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2009 Nissan GT-R Review

September 9, 2008

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

sure does look menacing in person
Los Angeles Times

Japanese cars have never been this exotic from the factory
Car and Driver

doesn't compare to the best of the Germans and Italians
Cars.com

The 2009 Nissan GT-R makes an indelible impression on drivers—and everyone who catches a glimpse of its sharklike silhouette—with its styling. It’s no knockoff of historical shapes or classic themes; the GT-R is a wedge attack on the road ahead, with a rakish roofline and angular fenders.

Edmunds explains the GT-R is “a high-performance sports car available only in coupe form with a 2+2 seating layout,” and Popular Mechanics points out the GT-R is “huge” by supercar measures: “at 183.3 in. long, it’s almost a foot longer than a 911, and it’s half a foot wider than a Honda Civic, at 74.6 in.” The sheer size, they say, is “striking.”

Edmunds contends the GT-R has a “polarizing exterior design.” That shape, Popular Mechanics comments, “commands respect in a way that no swooping Italian supercar can.” Their favorite design element? “A uniquely creased C-Pillar, has an in-house nickname: 'Sword Pillar.'” The Los Angeles Times reports Nissan’s designers aim to “reflect Japanese culture and avoid aping the razor-cut European exoticism of Ferrari and Lamborghini” with the car's shape.

Car and Driver feels “Japanese cars have never been this exotic from the factory,” while the Los Angeles Times snipes that the GT-R “sure does look menacing in person…like a Kabuki mask (or Cindy McCain).” They say it’s inspired by robots and observe that “words cannot describe how awesome this is, if you are 11.” Cars.com, meanwhile, contends “it's like your 350Z left middle school for the summer and reappeared after it hit puberty and then the gym.” Is it beautiful? Not to them: “To the average American, this just doesn't compare to the best of the Germans and Italians, and even, I daresay, the domestics.” Edmunds concludes “the angular exterior styling isn't for everyone—but then, when a $70,000 car can get you to 60 mph faster than any Ferrari or Lamborghini currently in production, does it really matter how it looks?”

Inside, the GT-R has more conventional appeal. A cockpit-themed interior wraps the major controls around the driver, while three passengers sit in a relatively plain cabin. Edmunds calls the interior “somber but appropriately driver-centric.” Popular Mechanics is somewhat distracted by “more switches, displays, gadgets and gizmos than you could ever imagine,” while Car and Driver observes it’s “graced with the same electric, futuristic feel of the film Blade Runner that pervades all of Tokyo.”

Though many of the Web reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com compare the GT-R to much more expensive and exotic cars, the styling score here acknowledges the GT-R’s unique, daring look—and likens it to its price competitors in the $70,000 range, including the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911.

