It’s been a long time coming for buyers, but the new S550 Ford Mustang has finally arrived on Australian soil.

Based on a familiar recipe, the seventh-generation Mustang GT blends the evergreen ‘Coyote’ V8 with modern technology and revised styling. Think of it as an extensive makeover rather than an all-new model.

Almost two years have passed since the Mustang was unveiled in the US, and deliveries are only just reaching local customers now – which begs a question…

Should suitors have skipped the wait completely and bought into the readily available Nissan Z? And now that the Mustang is available, is it even the better car?

Japan has a long history of producing cracking sports cars, and the Z has plenty of the right ingredients.

It’s lighter than its American rival, and just as quick in most scenarios. Like the Mustang, the Z nameplate also carries plenty of heritage.

If that doesn’t inspire you, just look at the thing! To top it off, the Nissan is cheaper.

Both are offered with a manual gearbox, so this one’s for your motoring purists!

Here we’re focusing on the best-selling Mustang GT and standard Z. Each boast unique selling points, so let’s see how they stack up on the spec sheet.

Pricing

The Ford Mustang occupies both the top and bottom ends of the price band shared by these two rivals, but the most directly comparable variants are the Mustang GT and standard Z.

In both automatic and manual guise the Ford is a more expensive proposition, with self-shifting examples commanding a $5102 premium and the manual variant priced $1202 dearer than the Z.

If you want to step up the track-ready flagships, then the Z Nismo is offered for $94,000 plus on-road costs, while the Mustang Dark Horse starts at $99,102 before on-roads.

Drivetrains and efficiency

From a powertrain perspective, the Mustang and Z couldn’t be more different.

Like Mustangs of old, the current-generation GT is powered by a big-block naturally aspirated V8, mated to either a close-ratio 10-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

On the other hand, the Z has adopted a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, straying from the naturally aspirated formula of the preceding 350Z and 370Z.

As some say, there’s no replacement for displacement, and the pony car has the edge in the power stakes. However, the lighter Nissan is quicker in the 0-100km/h sprint, and more fuel efficient. Both cars are rear-wheel drive across the range.

The Mustang EcoBoost offers similar performance for much less money, with the added bonus of four-cylinder efficiency.

Dimensions

If the differing heritage of these competitors wasn’t obvious before, it should be now.

The American born and bred Mustang is bigger in every dimension, with considerably more heft to haul around. On the bright side, the extra size translates to a bigger boot.

Despite its Japanese roots, the Z is by no means light or petite, but it’s certainly the more compact machine featured here.

Servicing and warranty

Both vehicles here offer a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The Z comes with higher running costs though, especially over the first four services. Ford offers $379 capped price servicing over the first four years, which Nissan only matches in the first year of ownership.

Safety

Neither the new Ford Mustang nor Nissan Z have been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

Nevertheless, the Mustang offers more standard safety equipment with an extra airbag and the inclusion of lane-keep assist which isn’t available for the Z.

Neither has a surround-view camera or park assist, but that’s unlikely to concern dedicated sports car buyers.

Standard features

The Ford Mustang GT and Nissan Z demonstrate different priorities on the spec sheet.

Externally, there’s plenty of crossover between the pair although the Mustang has the advantage of automatic rain-sensing wipers.

Neither model comes with a sunroof, but a truly open-air experience can be had with the Mustang Convertible.

Want a sports car but need space for the whole family? It’ll be a tight fit in the 2+2 seat Mustang, and an impossibility in the strictly two-seat Z.

Both cars have power-adjustable front seats with a heating function, while the Mustang adds seat cooling.

Leather upholstery is another shared feature, which helps to set these cars apart from more affordable sports cars such as the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ and Mazda MX-5.

The Mustang is a clear winner in the technology stakes.

You get a whopping 13.2-inch infotainment screen in the Ford, dwarfing the Z’s 8.0-inch unit. Ford’s SYNC software features satellite navigation, which is unavailable in the Z.

You’ll also need a cable for smartphone mirroring and charging in the Nissan, both of which can be done wirelessly in the Mustang.

Four extra speakers top off Ford’s tech offering, a selling point given the Z’s old-school roots.

Would you pay up for American muscle, or opt for the more nimble, boosted Z?

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MORE: Buy a Nissan Z
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