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Best Nissan GT-R Model Years (Ranked) in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
2017 Nissan GT-R Premium
Direct answer

The 2017 Nissan GT-R Premium is the best GT-R model year, followed by the 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO at #2 and the 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO at #3. The ranking is based on factory-rated performance, year-over-year refinement and reliability fixes, and price-to-performance versus original Nissan MSRP.

At a glance

#PickStarting priceBest for
12017 Nissan GT-R Premium$109,990Buyers wanting the best all-around, most livable R35
22020 Nissan GT-R NISMO$210,740Track-day buyers wanting the most powerful NISMO available
32015 Nissan GT-R NISMO$149,990Enthusiasts wanting race-bred NISMO performance for less
42023 Nissan GT-R Premium$116,040Buyers wanting the newest, warranty-eligible GT-R on sale
52019 Nissan GT-R Premium$110,540Buyers wanting strong mid-cycle refinement below flagship pricing
62024 Nissan GT-R$121,090 (Premium); T-spec $141,090Collectors wanting the final R35 built for North America
72014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition$115,710Collectors wanting a rare, lightweight, track-honed special edition
82013 Nissan GT-R Premium$96,820Budget buyers wanting a reliable, well-sorted early GT-R
92012 Nissan GT-R$89,950Buyers wanting the first facelift's power bump cheaply
102009 Nissan GT-R$69,850Collectors wanting the original, cheapest-to-buy first-year GT-R

Pick by what you want

Best overall
2017 Nissan GT-R Premium
Most powerful
2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO
Best track value
2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO
Newest with warranty
2023 Nissan GT-R Premium
Cheapest entry
2009 Nissan GT-R

The ranking

1

2017 Nissan GT-R Premium

2017 Nissan GT-R Premium
Answrs VerdictMost balanced GT-R: power, refinement, and price
Starting price: $109,990Horsepower: 565 hp (+20 hp vs. 2016)

The 2017 GT-R Premium starts at $109,990 and makes 565 hp, which is 20 hp more than the 2016. It blends power, refinement, and price better than any other R35. This is the most livable GT-R for daily use.

Go ifBuyers wanting the best all-around, most livable R35
Skip ifSkip if you need the newest or rarest year
Why #1 over #2: It beats the 2020 NISMO because it costs far less while still delivering strong power and better everyday comfort.
2

2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO

2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO
Answrs VerdictGT3-derived turbos deliver the ultimate 600-hp NISMO
Starting price: $210,740Horsepower: 600 hp / 481 lb-ft0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds

The 2020 NISMO starts at $210,740 and produces 600 hp and 481 lb-ft. It hits 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds. GT3-derived turbos make it the ultimate 600-hp NISMO.

Go ifTrack-day buyers wanting the most powerful NISMO available
Skip ifSkip if $200k+ flagship pricing is out of budget
Why #2 over #3: It beats the 2015 NISMO because it is the most powerful NISMO available with newer engineering.
3

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO
Answrs VerdictRecord-setting NISMO performance below later-year prices
Starting price: $149,990Horsepower: 600 hp / 481 lb-ft

The 2015 NISMO starts at $149,990 and makes 600 hp and 481 lb-ft. It delivers race-bred NISMO performance for less than later-year prices. This is record-setting NISMO performance.

Go ifEnthusiasts wanting race-bred NISMO performance for less
Skip ifSkip if you want a daily-friendly Premium model instead
Why #3 over #4: It beats the 2023 Premium because it offers 600 hp versus the Premium's 565 hp for a lower starting price.
4

2023 Nissan GT-R Premium

2023 Nissan GT-R Premium
Answrs VerdictNewest production GT-R with full factory backing
Starting price: $116,040Horsepower: 565 hp / 467 lb-ft

The 2023 Premium starts at $116,040 and makes 565 hp and 467 lb-ft. It is the newest production GT-R with full factory backing. Buyers get warranty eligibility.

Go ifBuyers wanting the newest, warranty-eligible GT-R on sale
Skip ifSkip if you want final-year collector rarity instead
Why #4 over #5: It beats the 2019 Premium because it is newer with full factory backing, even though both make 565 hp.
5

2019 Nissan GT-R Premium

2019 Nissan GT-R Premium
Answrs VerdictSame 565-hp formula for less than later years
Starting price: $110,540Horsepower: 565 hp

The 2019 Premium starts at $110,540 and makes 565 hp. It offers strong mid-cycle refinement below flagship pricing. You get the same 565-hp formula for less than later years.

