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It’s bigger, louder, and pricier; the Ford Mustang Mach 1 is certainly more of an event than a Nissan Z Performance. However, the 2023 Nissan sports car has a lot to offer performance bargain hunters, with a standard turbocharged V6 engine and optional manual transmission. Still, even with the 2023 Z’s many redeeming features, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 has three advantages over the Nissan sports car. 

How much horsepower does the 2023 Nissan Z have?

Nissan revealed the 2023 Z’s horsepower rating to a stunned and excited fan base; the new Z car would produce 400 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Better yet, customers wouldn’t even have to opt for a higher trim to get that number. That means the lowest trim Z has more horsepower than the Toyota GR Supra, regardless of engine choice. However, the Nissan Z cannot match the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1’s power. 

The Nissan Z Performance offers a lot, but it'll have to work hard to outrun the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1.
2023 Nissan Z | Nissan

A new Mach 1 produces 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque from its 5.0L Coyote engine. That makes the Mach 1 the most powerful naturally aspirated Mustang currently on the market. Also, the Mustang’s 420 lb-ft of torque makes the Mach 1 more torquey than the Z’s 350 lb-ft. 

How fast is the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1?

Despite the fact that the Mach 1 weighs 3,793 lbs, it is faster than a Nissan Z Performance. Hagerty pitted the automatic-powered Mustang and Nissan against the Toyota GR Supra 3.0 in a sports car shootout. During the tests, the Mach 1 and GR Supra 3.0 tied with 60 mph sprints in just 3.8 seconds. However, the Z Performance required an extra 0.2 seconds to make the same run. 

Of course, the story changes with the addition of the six-speed manual transmissions. Car and Driver tested the manual-powered Z Performance against the 2021 model year Mach 1, and the cars came very close to one another. Both manual-equipped vehicles required 4.5 seconds to hit 60 mph. Furthermore, the governed Z Performance has a top speed of 155, while the Mach 1 is free of a governor. 

Is the Mustang Mach 1 more spacious than the Nissan Z?

Comparing the practicality of sports coupes might seem a bit futile. If you want practicality, you might be better off with a performance sedan. However, when it comes down to these two performers, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is more practical. The latest Ford Mustang platform has around 14 cubic feet of cargo volume. 

The 2022 Mustang Mach 1 is faster and more powerful than the Nissan Z Performance.
Ford Mustang Mach 1s | Ford

Compared to the 7.0 cubic feet in the Nissan Z, the Mustang can accommodate much more in terms of baggage. Furthermore, the Mustang has rear seats, albeit cramped rear seats. Finally, the pony car has folding rear seats, allowing drivers to transport larger belongings like sporting equipment. 

What is special about the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1?

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is quicker, more powerful, and more practical (in terms of cargo volume) than the Nissan Z. Furthermore, the track-ready Mustang has retro-styled graphics packages that compliment the S550’s styling. However, the Z gets better fuel economy and costs a bit less than the Ford pony car. Scroll down to the following article to read more about fast cars!

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