Car Video Reviews / Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R
Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R Review: The Smart-Money GT-R
By Stuart Ellis · 25 July 2025 · 16 min video
The R33 is the most misunderstood GT-R of all. Here's the case for the overlooked middle child, made in my own 1995 Series 1.
The verdict
Rare, fast, comfortable and full of clever tech, the R33 is the smart-money GT-R. The R32 is raw and the R34 is high-tech and hyper-expensive; the R33 sits in the sweet spot for anyone who wants to drive a lot. Clean examples are around A$70,000–80,000, and they're only getting more collectible.
Key facts
- Engine
- 2.6-litre RB26DETT twin-turbo straight-six
- Power / torque
- 206kW / 368Nm (official)
- Drivetrain
- ATTESA E-TS Pro AWD, Super HICAS four-wheel steer
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Built
- About 16,000, 1995–98
- Values
- Clean examples around A$70,000–80,000
What I liked
- Planted and stable in fast sweepers
- Light and visceral next to bloated modern cars
- Better aero, a stiffer chassis and more rear room than the R32
- First production car to lap the Nürburgring in under 8 minutes
What I didn't
- Drab, plain interior plastics
- Big, bulky airbag steering wheel
- Long gearshift throws
- About 100kg heavier than the R32
FAQ
Is the R33 GT-R a good buy?
I think it's the smart-money GT-R: rarer than the R32, far cheaper than the R34, and the most comfortable for regular driving.
Was the R33 GT-R sold in Australia?
No. Of the Skyline GT-Rs, only the R32 was officially sold here, as a 100-car run in 1991 at about A$110,000.
How many R33 GT-Rs were made?
About 16,000 between 1995 and 1998.
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