Compare the2023 Audi R8VS 2023 Nissan GT-R

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The Audi R8 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 R8 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GT-R doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the R8 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 R8 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The GT-R’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The R8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GT-R’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the R8 has a standard 210-amp alternator. The GT-R’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the R8 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the R8’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GT-R’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 9 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The R8 Quattro/GT’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10 produces 37 more horsepower (602 vs. 565) than the GT-R’s standard 3.8 turbo V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the R8’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GT-R doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The R8 Spyder’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GT-R (21.1 vs. 19.5 gallons).

The R8 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

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Audi R8, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GT-R.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the R8 has larger rear tires than the GT-R (305/30R20 vs. 285/35R20).

The R8’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.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the R8 is 2 inches wider in the front than the average track on the GT-R.

Chassis

The Audi R8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 400 pounds less than the Nissan GT-R.

The R8 is 10.2 inches shorter than the GT-R Premium, making the R8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The R8 has .4 inches more front headroom and .8 inches more front shoulder room than the GT-R.

Servicing Ease

The R8 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 R8 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the R8, the memory system makes it convenient. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, power steering assist and climate settings. The GT-R doesn’t offer a memory system.

The R8’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.

If the windows are left open on the R8 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower 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.

The R8’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GT-R’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Laser headlights, standard on the R8 Quattro, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the GT-R’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the R8 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The GT-R doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the R8 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The GT-R doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The R8’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 R8 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The GT-R’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The R8’s standard 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi R8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GT-R doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Audi R8 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Nissan GT-R isn’t available as a convertible.

The R8 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The GT-R doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

The Audi R8 outsold the Nissan GT-R by almost six to one during 2022.