Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Nissan Z

The Ford Mustang 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.

Both the Mustang and the Z have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Z doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 50 more horsepower (450 vs. 400) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Mustang Mach 1’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 70 more horsepower (470 vs. 400) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Mustang is faster than the Nissan Z (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Fastback gets better mileage than the Z:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Z requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Z doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Z.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Mustang offers an optional 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.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z:

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Z:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:255/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z Performance Coupe’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

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

The Mustang has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Handling Package/H.O. Package/Mach 1) 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 Mustang 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 Mustang 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 Mustang’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Z (107.1 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 1 inch wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Z.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.6% to 45.4%) than the Z’s (56.4% to 43.6%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the Z Performance Coupe pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Z Performance Coupe (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Z doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Z can only carry 2.

The Mustang Fastback has 31.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z (82.8 vs. 51.4).

The Mustang Fastback has 2.2 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room and 2.1 inches more front shoulder room than the Z Coupe.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the Z Coupe (13.5 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

The Mustang (except Mach 1) has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Z has no towing capacity.

The Mustang Auto has a standard 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 three different drivers share the Mustang Premium/Mach 1, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, power steering assist and outside mirror angle. The Z doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Z doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’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 intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1 Deluxe 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 Mustang Premium/Mach 1’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 Mustang’s optional 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 Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Nissan Z isn’t available as a convertible.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its July 2022 issue and they ranked the Ford Mustang Mach 1 first. They ranked the Nissan Z Performance Coupe fourth.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The Z has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Nissan Z by over 102 to one during the 2022 model year.