Volkswagen Golf vs. Nissan Z
When we compare the Volkswagen Golf's and the Nissan Z's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Nissan Z has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf's and the Nissan Z's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the Nissan Z.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Nissan Z base engine makes 400 horsepower. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 515 miles. The Z is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 459 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Golf the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Nissan Z. The Golf uses regular unleaded, and the Z uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, and cargo space. The Nissan Z has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
The Volkswagen Golf has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
17231 - 24998
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.400111
Pricing
New Asking Price:
44095 - 71267
Used Asking Price:
-
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.724282 / 10
Reliability:
8.172846 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Nissan Z Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 26Ranking
17 out of / 26Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 28Ranking
25 out of / 26Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Nissan Z Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 10Ranking
11 out of / 15Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 11Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 28Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI
Nissan Z Trim Levels
NISMO, Performance, Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 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):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
400 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
350 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.113 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 515 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18