2023 Nissan GT-R NISMO Review: A Sledgehammer, Not A Scalpel

The Nissan GT-R first rolled off the production line in 2007 and arrived in America as a 2009 model. Whether the automaker knew what a cult following the GT-R lineup would have a decade and a half later or not, it was originally intended as a 997-generation Porsche 911 Turbo rival - and that was two generations ago, in 911 speak. Back then, the GT-R had a huge price advantage over its rivals and was lauded for its giant-killer ability at an attainable price. More configurations of the basic template were launched as the years went on, and the NISMO variation debuted in 2013 as the fastest production car around the Nordschleife at the time. It came with more power and mechanics that support hard acceleration, better stopping power, and a tuned suspension. In JDM enthusiast circles, the GT-R is hallowed, and the Nismo version is the cream of the crop. But at a starting price of over $215k - nearly double the price of a regular GT-R - the NISMO now costs the same as a Porsche 911 Turbo S and more than an Audi R8 quattro. While it's true that these are performance icons that are in a different league, the GT-R Nismo is a giant in its own right: JDM car culture fanatics will choose the Japanese legend over either German rival in a heartbeat. But is that justified? Let's find out.

What's the Price of the 2023 Nissan GT-R NISMO?

The price of the Nissan GT-R NISMO starts at $215,740, almost exactly $100k more than the cheapest GT-R in the range. These are the only two models on offer, so it is clear that it will cost you dearly to upgrade to NISMO spec. If it's any consolation, the price you see is almost exactly how much you'll pay, as there are no expensive packages that can inflate the price, only a few small accessories. Keep in mind that this price is the Nissan GT-R NISMO's MSRP and excludes the $1,895 destination fee.

2023 Nissan GT-R NISMO Handling and Driving Impressions

At nearly 4,000 pounds, the GT-R has never been a light car, but the 55/45 front/rear weight distribution, Bilstein DampTronic suspension, ATTESA-E-TS AWD system, and Brembo brakes have always made the GT-R a devastatingly effective tool with which to go inappropriately fast. Everything is amped up to 11 on the NISMO version. The car has more power and torque, less weight, carbon-ceramic brakes, NISMO-tuned suspension, and far more extensive use of carbon fiber to turn the normal GT-R into a track-focused weapon. The result is a supercar that goes like a demon and corners almost alarmingly well, with the AWD allowing even ordinary drivers to extract extraordinary track times from the package. The Brembo brakes provide relentless stopping power, even under severe duress. Locked into R mode and banging through the ratios via the shift paddles, the NISMO turns you into a track hero. There are downsides, of course, and they extend beyond the normal car's unrefined ride. The NISMO is harsh on uneven roads, even in its Comfort setting, and plenty of road noise filters into the cabin. You pay the $100k premium to track it, not to cruise the boulevards - but true gearheads won't complain.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Nissan GT-R NISMO A Good car?

There's no doubt that the GT-R NISMO is the ultimate Nissan GT-R, and even after all these years, judicious tweaks and updates have ensured that it remains a gloriously effective track tool with staggering abilities. It's harsh and loud compared to a Porsche 911 Turbo S, but it's an unapologetic track tool, not a daily driver. If you want a comfortable daily driver, the standard GT-R will do a better job and makes its $116k price tag almost seem cheap by comparison. In the cold light of day, there's little to recommend the NISMO on rational grounds at this price, given the existence of the Porsche and that little matter of the Corvette Z06 costing less than half the money - and even less than the standard GT-R. But there are times when you don't buy cars based on rationale - the GT-R NISMO is all about owning the max-attack expression of the GT-R lineage, running free, and harking back to an era when supercars provided a raw, analog experience. We love it for that.

What 2023 Nissan GT-R NISMO Model Should I Buy?

There is only one model to buy and it comes fully equipped and has no available packages. So it's simply down to picking a color and owning a piece of automotive history of the track-ready variety.