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To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GT-R. But it costs extra on the R8.
Both the GT-R and the R8 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.
Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the GT-R 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the R8. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the R8 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.
There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GT-R’s warranty.
The R8’s redline is at 8700 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The GT-R has a 7100 RPM redline.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Audi.
From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 1 place higher in reliability than Audi.
The GT-R’s standard 3.8 turbo V6 produces 3 more horsepower (565 vs. 562) and 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (467 vs. 406) than the R8 RWD Performance’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10. The GT-R’s 3.8 turbo V6 produces 54 lbs.-ft. more torque (467 vs. 413) than the R8 Quattro/GT’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10. The GT-R NISMO’s standard 3.8 turbo V6 produces 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (481 vs. 413) than the R8 Quattro/GT’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10.
On the EPA test cycle the GT-R gets better mileage than the R8:
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|
|
|
MPG |
| GT-R |
|||
|
|
AWD |
3.8 turbo V6 |
16 city/22 hwy |
| R8 |
|||
|
|
RWD |
5.2 DOHC V10 |
14 city/23 hwy |
|
|
AWD |
5.2 DOHC V10 |
13 city/18 hwy |
In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan GT-R higher (3 out of 10) than the Audi R8 (1). This means the GT-R produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the R8 every 15,000 miles.
For better stopping power the GT-R’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R8:
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|
GT-R |
GT-R NISMO |
R8 |
R8 CCB |
| Front Rotors |
15.35 inches |
16.14 inches |
14.4 inches |
15 inches |
| Rear Rotors |
15 inches |
15.35 inches |
14 inches |
14 inches |
For better traction, the GT-R has larger front tires than the R8 (255/40R20 vs. 245/30R20).
Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the GT-R can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The R8 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
The GT-R has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The R8’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GT-R’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the R8 (109.4 inches vs. 104.3 inches).
The design of the Nissan GT-R amounts to more than styling. The GT-R has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is significantly lower than the R8 (.36). A more efficient exterior helps the GT-R go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the GT-R get better fuel mileage.
The GT-R uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The R8 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.
The GT-R has standard seating for 4 passengers; the R8 can only carry 2.
The GT-R has 29 cubic feet more passenger volume than the R8 (79 vs. 50).
The GT-R has a much larger trunk than the R8 Coupe (8.8 vs. 4 cubic feet).
With its coupe body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the GT-R offers cargo security. The R8’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.
The GT-R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The R8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.
The GT-R’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the R8’s standard power windows.
The GT-R’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The R8’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.
The GT-R’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The R8 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.