I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (2024)

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I recently spent a week driving a 2024 Nissan Z Performance around the streets of Atlanta and the winding roads of the Appalachian foothills. My Nissan Z Performance test car costs $55,110. The Z's history in the US dates back to 1970 when the S30 Fairlady Z went on sale as the Datsun 240Z. The Z's long hood and sloping rear in signature elements of the classic Z-Car look. The Z's angular front facia, and slightly recessed LED headlights also harken back to the 240Z. Out back, the sloping roofline merges into the decklid spoiler. My test car came with these dark gray RAYS 19-inch lightweight forged aluminum alloy wheels. One of the Z's standout features is a 6-speed manual transmission. Unlike past iterations, this Z has an electric power steering instead of the traditional hydraulic system. The Z is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The Nissan Z was an absolute blast to drive. Inside, the Z's cabin is cozy with room for two. Sitting atop the dash is a set of three analog gauges. In front of the driver is a Z-branded steering wheel and a large 12.3-inch digital instrument display. The Z is equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display. While the screen quality is excellent, the image quality of the backup camera was not. Tucked away under the infotainment screen are the climate control knobs. The ghastly blue leather and artificial suede seats were well-padded and supportive. Behind the passenger cabin is large but shallow cargo area. You access the cargo area by opening the large rear hatch. My Verdict: It's impossible not to like the Nissan Z. FAQs References

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Benjamin Zhang

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (1)

  • The Nissan Z is the latest in a long line of iconic sports cars that date back more than 50 years.
  • I enjoyed the 2024 Nissan Z's twin-turbocharged V6, 6-speed manual gearbox, and retro looks.
  • I was let down by the Z's unsatisfying engine sound and poor backup camera.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (2)

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I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (4)

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Every brand needs a halo product—a car that reminds customers and employees of their origins, values, and goals.

It embodies the soul of that company.

Ford has the Mustang, Mercedes the S-Class, and Porsche the 911.

For Nissan, with the GT-R supercar headed for retirement after a 17-year run, that job will be left to the Fairlady Z, known in America simply as the Z.

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The current Nissan Z launched in 2023 with more power and tech than the 370Z it succeeded.

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I recently spent a week driving a 2024 Nissan Z Performance around the streets of Atlanta and the winding roads of the Appalachian foothills.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (5)

I loved its potent 3.0 liter, twin-turbocharged V6 and the 6-speed manual transmission. I was also impressed by its level of tech content and overall fit and finish.

There wasn't much to complain about, but I did feel somewhat let down by the unsatisfying engine noise and one of the poorest-quality backup cameras I've ever encountered.

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My Nissan Z Performance test car costs $55,110.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (6)

The base Nissan Z Sport starts at $42,970, while the top-of-the-line and more powerful Z NISMO starts at $65,750.

My mid-grade Performance trim with a manual transmission starts at $52,210. Freight fees and optional extras pushed the as-tested price past $55,000.

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The Z's history in the US dates back to 1970 when the S30 Fairlady Z went on sale as the Datsun 240Z.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (7)

The iconic 240Z became the byword for stylish performance at an affordable price. Over the years, there have been a series of memorable Nissan Z-Cars, including the all-conquering Z32 300ZX Twin-Turbo, which hunted supercars for sport in the early 1990s, and the more recent 370Z NISMO Tech.

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The Z's long hood and sloping rear in signature elements of the classic Z-Car look.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (8)

Nissan's design team, led by Cuban-American designer chief Alfonso Albaisa, left no doubts as to this car's lineage. Take one look at its silhouette, and you know it's a Z.

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The Z's angular front facia, and slightly recessed LED headlights also harken back to the 240Z.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (9)

It's a look that debuted on the Z Proto concept car in the fall of 2020.

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Out back, the sloping roofline merges into the decklid spoiler.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (10)

Aesthetically, the Nissan Z is a perfect blend of modernity and retro Z-car cool.

The styling might be fresh, but the new Z is built on an updated version of Nissan's venerable FM platform, which also underpins the 370Z and Infiniti's Q50 sedan and Q60 Coupe.

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My test car came with these dark gray RAYS 19-inch lightweight forged aluminum alloy wheels.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (11)

Behind alloy wheels, Performance trim Nissan Z's get 14-inch, four-piston vented disc brakes up front and 2-piston discs out back.

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One of the Z's standout features is a 6-speed manual transmission.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (12)

The manual is carried over from the 370Z, but the 6-speed has been updated with beefier synchros to facilitate better shifts. And that's exactly what I found. The shifts were crisp and quick.

