Compare the2024 Toyota GR86VS 2024 Nissan Z

The Toyota GR86 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Z doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GR86 Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Z doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the GR86 and the Z 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the GR86 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Z.

There are over 14 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GR86’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GR86’s reliability 26 points higher than the Z.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 17th.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the GR86 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Z doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the GR86 gets better mileage than the Z:

The GR86 stops much shorter than the Z:

The Toyota GR86 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 850 pounds less than the Nissan Z.

The GR86 is 4.5 inches shorter than the Z, making the GR86 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GR86 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Z can only carry 2.

The GR86 has 25.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z (77.2 vs. 51.4).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the GR86 easier. The GR86’s trunk lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the Z’s liftover is 36.5 inches.

The GR86 Premium Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Z doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the GR86 and the Z have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GR86 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Z prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the GR86’s exterior PIN entry system. The Z doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its NissanConnect Services can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The GR86’s standard Smart Key System allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Key standard on the Z doesn’t offer a sensor on the trunk.

Consumer Reports rated the GR86’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Z’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the GR86 Premium/TRUENO has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Z doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The GR86’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Z Performance/NISMO.

The GR86’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Z doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Insurance will cost less for the GR86 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GR86 will cost $1790 less than the Z over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota GR86 will be $10924 to $19272 less than for the Nissan Z.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota GR86 and the Nissan Z, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The GR86 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 3 more times in the last 12 years. The Z has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Toyota GR86 outsold the Nissan Z by over six to one during 2023.