- 1. 2014 Porsche Panamera
- 2. 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
- 3. Dodge Challenger Hellcat
- 4. Ariel Atom 3
- 4 cheaper and somewhat faster alternatives to the Nissan GT-R
Nissan hasn’t changed the GT-R much since its introduction in 2009, but “Godzilla” is still a beast that deserves respect. For the 2022 model year, the Nissan GT-R has 565-hp twin-turbo V6 under its hood and a six-speed automatic transmission connected to an all-wheel-drivetrain. When putting that power to the ground, the GT-R can reach 60 mph from a standstill in only 2.9 seconds.
That’s super quick, even by supercar standards. However, that type of performance comes with a high price tag. How much? The 2022 GT-R retails for $115,000. That’s a lot of money to spend on a car. So if you don’t have deep pockets, here are four alternatives that are just about as fast and cheaper than the GT-R.
Nissan GT-R | Getty Images
1. 2014 Porsche Panamera
Porsche Panamera | Getty Images
In case you want something a little more practical than a Nissan GT-R and with a little more panache, check out the 2014 Porsche Panamera. This four-door sports car has plenty of room for up to four adults in addition to plenty of horsepower. Under its hood is a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 that makes 520 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, which is good for a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, according to Car and Driver’s testing.
That’s enough to keep up with the GT-R while providing a lot of comfort. The Panamera’s wheelbase is stretched out to the same length as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and a BMW 7 Series, making it adequate for tall passengers to be chauffeured around. They’ll also be clapping as the driver handily passes a GT-R on the way to their destination.
2. 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | Chevrolet
If you pick one of the newer Chevrolet Camaro options, you’ll get 650 hp flowing to the rear wheels. That’s more than enough to keep up with the Nissan GT-R. However, if you want to save a lot of money, then picking a 2013 model could be a wise choice. The Camaro ZL1 of that vintage is selling for around $30,000 nationwide, meaning you can buy four of them for the price of one GT-R.
Fortunately, you won’t need four as the 2013 Camaro ZL1 pumps out 580 hp from its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. It only takes one car to keep with a GT-R, and if value is what you seek, then the Camaro ZL1 could be it.
3. Dodge Challenger Hellcat
The Dodge Hellcat Challenger | Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images
If you really want to beat a Nissan GT-R in a drag race, as well as anything else you may encounter on the street, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat will make it happen. The Challenger Hellcat is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine that makes a whopping 707 hp.
According to Hot Cars, “In the right hands, that’s a 10-second car right out of the box.” The best part is that used versions of the Hellcat are currently selling at around $45,000 nationwide. That makes it one of the cheapest and most powerful supercars killers in the used market.
4. Ariel Atom 3
Ariel Atom 3 | Ariel
If acceleration is the Nissan GT-R’s strong suit, then the Ariel Atom 3 makes it look weak. According to Car and Driver, the Atom 3 can accelerate up to 60 mph from a standstill in 2.9 seconds. Yes, that’s the same as the GT-R, but it does it with almost half the horsepower.
The Arial Atom 3 is powered by a supercharged 2.0-liter K20A Honda engine that makes 300 hp and only 190 lb-ft of torque. Of course, it helps that the Atom only weighs about 1,300 pounds. This shows that power and fancy computer tech aren’t everything. Take that, Nissan GT-R!
4 cheaper and somewhat faster alternatives to the Nissan GT-R
If you have always wanted a Nissan GT-R but are sad that you can’t afford one, check out these four options. They may not look as cool or have the same kind of technology, but they can all keep up with a GT-R, and that’s all that matters.
Keyword: 4 Cheaper Alternatives to the Nissan GT-R That are Just as Fast