The manual comes standard on the Sport and Performance trims with the automatic also available as a no-cost option.

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Unlike past iterations, this Z has an electric power steering instead of the traditional hydraulic system.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (13)

The transition to electronic power steering, which usually dulls steering feel and feedback from the wheels, has not diminished the Z's handling prowess. I found the steering to be smoother than the last 370Z I drove.

The shift also allows Nissan to incorporate semi-autonomous driving and driver assistance features.

The Nissan Z has intelligent cruise control, automatic emergency braking, predictive forward collision warning, blind spot warning, land departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

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The Z is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (14)

All variants of the Nissan Z are powered by a 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged VR30DDTT V6 engine, which sends power to the rear wheels through either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The VR30 produces a stout 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque in the Sport and Performance trims. The NISMO edition gets an extra 20 horsepower and 34 lb-ft of torque.

The VR30 is also a descendant of the handbuilt VR38DETT motors found under the hood of the GT-R supercar.

Fuel economy is probably not top of mind for most sports car buyers but for those interested, Nissan Zs (in Sport and Performance trims) with the 6-speed boast fuel economy figures at 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Choose the automatic (please don't), and the fuel economy figures improve to 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg in combined driving.

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The Nissan Z was an absolute blast to drive.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (15)

Nissan really delivered on the driving front.

On a winding road, the Bridgestone Potenza-shod car handled the corners with the surefooted confidence expected of a world-class sports car.

Even though its heavier than its predecessors, the 350Z and 370Z, it felt far lighter on its feet and more balanced.

The Zs I've driven in the past felt more like powerful Japanese muscle cars than true sports cars. They were monsters in a straight line but felt heavy and unsure of themselves in the corners.

They also delivered a surprisingly comfortable ride, easily soaking up rough roads and small potholes, which is uncommon for a car with low-profile tires and a sport-tuned suspension.

Even though it's now more fleet of foot through the corners, it hasn't lost any straight-line performance.

The Z's VR30 engine pulls like an angry draft horse off the line, without any hint of turbo lag, quickly getting 3,500 vehicles to highway speeds.

The twin-turbo V6 boasts a torque curve that reaches its peak 350 lbs-ft at just 1,600 revs and remains on tap all the way up to 5,600 rpms. Paired with a launch control system that allows you to change gears without lifting off the throttle, gunning the throttle on the Z results in smooth, uninterrupted power and acceleration.

According to Motor Trend, the Nissan Z Performance with the manual transmission can go from 0 to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Unfortunately for us sports car purists, that time will likely be a bit faster with the automatic.

My only real gripe with the driving experience was the unsatisfying engine sound, which lacked the high-pitched crescendo of a high-revving four-cylinder or the low-down rumble of a V8. It just sounded like a dull and listless drone.

Inside, the Z's cabin is cozy with room for two.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (16)

As a sports car, the front dash and center console are angled to facilitate easier use for the person in the driver's seat. The interior fit and finish were solid, although I didn't care for the bright blue seats and trim pieces.

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Sitting atop the dash is a set of three analog gauges.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (17)

The gauges, which are a throwback to the original 240Z, show voltage, turbo pressure, and turbo rpms.

In front of the driver is a Z-branded steering wheel and a large 12.3-inch digital instrument display.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (18)

The display is customizable with three different layouts that cater to various driving situations from everyday use or performance driving.

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The Z is equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (19)

It runs Nissan's corporate infotainment interface which was fairly intuitive to use. It's also equipped with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

While the screen quality is excellent, the image quality of the backup camera was not.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (20)

The images from the backup camera were blurry and washed out. It's one of the worst cameras I've encountered.

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Tucked away under the infotainment screen are the climate control knobs.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (21)

The dials themselves are easy to use, but their location lower down in the center console, however, made adjusting the temperature while driving more of a chore than necessary.

The ghastly blue leather and artificial suede seats were well-padded and supportive.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (22)

Power seat controls for the Z are located in an odd spot between the seat and the center console. It's a carryover from the 370Z.

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Behind the passenger cabin is large but shallow cargo area.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (23)

There is space under the cargo area for a spare tire, but that area has been taken up by the subwoofer for the Z's 8-speaker Bose stereo.

You access the cargo area by opening the large rear hatch.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (24)

The button to open the hatch is inside the low part of the Nissan logo.

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My Verdict: It's impossible not to like the Nissan Z.

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (25)

With the new Z, Nissan has given us a modern take on the sports car that helped cement the company's place in America more than five decades earlier.

