2017 Chevrolet Corvette vs 2017 Nissan GT-R: Which is Best?

2017 Nissan GT R Silver Parked ・ Photo by Nissan

The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette and 2017 Nissan GT-R have a lot in common, as each brings rear-wheel drive, supercar-style performance to a mainstream brand, each is backed by a long tradition of motorsports success and real on-track credibility, and both offer multiple upgrade packages for the hardcore enthusiast. And these are the most powerful, most capable examples ever in a long line of hi-po Corvette and GT-R models. The Bowtie brand’s flagship sports car dates back to 1953, while the first GT-R was an athletically inclined version of the Japanese Nissan Skyline of 1969 (although the “GT-R” name did go on hiatus from about 1973-1989). In addition, early models of both cars have become favorites among collectors. On the other hand, for all of their similarities, today’s Corvette and GT-R do have a number of striking differences, starting with one that can have an immediate and unavoidable impact on the decision-making process.

Pricing and Standard Performance

If any part of your focus is pricing—or value—here’s the first thing you should know about the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette and the 2017 Nissan GT-R: Although both can deliver the kind of performance you expect from a 6-figure sports car, only one actually has a 6-figure price tag. The GT-R opens at $109,990, and the standard Corvette Sting Ray is about half that price, with an MSRP of $55,450. Sure, that’s with a standard 7-speed manual transmission, and the GT-R has a standard automatic, but some enthusiasts prefer the full manual control that’s not available with the GT-R. That said, it’s the Nissan with the noticeable advantage in terms of standard output. The GT-R’s 3.8-liter V6, backed by twin turbochargers, can kick out 565 horsepower and 467 lb.-ft. of torque; the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 for the Corvette is rated at 455 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque.

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High-Performance Models

Yes, the 2017 Nissan GT-R and 2017 Chevrolet Corvette both deliver an impressively athletic driving experience in their standard setups, but both also offer multiple higher-performance variants—including a pair of track-day entries. Thus, Nissan has a dedicated GT-R Track Edition that starts with a sport-tuned suspension by NISMO, the automaker’s performance and motorsports division. Brembo brakes and Recaro racing seats are in the mix as well, as are high-performance Dunlop tires and a three-mode Vehicle Dynamic Control system. The Corvette Grand Sport hones its track-friendly handling with Brembo brakes, a magnetic ride-control suspension, its own body kit, and Drive Mode Selector with five settings; an available Grand Sport Z07 pack can add carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors, a carbon-fiber exterior upgrade, and more. Again, there’s a pricing difference, too, as the GT-R Track Edition has a sticker price of $127,990, and the Corvette Grand Sport has an MSRP of $65,450.

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Flagship Face-Off

The 2017 Nissan GT-R and 2017 Chevrolet Corvette cap off their lineups with two of the most intense road cars available today: the GT-R NISMO and the Corvette Z06. The former gets a full makeover from Nissan’s NISMO team, including specific suspension tuning, an exclusive aero package, and a racing-style steering wheel. NISMO engineers also squeeze more output from the car’s engine, which in this model sends 600 horsepower and 481 lb.-ft. of torque through an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system. Meanwhile, the Corvette Z06 supercharges its V8 for 650 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, then leverages the expertise of Corvette Racing to create the most capable street-legal car to wear the Corvette name. As for MSRPs, the Corvette Z06 wears an entry price of $79,450 that compares to a starting point of $174,990 for the GT-R NISMO.

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Technology and Luxury

Much as is the case with pricing, there’s a vast gap between the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette and 2017 Nissan GT-R when it comes to technology. The Corvette, for instance, is the only one to feature the latest smartphone integration support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a 4G mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and a rearview camera. Moreover, that content is standard on the Corvette, which also can be optioned with front-facing cameras. Another nifty Corvette option missing from the GT-R is the Chevy’s available Performance Data Recorder. It can record high-def video and audio of the owner’s adventures, complete with telemetry overlays. The ’Vette also one-ups the GT-R’s heated front seats by providing heating and ventilation for its occupants. The GT-R does match the Corvette with an 8-inch infotainment screen, navigation, an interface for mobile apps, and a premium Bose audio system with two more speakers (12) than are available in the Corvette (10).

