2017 Nissan GT-R: First Impressions
CARS.COM — The Nissan GT-R supercar, which first went on sale in the U.S. as a 2009 model, is getting old in car years, but updates for the 2017 model year bring subtle exterior changes and a significant revamp for the interior.
The exterior design updates to the 2017 GT-R represent the most significant design changes since its U.S. debut. That said, the wedge-shaped look that’s defined the GT-R remains. Most of the changes are in front where there’s a new grille and a new front bumper with much more defined corners just ahead of the front wheels.
The bigger changes are inside, where a new dashboard replaces what was a dated design in the prior GT-R. The new design’s focus on horizontal lines is emphasized by the show car’s brown-and-black two-tone interior, and the dash also incorporates the latest Nissan multimedia system with an 8-inch touch-screen.
Nissan wasn’t letting auto-show attendees sit in the car at the automaker’s stand, but we were able to inspect the interior. It’s nicely finished with materials that are on par with those in upscale trim levels of the automaker’s Maxima sport sedan.
Interior quality has become important in all segments of the market, even among high-performance sports cars; the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper have all gained more upscale cabins in recent years. After eight years on the market, it was high time for a major update of the GT-R’s cabin to keep pace with the competition.