Go ifBuyers wanting strong mid-cycle refinement below flagship pricing
Skip ifSkip if you want the latest aero and trim options
Why #5 over #6: It beats the 2024 because it costs less while still delivering 565 hp and mid-cycle refinement.
6

2024 Nissan GT-R

2024 Nissan GT-R
Answrs VerdictLast North American R35, with built-in collectibility
Starting price: $121,090 (Premium); T-spec $141,090Horsepower: 565 hp Premium/T-spec, 600 hp NISMOStatus: Final model year; North American production sunsets in October

The 2024 GT-R starts at $121,090 for Premium and $141,090 for T-spec. It makes 565 hp in Premium and T-spec, or 600 hp in NISMO. This is the final model year, with North American production sunsetting in October.

Go ifCollectors wanting the final R35 built for North America
Skip ifSkip if a send-off price premium isn't worth it
Why #6 over #7: It beats the 2014 Track Edition because it is the final North American R35 with built-in collectibility and more power.
7

2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition

2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition
Answrs VerdictOnly 150 built: a genuine limited-edition GT-R
Starting price: $115,710Horsepower: 545 hp / 463 lb-ftProduction: Limited to 150 units for the U.S.

The 2014 Track Edition starts at $115,710 and makes 545 hp and 463 lb-ft. Production was limited to 150 units for the U.S. It is a rare, lightweight, track-honed special edition.

Go ifCollectors wanting a rare, lightweight, track-honed special edition
Skip ifSkip if you need rear seats or everyday comfort
Why #7 over #8: It beats the 2013 Premium because it is a genuine limited-edition with only 150 built, offering collector appeal.
8

2013 Nissan GT-R Premium

2013 Nissan GT-R Premium
Answrs Verdict545 hp at a value price, issues resolved
Starting price: $96,820Horsepower: 545 hp / 463 lb-ft

The 2013 Premium starts at $96,820 and makes 545 hp and 463 lb-ft. It offers 545 hp at a value price with issues resolved. This is a reliable, well-sorted early GT-R.

Go ifBudget buyers wanting a reliable, well-sorted early GT-R
Skip ifSkip if you want 2017-era interior and tech
Why #8 over #9: It beats the 2012 because it makes 545 hp versus 530 hp and has resolved early issues.
9

2012 Nissan GT-R

2012 Nissan GT-R
Answrs VerdictFirst power bump, still an early-era GT-R
Starting price: $89,950Horsepower: 530 hp / 448 lb-ft

The 2012 GT-R starts at $89,950 and makes 530 hp and 448 lb-ft. It is the first facelift's power bump at a low price. This is still an early-era GT-R.

Go ifBuyers wanting the first facelift's power bump cheaply
Skip ifSkip if early-model reliability quirks worry you
Why #9 over #10: It beats the 2009 because it offers more power (530 hp vs 480 hp) and the first facelift updates.
10

2009 Nissan GT-R

2009 Nissan GT-R
Answrs VerdictThe original 480-hp GT-R, lowest price of entry
Starting price: $69,850Horsepower: 480 hp @ 6,400 rpm / 430 lb-ftNürburgring lap: 7:38 (Nordschleife)

The 2009 GT-R starts at $69,850 and makes 480 hp at 6,400 rpm and 430 lb-ft. It lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:38. This is the original 480-hp GT-R with the lowest price of entry.

Go ifCollectors wanting the original, cheapest-to-buy first-year GT-R
Skip ifSkip if you want to avoid early transmission issues

How we ranked these

The order was decided by factory-rated performance, year-over-year refinement and reliability fixes, and price-to-performance versus original Nissan MSRP. Real-world merit for a buyer today guided the final ranking. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the best year for a Nissan GT-R?

The 2017 model year is widely regarded as the best overall: it brought the facelifted 565-hp engine, a redesigned interior, and chassis refinements, starting at $109,990.

What is the most powerful Nissan GT-R model year?

The 2015 and 2020 GT-R NISMO models both produce 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque from GT3-derived turbochargers.

What was the cheapest Nissan GT-R to buy new?

The original 2009 Nissan GT-R started at $69,850 with 480 horsepower, the lowest MSRP of any model year.

Starting price (USD) at a glance

2009 Nissan GT-R$69,850
2012 Nissan GT-R$89,950
2013 Nissan GT-R Premium$96,820
2017 Nissan GT-R Premium$109,990
2019 Nissan GT-R Premium$110,540
2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition$115,710
2023 Nissan GT-R Premium$116,040
2024 Nissan GT-R$121,090
2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO$149,990
2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO$210,740
Starting price (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.