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Purchase Experience

Next, because the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette is built in Bowling Green, Ky., it can extend its home-field advantage over the 2017 Nissan GT-R with an unforgettable factory-delivery experience. Offered as a dealership option across the Bowtie retail network, the “R8C” program includes a VIP tour of both the Corvette plant, where owners will be welcomed by personalized signage, and the National Corvette Museum, which is conveniently located directly across the street. Afterward, the owner takes delivery of her or his new ’Vette right at the museum. There are even special delivery programs designed for new owners with children, to help keep the love for new Corvettes in the family. Oh, and drivers buying new Z06 models also can take a hand in building their own cars—literally. With the Corvette Engine Build Experience, you’ll help Chevrolet’s expert technicians hand-assemble the exact supercharged V8 engine that will go beneath your car’s hood.

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Fuel Economy

Fuel efficiency may not be the most important factor for most folks comparing the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette and 2017 Nissan GT-R, yet it can end up having a significant impact on your bottom line. After all, fuel expenses will be well above average with both: The GT-R with a standard 6-speed automatic is rated at 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/18 mpg combined—that’s the same combined rating as for the V8-power 2017 Nissan Titan full-size pickup. The Corvette isn’t much better, with standard EPA grades of 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined with its DIY transmission, and a fuel-efficiency line of 15/26/19 with its 7-speed automatic. Again, that’s the same rating for combined travel as for the V8 2017 Chevrolet Silverado full-size truck. Both the Corvette and the GT-R naturally require premium fuel, too, for a bit more expense.

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Exterior Design

For all their performance similarities, the 2017 Nissan GT-R and 2017 Chevrolet Corvette have surprisingly different appearances. The GT-R looks more like a traditional sports coupe, with a traditional grille and uncluttered styling. The Corvette embraces its inner supercar with a dramatic exterior shape and low-slung proportions. Beyond their sheet metal—and/or carbon fiber—the cars additionally have a different approach to open-air driving. Well, the GT-R avoids it altogether while the Corvette has a standard removable roof panel and full-on convertible models. In the drop-top ’Vettes, there’s an electrically operated cloth top, with a glass rear window, that can be opened or closed at speeds of up to 30 mph. Alternatively, owners can open the top remotely, using the Corvette’s keyfob. It’s also worth remembering that the Corvette Grand Sport and Corvette Z06 can be ordered in convertible configurations and that the Corvette has a standard array of exterior LED lighting.

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Motorsports Success

Even if they never plan on taking their own rides to a racetrack themselves, most enthusiasts like knowing their cars have some amount of motorsports heritage baked in. For owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette, that racing success is highlighted by an incredible run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance classic—where Corvettes have won their class eight times since 2000, including last year. Team Corvette also competes in the GTLM class of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), recently scoring an interesting double victory. Regardless of the street car’s fuel economy, the racing version won its class at the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event in May and earned the DEKRA Green Award for being the race’s cleanest, greenest GTLM car. The 2017 GT-R is more of an international athlete, and if it doesn’t have the same overall level of success as the ’Vette, it has been posting strong results in its return to North America’s Pirelli World Challenge.

Photo by Nissan

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette and 2017 Nissan GT-R are both well-equipped to satisfy most any pilot’s need for speed. It’s the Corvette, however, that’s best equipped in general, with more modern-day technologies and a more refined driving experience. Plus, the Corvette is so much less expensive than the GT-R that you could afford to buy both a ’Vette and a 2017 Chevy Camaro SS for your daily driver and still have thousands of dollars left over. The Bowtie brand also showcases its factory delivery programs for real fanatics, and it’s the only option here if you prefer your supercar in a convertible body style. The GT-R may be able to outrun the Corvette at the extreme edge of the envelope—or not, depending on the driver—but that won’t outweigh the Chevy’s cost and content benefits for most owners.

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