And boy, what a sports car they've given us.

It looks great, is agile and confident in the corners, has one of the finest V6 engines money can buy, and, most importantly, has a smooth-shifting manual transmission.

The Nissan Z is one of the last of a dying breed.

In an age of 1,000 horsepower EVs and semi-autonomous driving, the market for gas-powered, manual-transmission sports cars is growing ever smaller.

If you have the chance, buy it while it's still here. Or you may regret it later.

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I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car (2024)

FAQs

I drove the new $55,000 Nissan Z, and it lives up to its reputation as an iconic sports car? ›

The Nissan Z is the latest in a long line of iconic sports cars that date back more than 50 years. I enjoyed the 2024 Nissan Z's twin-turbocharged V6, 6-speed manual gearbox, and retro looks.

What does driving a Nissan say about you? ›

Nissan. As a Nissan driver, you're well-educated while being thoughtful and compassionate to those around you. However, you do have a bit of a reputation for being dizzy or forgetful, and you can be blunt without realising sometimes. You're a curious individual aren't you?

What is the Nissan Z known for? ›

Known for their looks, reliability, performance and affordability, every Z car has been sold in Japan as the Fairlady Z and elsewhere under the names Nissan Fairlady Z (S30), Nissan Fairlady Z (S130), Nissan 300ZX, Nissan 350Z, Nissan 370Z and Nissan Z.

How many miles can a Nissan Z last? ›

They're basically reliable, which means some will have skipped on servicing so a history file is a bonus. Engines will do 300,000 miles without trouble given regular oil changes, but beware high oil thirst – especially on 296bhp unit.

Are Nissan Z cars reliable? ›

We expect the 2024 Z to have about average reliability when compared to other new cars. This prediction is based on similar models, plus the Nissan brand scores.

Why do people drive Nissan? ›

Reliability. A significant advantage of owning a Nissan vehicle is its reliability.

What's so special about Nissan? ›

Safety and Reliability

Nissan's reputation for reliability is well-earned, with numerous models frequently scoring high in dependability studies. This reliability, coupled with competitive pricing and generally low maintenance costs, make a Nissan a smart choice for budget-conscious consumers.

How fast can a Nissan Z go? ›

With a blistering top speed of 155 mph, this sports car lets you experience the thrill of high-speed driving. Additionally, the 2023 Nissan Z Coupe can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, showcasing its exceptional agility and quickness. But speed isn't the only thing this car has going for it.

Can a Nissan last 300k miles? ›

Alternatively, a very well maintained Nissan Maxima could run up to 300,000 miles and further before needing any major work. Simple and routine steps like oil changes and overall care for the car will be a key factor for determining its lifespan.

Is the new Nissan Z fast? ›

The automatic Z cleared the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 115 mph, with the manual car recording a 13.0-second run at 111 mph.

Is the Nissan Z selling well? ›

The 350Z sold around 200k units – not too shabby. But the successor 370Z fared much worse, selling less than half despite being on sale for about three years longer.

Is a Nissan Z considered a sports car? ›

The history of Nissan sports cars

Some of Nissan's sports cars include: the original Nissan Skyline, the modern GT-R, the historical Fairlady Z, the Nissan 350Z, and the newly unveiled Nissan Z.

What does the Nissan Z compete with? ›

The 2024 Toyota Supra balances agility and power with a choice of turbo engines. The 2023 BMW 2-Series Coupe entices entry-level buyers with a pure take on the brand, while the four-door Gran Coupe introduces practical luxury.

Does the car you drive reflect your personality? ›

In fact, studies have shown that the type of car you prefer to drive is directly influenced by your personality traits. It's like the saying goes, your car is an extension of yourself. Practical people prefer a car that ticks all the boxes, from good looks, great mileage, and neutral colours to a powerful engine.

Why do people choose Nissan? ›

Nissans are built to last, and even a used model can provide you with many years of trouble-free driving. Affordability: Buying a used Nissan is a great way to save money. You can find a used Nissan that fits your budget and still enjoy all the features and comforts you desire.

Does Nissan have a good reputation? ›

Nissans are generally considered reliable vehicles, except for a few model years. While Toyota and Honda are known for higher reliability ratings, the style and character Nissan brings to the table often help it outrank the more dependable brands.

What type of car you drive says about you? ›

Small car drivers are often members of single-car or single-adult households. Mid-Sized Cars: More likely to be female than male. They often live in large households and have higher-than-average incomes. Luxury Cars: People who drive luxury cars tend to be college educated and have high-income careers.

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