Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Nissan 350Z
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Nissan 350Z contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Nissan 350Z.
When we compare the Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the Nissan 350Z's specifications and ratings, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Nissan 350Z has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda MX-5 Miata's and the Nissan 350Z's specifications and ratings, the Nissan 350Z is a better car than the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Pricing: A used 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranges from $8,971 to $16,468 while a used 2009 Nissan 350Z is priced between $6,265 to $16,207.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s base engine makes 167 horsepower, and the Nissan 350Z base engine makes 306 horsepower. The MX-5 Miata is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 356 miles. The 350Z is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 480 miles.This gives the Mazda MX-5 Miata the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Nissan 350Z the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
21750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
23639
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
19735 - 29930
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
36870
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
12505
Price Range:
8971 - 16468
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
14543
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
12505 - 17839
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
10
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
79509
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
11469
Price Range:
6265 - 16207
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
93175
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Mazda MX-5 Miata Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Nissan 350Z Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda MX-5 Miata
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan 350Z
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.1905270930372938
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
0.9 - 5.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.8506405606486425
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mazda MX-5 Miata Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Nissan 350Z Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda MX-5 Miata Trim Levels
Grand Touring, Sport, SV, Touring
Nissan 350Z Trim Levels
Enthusiast, Grand Touring, Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
167 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
140 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
306 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque:
268 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.086 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
279 / 356 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 24 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
340 / 480 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Bluetooth:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Satellite radio:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
5.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
4.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
51.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2445 lbs
Width:
67.7 inches
Height:
49 inches
Length:
157.3 inches
Wheelbase:
91.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3575 lbs
Width:
71.5 inches
Height:
52.5 inches
Length:
169.8 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/50R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Exterior Colors
White
Marble White
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
White
Moonlight White
Black
Magnetic Black
Blue
San Marino Blue
Gray
Carbon Silver
Red
Nogaro Red
Silver
Silver Alloy
Interior Colors
Black
Black cloth
Interior Colors
Black
Carbon Cloth
