Compare the2025 Ford MustangVS 2025 Nissan Z

The Ford Mustang has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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.

The Mustang has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Z doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Mustang and Z have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Z’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Mustang 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Z doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

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 Mustang’s reliability 39 points higher than the Z.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the Z:

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the Nissan Z 3.0 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Mustang is faster than the Z NISMO (automatics tested):

In a Road and Track race course test, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse was clocked 2.7 seconds faster than the Nissan Z NISMO (82.5 sec. vs. 85.2 sec.).

Motor Trend magazine performs a classic 0 to 100 MPH and back to 0 MPH performance test. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse completed this feat in only 11.9 seconds. It took the Nissan Z Performance 16.6 seconds.

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Fastback gets better mileage than the Z:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang (except Dark Horse)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Z doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Z requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Z doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Z.

For better stopping power the Mustang Dark Horse’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z:

The Mustang Dark Horse’s brakes have 33% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Z (800.5 vs. 603 square inches).

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Z:

For better traction, the Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:255/40R19 & R:285/35R19).

The Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z Performance’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Z’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Mustang offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Z; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

The Mustang offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Z’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang’s wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the Z (107 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Z.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the Z’s (56.4% to 43.6%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang Dark Horse handles at 1.07 G’s, while the Z Performance pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang Dark Horse executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Z Performance (23.7 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

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

The Mustang Fastback has 31.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z (82.8 vs. 51.4).

The Mustang Fastback has 1.6 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room and 2.1 inches more front shoulder room than the Z.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the Z (13.5 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Mustang easier. The Mustang’s trunk lift-over height is 30.2 inches, while the Z’s liftover is 36.5 inches.

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Z has no towing capacity.

The Mustang uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Z uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Mustang Automatic 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.

When three different drivers share the Mustang, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Z doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang’s optional Easy Entry and Exit glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Z doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’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 Z does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Z has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Mustang’s standard Intelligent Access 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.

The Mustang’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Z’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Deluxe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Z doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mustang Premium/Dark Horse’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Z doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mustang’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.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Nissan Z isn’t available as a convertible.

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

The Ford Mustang outsold the Nissan Z by over 14 to one during 2024.