Compare the2024 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2024 Nissan Z

The Chevrolet Camaro has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Z doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Camaro and the Z 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Camaro’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Z’s (6 vs. 5 years).

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Camaro has a standard 700-amp battery. The Z’s 580-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Camaro first among midsize sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Z isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

The Camaro has more powerful engines than the Z:

	Horsepower	Torque
Camaro LT1/SS 6.2 V8	455 HP	455 lbs.-ft.
Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8	650 HP	650 lbs.-ft.
Z 3.0 turbo V6	400 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Z NISMO 3.0 turbo V6	420 HP	384 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Camaro LT1/SS 6.2 V8 is faster than the Nissan Z 3.0 (manual transmissions tested):

	Camaro	Z
Zero to 60 MPH	4 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	12.4 sec	13.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	114.6 MPH	105.3 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro LT1/SS 6.2 V8 is faster than the Nissan Z 3.0 (automatics tested):

	Camaro	Z
Zero to 60 MPH	3.9 sec	4.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	8.9 sec	9.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4 sec	5 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.3 sec	2.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	2.7 sec	3.5 sec
Quarter Mile	12.3 sec	12.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	116 MPH	115 MPH
Top Speed	165 MPH	155 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Camaro gets better mileage than the Z:

			MPG
Camaro
	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/29 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/26 hwy
Z
	Auto	NISMO 3.0 turbo V6	17 city/24 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Z doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Camaro LT1/SS for maximum performance). The Z requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Camaro has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Z (19 vs. 16.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Camaro has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Z doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Chevrolet Camaro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Z.

For better stopping power the Camaro ZL1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Z:

	Camaro ZL1	Z Sport	Z NISMO
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	12.6 inches	15 inches
Rear Rotors	14.4 inches	12.1 inches	13.8 inches

The Camaro stops much shorter than the Z:

	Camaro	Z
70 to 0 MPH	137 feet	166 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	91 feet	110 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	119 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Z (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. F:255/40R19 & R:285/35R19).

The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Z Performance’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro SS has standard 20-inch wheels. The Z’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Z doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Camaro offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Z’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 10.3 inches longer than on the Z (110.7 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camaro is 1.8 inches wider in the front and .3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Z.

The Camaro’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the Z’s (56.4% to 43.6%). This gives the Camaro more stable handling and braking.

The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe handles at 1.18 G’s, while the Z Performance pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Camaro SS Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Z Performance (22.9 seconds @ .91 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

The Camaro has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Z can only carry 2.

The Camaro Coupe has 41.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Z (93 vs. 51.4).

The Camaro Coupe has .3 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom and 1.3 inches more front shoulder room than the Z.

The Camaro Coupe has a much larger trunk than the Z (9.1 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

The Camaro uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Z uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Camaro Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Z doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Camaro (except LT1), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Z doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Camaro (except LT1)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Z doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Camaro’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Z does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Camaro (except LT1) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, turn signal and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Z doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Camaro’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Z has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

Keyless Access standard on the Camaro allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Nissan Z’s Intelligent Key doesn’t unlock the trunk.

When the Camaro with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Z’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Camaro’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Z has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Camaro (except LT1) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Z doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Camaro’s optional (except LT1) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Z doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Camaro (except LT1)’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Z doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Camaro (except LT1) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Z doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Nissan Z isn’t available as a convertible.

The Camaro was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2016, 2017, and 2018. The Z has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The Z has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the Nissan Z by almost 94 to one during 2022.