Compare the2026 Nissan ZVS 2025 Lexus RC

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 RC doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Z and the RC 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Z’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the RC’s camshafts. If the RC’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Z has more powerful engines than the RC:

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Z is faster than the RC 350 3.5 DOHC V6 (automatics tested):

The Z offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The RC doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A nine-speed automatic is available on the Nissan Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RC.

The Z Sport Auto/Performance/NISMO’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RC doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Z stops shorter than the RC:

For better traction, the Z has larger standard tires than the RC (245/45R18 vs. 235/40R19). The Z NISMO’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RC (F:255/40R19 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

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 RC doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Z NISMO handles at 1.02 G’s, while the RC 350 AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the RC’s (32.8 feet vs. 34.2 feet). The Z’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the RC AWD’s (32.8 feet vs. 34.8 feet).

The Nissan Z may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Lexus RC.

The Z is 1 foot shorter than the RC, making the Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 RC doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Z can be unhitched and driven around locally. The RC can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Z’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RC’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 RC’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

The Nissan Z outsold the Lexus RC by over four to one during 2025.