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    It’s been a long time coming for buyers, but the new S650 Ford Mustang has finally arrived on Australian soil.

    Based on a familiar recipe, the seventh-generation Mustang GT blends the evergreen ‘Coyote’ V8 with modern technology and revised styling. Think of it as an extensive makeover rather than an all-new model.

    Almost two years have passed since the Mustang was unveiled in the US, and deliveries are only just reaching local customers now – which begs a question…

    Should suitors have skipped the wait completely and bought into the readily available Nissan Z? And now that the Mustang is available, is it even the better car?

    Japan has a long history of producing cracking sports cars, and the Z has plenty of the right ingredients.

    It’s lighter than its American rival, and just as quick in most scenarios. Like the Mustang, the Z nameplate also carries plenty of heritage.

    If that doesn’t inspire you, just look at the thing! To top it off, the Nissan is cheaper.

    Both are offered with a manual gearbox, so this one’s for your motoring purists!

    Here we’re focusing on the best-selling Mustang GT and standard Z. Each boast unique selling points, so let’s see how they stack up on the spec sheet.

    Pricing

    The Ford Mustang occupies both the top and bottom ends of the price band shared by these two rivals, but the most directly comparable variants are the Mustang GT and standard Z.

    In both automatic and manual guise the Ford is a more expensive proposition, with self-shifting examples commanding a $5102 premium and the manual variant priced $1202 dearer than the Z.

    If you want to step up the track-ready flagships, then the Z Nismo is offered for $94,000 plus on-road costs, while the Mustang Dark Horse starts at $99,102 before on-roads.

    Model VariantPrice before on-road costs
    2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Auto$64,990
    2024 Nissan Z Auto$75,800
    2024 Nissan Z Manual$75,800
    2024 Ford Mustang GT Manual$77,002
    2024 Ford Mustang GT Auto$80,902
    2024 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Auto$86,752
    2024 Nissan Z Nismo Auto$94,000
    2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Manual$99,102
    2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Auto$103,002

    Drivetrains and efficiency

    From a powertrain perspective, the Mustang and Z couldn’t be more different.

    Like Mustangs of old, the current-generation GT is powered by a big-block naturally aspirated V8, mated to either a close-ratio 10-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

    On the other hand, the Z has adopted a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, straying from the naturally aspirated formula of the preceding 350Z and 370Z.

    As some say, there’s no replacement for displacement, and the pony car has the edge in the power stakes. However, the lighter Nissan is quicker in the 0-100km/h sprint, and more fuel efficient. Both cars are rear-wheel drive across the range.

    The Mustang EcoBoost offers similar performance for much less money, with the added bonus of four-cylinder efficiency.

    Ford Mustang EcoBoostNissan ZFord Mustang GTNissan Z NismoFord Mustang Dark Horse
    Engine2.3L 4cyl turbo3.0L twin-turbo V65.0L naturally aspirated V83.0L twin-turbo V65.0L naturally aspirated V8
    Power232kW298kW347kW309kW349kW
    Torque475Nm475Nm550Nm520Nm548Nm
    Transmission10-speed automatic9-speed automatic or 6-speed manual10-speed automatic or 6-speed manual9-speed automatic10-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
    Driven wheelsRear-wheel driveRear-wheel driveRear-wheel driveRear-wheel driveRear-wheel drive
    Power-to-weight ratio135.8kW/t187.5kW/t (auto)
    191.5kW/t (manual)
    192.5kW/t (auto)
    195.5kW/t (manual)
    189kW/t193.5kW/t (auto)
    195.6kW/t (manual)
    0-100km/h5.3s 4.7s (as tested)4.9s (auto)
    5.3s (manual)
    N/AN/A
    Fuel economy (claimed)9.4L/100km9.8L/100km (auto)
    10.8L/100km (manual)
    12.8L/100km (auto)
    13.6L/100km (manual)
    10.4L/100km12.8L/100km
    Fuel tank capacity61L62L61L62L61L
    Fuel type98 RON95 RON98 RON95 RON98 RON
    C02 (combined)215g/km227g/km (auto)
    250g/km (manual)
    293g/km (auto)
    310g/km (manual)
    242g/km293g/km (auto)
    353g/km (manual)

    Dimensions

    If the differing heritage of these competitors wasn’t obvious before, it should be now.

    The American born and bred Mustang is bigger in every dimension, with considerably more heft to haul around. On the bright side, the extra size translates to a bigger boot.

    Despite its Japanese roots, the Z is by no means light or petite, but it’s certainly the more compact machine featured here.

    Ford Mustang EcoBoostNissan ZFord Mustang GTNissan Z NismoFord Mustang Dark Horse
    Length4811mm4380mm4811mm4410mm4823mm
    Width2097mm1845mm2097mm1870mm2097mm
    Height1407mm1315mm1414mm1315mm1413mm
    Wheelbase2719mm2550mm2719mm2550mm2719mm
    Boot capacity375L241L375L241L375L
    Kerb weight1746kg1633kg (auto)
    1600kg (manual)
    1841kg (auto)
    1813kg (manual)
    1635kg1842kg (auto)
    1822kg (manual)

    Servicing and warranty

    Both vehicles here offer a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    The Z comes with higher running costs though, especially over the first four services. Ford offers $379 capped price servicing over the first four years, which Nissan only matches in the first year of ownership.

