Compare the2023 Nissan Z VS 2023 Audi A5

The Z has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A5’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Z has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A5.

The Z’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 A5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Z and the A5 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Z’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 1 place higher in reliability than Audi.

The Z’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 139 more horsepower (400 vs. 261) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Z has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 (16.4 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is no cost option on the Nissan Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A5.

For better stopping power the Z Performance’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A5:

	Z Performance	A5
Front Rotors	14 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Z’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A5 are solid, not vented.

The Z stops shorter than the A5:

	Z	A5
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

The Z has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The A5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Z Performance Coupe handles at .93 G’s, while the A5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Z Performance Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the A5 Prestige Coupe (25.3 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the A5’s (32.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Z is 1 foot shorter than the A5, making the Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Z Performance uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z Coupe has .8 inches more front headroom and 1.6 inches more front legroom than the A5 Coupe.

The Z Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Z can be unhitched and driven around locally. The A5 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Z’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The A5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Z’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the A5 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.