2012 Porsche 911 vs. Its Competition

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

Nelson Ireson

Jan 4, 2012

While there are no true competitors to the Porsche 911 in terms of its unique combination of rear-engine, rear-drive, high-performance luxury, there are several cars which play in the same general space, including the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1, the 2012 BMW 650i (and M6, when it arrives), the 2012 Jaguar XKR, and the 2012 Nissan GT-R. While the BMW 6-Series and the Jaguar XK offer markedly less performance in a more muted package, they are still very fast vehicles in their own right.

The BMW errs farther on the side of luxury and substantiality, sacrificing nimbleness and handling in return.

The XKR balances closer to the performance end of the spectrum, but its aging platform and styling put it a step behind the 911 on both luxury and agility.

Nissan's GT-R is perhaps the most direct competitor, though it costs a bit less and offers a bit more performance.

The GT-R is also notoriously expensive to maintain, not as well finished or outfitted inside, and appeals to a very different aesthetic than the sleek and curvaceous 911.

It's a tremendously fast and capable car, however, and well worth a look if you're in the market. Finally, the Chevrolet Corvettes.

The Z06 is a 505-horsepower, naturally-aspirated, front-engine/rear-drive beast of a sports car, delivering supercar performance for less cost than the Porsche.

At the same time, it delivers less luxury and refinement, as well as a touch less daily praciicality, though not much less.

The ZR1 turns the wick up to 638 horsepower thanks to a supercharger, yet costs just about the same as a well-equipped 2012 Carrera S.

In the end, however, the Corvettes make clear sacrifices to build quality and materials in favor of performance.

2012 Porsche 911 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 BMW 6-Series Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Chevrolet Corvette Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Jaguar XK Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Nissan GT-R Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
8.6 / 10 TCC Rating The 2012 Porsche 911 is one of the best buys in the sports car market, and quite possibly the most practical, luxurious car at its performance level available.	8.6 / 10 TCC Rating Elegant, stylish, comfortable, and quick, the 2012 BMW 6-Series is one of the top choices for a grand-touring coupe or convertible--as long as your budget can handle it.	8.8 / 10 TCC Rating From fast to insanely fast, yet still practical and affordable, the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette is a great balance and a strong value.	9.4 / 10 TCC Rating How to tell if you're hopeless, when it comes to cars: take your pulse after looking at or driving the 2012 Jaguar XK.	8.6 / 10 TCC Rating The 2012 GT-R outraces some of the world's top sports cars, at a fraction of their price.
MSRP From
$79,000	$73,600	$49,600	$84,500	$89,950
Gas Mileage
14 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy	15 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy	15 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy	15 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy	16 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas Flat 6	Turbocharged Gas I6	Gas V8	Gas V8	Gas V6
EPA Class
Mini-Compact	Compact Cars	Two Seater	Mini-Compact	Subcompact
Style Name
2-Door Coupe Carrera (997) Ltd Avail	2-Door Coupe 640i	2-Door Coupe w/1LT	2-Door Coupe	2-Door Coupe Premium
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	All Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
4	4	2	4	4
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Coupe	Coupe	2 Door Coupe	Coupe	2 Door Sedan
Transmission
Manual	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Manual	Automatic	Automatic w/Manual Shift