Compare the2023 Toyota SupraVS 2023 Nissan Z

The Toyota Supra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Z doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Supra offers optional Emergency Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Z doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Supra’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Z doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Supra and the Z have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Supra for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Z.

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Supra’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 13th.

The Supra’s optional 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Supra gets better mileage than the Z:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Supra’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Z doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Supra has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Z doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

For better stopping power the Supra’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Z:

The Supra stops much shorter than the Z:

For better traction, the Supra has larger tires than the Z (F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19 vs. 245/45R18).

The Supra 2.0’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z Sport Coupe’s standard 45 series tires. The Supra 3.0’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Z Performance Coupe’s 40 series front tires.

The Supra offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Z’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Supra is 1.4 inches wider in the front than the average track on the Z.

The Supra’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.5% to 48.5%) than the Z’s (56.4% to 43.6%). This gives the Supra more stable handling and braking.

The Toyota Supra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Nissan Z.

The Supra has .1 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more front shoulder room than the Z.

The Supra offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Z doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Supra 3.0, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Z doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Supra 3.0 Premium/A91-MT has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and warning readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Z doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Supra’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Z has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Supra’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Z’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Supra’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Z Performance.

The Supra’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Z has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Supra’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Z doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Supra 3.0 Manual has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Z doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Supra, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its July 2022 issue and they ranked the Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium two places higher than the Nissan Z Performance Coupe.

The Supra was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 4 of the last 40 years. The Z has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Toyota Supra outsold the Nissan Z by over 46 to one during the 2021 model year.