Compare the2022 Acura NSXVS 2021 Nissan GT-R

The NSX’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The GT-R doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Acura NSX has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GT-R doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The NSX’s blind spot mirrors use wide-angle convex mirrors mounted in the corner of each side view mirror to reveal objects that may be in the driver’s blind spots. The GT-R doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

The NSX has standard AcuraLink, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The GT-R doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the NSX and the GT-R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The NSX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The GT-R’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the NSX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the GT-R. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GT-R ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 21st.

The NSX’s 3.5 turbo V6 hybrid produces 35 more horsepower (600 vs. 565) and 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (492 vs. 467) than the GT-R’s standard 3.8 turbo V6. The NSX’s 3.5 turbo V6 hybrid produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (492 vs. 481) than the GT-R NISMO’s standard 3.8 turbo V6.

Regenerative brakes improve the NSX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GT-R doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the NSX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The GT-R doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The NSX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GT-R doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Acura NSX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GT-R.

The NSX stops shorter than the GT-R:

For better traction and acceleration, the NSX has larger rear tires than the GT-R (305/30R20 vs. 285/35R20).

The NSX’s 245/35R19 front and 305/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GT-R’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The NSX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The GT-R doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NSX is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GT-R.

The NSX handles at 1.03 G’s, while the GT-R Premium pulls only .98 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The NSX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GT-R Premium (23.2 seconds @ .92 average G’s vs. 23.6 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

The NSX is 6.1 inches shorter than the GT-R Premium, making the NSX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The NSX has .2 inches more front headroom and 3.4 inches more front shoulder room than the GT-R.

The NSX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GT-R uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 17th.

The NSX’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GT-R has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

If the windows are left open on the NSX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GT-R can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The NSX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GT-R’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the NSX detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The GT-R doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The NSX’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GT-R’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the NSX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The GT-R’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2016 issue and the Acura NSX won out over the Nissan GT-R Premium.

The NSX was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2017. The GT-R has never been an “All Star.”