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Head to Head: Toyota Supra vs Nissan Z

Two iconic nameplates are going head to head here with the Nissan Z and Toyota Supra. Let’s see which one comes out on top.

Autodeal on Sep 15, 2023

The battle of Japanese sports cars has been reignited with the return of the Nissan Z and the Toyota Supra. These two iconic names have a rich history in the automotive world, and their latest iterations, the Nissan Z and the Toyota Supra, have generated immense excitement among enthusiasts. In this in-depth comparison, we'll dive into various aspects of these two sports cars, including their exterior design, interior comfort and features, technology and safety offerings, engine performance, and pricing, and ultimately, offer a verdict to help you decide which one suits your preferences and needs better. Hint: A lot of it will stem from your emotions.

Exterior

The Nissan Z's design pays homage to its legendary predecessors, particularly the 240Z and 300ZX, with a modern twist. It features a sleek and aggressive front end, highlighted by the distinctive rectangular grille and sharp LED headlights. The sculpted hood adds to the overall muscular appearance, and the Z's profile showcases its classic long hood and sweeping proportions. The rear is adorned with bold LED taillights and a subtle integrated ducktail, giving it a distinctive and memorable look.

The Toyota Supra embraces a more contemporary and aerodynamic design language. Its bold and expressive front fascia boasts a large, protruding grille and aggressive LED headlights. The curvaceous lines and well-defined character creases along the sides contribute to a modern and distinctive appearance. At the rear, the Supra showcases a prominent ducktail spoiler and stylish LED taillights, giving it a unique presence on the road.

Both the Nissan Z and Toyota Supra have striking and unique exterior designs. The choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference. The Nissan Z leans towards a more retro-inspired, muscular look, while the Toyota Supra offers a more futuristic and contemporary design.

That said, we feel that the Nissan Z’s design is more accurate to its heritage with design cues that hark back to its past models, so we will give this to the Z.

Winner: Nissan Z

Interior

The interior of the Nissan Z is driver-focused, featuring a well-organized cockpit with the iconic triple pod gauge cluster that harks back to its past. The eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to integrate your smartphone. The seats provide excellent support and comfort, and there's ample headroom and legroom for both driver and passenger.

Inside the Toyota Supra, you'll find a modern and upscale cabin with a strong focus on the driver. The infotainment system features an 8.8-inch touchscreen and includes Apple CarPlay compatibility but lacks Android Auto. The sporty seats are supportive and comfortable, and the Supra offers a more refined interior compared to its predecessor. Similar to the Nissan Z, rear seats are also non-existent.

Both the Nissan Z and Toyota Supra provide comfortable and driver-oriented interiors. The choice may come down to your preference for infotainment systems and small differences in interior design.

TIE

Technology and safety

The Nissan Z comes equipped with a decent array of technology features, including the aforementioned 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It also offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that provides essential information to the driver. Safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Toyota Supra also offers a competitive set of technology features, including an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, it lacks Android Auto support, which might be a drawback for some users. The Supra's safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.

Both cars offer similar technology and safety features, with the Supra having a slight edge due to its more comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. However, your choice may depend on specific preferences regarding infotainment systems and the importance of advanced safety features.

TIE

Engine and power

The heart of the Nissan Z is a 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 400 hp and 475 Nm of torque, sending power to the rear wheels through a traditional six-speed manual transmission or a nine-speed automatic. This potent engine allows for brisk acceleration and a thrilling driving experience. The Z's performance is further enhanced by a sport-tuned suspension and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

The Toyota Supra is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that generates 382 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Like the Z, it sends power to the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The Supra's engine is a gem, delivering robust and linear power delivery. It's quick off the line and provides excellent handling and stability through corners, thanks to its well-balanced chassis.

Both the Nissan Z and Toyota Supra offer impressive engine performance, and the choice between them may come down to your preference for manual or automatic transmissions and specific power output preferences. The Supra's inline-six engine is highlighted with a more potent chassis, providing exhilarating acceleration and handling, but the Z does have more power, so going through specifications alone, the Z wins in this department.

Winner: Nissan Z

Price

The Nissan Z starts at a more accessible price point, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious sports car enthusiasts. The only available model here in the Philippines which is already the top-spec variant internationally, is priced at P3,888,000.

The Toyota Supra comes at a higher starting price of P5,396,000, going up to P5,456,000 if you want other colors.

The Nissan Z holds an advantage in terms of affordability, making it an appealing choice for those looking for a powerful sports car without breaking the bank. However, the Supra offers more premium features and performance at a higher price point.

Winner: Nissan Z

Verdict

In conclusion, the choice between the Nissan Z and Toyota Supra largely depends on your personal preferences and priorities. Here's a quick summary of their strengths:

Choose the Nissan Z if you prefer a retro-inspired design, seek a relatively more affordable sports car, enjoy the option of a manual transmission, and prioritize a straightforward, driver-focused experience.

On the other hand, opt for the Toyota Supra if you lean towards a more modern and contemporary design, desire a slightly more upscale interior, appreciate advanced driver assistance features, and prioritize straight-line speed and handling prowess.

Both the Nissan Z and Toyota Supra offer thrilling driving experiences and carry iconic names in the sports car realm. Ultimately, the choice between them hinges on careful consideration of your specific needs and preferences, so taking both for a test drive will be instrumental in making the best decision for your next high-performance vehicle.

Going back to the aforementioned aspects of both vehicles, the Nissan Z edges out the Supra with an iconic design and better overall value.

Overall: Nissan Z