With the return of the Nissan Z a few years ago, the company gave buyers a sporty alternative to muscle cars and higher dollar coupes from Germany.
For this year, Nissan dialed up a new version of the two-door sports car.
Think of the Z NISMO as the enthusiast Z that’s happier exploring the limits on a racetrack. With 420hp, a bump from other Z models, the twin-turbo V6 easily motivates this sports car with ease and it sounds better than the Z I drove two years ago. It handles better as well, especially in fast corners with a more connected feel than before. That improved suspension pays dividends on the back roads with the ability to hit the bumps without upsetting the car. Bigger front brakes allow for improved stopping ability. Even when you’re pushing it, the brakes feel firm and fade-free.
On the highway, the Z NISMO was a surprise with a nice ride. It might be slightly firmer than the regular Z, but it was never harsh. It gets near 30mpg when cruising. The Z NISMO only comes with 9-speed automatic, which is very good. However, a manual option would be nice.
A sports car should standout on the road and in the parking lot. Luckily, the Z NISMO has the looks part down. With an exclusive front and rear fascia, it’s much more aggressive than other Nissan Z models. A new grill and lower body cladding give this Nissan a lower stance and the lightweight 19-inch wheels show off the 15-inch brake rotors. The new Z also has many styling cues of past models. The rear taillights have a throwback look that will be very familiar to popular Z models of the past. Styling behind the doors and the small rear windows have a look of the original 240Z.
Inside, the new Z NISMO gives off serious driver’s car vibes. It starts with the NISMO exclusive Recaro seats that keep you snuggly in place in the corners. However, larger-framed people might find them a little too snug. The driving position is very good with decent vision out of the back. There are some small blind spots out of the sides so double check during tighter maneuvering. I really like the look and feel of the Alcantara steering wheel. Another cool nod to that past is the gauge pod and three gauges on top of the dash. For a low-slung sports car, you can get in and out easily thanks to doors that open wide for a graceful exit. The hatchback design allows for a decent amount of cargo space.
Cost: $64,990; as tested $66,985
MPG: 19 MPG City; 24 MPG Highway. I managed 27.9 in 257 miles of mixed driving.
Options: $400 floor mats, trunk mat; $500 illuminated kicks plates; $1,095 destination and handling.
Safety: electronic brake force distribution; intelligent cruise control; automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection; intelligent forward collision warning; blind spot warning; rear cross traffic alert; lane departure warning; hill start assist; intelligent driver alertness; high beam assist
Things to know: The new Z NISMO is a stylish sports car that’s now finely tuned to handle and go better than before.
Pros:
- Redesigned NISMO exterior adds some flash to the already sporty Nissan Z
- Improved handling allows this car to be more enjoyable at higher speeds
- 420hp will move this car quickly without penalty at the gas pump
Cons:
- Not available with the manual transmission in NISMO models
- Small car means taller drivers might find it tight
- Big price jump when compared to other Z models
