Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Jaguar XK

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

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

There are over 7 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Jaguar 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 XK’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The 350Z automatic gets better fuel mileage than the XK8 (19 city/26 hwy vs. 18 city/26 hwy).

The 350Z offers a 6 speed manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The XK doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 350Z stops much shorter than the XK:

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

The 350Z has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XK’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 350Z’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the XK (104.3 vs. 101.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 350Z is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XK.

The 350Z Track Coupe handles at .89 G’s, while the XK Coupe pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

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

The 350Z Track Coupe goes through Road & Track’s slalom 7.7 MPH faster than the XK Coupe (67.3 vs. 59.6 MPH).

The 350Z Touring Roadster goes through Road & Track’s slalom 8.3 MPH faster than the XK Convertible (67.2 vs. 58.9 MPH).

The Nissan 350Z may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 600 pounds less than the Jaguar XK.

The 350Z is 1 foot, 6 inches shorter than the XK, making the 350Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 350Z is 10.2 inches narrower than the XK, making the 350Z easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

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 XK (.345 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.

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 XK 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 XK don’t raise 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 XK 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 XK doesn’t offer any similar feature.

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

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 350Z will cost $2475 to $4060 less than the XK over a five year period.

The 350Z will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that the 350Z will retain 52.88% to 54.69% of its original price after five years, while the XK only retains 44.81% to 47.84%.