Nissan Skyline vs. Silvia - Performance ( Pros and Cons) 2024

If someone is into sports cars then they would probably know a thing or two about Nissan and the brand’s most sought-after cars- Nissan Skyline and Nissan Silvia. The Skyline has been successful in both Japanese and international motorsport for its superb 2.6-liter inline six-cylinder engine, technology, and performance. At the same time, Silvia is loved for its tunability, drift potential, and affordable price.

 If a buyer is going for either of them, it is important to know about the cars in detail to choose the best one that suits their needs. This is why we came forward with our Nissan Skyline vs Silvia to let the buyers measure every little detail before making the ultimate decision. In this article, we will compare every nits and bits of the two sports cars and help the buyers select their next Nissan car. Hop in and let the journey begin!

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Main Difference of Nissan Skyline vs Silvia

Before we begin, see the comparison table of two of the best sports cars from both Nissan Skyline vs Silvia to know a little bit more.

History and Background

Historical evolution of the Nissan Skyline

The Nissan Skyline was initially a product of the Prince Motor Company in 1957 but then Nissan obtained it in 1966. Shinichiro Sakurai designed and engineered this famous car from its inception. Although introduced as a luxury car, later it became a beloved motorsport. Some of the key milestones and generations of Skyline are given below:

• The second generation (1963-1968) of the car introduced the "G7" series which featured a six-cylinder engine.
• The iconic Skyline GT-R came to life in the third generation (1968-1972) and made its way into racing and sports success.
• The R30 series came into the Sixth Generation (1981-1985), offering a four-wheel-drive system.
• The R-32 series was introduced in the Eighth Generation (1989-1994) which offered the now-legendary GT-R trim level.
• The Tenth Generation (1998-2002) was the time of the R34 Skyline GT-R and is considered one of the most iconic Japanese sports cars ever built.

Now in 2023, Nissan debuted two limited-edition models of the GT-R named The Nissan GT-R Premium edition T-spec and Nissan GT-R NISMO Special edition.

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Historical evolution of the Nissan Silvia 

The Nissan Silvia was produced by Nissan from 1965 to 2002. It is a sports car that can be an alternative to the Nissan Skyline though much affordable and smaller in size.  Some of the key milestones and generations of Silvia are given below:

• The first generation was introduced in 1965 which was a hand-built coupe based on the Datsun Fairlady platform. The styling help came from Albrecht Goertz. It was powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder engine.
• In 1975 Nissan made the first mass production of Silvia built on the all-new S platform. The Japan models brought upon a 1.8L (L18) inline-4 and the US models came with a 2.0L (L20B) inline-4.
• The Silvia was redesigned in 1991 for the last time. It was the first Silvia to be offered with all-wheel-drive.

Although The Silvia was discontinued in 2002 due to declining sales, it remains a popular car among collectors.B. Historical evolution of the Nissan Silvia

B. Commonalities and differences in their histories

Nissan Skyline vs Silvia both have a unique journey being iconic Nissan models. But the differences lie in their design as Silvia was an in-house production and Skyline was not. Both are sports cars but with huge prices and technological variance.

Exterior Design

Nissan Skyline vs Silvia both are versatile in exterior design as they have diverse ranges of body styles and variations over their generations.

A. Nissan Skyline exterior features

The Skyline is available in many body styles and variations including

• Sedan with a variety of trim levels.
• The two-door sports car coupe.
• Convertible
• Wagon/Van

If you are looking for stylish and aerodynamic design then the Nissan Skyline is your way to go. It has notable design elements such as

• V-motion grille
• Sharp headlights
• Muscular fenders
• Sleek roofline
• Rear spoiler
• Signature Quad Round Headlights, etc.

B. Nissan Silvia exterior features

The Silvia also comes in many body styles and variations including

• The most popular body style Coupe.
• Two-door convertible
• Varietta (retractable hardtop convertible)

Nissan Silvia has some notable design elements up to its sleeve including

• Pop-up headlights
• Long hood
• Short rear deck
• Rear spoiler
• Clean Lines
• Compact Stature, etc.

