Compare the2024 Nissan ZVS 2024 Audi A5

The Z has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A5’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Z has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A5.

The Z’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Z and the A5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Z’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Z has a standard 580-amp battery. The A5’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Audi.

The Z’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 139 more horsepower (400 vs. 261) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Z NISMO’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 159 more horsepower (420 vs. 261) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Z has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 (16.4 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is available on the Nissan Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A5.

For better stopping power the Z NISMO’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A5:

The Z’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A5 are solid, not vented.

The Z stops shorter than the A5:

The Z has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The A5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Z Performance handles at .93 G’s, while the A5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Z Performance executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the A5 Prestige Coupe (25.3 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the A5’s (32.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Nissan Z may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Audi A5.

The Z is 1 foot shorter than the A5, making the Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Z Performance/NISMO uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z has .8 inches more front headroom and 1.6 inches more front legroom than the A5 Coupe.

The Z Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Z can be unhitched and driven around locally. The A5 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

On a hot day the Z’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the A5 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Z, based on reliability, safety and performance.