Overview
The Nissan Z is a soulful sports coupe with an incredible history of serving up affordable and fun-to-drive two-doors since 1969. Using bits and pieces of nostalgia, like the quarter-panel insignia from the 240Z and a pair of dramatic LED taillights that mimic the style of the 300ZX of the 1990s, the new Z puts power and driving entertainment at the forefront. Although it borrows its 400-hp twin-turbo V-6 engine from the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport, the Z can be had with either a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission. That is, unless you want the NISMO Z treatment, which grants 420 horsepower and other performance upgrades but comes exclusively with a nine-speed automatic. While the new Z retains many of its joints and bones from the previous-generation 370Z, its interior is a richer experience with better seats, a wider infotainment screen, and a telescoping steering wheel. It may not be as exciting to hammer as the Toyota Supra, but the Z still offers driving thrills, and we’re thankful to have it back in the sports-car segment.
What’s New for 2024?
The Z returned last year after much anticipation. For 2023, the iconic rear-wheel drive coupe is expected to turn up the heat with a performance-minded NISMO model. The Z NISMO gets additional horsepower (420 horsepower, up from the standard output of 400) and 384 pound-feet of torque (up from 350 pound-feet of torque on standard models), a limited-slip differential, bigger wheels, larger brakes, stiffer suspension, and fancier bodywork.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’d go with the mid-range Z Performance trim, which adds a sportier suspension tune, a limited-slip differential, upgraded brakes, 19-inch wheels with summer tires, and power-adjustable seats with faux-suede upholstery.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Like its beastly brother, the Nissan GT-R, the Z is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6. But instead of the fire-breathing 565-hp 3.8-liter that’s under the hood of the GT-R, the Z gets a 400-hp 3.0-liter mill from the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, with 350 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired to either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic transmission. The turbo six gives the rear-wheel-drive Z a lot of zip, but our manual-transmission test car hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, well behind the Supra. With the nine-speed automatic, we were able to get the Z to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Cornering grip is plentiful so long as you’re not driving too close to the Z’s limit. Push it hard, though, and the suspension’s tuning reveals itself to be not quite up to the task. Its compliance provides good comfort when commuting, but rival sports cars offer sharper reflexes. We haven’t tested one yet, but the Z NISMO promises to up the ante with 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The increase in output is also joined by larger brake discs, stiffer suspension, and increased chassis rigidity. For the NISMO, Nissan ditches the Bridgestone Potenza S007 summer rubber for Dunlop Sport MAXX GT600 tires.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, the most efficient Z is the one with the automatic transmission. It’s rated for 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Going with the manual drops those numbers to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. When we have a chance, we’ll test the Z on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route and update this story with the results. For more information about the Z’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Although this generation looks much different from the last one, it’s not entirely different. For example, Nissan hasn’t changed the layout of the Z’s cabin. It remains a two-seat coupe with no vestigial rear seats à la Porsche 911. What has changed, though, is everything else. The new Z receives a modernized cabin with updated materials—a welcome improvement over the previous 370Z’s dated interior. Leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control are all available. Cargo space remains a mystery, but we aren’t expecting the Z to be a Costco-run champion; we fit three carry-on suitcases in the trunk of the old 370Z, which should be plenty for most sports-car buyers.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Nissan has brought the Z into the twenty-first century with a standard 8.0-inch infotainment display (a 9.0-inch unit with navigation is optional), a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A six-speaker stereo is standard but audiophiles can upgrade to an optional premium audio arrangement engineered by Bose; an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot is also available.
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. For more information about the Z’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Nissan’s basic warranty package is just that: Basic. Rival such as the Supra and the BMW Z4 both augment their standard warranties with lengthy complimentary maintenance plans.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Nissan Z Performance
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $51,015/$53,610
Options: Passion Red premium two-tone paint, $1695; Illuminated kick plates, $500; floor mats, $400
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2997 cm3
Power: 400 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 350 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.0-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone S007 B-Silent
F: 255/40R-19 96W
R: 275/35R-19 96W
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 100.4 in
Length: 172.4 in
Width: 72.6 in
Height: 51.8 in
Passenger Volume: 52 ft3
Trunk Volume: 7 ft3
Curb Weight: 3507 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.5 sec
100 mph: 10.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.0 @ 111 mph
130 mph: 19.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 8.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 166 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 331 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.93 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 17 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/18/24 mpg
2023 Nissan Z Performance
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $52,085/$54,335
Options: Boulder Gray/Super Black two-tone paint, $895; black illuminated kick plate, $500; interior accent lighting, $445; floor-mat package (premium floor mats, trunk mat, first-aid kit, cargo net, owner’s manual branded portfolio), $410
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2997 cm3
Power: 400 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 350 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.0-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S007 B-Silent ES7AJZ
F: 255/40R-19 96W
R: 275/35R-19 96W
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 100.4 in
Length: 172.4 in
Width: 72.6 in
Height: 51.8 in
Passenger Volume: 52 ft3
Trunk Volume: 7 ft3
Curb Weight: 3592 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.3 sec
100 mph: 9.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.7 sec @ 115 mph
130 mph: 16.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 164 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 322 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.93 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 22/19/28 mpg
