Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Acura NSX

The 350Z offers optional front seat side-impact airbags and available head airbags, which act as a forgiving barrier between the passengers and the door. Combined with high-strength steel door beams this system increases protection from broadside collisions. The NSX doesn’t offer side-impact airbags.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the 350Z deploy with different levels of force to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The NSX’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The 350Z Coupe offers optional Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which uses the antilock brake hardware along with powerful software and additional sensors to detect the beginning of a skid. VDC then intervenes by automatically applying the brake at one appropriate wheel, preventing a skid. The NSX doesn’t offer skid prevention.

Both the 350Z and the NSX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes and available traction control.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the 350Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Acura covers the NSX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Coverage on the NSX ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the 350Z’s warranty.

The camshafts in the 350Z’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The NSX’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt which eventually needs to be replaced. If the NSX’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 35 more horsepower (287 vs. 252) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 210) than the NSX automatic’s standard 3.0 DOHC V6. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 224) than the NSX’s standard 3.2 DOHC V6.

The 350Z gets better fuel mileage than the NSX:

The 350Z has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the NSX (20 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the 350Z’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the NSX:

The 350Z’s brakes have 18% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the NSX (533 vs. 450.3 square inches), so the 350Z has more braking power available.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. Whatever factors cause this tendency, the 350Z has standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The NSX doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 350Z stops shorter than the NSX:

For better traction, the 350Z has larger front standard tires than the NSX (225/50R17 vs. 215/40R17). The 350Z’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NSX (225/45R18 vs. 215/40R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 350Z offers optional 18 inch wheels. The NSX’s largest wheels are only 17 inches.

The 350Z with 18” Tires has a standard tire pressure monitoring system, which will alert the driver to a drop in tire pressure before damage to the tire or an accident might occur. The NSX doesn’t offer a low tire pressure warning system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 350Z’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the NSX (104.3 vs. 99.6 inches).

The 350Z’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the NSX’s (40% to 60%). This gives the 350Z more stable handling and braking.

The 350Z Track Coupe handles at .93 G’s, while the NSX-T pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Popular Science skidpad test.

The 350Z Track Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom 5.2 MPH faster than the NSX (67.3 vs. 62.1 MPH).

For better maneuverability the 350Z’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the NSX’s (35.3 vs. 38.1 feet).

As tested by Road & Track while under full throttle, the interior of the 350Z Touring Roadster is quieter than the NSX-T (79 vs. 81 dB).

The 350Z Coupe has 1.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NSX (50.5 vs. 48.9).

The 350Z Coupe has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front hip room and 1.1 inches more front shoulder room than the NSX.

The 350Z Coupe has a much larger trunk than the NSX (6.8 vs. 5 cubic feet).

The engine in the 350Z is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the NSX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The 350Z’s entire steering wheel hub sounds the horn, facilitating hitting the horn in an emergency. The NSX has two small spoke buttons. These buttons can be hard to reach in an emergency.

The 350Z’s front power windows raise and lower automatically with one touch, especially convenient at tollbooths or drive-up windows. The power windows on the NSX don’t raise automatically, and only the driver’s window lowers automatically.

If the windows are left down on the 350Z the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower all the windows from outside the car using the remote. The driver of the NSX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve comfort and visibility, the 350Z Coupe (late availability) has standard pull-out visor extensions that block glare better. The NSX doesn’t offer any similar feature.

The 350Z’s available outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The NSX doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The 350Z’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The NSX doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The 350Z Touring’s standard heated front seats keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. The NSX doesn’t offer heated seats.

The Nissan 350Z comes in both 2dr hatchback and convertible bodystyles; the Acura NSX isn’t available as a convertible.

The headlight lenses on the 350Z are made of plastic to be lighter, more resistant to damage and less expensive to replace than the glass headlight lenses on the NSX.