Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Acura RSX

The 350Z Coupe offers available head airbag curtains which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and passenger’s upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The RSX doesn’t offer side airbag protection for the head.

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 RSX doesn’t offer skid prevention.

Both the 350Z and the RSX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes and available front seat side-impact airbags.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 38.5 MPH side impact tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the 350Z is safer than the RSX:

More stars indicate a better chance of avoiding serious injuries. Lower numbers indicate better actual numeric test results.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the 350Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Acura covers the RSX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Coverage on the RSX 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 battery on the 350Z is under the seat, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 350Z’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The RSX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 127 more horsepower (287 vs. 160) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 141) than the RSX’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 87 more horsepower (287 vs. 200) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 142) than the RSX Type S’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan 350Z is faster than the RSX Type S (manual transmissions tested):

The 350Z has 6.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the RSX (20 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The 350Z’s brakes have 30% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the RSX (533 vs. 410 square inches), so the 350Z has more braking power available.

The 350Z’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RSX are solid, not vented.

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 RSX doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 350Z stops much shorter than the RSX:

For better traction, the 350Z has larger standard tires than the RSX (F:225/50R17 & R:235/50R17 vs. 205/55R16). The 350Z’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RSX (F:225/45R18 & R:245/45R18 vs. 205/55R16).

The 350Z’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) which provides a stiffer sidewall than the RSX’s standard 55 series tires. The 350Z’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RSX’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 350Z has standard 17 inch wheels. Only 16 inch wheels are available on the RSX.

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 RSX doesn’t offer a low tire pressure warning system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 350Z’s wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the RSX (104.3 vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 350Z is 2 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RSX.

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

The 350Z Track Coupe handles at .89 G’s, while the RSX Type S pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

The 350Z Touring Coupe goes through Motor Trend’s slalom 3.9 MPH faster than the RSX Type S (67.8 vs. 63.9 MPH).

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

The 350Z Coupe has .4 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room and 1 inch more front shoulder room than the RSX.

With its  andedan body style, the 350Z offers cargo security. The RSX’s hatchback body style and non-lockable folding seat defeat cargo security.

The engine in the 350Z is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RSX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 350Z’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 RSX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 350Z’s front power windows raise and lower automatically with one touch, especially convenient at tollbooths or drive-up windows. Only the driver’s window of the RSX works automatically with one touch.

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 RSX 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 RSX doesn’t offer any similar feature.

The 350Z’s standard power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The RSX’s standard power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

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 RSX 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 RSX doesn’t offer heated seats.

The 350Z has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The RSX doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

The 350Z’s standard steering wheel mounted cruise control on/off switch is conveniently located with the rest of the cruise controls. The RSX’s standard cruise control must be turned on with a hard to find switch on the dashboard.

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

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 350Z will cost $280 to $525 less than the RSX over a five year period.