Compare the2024 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.

The Mustang has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Z doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Mustang and Z have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Z’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Mustang 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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.

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 80 more horsepower (480 vs. 400) and 65 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Mustang Dark Horse’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 100 more horsepower (500 vs. 400) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 350) than the Z’s 3.0 turbo V6.

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang offers an optional system to automatically turn off the engine 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 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 on average about 82.8 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 standard 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 Dark Horse’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z:

The Mustang Dark Horse’s brakes have 33% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Z (800.5 vs. 603 square inches).

For better traction, the Mustang Dark Horse’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 Dark Horse’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 2dr Hatchback’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The Mustang offers an optional space-saver spare tire 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 6.6 inches longer than on the Z (107 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Z.

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 1.6 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room and 2.1 inches more front shoulder room than the Z 2dr Hatchback.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the Z 2dr Hatchback (13.3 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

The Mustang 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 Mustang Automatic 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, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Z doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang’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.

Intelligent Access standard on the Mustang 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 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 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/Dark Horse’s standard 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Mustang offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Z doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Nissan Z isn’t available as a convertible.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Nissan Z by almost 181 to one during 2022.