Aesthetic Differences and Preferences

The Nissan Skyline and Nissan Silvia both have notable differences to show their individuality and targeted markets. The Skyline is for more diverse car enthusiasts with its sophisticated and luxurious design. Whereas, The Silvia brings a compact and sporty design. Car and Driver rated Skyline a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars and gave Silvia a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Motor Trend generously gave the Skyline a 5 out of 5 where it gave Silvia 4.6 out of 5.

Both the car may vary in terms of exterior design but the aesthetic preference would change depending on what the buyers want. If the buyer wants versatility with a touch of royalty then they will likely lean on to the Skyline. And if they want a dedicated sports car then Silvia is the perfect choice.

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Performance

A. Nissan Skyline performance capabilities

To compare the performance, let us now pick the 3 best Nissan Skylines and see their capabilities.

B. Nissan Silvia performance capabilities

Next, we will pick the 3 best Silvia cars and see their performance capabilities.

C. Comparing the driving experience of both models

After comparing the driving experience of Nissan Skyline vs Silvia, one can see that both car offers powerful and high-revving engines. Skyline handling and suspension combo give the cars a sophisticated suspension setup and ensure thorough handling, stability, and control even if the driver is high-speed. All three models can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under five seconds and named as the quickest car on the road,

On the other hand, The Silvia benefits from its lightweight chassis and well-tuned suspension provides exceptional handling, and is quite responsive. The limited-slip differential enhances traction and power delivery and helps with difficult cornering maneuvers. Also, buyers can tune and modify it plus take advantage of the JDM.

Technology and Features

A. Nissan Skyline technology and features

The Skyline is a high-tech car with all the latest technologies and features. The infotainment system is easy to use and includes

• 3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Navigation
• Bose sound system, etc.

The safety features are well-rounded to keep the cruisers safe on the road. For example:

• Automatic emergency braking
• lane departure warning
• blind spot monitoring
• adaptive cruise control
• 360-degree camera
• Electronic stability control (ESC)

The interior amenities are luxurious and comfy with features like

• Leather seats
• heated and ventilated front seats
• panoramic sunroof
• power-adjustable front seats
• heated rear seats

B. Nissan Silvia technology and features

The Silvia is less sophisticated than the Skyline but with the price tag, the car offers plenty of features and technologies. The infotainment system includes all the latest features like

• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Navigation
• Bose sound system, etc.

Safety features are pretty great including:

• Brembo brake
• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Electronic stability control (ESC)

Interior amenities of the Silvia are comfortable with features like

• Cloth seats
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable front seats

C. Technological advancements and how they impact the driving experience

 If we look at the technological segment of Nissan Skyline vs Silvia then one thing is evident both cars benefited from these innovations. The Skyline does well in challenging terrain with its ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system and electronic steering system. Then there is Silvia with its limited-slip differential and electronic stability control that provides safety and comfort.

Price and Availability

One of the key factors is the pricing when comparing the Nissan Skyline vs Silvia. Buyer can get a new one or try to get a used one according to their price range. Here is a table to compare the prices.

For Nissan Skyline

Nissan Skyline is a bit expensive in both the new and used market. This is due to its popularity and for their best performance. Especially The Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R (KPGC10) for its rarity and collectibility.

For Nissan Silvia

The Silvia is very affordable if you are getting a new one but even cheaper if you are trying to get your hands on a used one.

B. Availability of both models in different regions

The availability of the Nissan Skyline vs Silvia may vary across different areas. The  GT-R variant of the Skyline has a more global presence and is officially sold in countries like-

• Japan
• The United States
• Europe, and
• Australia

However, Silvia was mainly promoted in Japan and North America. Both cars are popular in Japan. Sadly, both cars discontinued exportation in North America. The Silvia in 1998 and the Skyline followed after 2002. But now buyers from Europe and Australia get their hands on the Skyline through the grey market though with a sweet sacrifice of limited availability and higher import costs.

C. Factors influencing pricing and availability

Many factors like- the production number, performance reputation, the appeal of the collectors, modification, and demand can affect the pricing. The GT-R variants are limited so considered most sought-after and premium. Collectors eagerly pursue to get one of these beasts. Meanwhile, Silvia can be modified, and its affordability makes it a popular choice for sports car lovers.

