Compare the2023 Dodge ChallengerVS 2023 Nissan Z

The Challenger has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Z doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Challenger offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Z doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

There are over 2 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Challenger’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Challenger has a standard 730-amp battery. The Z’s 580-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

The Challenger R/T automatic’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Challenger R/T manual’s standard 5.7 V8 produces 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Challenger R/T Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 85 more horsepower (485 vs. 400) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Challenger SRT Demon 170’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 625 more horsepower (1025 vs. 400) and 595 lbs.-ft. more torque (945 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Dodge Challenger is faster than the Nissan Z (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Nissan Z (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Challenger 3.6 DOHC V6 8-speed Auto RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Z 9-speed Auto (19 city/30 hwy vs. 19 city/28 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Challenger 5.7/6.4 V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Z doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z (18.5 vs. 16.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Challenger has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift, based on a value pre-entered by the driver. The Z doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

All wheel drive, available in the Challenger, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Nissan Z is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the Challenger Hellcat/Redeye’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z:

The Challenger Hellcat/Redeye’s brakes have 23% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Z (740 vs. 603 square inches).

The Challenger stops much shorter than the Z:

For better traction, the Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z (315/40R18 vs. 255/40R19).

The Challenger Widebody’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z Performance 2dr Hatchback’s 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Challenger offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Z’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Challenger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T Scat Pack/Hellcat/Super Stock) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Z; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Challenger has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Z’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Challenger offers an optional 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 15.6 inches longer than on the Z (116 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Challenger is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Z.

The SRT Hellcat Redeye handles at .98 G’s, while the Z Performance 2dr Hatchback pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The SRT Widebody Hellcat Redeye executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Z Performance 2dr Hatchback (24.3 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the Z can only carry 2.

The Challenger has 42.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z (93.7 vs. 51.4).

The Challenger has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room and 4.3 inches more front shoulder room than the Z.

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the Z 2dr Hatchback (16.2 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Challenger easier. The Challenger’s trunk lift-over height is 33.2 inches, while the Z’s liftover is 36.5 inches.

The Challenger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Z has no towing capacity.

The Challenger uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Z uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Challenger Automatic 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 Challenger, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Z doesn’t offer a memory system.

Keyless Enter-N-Go standard on the Challenger allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Nissan Z’s Intelligent Key doesn’t unlock the trunk.

The Challenger’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Z’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Challenger keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Z doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Challenger’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Z doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Challenger’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.

The Dodge Challenger outsold the Nissan Z by over 209 to one during 2022.