2021 Nissan GT-R Nismo Review: Legends Never Die

$97,200 is the difference in price between the base Nissan GT-R and the hardcore Nissan GT-R Nismo you see here. For that amount, you could virtually buy a new Porsche 911 Carrera, at which point the Nismo seems to lose its grip on reality as quickly as it launches off the mark. That's without mentioning the fact that the current GT-R is a relic and has been on sale for over a decade. But to judge this car by normal standards is perhaps missing the point. Following significant upgrades last year that included upgraded turbochargers, the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 produces 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque, enough to send this missile to 60 mph in only 2.5 seconds. It's also relatively easy for even novice drivers to unlock the GT-R's brutal performance. While it still looks appealingly raw and aggressive, there's no denying that this is a sports car from another era. If you can look past its age, far more modern rivals like the Audi R8, and a sub-par cabin, the GT-R Nismo remains worthy of its legendary status.

What's the Price of the 2021 Nissan GT-R Nismo?

The price of a Nissan GT-R Nismo starts at an MSRP of $210,740 in the USA, putting it in some truly exceptional company. For instance, the near-perfect Porsche 911 Turbo S starts at $203,500 and the accomplished Audi R8 starts at well below $200,000. The Nissan's price excludes tax, licensing, registration, and a shipping/handling cost of $1,795. Fortunately, by virtue of its lack of options, even a fully-loaded Nismo won't exceed $220,000.

2021 GT-R NISMO Exterior

Dimensions

2021 GT-R NISMO Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The combination of the GT-R Nismo's special Dunlop high-performance tires, the standard all-wheel-drive system, and the Nismo-tuned suspension endow the Nissan with stupendous abilities on the track. Together with numerous improvements made over the last decade, the GT-R Nismo makes average drivers feel as if they've unlocked a previously unknown level of skill. The steering is super quick and the grip is phenomenal, so the Nismo can carry great speeds into corners without it feeling as though you've approached the car's limits. Switch up to R mode, use the paddle shifters, and, with enough space, the GT-R's annoying foibles at slower speeds make way for a truly absorbing driving experience. Giant carbon-ceramic brakes do a fantastic job of bringing the GT-R down from high speeds as effectively as it gets there. On that note, the launch control system remains one of the highlights of the GT-R Nismo experience, requiring little more than planting the throttle and releasing the brake after putting the drivetrain, traction control, and transmission into R mode.

The V6 isn't the best-sounding engine ever, but its sheer volume adds to the drama, and Nissan recently improved the acoustic experience with a revised titanium exhaust system. On normal roads, don't expect a cushy ride; the Bilstein DampTronic suspension is firm and makes most surface imperfections known, even in comfort mode. There is also plenty of road/tire noise to deal with, serving as a further reminder of the car's age.

2021 GT-R NISMO Interior

2021 GT-R NISMO Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2021 Nissan GT-R Nismo A Good car?

Age is just a number, right? The 2021 Nissan GT-R Nismo defies the normal lifespan of a production vehicle by surviving to see yet another year, but the fact that it has stuck around for this long while still remaining an exceptional performance car is proof of how right Nissan got it from the start. In a straight line, it's an absolute bullet, while incremental improvements to the handling throughout the years have seen it become an even more engaging and capable track toy. In some ways, the GT-R Nismo's age is actually endearing; we love its brash, old school looks, and the fact that the interior hasn't been totally digitized. But there is no denying that it's prohibitively expensive. Rivals from McLaren, Audi, and others are more polished performers, but perhaps without the legendary status that makes the Nismo so beguiling. It's flawed, but we'll thoroughly miss Godzilla when it's gone.

What Nissan GT-R Nismo Model Should I Buy?

A single powertrain and almost zero available upgrades mean that the biggest decision you'll need to make is picking the exterior paint. A more pertinent question is this: should you spend close to double the price on a GT-R Nismo over the regular GT-R? Logically, it's difficult to justify the considerable price difference between the two. Then again, if it's the ultimate Nissan GT-R you want, only the Nismo will do.

2021 Nissan GT-R NISMO Comparisons

2021 Nissan GT-R NISMO vs Nissan GT-R

At $97,200 less, the base model Nissan GT-R appears to be an absolute bargain alongside the Nismo. While both share a 3.8-liter V6 engine, the regular GT-R Premium produces 565 hp and 467 lb-ft compared to the Nismo's 600 hp and 481 lb-ft. However, the Nismo is only about two-tenths quicker to 60 mph by comparison, which hardly justifies the premium. To experience the benefits of the Nismo's slightly lighter weight and uniquely tuned suspension, you'll have to drive both cars at truly extreme speeds. There are some definite benefits to the Nismo, though, such as the carbon-ceramic brakes that make it better-suited to punishing use on track. The liberal use of carbon-fiber elements outside the Nismo also make it the more exotic option between these two, while the cabin is upgraded with those Recaro leather/synthetic suede sport seats and a bespoke steering wheel that make it feel even more special. But the standard GT-R is a special car too, so if you don't have an extra $100k just lying around, it'll provide most of the thrills at half the price.

2021 Nissan GT-R NISMO vs Lamborghini Aventador S

If you think that the Nissan GT-R Nismo is expensive, think again. At virtually twice the price, the Lamborghini Aventador is a piece of automotive exotica that is more commonly associated with A-listers. It's an extraordinary machine to look at, both inside and out, and is one of the few cars on the road that can steal attention away from the Nismo. Although both cars are similarly quick up to 60 mph, the Lamborghini's atmospheric 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 is possibly the best engine currently in production. There's no turbo lag here - just a crushing wave of power that never stops building, along with the most intoxicating noise. Although the Nissan feels more spacious inside, the Aventador feels more special, but the GT-R is the one to get if you need more space for people and luggage. It's difficult to compare two cars with such different characters and at vastly different price points, but if money were no object, it's hard to say no to one of Lamborghini's most extreme supercars.