Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Nissan 370Z VS 2015 Audi TT Near Phoenix, AZ

Both the 370Z and the TT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the 370Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the TT. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the TT ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 370Z’s warranty.

The camshafts in the 370Z’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The TT’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the TT’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 370Z has a standard 150-amp alternator. The TT’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 370Z second among compact premium sporty cars in their 2013 Initial Quality Study. The TT isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2013 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 vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 19th in reliability. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 23rd.

The 370Z’s standard 3.7 DOHC V6 produces 121 more horsepower (332 vs. 211) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 258) than the TT 2.0T’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The 370Z’s 3.7 DOHC V6 produces 67 more horsepower (332 vs. 265) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 258) than the TTS’ standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The 370Z NISMO Coupe’s standard 3.7 DOHC V6 produces 85 more horsepower (350 vs. 265) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (276 vs. 258) than the TTS’ standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan 370Z (base engine) is faster than the TTS (automatics tested):

The 370Z has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the TT (19 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the 370Z’s brake rotors are larger than those on the TT:

The 370Z’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the TT 2.0T are solid, not vented.

The 370Z stops shorter than the TT:

The 370Z has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the TT, it requires you to depend on its optional run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 370Z’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the TT (100.4 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 370Z is 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the TT.

The 370Z’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the TT’s (59% to 41%). This gives the 370Z more stable handling and braking.

The 370Z NISMO Coupe handles at .99 G’s, while the TT 2.0T Coupe pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 370Z Touring Roadster handles at 1.00 G’s, while the TTS Roadster pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 370Z Coupe performs Car and Driver’s emergency lane change maneuver 2.3 MPH faster than the TT 2.0T Coupe (67.1 vs. 64.8 MPH).

The 370Z Touring Roadster executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the TTS Roadster (24.8 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 25.2 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 370Z w/18" wheels’ turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the TT’s (32.8 feet vs. 36 feet). The 370Z w/19" wheels’ turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the TT’s (34.1 feet vs. 36 feet).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the 370Z has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The TT uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The 370Z Coupe has .5 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more front shoulder room than the TT Coupe.

The 370Z Roadster has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more front shoulder room than the TT Roadster.

The 370Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the TT’s standard power windows.

If the windows are left down on the 370Z the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the TT can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The Intelligent Key standard on the 370Z 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 Audi TT doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

Consumer Reports rated the 370Z’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the TT’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the 370Z has standard extendable sun visors. The TT doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The 370Z’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The TT’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The 370Z Touring Roadster’s standard air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The TT doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.

Strategic Vision rates overall owner satisfaction with vehicle quality. The Nissan 370Z is ranked above average in the Premium Coupe category. The Audi TT is ranked below average.

The Nissan Z outsold the Audi TT by over three to one during 2013.