Compare the2026 Nissan ZVS 2025 Lotus Emira

The Z has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Emira doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Z’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Emira.

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. A system to reveal vehicles in the Emira’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Z has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Lotus charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Emira.

Both the Z and the Emira 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 and rear parking sensors.

The Z comes with free roadside assistance for 3 years 36,000 miles. Nissan will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emira.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Z 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than Lotus covers the Emira. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Emira ends after only 3 years or 36,000 miles.

There are over 28 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Lotus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Z’s warranty.

The Z’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 310) than the Emira’s standard 3.5 supercharged V6. The Z NISMO’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 354) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The Z has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (16.4 vs. 13.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is available on the Nissan Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Emira.

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

For better traction, the Z NISMO’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Emira (255/40R19 vs. 245/35R20).

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 Emira doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Z has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Emira doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Z’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.4% to 43.6%) than the Emira’s (39.8% to 60.2%). This gives the Z more stable handling and braking.

The Z NISMO handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Emira pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Emira’s (32.8 feet vs. 35.8 feet).

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 Emira doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Emira (51.4 vs. 49).

The Z has .4 inches more front headroom and 2 inches more front shoulder room than the Emira.

The Z has a much larger trunk than the Emira (6.9 vs. 5.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Z. The Emira doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Z is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Emira. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Lotus does not offer a locking feature on the Emira’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 Start standard on the Emira only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The Z’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Emira’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

Compared to traditional radio, the Nissan Z’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Emira.

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