Compare the2023 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2021 Nissan GT-R

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Corvette’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 Corvette’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 Corvette has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, 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 Corvette 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.

Warranty

The Corvette’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GT-R’s (6 vs. 5 years).

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The GT-R isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

Engine

The Corvette Z06’s 5.5 DOHC V8 produces 70 more horsepower (670 vs. 600) than the GT-R NISMO’s optional 3.8 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Corvette Z51 6.2 V8 is faster than the GT-R NISMO:

	Corvette	GT-R
Zero to 60 MPH	2.8 sec	2.9 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corvette gets better mileage than the GT-R:

			MPG
Corvette
	RWD	6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		Z51 6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
GT-R
	AWD	3.8 turbo V6	16 city/22 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette’s fuel efficiency (not available on Z06). The GT-R doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Corvette 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.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Chevrolet Corvette, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GT-R.

Brakes and Stopping

The Corvette stops shorter than the GT-R:

	Corvette	GT-R
60 to 0 MPH	97 feet	104 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Corvette Z06’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GT-R (F:275/30R20 & R:345/25R21 vs. F:255/40R20 & R:285/35R20).

The Corvette’s standard 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 Corvette Z06’s 275/30R20 front and 345/25R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series front and 25 series rear profile than the GT-R’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette Z06 has standard 21-inch rear wheels. The GT-R’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Corvette 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.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corvette is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GT-R.

The Corvette Coupe handles at 1.04 G’s, while the GT-R Premium pulls only .98 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Nissan GT-R.

The Corvette’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The GT-R doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

Cargo Capacity

The Corvette Coupe has a much larger trunk than the GT-R (12.6 vs. 8.8 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

The Corvette 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.

The Corvette has a standard under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The GT-R doesn’t offer an under hood light.

Ergonomics

The Corvette 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 two different drivers share the Corvette, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, steering wheel position, suspension setting and outside mirror angle. The GT-R doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Corvette’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The GT-R doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Corvette offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, turn signal and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GT-R doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Corvette’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 Corvette’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 Corvette has standard extendable sun visors. The GT-R doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Corvette’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 Corvette with available tilt-down mirrors 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.

The Corvette’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The GT-R has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Corvette 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.

On extremely cold winter days, the Corvette’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The GT-R doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Corvette offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GT-R doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Chevrolet Corvette comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Nissan GT-R isn’t available as a convertible.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $12375 to $18845 less than the GT-R over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Corvette will be $51228 to $85708 less than for the Nissan GT-R.

Recommendations

Road and Track performed a comparison test in its December 2019 issue and they ranked the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe first. They ranked the Nissan GT-R NISMO third.

The Corvette was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 18 of the last 25 years. The GT-R has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The GT-R has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Corvette outsold the Nissan GT-R by almost 147 to one during the 2021 model year.