Nissan GT-R Review & Prices

The Nissan GT-R is a sporty coupe with a well-earned reputation for offering huge performance at a knockdown price. It’s an alternative to cars such as the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Mercedes AMG GT and Aston Martin Vantage.

Given that Nissan was trying to tempt buyers away from distinctly upmarket models such as those, there’s little surprise that the previous GT-R was criticised for being too bland inside. Fortunately, Nissan heard those complaints and, when the car was updated in 2016, it inherited a new interior that meant the GT-R could match the alternatives both in terms of design and materials.

The stitched leather dashboard added class while the simplified layout and new infotainment system were welcome improvements. You could even have the cabin finished in a two-tone black/tan colour scheme, should you feel the need to replicate a Ferrari’s inners.

It’s surprisingly comfortable, too. You won’t feel cramped in the front and even the standard seats do a great job of holding you in place. But, if you do want more side bolstering, go for the GT-R Recaro model, which adds sports seats.

Admittedly, there’s not so much space in the back seat thanks to the curve of the roofline, but the 315-litre boot is surprisingly practical for a car of this type. You're looking at 130 litres in a 911 and 300 litres in a Jaguar F-Type, though the newer Vantage bests the Nissan with 350 litres.

Inevitably, though, the most impressive thing about the GT-R is how it goes – and that’s thanks to the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 engine. The latest version produces well in excess of 550hp, meaning the GT-R can match far more expensive supercars such as the 562hp McLaren 570S, with a 0-62mph time of less than three seconds.

Watch: Nissan GT-R v Honda NSX twin-test

Then again, if the normal GT-R still isn’t fast enough, there are the Track and Nismo versions, which offer increasingly more power and less weight. There are no official acceleration figures, but the rumour is the Nismo takes under 2.5 seconds to reach 62mph.

Work has also gone into making the GT-R easier to drive on the limit, but make no mistake – it is still capable of out-cornering cars costing twice the price. Much of that is down to the many electronic driver aids, but don’t go thinking this is an emotionless car to drive. On the contrary, there’s plenty of character here, and the engine sounds fantastic.

Then again, if the normal GT-R still isn’t fast enough, then there are the Track and Nismo versions, which offer increasingly more power and lighter weight. There are no official acceleration figures, but the rumour is the Nismo takes under 2.5 seconds to reach 62mph.

Work also went into making the GT-R easier to drive on the limit, but make no mistake – it is still capable of out-cornering cars costing twice the price. Much of that is down to the many electronic driver aids, but don’t go thinking this is an emotionless car to drive. On the contrary, there’s plenty of character here, and the engine sounds fantastic.

What’s more, not only do all those aids help the car go more quickly, they also help it to be safer. Because the car can make sure the most power and braking force always goes to the correct tyre, the GT-R feels like it is just as surefooted at avoiding an accident as it is getting you round a race track or along a tight and twisty B-road.

There’s loads of grip, whether the road is tight or open, and as you drive, you can feel the four-wheel-drive system moving power to the wheels that need it the most. Like many of the car’s systems, the suspension is adjustable, and there’s a comfort mode for when you just want to sit on the motorway and cruise.

You can also adjust the speed of the automatic gearbox’s gearshifts. The fastest ‘R’ mode wallops you in the back as you shift up the gears with your foot flat on the accelerator. Yet, around town, the gearbox happily shuffles along smoothly, making the GT-R feel no more challenging to drive than a Qashqai.

All of this ability doesn’t come cheap, of course, but the extensive standard equipment is comparable to what you’ll find on a Porsche 911 Turbo S. Given that the German car costs twice as much, that makes the Nissan something of a bargain in the supercar world – although its running costs are higher than most alternatives.

That’s much the same as it’s ever been, of course, but the latest version of the GT-R is also more usable on an everyday basis than any of the previous generations. That means it deserves a place on the shortlist of anyone who’s fortunate enough to be considering a high-performance model or even a supercar.

If you're looking to buy a Nissan GT-R, check out the latest used stock from a network of trusted dealers through carwow, or browse deals on new Nissan models to see how much you could save. And if you need to sell your car first, carwow can help with that too.