Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Audi TT

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 Audi TT’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the 350Z and the Audi TT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, available front seat side-impact airbags, head airbags and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

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

There are over 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Audi 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 Audi TT’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt which eventually needs to be replaced. If the Audi TT’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics which show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 15th in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 25th.

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 107 more horsepower (287 vs. 180) and 101 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 173) than the Audi TT 1.8T’s standard 1.8 turbo DOHC 4 cyl. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 62 more horsepower (287 vs. 225) and 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 207) than the Audi TT 1.8T’s optional 1.8 turbo DOHC 4 cyl. The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 37 more horsepower (287 vs. 250) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 236) than the Audi TT 3.2’s standard 3.2 DOHC V6.

As tested in Popular Science the Nissan 350Z is faster than the Audi TT 1.8T 1.8 turbo DOHC 4 cyl. (manual transmissions tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Nissan 350Z Touring Coupe was clocked 6 seconds faster than the Audi TT Coupe (70 sec. vs. 76 sec.) at an average lap speed 5.6 MPH faster (77.7 MPH vs. 72.1 MPH).

The 350Z has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Audi TT (20 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The 350Z’s brakes have 13% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Audi TT (533 vs. 471 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 standard on the Audi TT 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 Audi TT doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 350Z stops much shorter than the Audi TT:

For better traction and acceleration, the 350Z has larger standard rear tires than the Audi TT (235/50R17 vs. 225/45R17). The 350Z’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Audi TT (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R17).

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 Audi TT doesn’t offer a low tire pressure warning system.

For superior ride and handling, the Nissan 350Z has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Audi TT FWD has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 350Z’s wheelbase is 8.9 inches longer than on the Audi TT (104.3 vs. 95.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 350Z is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Audi TT.

The 350Z’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Audi TT’s (58% to 42%). This gives the 350Z more stable handling and braking.

The 350Z Track Coupe handles at .88 G’s, while the Audi TT Coupe pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 350Z Touring Roadster handles at .88 G’s, while the Audi TT Roadster Quattro pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 350Z Touring Coupe goes through Motor Trend’s slalom faster than the Audi TT Coupe Quattro (67.8 vs. 67.3 MPH).

The 350Z Touring Roadster goes through Road & Track’s slalom 3.8 MPH faster than the Audi TT Roadster Quattro (67.2 vs. 63.4 MPH).

The design of the Nissan 350Z amounts to more than styling. The 350Z offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .3 to .34 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Audi TT (.34 to .36). A more efficient exterior helps the 350Z go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 350Z get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Road & Track while at idle, the interior of the 350Z Touring Roadster is quieter than the Audi TT Roadster Quattro (47 vs. 53 dB).

The 350Z Roadster has 10.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Audi TT Roadster FWD (51.8 vs. 41.2).

The 350Z Coupe has .4 inches more front headroom and 1.4 inches more front legroom than the Audi TT Coupe FWD.

The 350Z Convertible has .9 inches more front headroom and 1.4 inches more front legroom than the Audi TT Roadster FWD.

With its  andedan body style, the 350Z offers cargo security. The Audi TT’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 Audi TT. 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 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 Audi TT does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 350Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the Audi TT’s standard power windows.

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

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 Audi TT doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

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

The 350Z’s standard steering wheel mounted cruise control is close at hand. The Audi TT’s standard cruise control is on an over-crowded turn signal stalk.

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 350Z will cost $1590 to $2475 less than the Audi TT over a five year period.