Audi S8 vs Nissan GT-R: Specs Compared

Also searched as Nissan GT-R vs Audi S8 specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.

The Audi S8 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 20 mpg combined versus 19 mpg for the Nissan GT-R, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $200 less per year to fuel.

Across 4 measured categories, the Audi S8 leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.

2015–2027

Audi S8

Large Cars · 12 configurations

20mpg combined (best)
All Audi S8 specs

2015–2024

Nissan GT-R

Subcompact Cars · 9 configurations

19mpg combined (best)
All Nissan GT-R specs

Head-to-head specifications

MetricAudi S8Nissan GT-R
Best combined MPG20 mpg ✓19 mpg
Best city MPG16 mpg16 mpg
Best highway MPG27 mpg ✓23 mpg
Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year$3,800 ✓$4,000
Lowest CO2 output452 g/mi ✓472 g/mi
Engines offeredSIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI3.8
TransmissionsAutomatic (S8)Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (AM6)
DrivetrainsAll-Wheel DriveAll-Wheel Drive
Fuel typesPremiumPremium
EPA classLarge CarsSubcompact Cars
Years covered2015–20272015–2024
Configurations on record129

Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.

Audi S8 vs Nissan GT-R dimensions and size

The Audi S8 is 20.5 inches longer than the Nissan GT-R on a wheelbase 8.7 inches longer, and 1,391.1 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.

Audi S8 versus Nissan GT-R exterior dimensions
DimensionAudi S8 (2026)Nissan GT-R (2024)Difference
Length203.9 in183.5 in20.5 in
Width (excl. mirrors)76.8 in74.8 in2 in
Height57.9 in53.9 in3.9 in
Wheelbase118.1 in109.4 in8.7 in
Curb weight5,313 lbs3,922 lbs1,391 lbs

Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.

Audi S8 vs Nissan GT-R: what the numbers mean

Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Audi S8 burns about $3,800 of fuel annually against $4,000 for the Nissan GT-R. That $200 yearly gap compounds to roughly $1,000 over five years and $1,600 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.

City versus highway split: the Nissan GT-R is the stronger commuter at 16 mpg city, while the Audi S8 pulls ahead on the interstate at 27 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.

Powertrain choice: the Audi S8 is recorded with 2 distinct engine configurations (SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI), the Nissan GT-R with 1 (3.8). Across 12 recorded Audi S8 configurations and 9 for the Nissan GT-R, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.

Drivetrain and class: the Audi S8 is offered with All-Wheel Drive, the Nissan GT-R with All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Large Cars and Subcompact Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.

Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Audi S8 emits 452 g/mile of CO2 versus 472 g/mile for the Nissan GT-R. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.

S8 vs GT-R: common questions

Which is better on gas, the Audi S8 or the Nissan GT-R?

The Audi S8 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 20 mpg combined versus 19 mpg for the Nissan GT-R, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $200 less per year to fuel.

Which costs less to run per year?

By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Audi S8 runs about $3,800 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $4,000 for the Nissan GT-R — a difference of roughly $200 per year.

What engines do the S8 and GT-R offer?

Audi S8: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI. Nissan GT-R: 3.8.

Are they in the same vehicle class?

The EPA classifies the Audi S8 as Large Cars and the Nissan GT-R as Subcompact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.

More S8 comparisons

More GT-R comparisons

Comparison id: audi-s8-vs-nissan-gt-r