Ford Mustang vs Nissan Z: 0–60 and Quarter-Mile Comparison
This comparison brings together verified acceleration results for the Ford Mustang and Nissan Z, covering 0–60 mph times, quarter-mile times, and broader acceleration comparisons across tested examples from Ford and Nissan. The page spans a much deeper Mustang record set, with model-year coverage running from 1964 to 2024, while the Z data here covers 2023 to 2024.
Among production results, the Mustang holds the quicker 0–60 mph time by 0.6 second and the quicker quarter-mile by 1.2 seconds. Its fastest production marks come from the 2020 Shelby GT500 Fastback at 3.3 seconds to 60 mph and 11.2 seconds in the quarter mile, while the Z’s best production figures are the 2024 NISMO Coupe at 3.9 and 12.4 seconds. The fastest overall 0–60 result in this comparison is also a Mustang, though that record is not a production test.
The latest shared model year with verified data is 2024, where the Mustang leads the Z by 0.2 second to 60 mph. Median 0–60 figures point in a different direction, with the Z ahead across the recorded sets, which helps frame how trim level mix and test coverage can shape the broader picture. Use the tables below to compare individual years, trims, sources, and test details more closely.
Mustang Fastest 0–60
3.30sec
2020
Shelby GT500 Fastback
Z Fastest 0–60
3.90sec
2024
NISMO Coupe
0–60 Winner
Ford Mustang
(0.60s faster)
Tests in Database
335
327 + 8
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Category Winners: Mustang vs Z
The Ford Mustang leads 4–2 across 6 performance categories, with the Nissan Z taking 2 categories.
| Category | Ford Mustang | Nissan Z |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest production 0–60 | 3.30s Winner | 3.90s |
| Fastest production ¼ mile | 11.20s Winner | 12.40s |
| Fastest overall 0–60 | 1.90s Winner | 3.90s |
| Fastest overall ¼ mile | 10.55s Winner | 12.40s |
| Median production 0–60 | 5.10s | 4.40s Winner |
| Median production ¼ mile | 13.60s | 12.85s Winner |
| Category wins | 4 | 2 |
🏆 Overall Winner: Ford Mustang
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All-Time Production Records
Production vehicles onlyThe Ford Mustang holds the production 0–60 record at 3.30s, 0.60s quicker than the Nissan Z's best of 3.90s.
Fastest Production 0–60
Mustang
3.30s
2020 · Shelby GT500 Fastback
Z
3.90s
2024 · NISMO Coupe
0.60s difference
Fastest Production ¼ Mile
Mustang
11.20s
2020 · 128.0 mph
Z
12.40s
2024 · 114.0 mph
1.20s difference
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Fastest Overall Results
Includes modified and non-production vehiclesCounting all tests, the Ford Mustang has been clocked at 1.90s 0–60 — 2.00s quicker than the Nissan Z's overall best of 3.90s.
Fastest Overall 0–60
Mustang
1.90s
2000 · Boss SVE Coupe
modified
Z
3.90s
2024 · NISMO Coupe
Fastest Overall ¼ Mile
Mustang
10.55s
2000 · 135.1 mph
modified
Z
12.40s
2024 · 114.0 mph
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Typical Production Performance
Medians and averages across all production testsOn a typical production run, the Nissan Z reaches 60 mph in 4.40s — 0.70s quicker than the Ford Mustang's median of 5.10s.
| Metric | Ford Mustang | Nissan Z |
|---|---|---|
| Median 0–60 | 5.10s | 4.40s |
| Average 0–60 | 5.40s | 4.39s |
| Median ¼ Mile | 13.60s | 12.85s |
| Average ¼ Mile | 13.76s | 12.84s |
| Sample (0–60) | 284 | 8 |
Median is preferred over average — it is less influenced by extreme outlier tests. Averages include all production runs on record.
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Latest Available Results
| Metric | Ford Mustang | Nissan Z |
|---|---|---|
| Latest tested year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Best 0–60 that year |
3.70s
Dark Horse Premium Fastback (Handling Pack) |
3.90s
NISMO Coupe |
| Best ¼ mile that year | 12.00s | 12.40s |
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Data Coverage
The Ford Mustang has 327 tests spanning 1964–2024, while the Nissan Z has 8 tests from 2023–2024.
| Metric | Ford Mustang | Nissan Z |
|---|---|---|
| Total tests | 327 | 8 |
| Production tests | 284 | 8 |
| Earliest tested year | 1964 | 2023 |
| Latest tested year | 2024 | 2024 |
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Explore Each Model
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Related Comparisons
Methodology
All 0–60 and quarter-mile results are sourced from independently published road tests by reputable automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed times are not included. When multiple publications test the same vehicle, each run is listed separately. Production and non-production results are clearly distinguished throughout. Fastest 0–60 and fastest quarter-mile records are treated as independent measurements and may come from different tests, trims, or sources.