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Personality: The 2019 Nissan GT-R might be the most underrated and overlooked supercar in the world, because it's the least dramatic. Its astonishing speed is effortless, its looks are relatively ordinary, and its price of barely six figures doesn't really say supercar. It has also been around for a decade, earning the nickname Godzilla for its performance without beauty. Freshened in 2017, it's unchanged for 2019.
The GT-R might be seen as a composite, combining ideas and directions in form, function and spirit to become part supercar, part commuter coupe, and part tuner car.
It used to be a brute, but over the years Nissan engineers have refined its manners and sharpened its performance by improving steering, handling and ride. The acceleration is blistering and cornering brilliant.
Its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine is built by hand. It makes 565 horsepower and 467 pound-feet of torque as standard, with 600 hp in the Nismo model; mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic manual transmission, it can blast from zero to 60 mph in a mere 2.7 seconds. Its standard all-wheel drive provides amazing grip and cornering, while the adjustable suspension makes the GT-R both a comfortable cruiser and beast in the twisties. The GT-R's performance makes it competitive with supercars costing twice as much.
The GT-R's creature comforts include a contemporary interior with nappa leather, navigation, Bose audio with Apple CarPlay, active noise cancellation, and four seats, if not room for four adults.
Although the GT-R isn't a high-tech hybrid, it still gets decent fuel economy of 16 mpg city, 22 highway, 18 combined.
The GT-R hasn't been crash tested. It requires the full attention of its driver, as there are no active safety features such as automatic emergency braking. It only has the mandatory safety equipment: airbags, stability control, and a rearview camera.
In 2017 the GT-R got new seats with nappa leather, better materials, and an updated infotainment system with navigation and Bose audio with Apple CarPlay. The instrument panel is angled toward the driver, and has the right number of knobs, buttons, and screens displaying pertinent driving information. Ergonomic touches like paddle shifters on the steering wheel are appreciated by serious drivers.
The comfortable front seat is heavily bolstered and somewhat upright. The back seats are suitable for kids, and the trunk holds more than a carry-on.
The 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 is hand-built in Japan by specially-trained engineers. There are some muscle cars and supercars with more than the GT-R's 565 horsepower and 467 pound-feet of torque, but the GT-R's staggering acceleration of zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds is due partly to its excellent all-wheel-drive system and 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The power is put down through 20-inch wheels and grippy tires.
The special and almost unique thing about the GT-R is that its power is available with so little drama that it can be a daily driver-although maybe not at its top speed of nearly 200 mph.
[Scenario: You have finally bought your dream car: a Nissan GT-R NISMO]