The GT-R has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.
Both the GT-R and the Shelby GT500 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.
From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 9 places higher in reliability than Ford.
As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan GT-R (base engine) is faster than the Ford Shelby GT500:
|
|
GT-R |
Shelby GT500 |
| Zero to 60 MPH |
2.9 sec |
3.7 sec |
| Quarter Mile |
11.2 sec |
11.5 sec |
On the EPA test cycle the GT-R gets better fuel mileage than the Shelby GT500 (16 city/22 hwy vs. 12 city/18 hwy).
The GT-R has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Shelby GT500 (19.5 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.
All wheel drive, available in the GT-R, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Ford Shelby GT500 is not available with all wheel drive.
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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.
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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GT-R’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Shelby GT500 (109.4 inches vs. 107.1 inches).
The GT-R’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.7% to 45.3%) than the Shelby GT500’s (56.6% to 43.4%). This gives the GT-R more stable handling and braking.
The GT-R NISMO handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Shelby GT500 pulls only 1.01 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.
The GT-R NISMO executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Shelby GT500 (22.9 seconds @ .92 average G’s vs. 24.1 seconds @ .85 average G’s).
For better maneuverability, the GT-R’s turning circle is 7.2 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500’s (36.6 feet vs. 43.8 feet). The GT-R NISMO’s turning circle is 6.7 feet tighter than the Shelby GT500 Track Package’s (37.4 feet vs. 44.1 feet).
The Nissan GT-R may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Ford Shelby GT500.
The GT-R Premium is 4.9 inches shorter than the Shelby GT500, making the GT-R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the GT-R has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Shelby GT500 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.
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 Shelby GT500 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 Shelby GT500’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. Ford does not offer a locking feature on the Shelby GT500’s standard power windows.
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 Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.
The GT-R’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Shelby GT500’s 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.
The GT-R’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Shelby GT500.
The GT-R has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.
For greater rear passenger comfort, the GT-R has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Shelby GT500 doesn’t offer rear vents.