Customization and Tuning

For our next segment of The Nissan Skyline vs Silvia let us now compare the customization and tuning options. A study by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) showed that car lovers spend a whopping amount of  $5,000 on aftermarket parts and accessories for their vehicles. Some spend even more like over $100,000 on customization and tuning.

A. Aftermarket modifications and tuning options for the Skyline

The Nissan Skyline has a rich and extensive history in aftermarket modification and tuning. Car enthusiasts enhance its performance and aesthetics frequently to make it more robust. Some of the common modifications and tunings are-

Engine Modifications

Performance Upgrades

• Turbocharger upgrades
• Intake and exhaust modifications
• Engine management tuning, and
• Forged internals

These modifications can increase the power output by over 1,000 horsepower in some Skylines.

Suspension and Handling

Suspension Upgrades

• Lowering springs
• Coil-overs
• Performance shock absorbers, and
• Upgraded sway bars

These upgrades improve the handling of the car with cornering stability and overall driving dynamics.

Aesthetics

Exterior Modifications

• Body kits
• Bumpers
• Spoilers
• Custom wheels, and
• Performance tires

Interior Modifications

• Performance seats
• Steering wheels
• Shift knobs, and
• Custom gauges, etc.

B. Aftermarket modifications and tuning options for the Silvia

The Nissan Silvia also gained a reputation for its customization potential. The car is loved for its nimble and agile handling. Some of the common modifications and tunings are-

Engine Modifications

Performance Upgrades

• Intake and exhaust modifications
• Engine management tuning, and
• Lightweight flywheels, etc.

These upgrades increase power output and improve throttle response.

Suspension and Handling

Suspension Upgrades

• Lowering springs
• Coil-overs
• Performance shock absorbers, and
• upgraded sway bars, etc.

These modifications improve the overall driving dynamics of Silvia.

Aesthetics

Exterior Modifications

• Body kits
• Bumpers
• Spoilers
• Custom wheels, and
• Performance tires, etc.

Interior Modifications

• Performance seats
• Steering wheels
• Shift knobs, and
• Custom gauges, etc.

Impact of Customization on Performance and Aesthetics

The customization on performance and aesthetics heavily impacts the overall driving experience of both Nissan Skyline vs Silvia. For example, a study by the International Journal of Automotive Engineering concluded that if you upgrade your Nissan Skyline GT-R with a turbocharger and tune the engine management then you can get a 20% increase in horsepower and a 15% reduction in 0-60 mph acceleration time. Car and Driver magazine praised the Nissan Silvia for its upgraded suspension and how it can handle efficiently rough roads and reduce body roll during cornering maneuvers.

The fun part of the customization is that the car may become old but the demand for aftermarket parts and tuning services is likely to remain strong. So the buyers can get a super turbo sports car and the sellers can get a good value for money.

Pros and Cons

Of course, no sports car is perfect. Let us now weigh the pros and cons of Nissan Skyline vs Silvia.

Pros of owning a Nissan Skyline

• High-performance engine and drivetrain
• Exceptional handling and suspension
• Advanced technology and features
• Impressive speed and acceleration
• Track-focused design
• Customization potential
• Top-notch reputation

Cons of owning a Nissan Skyline

• Higher purchase and maintenance costs
• High insurance costs
• Limited availability
• May face import restrictions in some countries
• Fuel efficiency can be a concern

Pros of owning a Nissan Silvia

• Affordable performance
• Light-weight
• Accessible for novice and experienced drivers
• Wide range of aftermarket parts
• Can be used on both track and roads

Cons of owning a Nissan Silvia

• Less powerful compared to the Skyline
• Compact in size
• Increased price for collectibility

Both the cars have some minor cons and admirable advantages. Try to consider it all before you decide the ultimate purchase and you are good to go.

Conclusion

The journey of the Nissan Skyline vs Silvia ends here. Before we close the curtain, do remember that your taste and preference have the final say on what car you may choose. If the buyer wants something to make a statement then they can go for the Nissan Skyline. If the buyer has the ultimate goal of getting a comfy affordable car that will do well in both tracks and regular voyages then the choice should be Nissan Silvia. Your want and need is the main priority here. So, pick the one that suits best your goal and start the journey ahead!