The Nissan Z sports coupe was all-new for a seventh generation in 2023, and last year the top-line Nismo was introduced.
We were lucky enough to get behind the wheel for a little seat time – on public roads only, unfortunately – to gather some impressions of the Z Nismo.
After spending about a week behind the wheel, our overall sense is the Z newest Nismo entry is that it is a worthy performance car entry. Bottom line, if you’re a fan of the current Z family, you’ll probably like the Nismo too.
But no car is perfect, and there are some caveats for our overall positive take.
Without wanting to get too wordy, we’ve condensed our impressions down to main takeaways we’ve organized into pros and cons. To make it fair, we’re including three of each. Before diving in, it’s important to note that these impressions are subjective. Your mileage, as they say, may vary.
Pros
More power, more trackable
For us, this is the biggest thing the Z Nismo has going for it. Nismo engineers have increased power output from the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 so that it produces 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft. of torque out of the box, which are gains of 20 and 34, respectively, over the regular Z.
Nissan also made changes to the 9-speed automatic transmission, giving the Z Nismo better clutch packs for faster shifting. Transmission downshifting has been cut in half versus the regular Z. Designed to improve its track capability, the Z Nismo has also been outfitted with a new sport plus drive mode, and some unique suspension tuning. The Z Nismo uses unique stabilizer bars, has a stiffer spring rate, and larger, retuned dampers. It also rides on grade-specific 19-inch forged Rays wheels wrapped in staggered Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 summer tires, which are also standard on the GT-R. Braking power is supplied by Nismo-Akebono four-piston front / two piston rear brakes.
Although we didn’t track our Z Nismo tester, the car feels faster, and more on rails than the regular Z, with much improved reflexes with respect to accelerating, steering, and braking.
Nismo style
This is subjective, but we really like the way the Z Nismo looks. The design changes are subtle but are more noticeable upon closer inspection. Not only does the Z Nismo have unique badging, but it features a “Grand Nose” which is a homage to its Fairlady 240ZG ancestor from the 1970s. It also has a unique honeycomb mesh grille, canards near the front wheels for better aero performance, along with grade-specific red and black accents. The paint finish shown here, Stealth Grey, is exclusive to the Z Nismo.
Reasonably priced
Whether a car’s price is “reasonable” or not is also subjective, but we think the base MSRP of $65,750 USD is fair, considering what the car’s performance, style and equipment upgrades. Many cars that make 400+ horsepower, such as German alternatives, cost thousands more.
Cons
Where’s the manual?
The biggest miss for us for the Z Nismo is that there is no manual transmission option. That’s right—this car is 9-speed automatic only. The rationale from Nissan is simple – cars with manuals, even sports cars, don’t sell. The regular Z can be had with a manual, but the Nismo cannot, which we think is a mistake given the target audience, and the car’s track-focused nature. But Nissan, so far, has not indicated a manual will be offered. We can only hope they change their minds.
Cramped interior
This is a bit of a minor nitpick, and it’s not just for the Z Nismo. The entire Z family has interior confines that are a bit tight. In fact, the Z has had a small interior going back several generations. Out six-foot frame managed to find a comfortable driving position in the car’s standard Recaro seats (another Z Nismo exclusive), but if you’re a few inches taller, and want to do some tracking with a race helmet, you might find the Z Nismo’s interior to be a bit too close for comfort.
Compromised outward visibility
Related to the last point, the Z Nismo is low-slung, with a low seating position and a sloping roofline that somewhat compromises outward visibility. Mirrors and seating position can be adjusted, of course, but the Z Nismo’s windows are smaller, and rearward visibility isn’t great. Bottom line, you’ll need to check your mirrors frequently.
2024 Nissan Z Nismo – Specifications
Type: two-door sports coupe, front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine: 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged, V6
Output: 420 horsepower, 384 lb-ft. torque
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel Economy (Premium 91+): 18 / 24 / 20 (mpg – city / highway / combined)
Cargo: 6.9 cubic feet
Base Price: $65,750
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