    Ford MustangNissan Z (auto)
    Warranty5 years, unlimited kilometres5 years, unlimited kilometres
    Interval12 months or 15,000km12 months or 10,000km
    1st service$379$347
    2nd service$379$500
    3rd service$379$495
    4th service$379$771
    5th service$N/A$391
    Total first 5 years$1516 (4 years)$2504 (5 years)
    Avg. service price$379 (4 years)$500.80 (5 years)

    Safety

    Neither the new Ford Mustang nor Nissan Z have been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

    Nevertheless, the Mustang offers more standard safety equipment with an extra airbag and the inclusion of lane-keep assist which isn’t available for the Z.

    Neither has a surround-view camera or park assist, but that’s unlikely to concern dedicated sports car buyers.

    Ford MustangNissan Z
    Airbags7 airbags6 airbags
    Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)YesYes
    Lane-keep assistYesNo
    Blind-spot monitoringYesYes
    Adaptive cruise control YesYes
    Traffic sign recognitionYesYes
    Reversing cameraYesYes
    Surround-view cameraNoNo
    Rear cross-traffic alertYesYes
    Parking sensorsYesYes
    Park assistNoNo
    Tyre pressure monitoringYesYes

    Standard features

    The Ford Mustang GT and Nissan Z demonstrate different priorities on the spec sheet.

    Exterior featuresFord Mustang GTNissan Z
    Wheels19-inch alloy wheels19-inch alloy wheels
    Tyres255/40 R19 front and 275/40 R19 rear Pirelli P-Zero tyres255/40R19 front and 275/35 R19 rear Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres
    Spare wheelTyre repair kitTyre repair kit
    HeadlightsAutomatic LED headlightsAutomatic LED headlights
    Fog lightsNoRear fog light
    WipersRain-sensing wipersIntermittent variable wipers
    Side mirrorsPower-folding and heated side mirrorsPower-folding and heated side mirrors
    SunroofNo, convertible optionNo
    TailgateManual tailgateManual tailgate

    Externally, there’s plenty of crossover between the pair although the Mustang has the advantage of automatic rain-sensing wipers.

    Neither model comes with a sunroof, but a truly open-air experience can be had with the Mustang Convertible.

    Interior featuresFord Mustang GTNissan Z
    UpholsteryLeather-accented upholsteryLeather-accented upholstery
    Front seats6-way power-adjustable, heated and cooled front seats4-way power-adjustable, heated front seats
    Rear seatsYesNo
    Steering wheelLeather-wrapped steering wheelLeather-wrapped steering wheel
    Paddle shiftersYesYes
    Rear-view mirrorElectrochromatic rear-view mirrorAuto-dimming rearview mirror
    Climate controlDual-zone climate controlDual-zone climate control

    Want a sports car but need space for the whole family? It’ll be a tight fit in the 2+2 seat Mustang, and an impossibility in the strictly two-seat Z.

    Both cars have power-adjustable front seats with a heating function, while the Mustang adds seat cooling.

    Leather upholstery is another shared feature, which helps to set these cars apart from more affordable sports cars such as the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ and Mazda MX-5.

    TechnologyFord Mustang GTNissan Z
    Instrument cluster12.4-inch digital instrument cluster12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
    Head-up displayNoNo
    Infotainment13.2-inch touchscreen8.0-inch touchscreen
    Satellite navigationYesNo
    Smartphone mirroringWireless mirroringWired mirroring
    Phone chargingWireless chargingWired charging
    USB1 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C1 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C
    Sound system12-speaker B&O sound system8-speaker Bose sound system
    KeyKeyless entry and startKeyless entry and start

    The Mustang is a clear winner in the technology stakes.

    You get a whopping 13.2-inch infotainment screen in the Ford, dwarfing the Z’s 8.0-inch unit. Ford’s SYNC software features satellite navigation, which is unavailable in the Z.

    You’ll also need a cable for smartphone mirroring and charging in the Nissan, both of which can be done wirelessly in the Mustang.

    Four extra speakers top off Ford’s tech offering, a selling point given the Z’s old-school roots.

    Would you pay up for American muscle, or opt for the more nimble, boosted Z?

    MORE: Buy a Ford Mustang
    MORE: Everything Ford Mustang

    MORE: Buy a Nissan Z
    MORE: Everything Nissan Z

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    Josh Nevett

    Josh Nevett is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Josh studied journalism at The University of Melbourne and has a passion for performance cars, especially those of the 2000s. Away from the office you will either find him on the cricket field or at the MCG cheering on his beloved Melbourne Demons.