Nissan Z vs. Subaru BRZ
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Z and Subaru BRZ 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 Nissan Z and the Subaru BRZ.
When we compare the Nissan Z's and the Subaru BRZ's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Z has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Subaru BRZ has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value and interior volume. The Nissan Z and Subaru BRZ have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Z's and the Subaru BRZ's specifications and ratings, the Subaru BRZ is a better car than the Nissan Z.
Pricing: For a new model, the Nissan Z's price is between $44,162 and $69,421, with the Subaru BRZ priced between $31,307 and $37,886.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Z loses 30.4 percent of its value and the Subaru BRZ loses 24.3 percent of its value. This means the Subaru BRZ retains 6.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Z.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan Z’s base engine makes 400 horsepower, and the Subaru BRZ base engine makes 228 horsepower. Both the Z and the BRZ are rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 459 and 356 miles respectively. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are sports cars, the Subaru BRZ has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more The Nissan Z has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, and cargo space.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$44,162 - $69,421
Starting MSRP:
$42,970
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$34,022
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$28,985 - $42,970
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$31,307 - $37,886
Starting MSRP:
$30,195
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$34,022
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$28,985 - $42,970
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$54,605
Price Range:
$30,211 - $67,265
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
$50,979
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$35,475 - $58,789
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,151
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
188
# Good or Great Deals:
40
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Sports Cars)
$50,979
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$35,475 - $58,789
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
318
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
136
# Good or Great Deals:
0
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$13,428
Depreciation %:
31.2%
Resale Value $:
$29,542
Residual Value %:
68.8%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
29.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
23.9% - 44.3%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$7,614
Depreciation %:
25.2%
Resale Value $:
$22,581
Residual Value %:
74.8%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
29.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
23.9% - 44.3%
Nissan Z Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Subaru BRZ Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
9.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Z
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
8.9 - 15.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru BRZ
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
8.9 - 15.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.4%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 6.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 6.6
Nissan Z Rankings
Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 10Subaru BRZ Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Nissan Z Trim Levels
NISMO, Performance, Sport
Subaru BRZ Trim Levels
Limited, Premium, tS
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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
400 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
350 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.113 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
228 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.081 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 28 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
312 / 459 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
264 / 356 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
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
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
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
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
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
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
52.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
33.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
29.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
51.7 inches
Cargo Space:
6.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
83.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3549 lbs
Width:
72.6 inches
Height:
51.8 inches
Length:
172.4 inches
Wheelbase:
100.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2820 lbs
Width:
69.9 inches
Height:
51.6 inches
Length:
167.9 inches
Wheelbase:
101.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Diamond Pearl
Blue
Seiran Blue Metallic/Super Black
Gray
Boulder Gray/Super Black / Gun Metallic
Red
Passion Red TriCoat/Super Black / Rosewood Metallic
Silver
Brilliant Silver/Super Black
White
Everest White Pearl TriCoat/Super Black
Yellow
Ikazuchi Yellow Pearl TriCoat/Super Black
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Ignition Red
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Graphite
Interior Colors
Black
Black