Compare the2022 Ford Shelby GT500VS 2021 Nissan GT-R

The Ford Shelby GT500 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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 Shelby GT500’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The GT-R doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Shelby GT500’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The GT-R doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Shelby GT500 has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions 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 Shelby GT500 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Shelby GT500’s warranty.

The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 195 more horsepower (760 vs. 565) and 158 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 467) than the GT-R’s standard 3.8 turbo V6. The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 160 more horsepower (760 vs. 600) and 144 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 481) than the GT-R NISMO’s standard 3.8 turbo V6.

The Shelby GT500 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 seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Ford Shelby GT500, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GT-R.

For better stopping power the Shelby GT500’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the GT-R:

The Shelby GT500’s brakes have 35% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the GT-R (973.8 vs. 719 square inches), so the Shelby GT500 has more braking power available.

The Shelby GT500 stops much shorter than the GT-R:

For better traction, the Shelby GT500 has larger tires than the GT-R (F:305/30R20 & R:315/30R20 vs. F:255/40R20 & R:285/35R20).

The Shelby GT500’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GT-R’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Shelby GT500 is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GT-R.

The Shelby GT500 handles at 1.05 G’s, while the GT-R Premium pulls only .98 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Shelby GT500 has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GT-R (82.8 vs. 79).

The Shelby GT500 has .5 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, 2.5 inches more rear hip room and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the GT-R.

The Shelby GT500 has a much larger trunk than the GT-R (13.5 vs. 8.8 cubic feet).

The Shelby GT500’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The GT-R doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The Shelby GT500 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The GT-R doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the Shelby GT500, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The GT-R doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Shelby GT500’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.

On a hot day the Shelby GT500’s driver can lower all the windows 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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Shelby GT500 has standard extendable sun visors. The GT-R doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Shelby GT500’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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Shelby GT500 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The GT-R doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Insurance will cost less for the Shelby GT500 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Shelby GT500 will cost $1020 to $6950 less than the GT-R over a five-year period.

The Shelby GT500 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Shelby GT500 will retain 63.08% of its original price after five years, while the GT-R only retains 53% to 60.55%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Shelby GT500 will be $35733 to $84838 less than for the Nissan GT-R.