(in.) |
185.4 |
174.3 |
176.1 |
177.4 |
Width(in.) |
74.6 |
76.4 |
87.3 |
74.0 |
Height(in.) |
53.9 |
48.8 |
47.8 |
51.1 |
Ground Clearance(in.) |
4.3 |
4.3 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
Wheelbase(in.) |
109.4 |
104.4 |
103.5 |
96.5 |
Track Width(in.) F/R |
62.6/63.0 |
64.5/63.0 |
65.2/63.7 |
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. Apart from this, the GT-R is certainly taller than its rivals and has a higher ground clearance too. On the other hand, the GT-R offers an excellent overall view from the inside and has fewer blind spots compared to its rivals where the driver sits low, limiting the visibility of the cabin.
It seems that the Nissan GT-R is still waiting to go through the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and the IIHS. so, providing exact safety figures is not possible. But, we consider the race-spec carbon-fibre design, it is expected to perform at a respectable level. The availability of crumple zones and reinforced engine housing makes up for better strength of the structure.
At a time when other manufacturers are stuffing their products with advanced tech and driver aids, Nissan is still putting every responsibility in the driver’s hand for handling the car.
While the GT-R is more focused on performance, Audi is stuffing some luxury and German technology. This is done in order to account for the slower lap times of the R8. while Audi’s Virtual Cockpit looks a lot better than the dated screens in the GT-R.
The main downside of the GT-R is the fact that no major design and technology changes made it look old age. Also, the R8 still feels fresh and the Quattro AWD does much better as well. If you’re looking for an advanced proper sports car that has all the advanced features then the Audi R8 is for you.
Performance is the main factor in differentiating these cars. Acura has done a fantastic job on the hybrid supercar that has enabled them to finally beat the GT-R in terms of performance. The engine in the NSX is supplemented by a 73 hp electric motor that gives a combined output of 573 hp which comes out to be 8hp more than the standard GT-R.
overall the NSX is a refreshed product trying best to live up to its name. The only problem is, it is a supercar designed to be driven daily and no one drives a supercar daily. So, it lacks in performing the best of both worlds. Also, a price difference of around $44,000 is something to consider.
This is the competition where the game gets head on head. The Porsche 911 Turbo is a long-time nemesis of the Nissan GT-R. but, even after years of perfecting their original design, the Porsche still falls behind the Godzilla in terms of performance.
Interior quality still lacks a lot in terms of space and quality. You have to opt for additional packages to make them feel better. Moreover, the cargo space is the front trunk only in the 911 Turbo which is fit for nothing more than a small bag. Even though the 911 handes much better than the GT-R, it still can’t justify the price difference of more than $50,000.
Yes!, the GT-R is long due for an overhaul as it is lacking behind upcoming sports cars. Nissan is going on the tradition of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. But, it has been long due even though it is not broken, it is old. It is a fabulous car like no other and if you like modifying it both in terms of aesthetic appeal and engine performance. You have endless possibilities to make it a daily driver yet track monster.
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