2020 Nissan GT-R Review

　　

2020 Nissan GT-R Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　For decades, enthusiasts have been calling the Nissan GT-R by its nickname: Godzilla. Borrowing the name of the king of monsters is high praise. But it's one the GT-R earned by being one of the fastest point-to-point cars on the planet thanks to a fine-tuned chassis, a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, a stout turbocharged six-cylinder engine and a race-proven pedigree. The current R35-generation model has been on sale since 2009 and has undergone some significant changes to both price and performance since its debut.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan GT-R Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$253/mo  for GT-R Premium

　　GT-R Premium

　　Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) (Most Popular) - $113,540 MSRPTrack Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) - $145,540 MSRPNISMO 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) - $210,740 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　This year's 2020 GT-R receives more tweaks. The base Pure model has been dropped from the lineup, leaving the GT-R Premium as the least expensive model. There is, however, a new 50th Anniversary Edition package that's available on the Premium in limited numbers. It features special two-tone exterior paint schemes and interior trim and upholstery.

　　All GT-Rs receive upgraded turbochargers this year. Nissan says they help improve low-end response, even though the engine's power ratings are unchanged. One minor update: The Track Edition trim level now gets the upgraded 600-horsepower engine that was previously only offered on the Nismo. Finally, there are new lightweight wheels, some slight visual tweaks, a carbon-fiber roof for the Nismo, and optional carbon-ceramic brakes for the Track Edition and the Nismo.

　　The GT-R isn't the relative bargain it once was. And competitors such as the Mercedes AMG GT, the Porsche 911 and even the all-new Chevrolet Corvette benefit from newer redesigns and offer similar levels of comfort with no performance penalty. It's also fair to say they have a fresher curbside presence. But for the ultimate Japanese performance car, there's still nothing else quite like Godzilla.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the GT-R drive? The GT-R still delivers astounding acceleration, while the all-wheel-drive system allows novices to pilot this sports car with surprising ease. The throttle tip-in is lazy. It makes acceleration easy to manage at all speeds, but the engine should be more responsive when you push the pedal. The transmission is slow to respond to inputs unless you're shifting manually.

　　Launch control acceleration is explosive — a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds makes the GT-R one of the quickest cars we've ever tested. Stopping from 60 mph takes 109 feet, which is decent but a few feet longer than the competition.

　　

Comfort

6.5/10

　　How comfortable is the GT-R? The adaptive suspension works well to eliminate bumpiness from poorly paved roads. The ride is firm yet acceptable with the dampers in their normal setting. Switch to Comfort and the ride is no rougher than in a sporty Audi. The seats lack adjustment, and their aggressive lumbar support might be a deal-breaker.

　　The GT-R's powertrain noise might appeal to those who want to be reminded they are driving a machine, but it comes off as unrefined. The climate system is a bit finicky too. Our test car blew cold air at high fan speeds when set at 78 on a 70-degree day. Manual control is best here.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Improvements throughout its life span have kept the GT-R's cabin looking fresh. It's easy to get in and out of, and the view out isn't as bunker-like as it is in other sports cars. Most of the controls are easy to use, but the active exhaust and driving aid buttons are well-hidden near your knees.

　　The cabin is fairly roomy as sports cars go. It definitely doesn't feel claustrophobic, and two people can fit without bumping shoulders. Anybody 6 feet tall or shorter will fit fine. Taller folks might have to scrunch down to avoid brushing against the headliner. There's not much room in the back for people, but you can at least toss some gear back there.

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? While enhancements have been made to other areas over the last decade, the infotainment system is quite dated. Navigation is inaccurate, and the voice control system is clumsy. There's Apple CarPlay but no Android Auto.

　　Front and rear parking sensors are standard, as is a rearview camera. That's it. There are no other driving aids or assistance systems to help with the mundanities of day-to-day traffic. Though sight lines out of the rear are pretty good, a blind-spot monitor would be a welcome addition.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Though the trunk is relatively large, the tall liftover height makes loading and unloading items awkward. You have to drop gear into the cargo hold, and removing heavy items is difficult. The button to open it is at your lower shin, so best to use the key fob. Interior storage is limited, but you can use the rear seats as extra shelf space.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The GT-R is rated at 18 mpg combined (16 city/22 highway), which is in line with other supercars and slightly more efficient than V8-powered rivals. It delivered 20.1 mpg on our highway-heavy evaluation route, so it's fair to assume you will be able to match the EPA numbers if you drive with restraint.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the GT-R a good value? Prices have crept up over the last decade. You still get a lot for the money, and the cabin doesn't look as low-rent as before. A center stack redesign from a few years back helps keep the GT-R's interior look current. There are fewer exotic materials than in rivals, and powertrain noises constantly sound like something is breaking. Some warranty coverage isn't as robust as what rivals offer.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　We like the GT-R's budget supercar vibe. It delivers exceptional handling on mountain roads, and acceleration is rapid at full throttle. While the first models of this generation were chided as being too digital, the GT-R's responses and feedback seem analog in this day and age. Its understated, almost bulky design doesn't have the visual impact of an exotic sports car, but there's enough going on that passersby will recognize the GT-R as something special.

　　

Which GT-R does zzdcar recommend?

Our previous recommendation, the GT-R Pure, has been dropped from the lineup for 2020. We recommend the current entry-level model, the GT-R Premium. It's more expensive than last year's model but pads on features such as a Bose audio system, active noise cancellation, and a titanium exhaust system in addition to new turbochargers and new Rays 20-inch forged wheels.

　　

2020 Nissan GT-R models

The four-seat GT-R comes in three trim levels: Premium, Track Edition and the wild Nissan GT-R Nismo. Each one offers more features and more performance than the last, though there are some significant price jumps between the trims too. Each model is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine codenamed VR38DETT. The GT-R also uses Nissan's trick ATTESA all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed dual-clutch transaxle.

　　The GT-R Premium uses the least powerful version of the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 (565 horsepower, 467 lb-ft). It might be significantly more expensive than last year's base model, but the Premium is loaded with more standard equipment. Nissan sure didn't skimp on performance either, equipping the Premium with electronically controlled Bilstein shock absorbers, 20-inch forged wheels and Brembo brakes.

　　Other features include a leather interior with heated front seats and LED lighting all around. Apple CarPlay is standard, but the GT-R doesn't support Android Auto. This year, the GT-R Premium is available with a limited-edition 50th Anniversary Edition package, with three historical paint colors to choose from.

　　The GT-R Track Edition comes with all the equipment from the Premium. But it borrows some performance parts from the top-of-the-line GT-R Nismo, including a more powerful 3.8-liter V6 (600 hp, 481 lb-ft) from the GT-R Nismo, Nismo-tuned suspension, wider front fenders, 20-inch Rays wheels and a carbon-fiber roof. The Track Edition also comes with a red and black interior with Recaro seats as well as additional bonding on the body to increase the car's rigidity.

　　The Nissan GT-R Nismo takes its name from the automaker's in-house tuning division, and as such it's the fastest and most powerful factory-built GT-R out there. It comes with all the equipment from the GT-R Track Edition, including Recaro seats and a 600-hp engine. Carbon fiber is used in most of the bodywork. The carbon-ceramic brakes reduce weight and improve braking performance, as do the Dunlop tires. The fenders feature vents, another part derived from the GT3 car. The Nismo also gets black leather with red accents and dark gray faux suede on the steering wheel, instrument panel and headliner.

　　

2020 GT-R Highlights

Type: CoupeNISMOCoupe

　　Trim: PremiumTrack EditionNISMOPremium

　　

Base MSRP	$113,540
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$253/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	8.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles