Compare the2025 Nissan ZVS 2024 Audi S5

The Z has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Z has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige offers Rear Cross-Traffic Assist.

The Z’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Z and the S5 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 and rearview cameras.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Z for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S5.

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Z has a standard 580-amp battery. The S5’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 76 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 76 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Audi.

The Z’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 51 more horsepower (400 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Z NISMO’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 71 more horsepower (420 vs. 349) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Z NISMO is faster than the Audi S5 (automatics tested):

The Z has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (16.4 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Z offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The S5 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A nine-speed automatic is available on the Nissan Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S5.

The Z (except Sport Manual)’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Z NISMO’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The Z has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The S5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Z NISMO handles at 1.02 G’s, while the S5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the S5’s (32.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Nissan Z may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The Z is 1 foot shorter than the S5, making the Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Z Performance/NISMO uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The S5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z has .8 inches more front headroom and 1.6 inches more front legroom than the S5 Coupe.

The Z Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Z can be unhitched and driven around locally. The S5 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the S5’s standard power windows.

The Z’s standard Intelligent Key allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the S5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The Z’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S5’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Z will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Z will retain 58.37% to 60.28% of its original price after five years, while the S5 only retains 52.03% to 53.7%.

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