October 12, 2026
Toyota Supra vs Nissan Z: Which Costs More to Actually Own?
This is the rivalry that was supposed to settle everything: Toyota's turbo straight-six coupe against Nissan's twin-turbo V6 coupe. The GR Supra 3.0 stickers at $57,250 with 382 horsepower. The Nissan Z Performance stickers at $52,970 with 400 horsepower. The Nissan is cheaper and more powerful. On paper, this should be a blowout. Our 5-year ownership model says otherwise.
The numbers
| Toyota GR Supra 3.0 | Nissan Z Performance | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $57,250 | $52,970 |
| Horsepower | 382 | 400 |
| Fuel economy | 26 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Monthly payment | $1,118 | $1,034 |
| Insurance range | $1,870-$3,430/yr | $1,343-$2,916/yr |
| Maintenance | $400/yr | $1,409/yr |
| Monthly true cost | $1,579 | $1,586 |
| 5-year true cost (new) | $94,766 | $95,163 |
| Cost per mile | $1.58 | $1.59 |
| 5-year true cost (used) | $80,918 | $83,371 |
The Supra costs $397 less over five years. That is $7 a month. This is the closest comparison we have ever published. The Z wins on sticker price, horsepower, monthly payment, and insurance. The Supra claws every bit of it back on fuel economy and maintenance, and then finds $397 more. The window sticker said blowout. The spreadsheet says coin flip.
Where the gap comes from
Two line items erase the Z's price advantage. First, fuel: the Supra gets 26 mpg combined to the Z's 21, and over five years that adds up to real money at premium prices. Second, maintenance: the Supra runs about $400 a year, basically Camry territory with a turbo, while the Z runs $1,409. The Z's lower sticker and cheaper insurance keep it in the fight, but they cannot quite close it.
The used market stays close too
Buying used, the Supra still wins: $80,918 versus $83,371 over five years, a gap of $2,453. The Z depreciates harder in percentage terms, which helps used buyers a little, but the Supra's running-cost edge survives the trip to the used lot.
The bottom line
There is no wrong answer on cost here. Seven dollars a month is not a decision, it is a rounding error. Pick the one you like driving, the one whose seats fit you, the one you keep staring at in parking lots. But run your state through the calculator before you sign, because insurance is the one line item that could actually move this needle.
Compare them head to head Supra full breakdown
More from the blog
- Toyota GR Supra Cheap Horsepower: Stage-by-Stage Build Guide
- GR Corolla vs Civic Type R: The Real Cost of the Rivalry
- What a Performance Car Really Costs, Explained Like a Friend
Figures are estimates based on national averages and our standard assumptions (10% down, 60-month loan at 7.25% APR, 12,000 miles/year). Data last updated October 2026.