The Nissan Z Is Stuck in the Past—and That’s Exactly the Point

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Nissan

MSRP

HIGHS

Nostalgia-rich design, NISMO now has a manual option, lots of speed for the price.

LOWS

Snug cabin, soft suspension is a letdown in the corners, NISMO is too wound up to daily drive.

VERDICT

As has been the case since 1969, the Nissan Z is an affordable, thrilling, and stylish sports coupe—although there are more dynamically capable options on the market.

By Austin Parsons

Overview

Timeless styling, playful driving dynamics, and an affordable entry price were all key pillars of the original Datsun 240Z's identity when it debuted in the late 1960s, and now, nearly six decades later, you can still buy a Nissan Z with those same characteristics. Take one look at the new Z and its lineage is immediately clear, but underneath its nostalgic sheet metal lies thoroughly modern equipment.

Serious firepower is only a stomp away, courtesy of a twin-turbo V-6 that makes 400 horsepower in standard models and 420 horses in the track-ready NISMO variant. Row-your-own gearbox hardliners can rejoice, as every Z model can now be had with a six-speed manual transmission; a nine-speed automatic is also available. With the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 now out of the picture, the Nissan Z is one of the last modern holdouts in the (relatively) affordable, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe segment.

Expert Tip: While it lacks the retro visual appeal of the Z, the BMW M240i is a sports coupe that provides a bit more practicality courtesy of four seats and a reasonably spacious trunk.

What's New for 2027?

After only four years on the market, Nissan has decided to give the Z a makeover for the 2027 model year. The biggest change can be seen front and center, where the previously boxy front grill has been split into two narrower sections by a slim piece of bodywork. A new Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic color has been added to the Z's exterior hue selection, and 2027 models will ride on redesigned wheels. Apart from the cosmetic tweaks, the track-ready NISMO trim will finally get a manual transmission option after being offered with only a nine-speed automatic since its debut. This year, the NISMO also adopts the front brakes from the discontinued GT-R supercar.

C/D Expert Tip:

If this year's model is largely unchanged and you're comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it'll cost less than buying new.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Engines: 400-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 (standard), 420-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 (optional).
Transmissions: 6-speed manual (standard), 9-speed automatic (optional)
Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive

A twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 serves as the Nissan Z's fiery heart. In Sport and Performance trims, the engine produces 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Those figures jump to 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque in the performance-first Z NISMO, which also adds a limited-slip differential, bigger wheels, larger brakes, stiffer suspension, and fancier bodywork to the equation. All Zs are now available with either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Approaching its handling limit, the standard-issue Z feels coordinated and capable through bends. Push it a bit too far, though, and its suspension tuning begins to show that it isn't quite up to the task of full-tilt cornering. During a recent test drive at Sonoma Raceway, the NISMO Z proved its mettle as a seriously capable lap-time slasher. Compared to the Z Performance model, the NISMO afforded much more grip with its Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 tires and wider wheels. We also enjoyed the feel of its short-shift manual transmission and appreciated the oodles of torque afforded by the high-output V-6

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0–60-MPH Times

C/D 60-mph Test: 4.5 seconds (Z Performance), 3.9 seconds (Z NISMO)

In Comparison: There is no shortage of speed here, as its zippy turbo six provides the rear-wheel drive Z with plenty of motivation. Even so, in NISMO form, it nonetheless lacks the outright acceleration of rivals like the Toyota GR Supra and some members of the Porsche 718 Cayman lineup.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

C/D Highway Fuel Economy Test: 27 mpg (NISMO), 29 mpg (Performance)
EPA City Ratings: 17-19 mpg
EPA Highway Ratings: 24-28 mpg

The EPA fuel economy ratings for the Nissan Z are as high as 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, a Z NISMO delivered 27 mpg while a Performance trim managed 29 mpg. For more information about the Z's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: The Z is a dedicated two-seat coupe—no vestigial rear seats here. Its cabin is furnished with premium materials and updated features, including Alcantara upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Taller drivers might have a hard time squeezing into the cockpit, as the cabin is a bit tight. Gauges for boost pressure, turbo speed, and battery charge sit atop the dashboard and provide a retro analog touch to the cabin.

Cargo Capacity: The Z's cargo space is about what you would expect from a performance-oriented two-door coupe; we were able to fit three carry-on suitcases in the trunk, which should be plenty for most sports-car buyers.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Infotainment: 8.0-inch touchscreen (standard), 9.0-inch touchscreen (optional)
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Audio System: 6-speaker stereo (standard), 8-speaker Bose stereo (optional)

An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard on the Sport trim, and it features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which require a wired connection. A 12.3-inch digital gauge display and SiriusXM satellite radio are also included.

A larger 9.0-inch touchscreen with navigation comes on Performance and NISMO trims, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work wirelessly with that screen; an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot is also included with this setup. A six-speaker stereo is standard, but audiophiles can upgrade to an optional premium audio arrangement engineered by Bose.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Nissan offers the Z with several standard driver-assistance features, including automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring.

Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control

For information about the Z's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Nissan's basic warranty package is typical, but the Z benefits from the recently implemented Nissan Maintenance Care program that includes up to three complimentary oil changes within the first two years or 24,000 miles of ownership.

Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
Complimentary Maintenance: two years or 24,000 miles

C/D Test Results and Specs

Each year, we put hundreds of vehicles through our rigorous instrumented testing regimen. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that's because this vehicle hasn't changed from when we last tested it, and the test results remain accurate.

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Specifications

Specifications

2024 Nissan Z NISMO
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door hatchback

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $66,890/$69,095
Options: Brilliant Silver Metallic and Super Black two-tone paint, $1295; floor mat package (NISMO floor mats, trunk mat, first aid kit, cargo net, owner's manual branded portfolio) $410; illuminated black metallic kick plate, $500

ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2997 cm3
Power: 420 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 384 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600
F: 255/40R-19 100Y Extra Load
R: 285/35R-19 103Y Extra Load

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 100.4 in
Length: 173.2 in
Width: 73.6 in
Height: 51.8 in
Curb Weight: 3673 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.9 sec
100 mph: 9.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.4 sec @ 114 mph
130 mph: 17.0 sec
150 mph: 26.6 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.4 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 165 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 153 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 305 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.02 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 18 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 27 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 440 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 19/17/24 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs

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