Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Honda S2000

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 S2000 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 S2000’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 S2000 doesn’t offer skid prevention.

The 350Z’s gas tank is mounted inside the frame rails in front of the rear axle to optimally protect the fuel tank in a collision. The Honda S2000’s gas tank is mounted behind the rear axle, where it is more susceptible to rear collisions.

Both the 350Z and the S2000 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and four wheel antilock brakes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan 350Z is safer than the S2000:

More stars indicate a better overall result. Lower numbers indicate better individual test results.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the 350Z 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than Honda covers the S2000. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S2000 ends after only 3 years or 36,000 miles.

The S2000’s redline is at 8200 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The 350Z has a 6600 RPM redline.

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 S2000’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 47 more horsepower (287 vs. 240) and 112 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 162) than the S2000’s 2.2 DOHC 4 cyl.

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the 350Z’s engine produces its peak torque and horsepower at lower RPM’s than the S2000:

The 350Z 6-speed manual gets better fuel mileage than the S2000 (20 city/26 hwy vs. 20 city/25 hwy).

The 350Z has 6.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the S2000 (20 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 350Z offers an optional 5 speed automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. The S2000 doesn’t offer an automatic transmission.

For better stopping power the 350Z’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S2000:

The 350Z’s brakes have 18% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the S2000 (533 vs. 450 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 S2000 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 S2000 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 350Z stops shorter than the S2000:

For better traction, the 350Z has larger front standard tires than the S2000 (225/50R17 vs. 215/45R17). The 350Z’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S2000 (F:225/45R18 & R:245/45R18 vs. F:215/45R17 & R:245/40R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 350Z offers optional 18 inch wheels. The S2000’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 S2000 doesn’t offer a low tire pressure warning system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 350Z’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than on the S2000 (104.3 vs. 94.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 350Z is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S2000.

The 350Z Roadster has 6.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S2000 (51.8 vs. 45.1).

The S2000’s spare tire is stored in the cargo area, where it diminishes the useable cargo capacity and interferes with loading and unloading. The 350Z’s spare is out of the way under the trunk floor.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 350Z’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The S2000’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The 350Z’s standard tilting steering column adjusts to different sized drivers and makes entering and exiting easier. Honda doesn’t offer tilt steering on the S2000.

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 S2000 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. The power windows on the S2000 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 S2000 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 350Z has standard lighted power window switches so that they are easily found at night. The S2000 doesn’t have lighted switches.

To improve comfort and visibility, the 350Z Coupe (late availability) has standard pull-out visor extensions that block glare better. The S2000 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 S2000 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 S2000 doesn’t offer heated seats.

The 350Z’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The S2000 doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

The 350Z’s standard steering wheel mounted cruise control on/off switch is conveniently located with the rest of the cruise controls. The S2000’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 Honda S2000 isn’t available as a 2dr hatchback.

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 350Z will cost $1590 less than the S2000 over a five year period.