Conclusion

The 2009 Nissan GT-R’s unconventional shape injects new style in the supercar class—from the outside, mostly.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:sure does look menacing in personLos Angeles TimesJapanese cars have never been this exotic from the factoryCar and Driverdoesn't compare to the best of the Germans and ItaliansCars.com The 2009 Nissan GT-R makes an indelible impression on drivers—and everyone who catches a glimpse of its sharklike silhouette—with its styling. It’s no knockoff of historical shapes or classic themes; the GT-R is a wedge attack on the road ahead, with a rakish roofline and angular fenders. Edmunds explains the GT-R is “a high-performance sports car available only in coupe form with a 2+2 seating layout,” and Popular Mechanics points out the GT-R is “huge” by supercar measures: “at 183.3 in. long, it’s almost a foot longer than a 911, and it’s half a foot wider than a Honda Civic, at 74.6 in.” The sheer size, they say, is “striking.” Edmunds contends the GT-R has a “polarizing exterior design.” That shape, Popular Mechanics comments, “commands respect in a way that no swooping Italian supercar can.” Their favorite design element? “A uniquely creased C-Pillar, has an in-house nickname: 'Sword Pillar.'” The Los Angeles Times reports Nissan’s designers aim to “reflect Japanese culture and avoid aping the razor-cut European exoticism of Ferrari and Lamborghini” with the car's shape. Car and Driver feels “Japanese cars have never been this exotic from the factory,” while the Los Angeles Times snipes that the GT-R “sure does look menacing in person…like a Kabuki mask (or Cindy McCain).” They say it’s inspired by robots and observe that “words cannot describe how awesome this is, if you are 11.” Cars.com, meanwhile, contends “it's like your 350Z left middle school for the summer and reappeared after it hit puberty and then the gym.” Is it beautiful? Not to them: “To the average American, this just doesn't compare to the best of the Germans and Italians, and even, I daresay, the domestics.” Edmunds concludes “the angular exterior styling isn't for everyone—but then, when a $70,000 car can get you to 60 mph faster than any Ferrari or Lamborghini currently in production, does it really matter how it looks?” Inside, the GT-R has more conventional appeal. A cockpit-themed interior wraps the major controls around the driver, while three passengers sit in a relatively plain cabin. Edmunds calls the interior “somber but appropriately driver-centric.” Popular Mechanics is somewhat distracted by “more switches, displays, gadgets and gizmos than you could ever imagine,” while Car and Driver observes it’s “graced with the same electric, futuristic feel of the film Blade Runner that pervades all of Tokyo.” Though many of the Web reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com compare the GT-R to much more expensive and exotic cars, the styling score here acknowledges the GT-R’s unique, daring look—and likens it to its price competitors in the $70,000 range, including the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911. ConclusionThe 2009 Nissan GT-R’s unconventional shape injects new style in the supercar class—from the outside, mostly. 2009 NISSAN GT-R STYLING | [8 out of 10] Los Angeles Times: “sure does look menacing in person” Car and Driver: “Japanese cars have never been this exotic from the factory” Cars.com: “doesn't compare to the best of the Germans and Italians” The 2009 Nissan GT-R makes an indelible ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Like some vice-presidential picks, the GT-R has laid low some well-thought-out plans for world domination with its scorching power and deft handling. The most attuned competitors are the new 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the Porsche 911 Turbo. The ZR1's supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 will push it to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, 0.3 second faster than the Corvette Z06, according to GM; it'll hit 100 mph in 7.0 seconds, turn in quarter-mile times of 11.3 seconds at 131 mph, and charge to a claimed top speed of 205 mph, all for a price tag some $20,000 higher than the GT-R—and minus two seats. The 911 Turbo punches out 480 horsepower for $125,000—and offers itself in convertible trim for buyers who want the top-down driving experience at nearly 200 mph.

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See the Nissan GT-R in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2005

Comments (6 total)

  1. By santed #1, Posted: 12/25/2008

    GT-R

    This car is still european, Renault owns a very large portion of Nissan and hence the injection of so much into Nissan, and Renaults are very famous for turbocharging. Renault ELF has also been very popular and powerful in formula 1 for a very long time.

  2. By Glen Morris #2, Posted: 6/2/2009

    They're calling the gtr big,do you no ferrari 599 is 183.7 long 77.2 inch wide? Compare to gtr 183.3/74.6 but i guess it ok for ferrari you called the gtr huge.I honestly don't no why they're comparing gtr and zr1 when the car don't go together. The zo6 can't get the job done so let ter zr1. Zr1 638hp Gtr480 zr1 604lbs gtr434 zr1 205per hour gtr 196. They're different car if thats how gm wanna say they have the faster car tell it to babys.

  3. By Mik Carroll #3, Posted: 7/29/2009

    This is a posers car.Do you honestly know anyone that would like to be seen in a Nissan? All this car says is Hi, my name is d-bag, I couldn't afford a Ferrari so I bought a NISSAN,lol

  4. By  werso #4, Posted: 10/7/2009

    This is a posers car.

  5. By nissan lover #5, Posted: 10/9/2009

    the best car in the world. I went 201 mph in germany. 1.97g and 24.6mph max(for me with good driving)

  6. By DumPplListen #6, Posted: 11/24/2009

    Calling the best bag for the buck sports car on the planet a posers' car? Good lord, how steeewbid can one get? It's fine if you don't like but but what's with the attacks by the lame-o's??? I personally like Porsches but I can respect the GT-R. It'll only serve to force Porsche to make better and cheaper dream machines for everyone. Buzz off looooooozzers.

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