There are some pretty fast and exotic sports cars on the market. From the Porsche 911 GT3 to the Jaguar F-Type SVR, this performance-based segment is home to a few incredible cars. The 2021 Nissan GT-R joins the ranks in this class, and as a luxury sports car contender, it certainly qualifies with horsepower and performance. But some are pointing out the setbacks for this car, and it seems it may not offer enough to justify the outrageous price tag.

What the reviews say about the 2021 Nissan GT-R

U.S. News and World Report evaluated the 2021 Nissan GT-R, based on their 73 pieces of data elements and research. When the dust settled, the GT-R earned a mediocre score of 7.8 out of 10, ranking it 14th and in the bottom third of the luxury sports car segment.

Engine performance is stellar, and the touch screen is intuitive. But ultimately, the critics say the GT-R is unremarkable and lacks advanced features that others in this class consider standard.

Car and Driver shared similar sentiments in reviews, citing an outdated style and overbearing price tag. They also suggest that spending an amount so massive should afford high-quality interior materials. But it doesn’t.

In fact, the critics say the GT-R’s gear feels as though it was “lifted from the Altima parts bin.” Exterior styling, they go on to say, will turn heads but maybe for the worse. From some angles, it looks “monstrous.”

Falling short in several key categories

There are other reviews that also agree the 2021 Nissan GT-R falls short in a few key categories. In addition to being limited with safety tech, the interior seems dated, and the back seats are terribly cramped.

It’s been nearly a dozen years since this sports car had a significant redesign, and it shows. To be fair, i’s not so much that this car is lacking the luxury extras. It’s more about the competition bringing far more to the table in terms of features, materials, and tech.

How much does the 2021 Nissan GT-R cost?

Acceleration on this car soars like a rocket. Ironically, so does the price tag. The starting MSRP for this road-chomping sports car is $113,540, roughly the same price for a modest Midwestern home these days.

But adding in extras like the GT-R Nismo trim almost doubles the price to $210,740, per Nissan’s webiste. Competitors in this segment cost much less on average, and in many cases, have more to offer, as well.

The 2021 Nissan GT-R is no question a rock star powerhouse in performance. But that’s about where the accolades end, meaning you may want to rethink spending six figures on a robust engine alone.

Not a value proposition worth considering

The 2021 Nissan GT-R is definitely a monster performer. Either of its engine options is primed for speed and acceleration. Choose the twin-turbo V6 for 565 horses or the GT-R Nismo, a beefier version capable of cranking out 600 horsepower.

But fast engines alone might not be worth the six-figure price tag. There are other luxury sports cars available with more intuitive tech, a longer list of driver aids, and fresh styling.

Again, the 2021 Nissan GT-R isn’t a bad car. It’s actually a strong contender in terms of acceleration and performance. But spending that kind of money for a mediocre interior and lackluster style might impact your purchasing decision.

Of course, style and beauty is in the eye of the car driving beholder. If you personally are alright with some out of date interior features, then don’t be afraid to jump behind the wheel of this impressive car.