2018 Nissan GT-R Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byCalvin Kim
Vehicle Test Engineer
Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.Pros
- Excellent acceleration, handling and braking
- Easy to drive for maximum performance
Cons
- Lurchy and noisy powertrain, particularly at low speeds
- Stiff suspension and an abundance of road noise
- Vestigial rear seats
What’s new
New for 2018 is the Pure trim level. It's a little less expensive than the Premium trim but does not come with the Premium's titanium exhaust, active sound enhancement and noise cancellation, and 11-speaker Bose audio system. Apple CarPlay is included on all GT-Rs, and a black interior package, called Kuro Night, is available on Premium models.
Vehicle overview
This is the time to be alive if you're shopping for a high-performance sports car. Not only are there more choices than ever, sports car manufacturers have a seemingly unending supply of updates to apply to their technological powerhouses. But for the 2018 GT-R, Nissan is doing things a little differently. While most manufacturers are selling cars with more features and corresponding price hikes, Nissan is bringing out a less expensive GT-R trim, called Pure, to the lineup. The benefit to consumers? The Pure's starting MSRP is below the six-figure mark.
Whichever trim you get, the GT-R brings plenty of performance to the road with little sacrifice in regard to comfort and convenience. To its credit, Nissan has continuously updated and refined the the GT-R's powertrain, and it's much more refined than when it was introduced back in 2009. But compared to other performance cars with dual-clutch transmissions on the market, the GT-R is still lurchy and noisy. For better and for worse, the 2018 GT-R is fundamentally the same well-appointed but rough-and-tumble car as the one from nine years ago.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 Nissan GT-R Premium (turbo 3.8L V6 | 6-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current GT-R has received some revisions, including a bit more power and an updated interior. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's GT-R.
Scorecard
| Overall | 7.6 / 10 |
| Driving | 9.0 |
| Comfort | 7.0 |
| Interior | 7.5 |
| Utility | 6.5 |
Driving
9.0Thanks to its potent turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive, the Nissan GT-R accelerates with uncommon ferocity. An adaptive suspension system and performance-oriented stability control add to its otherworldly handling characteristics.
Comfort
7.0The GT-R lacks a level of quietness and refinement found in most of the sports cars it competes against.
Interior
7.5The GT-R's cockpit includes some high-tech features along with many controls that are found in other Nissan vehicles. Fortunately, there's enough distinction to set it apart from, say, a typical Altima. But perhaps there's not enough separation for a $100,000 car.
Utility
6.5The 8.8-cubic-foot trunk is enough for everyday cargo needs, but the narrow opening and tall liftover height make it ill-suited for bulkier items. Interior storage is also limited, with medium-size cupholders, small bins and door pockets.
Technology
For 2018, all GT-Rs get an upgraded infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay. The 8-inch display also shows performance data on screens designed by Polyphony, the creators of the "Gran Turismo" racing simulation.
Which GT-R does Edmunds recommend?
For our money, it's the new Pure model. You get the same mechanical and performance content as the Premium without the fluff of electronic sound control and a heavy audio system. Though you lose the titanium exhaust, the cost savings can help pay for track days and tires.
2018 Nissan GT-R models
The 2018 Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sport coupe. It uses a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine (565 hp, 467 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission and a variable all-wheel-drive system for its propulsion. Pure, the new trim level, is the least expensive way to get a GT-R, but it still has all the essential features. Premium trim cars add luxury options, while the Track Edition adds even more track focus. Finally, the GT-R Nismo ups all performance qualities to the max, including an engine tuned for more power.