2010 Nissan GT-R Review

The 2010 Nissan GT-R is the top of the line Nissan sports car. Truly a great looking car, it has captured the admiration of the world for years, but only became available in the United States for the 2009 model year. The GT-R has several unique and near unique features, including a hand-built engine, the first ever independent rear transaxle and Nissan's ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system designed to maximize handling characteristics and weight distribution. The drive system automatically shifts from rear wheel to all-wheel as needed.

As you would expect, the class containing the GT-R is filled with legendary names, including such foreign luminaries as the BMW M3, M6 and 6-Series, Ferrari F430 and 430 Scuderia, Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, Porsche 911 and the Jaguar XK Series. American hotrods capable of being considered in the same sentence include the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper and Ford Shelby GT500.

What good is a hotrod without a hot engine? And with the GT-R you get one. A 3.8 liter, twin-turbo gasoline powered V6 with 485 horsepower and turning 434 pound feet of torque. The transmission is equally impressive. It's a paddle-shift 6-speed automatic dual clutch with overdrive.

It's difficult to talk about all this and even think about fuel efficiency, but we must. And it's really not as bad as one might expect at 16 miles per gallon city and 21 miles per gallon highway.

The GT-R comes in two trims: Base and Premium. The difference in price between the two is only $2250, which gives the idea just how little difference there is between them. Most of those differences lie in the tires, wheels and the sound system.

Horsepower and torque are both well above class average, as is front legroom. The GT-R seats four, but headroom in the back seat is a little tight. Also be warned the Nissan's warranty is a little on the light side compared to most.

NHTSA and IIHS ratings are not available for either year the GT-R has been sold in America. Safety features include and anti-theft system, antilock brakes with traction control and vehicle stability control, locking differential, inside trunk release and keyless entry. Electronic braking assistance is not included.

Pricing on the 2010 Nissan GT-R is on the high end (if you exclude the Ferrari's, which are in a pricing class by themselves). Still, the base price of $80,790 is not the highest in the class. The truth is, Nissan vehicles are often found to be a bit wanting in comparison to their class; but the GT-R seems a genuine exception to that rule.