2021 Nissan GT-R Review

　　

2021 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.

　　The Nissan GT-R has been one of the fastest performance cars in the world for more than a decade. However, it's also been pretty much the same that whole time; it debuted for the 2009 model year and hasn't received a full redesign since. Nissan has done its best to make updates at least. The only notable differences for 2021 is the elimination of the Track edition model and the return of the iconic Bayside Blue paint color made famous on the R34-generation Nissan Skyline GT-R from the late 1990s (a car that unfortunately was never sold new in America).

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 MSRPT-spec 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) - $138,490 MSRPNISMO 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) - $210,740 MSRPNISMO Special Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM) - $215,690 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　As fast and as powerful as the GT-R still is, it doesn't feel quite as outlandish as it used to. Rivals such as the Audi R8, Mercedes-AMG GT and Porsche offer similar levels of performance but with a wider array of features and a more refined driving experience. Then again, the GT-R's age could be seen as a charming rebuke to ever-advancing technology in cars. Read our Expert Rating below to get our full take on the 2021 GT-R.

　　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 smartphone integration.

　　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 it's 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?

The Nismo version is the ultimate GT-R, but Nissan's asking price for what you get seems too steep to us. We say stick with the GT-R Premium. It's plenty fast and comes well loaded from the factory with features including LED lighting, full leather upholstery and, of course, a monster twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

　　

2021 Nissan GT-R models

The 2021 Nissan GT-R is now available in just two trim levels: Premium and Nismo. Both are powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine making 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque in the Premium and 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque in the Nismo model. That engine is paired to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Both models come fairly well equipped, and the only major differences are a number of performance upgrades on the Nismo model.

　　Premium

　　The GT-R Premium comes fairly well equipped. Standard features include:

　　20-inch wheels with performance tires Sport suspension with electronically controlled Bilstein shock absorbers Brembo performance brakes LED headlights and taillights Keyless entry with push-button start Leather upholstery Power-adjustable, heated front seats 11-speaker Bose audio system 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system Navigation Apple CarPlay smartphone integration Dual-zone automatic climate control Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)The GT-R Premium has one notable optional package:

　　Premium Interior package Upgraded leather seat upholstery Additional leather interior trim Nismo

　　The top-level GT-R has been tuned by Nissan's Nismo performance division. Standard features carry over from the GT-R Premium. Besides the extra power from the engine, the Nismo has:

　　Nismo-tuned suspension Carbon-ceramic brakes (for better resistance to brake fade during high-performance driving) Wider 20-inch wheels Wider front fenders Lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork Roof Front and rear bumpers Trunklid Rear wing Side sills Front fenders Hood Exterior mirrors Recaro sport seats Red interior accents

　　

2021 GT-R Highlights

Type: CoupeNISMONISMO Special EditionCoupe

　　Trim: PremiumT-specNISMONISMO Special EditionPremium

　　

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