Comparing the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport coupe to the venerable Nissan GT-R might sound completely pointless considering one is a sporty and affordable coupe while the other is a bonafide supercar. But what if, like most of us, you can’t afford a Nissan GT-R? Then is the Q60 Red Sport a good substitute?

2021 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Infiniti’s lineup sure has dwindled over the years, but the good part about that is the Q60 is currently the only coupe body style in the automaker’s quiver, so there’s no mistaking it. If you’re not familiar with the Q60,  then you’ll be happy to know that it’s one of the only entry-level coupes on the market that comes standard with a potent twin-turbo V6 engine as opposed to a fuel-efficient four-cylinder.

That’s right, it seems like Infiniti learned how to go straight for the throat when packing the Q60’s massive punch by outfitting it with 300 hp in standard form. The engine can only be mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, however, it’s available in either rear or all-wheel-drive. But if you want more power, then you can step up to the Q60 Red Sport, which ups the ante by producing a whopping 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the Q60 Red Sport is also equipped with adaptive dampers, adaptive steering, larger wheels, and stickier tires.

How does the Q60 Red Sport compare to the Nissan GT-R?

While we can’t test the Q60 Red Sport and the Nissan GT-R in real life, we can at least look at the specs and compare. First of all, if you’ve been pining over a new GT-R, then good luck saving up over $100,000 to buy one. But if you’re more practical in your drool sessions, then you’re probably looking at a more-affordable GT-R from around 2009 to 2011.

You can currently find a GT-R in that vintage for around $50,000 to $60,000 nationwide, which makes it comparable to the Q60 Red Sport’s $58,000 MSRP ($60,000 for the AWD model). Additionally, the 2009 GT-R was powered by a 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V6 that produced 480 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque that was routed to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which equated to 0 to 60 mph times under 3.5 seconds, according to KBB. The Q60 Red Sport, on the other hand, takes 4.5 seconds to cover the same distance, as tested by Car and Driver. 

What does this mean?

What this means is that if you’re looking for the all-out power of a supercar at a bargain price, then there’s no beating a used Nissan GT-R. However, if you’re not willing to spend your top dollar that comes with the eventual maintenance and repairs of such a supercar, then the Q60 Red Sport is a pretty good substitute.

In addition to its quick acceleration, Car and Driver was also impressed with its “serene cabin”  and “athletic handling,” so it’s definitely no slouch. Couple that with the Infiniti’s 4-year/60,000-mile warranty and two years of complimentary maintenance for the Q60 Red Sport, and you probably won’t even be thinking about Nissan’s three-letter exotic car.