Compare the2023 Nissan GT-RVS 2023 Dodge Challenger

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GT-R. But it costs extra on the Challenger.

The GT-R has standard Front and Rear Sonar System to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Challenger doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the GT-R and the Challenger 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.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the GT-R have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

The GT-R has more powerful engines than the Challenger:

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan GT-R (base engine) is faster than the Dodge Challenger (automatics tested):

The GT-R has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Challenger (19.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan GT-R higher (3 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the GT-R produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

The GT-R offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Challenger doesn’t offer an SMG.

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

The GT-R’s brakes have 40% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Challenger R/T/GT (719 vs. 513 square inches), so the GT-R has more braking power available.

The GT-R’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

The GT-R NISMO has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Challenger doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The GT-R stops shorter than the Challenger:

For better traction, the GT-R has larger tires than the Challenger (F:255/40R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 235/55R18).

The GT-R’s 255/40R20 front and 285/35R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GT-R has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Challenger SXT.

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 Challenger doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GT-R NISMO handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Challenger Scat Pack pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GT-R NISMO executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the Challenger Scat Pack (22.9 seconds @ .92 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GT-R NISMO’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the Challenger R/T Scat Pack’s (37.4 feet vs. 37.8 feet).

The GT-R Premium is 1 foot shorter than the Challenger, making the GT-R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Challenger (.337 to .398). 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.

For excellent aerodynamics, the GT-R has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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 Challenger doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

With its coupe body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the GT-R offers cargo security. The Challenger’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The GT-R’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Dodge does not offer a locking feature on the Challenger’s standard power windows.

The GT-R’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The GT-R has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Challenger doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The GT-R’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Challenger’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The GT-R’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Challenger’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.