Compare the2004 Nissan 350ZVS 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages

Safety

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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 MR2 Spyder 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 MR2 Spyder’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 MR2 Spyder doesn’t offer skid prevention.

Both the 350Z and the MR2 Spyder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and four wheel antilock brakes.

The Nissan 350Z weighs 973 to 1284 pounds more than the Toyota MR2 Spyder. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Lighter cars are also affected more by crosswinds.

Reliability

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 MR2 Spyder’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

Engine

The 350Z’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 149 more horsepower (287 vs. 138) and 149 lbs.-ft. more torque (274 vs. 125) than the MR2 Spyder’s 1.8 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan 350Z is faster than the Toyota MR2 Spyder (manual transmissions tested):

	350Z	MR2 Spyder
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	8.2 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.9 sec	23 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	86 MPH
Top Speed	156 MPH	123 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The 350Z has 7.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the MR2 Spyder (20 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 350Z’s brake rotors are larger than those on the MR2 Spyder:

	350Z	350Z	MR2 Spyder
Front Rotors	11.7 inches	12.76 inches	10 inches
Rear Rotors	11.5 inches	12.68 inches	10.3 inches

The 350Z’s brakes have 44% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the MR2 Spyder (533 vs. 371.4 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 MR2 Spyder doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 350Z has larger standard tires than the MR2 Spyder (F:225/50R17 & R:235/50R17 vs. F:185/55R15 & R:215/45R16). The 350Z’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MR2 Spyder (F:225/45R18 & R:245/45R18 vs. F:185/55R15 & R:215/45R16).

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 MR2 Spyder’s standard 55 series front tires. The 350Z’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the MR2 Spyder’s 55 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 350Z has standard 17 inch wheels. Only 15 inch front and 16 inch rear wheels are available on the MR2 Spyder.

The Nissan 350Z’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Toyota MR2 Spyder only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

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 MR2 Spyder doesn’t offer a low tire pressure warning system.

Suspension and Handling

The 350Z has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The MR2 Spyder’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 350Z’s wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the MR2 Spyder (104.3 vs. 96.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 350Z is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the MR2 Spyder.

The 350Z’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the MR2 Spyder’s (45% to 55%). This gives the 350Z more stable handling and braking.

The 350Z Touring Roadster goes through Road & Track’s slalom 4.6 MPH faster than the MR2 Spyder (67.2 vs. 62.6 MPH).

Chassis

As tested by Road & Track while under full throttle, the interior of the 350Z Touring Roadster is quieter than the MR2 Spyder (79 vs. 81 dB).

Passenger Space

The 350Z Roadster has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MR2 Spyder (51.8 vs. 48).

Cargo Capacity

The 350Z Roadster has a much larger trunk with its top up than the MR2 Spyder (4.1 vs. 1.9 cubic feet).

The MR2 Spyder’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.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the 350Z is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MR2 Spyder. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

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 MR2 Spyder 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 MR2 Spyder don’t raise automatically, and only the driver’s window lowers automatically.

The 350Z’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The MR2 Spyder’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

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 MR2 Spyder can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 350Z’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The MR2 Spyder doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To improve comfort and visibility, the 350Z Coupe (late availability) has standard pull-out visor extensions that block glare better. The MR2 Spyder doesn’t offer any similar feature.

The 350Z’s available outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The MR2 Spyder doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The 350Z’s standard power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The MR2 Spyder’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 MR2 Spyder 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 MR2 Spyder 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 MR2 Spyder doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Model Availability

The Nissan 350Z comes in both 2dr hatchback and convertible bodystyles; the Toyota MR2 Spyder isn’t available as a 2dr hatchback.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the 350Z owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 350Z will cost $765 less than the MR2 Spyder over a five year period.

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