2024 Nissan Z Nismo test drive review

When we drove the new Nissan Z last year, we loved it. With its enormous power, great sounds, manual transmission and retro-inspired styling, the Z was an exciting update to a legend. We even had the good fortune to interview chief product specialist, Hiroshi Tamura about it personally. “It’s a dance partner,” he said. “Emotion, inspiration … this is what we want. The Nissan DNA is about giving you a thrill. Not just about cornering or acceleration, but stirring the heart.”

Fast forward a year and a half later to when Nissan sent us its new track-focused version — the Z Nismo. Eschewing casual dancing for a more visceral, flogging approach to the Z recipe, the Nismo version is a different animal entirely — one that is hard to contain. 

If you’re looking for a JDM track weapon, the Nismo Z deserves a look — if you have $68,280 to spend on such a thing. Shop all 2023 and newer Nissan Z models on KSL Cars

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Price and value

The MSRP range for the 2024 Nissan Z is $42,210-$64,990. It is available in three trim levels, with a suite of standard features that includes a twin-turbocharged V6 motor and LED headlights. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below. 

• Sport: $42,210 See listings

18-inch aluminum alloy wheels

12.3-inch digital dashboard with fully digital gauges

Apple CarPlay integration

• Performance: $52,210 See listings

Available manual transmission

19-inch Rays forged alloy wheels

Akebono 4-piston front calipers with 14-inch rotors

• Nismo: $64,990 See listings

Nismo-tuned suspension and aerodynamic body

19-inch Nismo Rays forged-alloy wheels

Nismo Recaro seats

The Nismo Z is pricey, even more so than many of its closest competitors. Coupled with its track-focused attitude, it might be a bit of a tough sell to someone not looking for track performance.

Nissan offers three years or 36,000 miles of limited coverage and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. No complimentary maintenance is offered. Shop all 2023 and newer Nissan Z models on KSL Cars

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Performance

The Nismo division took what was a playful and pretty approachable Z and turned it into a visceral, serious performer. The thrust, handling and grip is all pretty mind-blowing, but at a cost to daily drivability. Casual drivers need not apply.

Engine

Nismo bumped the Z’s power to 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. That’s a lot of power for such a small, rear-wheel drive car. It sounds great, too. In Sport+ mode, this thing absolutely howls. Nismo has also added a bunch of fancy upgrades, like improved cooling, a revised electronic wastegate and GT-R-derived spark timing. It might be old, but we still love the Nissan VQ engine, and Nismo has tuned it to endure many a lap at the track.

Fuel efficiency

The 2024 Z Nismo gets an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In our week of testing, we achieved just over 16 mpg. Blame it on our heavy foot and mostly city driving.

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Drivetrain

Those looking for a 6-speed manual transmission will need to look at the Z Performance model. Nismo has made Nissan’s re-tuned 9-speed automatic transmission the only option, citing its faster track time performance as the reason. To make the transmission more track-ready, Nismo revised the clutch packs and engine management software, including a new Sport+ mode. 

Nissan said this mode offers “a more dynamic, racetrack-tuned shift program for circuit driving, taking advantage of the powertrain's faster downshift capability.” We found Sport+ mode to be very responsive, shifting hard and hanging on to gears longer. The Z Nismo may not have a manual, but performance enthusiasts should find the revised 9-speed automatic satisfying.

Keeping with tradition, the Z Nismo is only available with rear-wheel drive. Thank goodness for the track-ready Dunlop tires that keep all that power sticking to the ground. Shop the 2023 Nismo

Acceleration and handling

The Z Nismo, like the Z Performance model we tested, is a rocket. Car and Driver estimates a 0-60 mph time of just 4.1 seconds, but it feels faster than that. And while the acceleration is exhilarating, its handling prowess and tuning are really where the Z Nismo shines. Everything about the Nismo is sharper, harder and more aggressive. You can feel it going even just a few hundred feet down the road.

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Nissan said every element of the Z Nismo’s suspension was revised to amp up the “precision, predictability and cornering grip.” There are unique stabilizer bars, stiffer suspension bushings, a stiffer spring rate and extra underfloor bracing. As you’d expect, there are aerodynamic upgrades, as well. All of this means a car that is much more suited to hardcore driving than to casually commuting to the office.

Braking

Nismo also stepped up the Z’s braking game. Large, 15-inch rotors are up front and 13.8-inch rotors are in the rear. Coupled with more aggressive Akebono brake pads, the Z Nismo has no fear of stopping the car in a hurry. And while the pedal modulation feels aggressive, it’s not overly sensitive or annoying.

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Interior comfort and convenience

The Z’s interior was tight before, but throw in the Nismo’s Recaro seats and it’s downright constricting. There are a lot of red accents throughout the interior, indicating you got the cool version of the car. Aside from the ultra-supportive seats and red accents, the interior is largely the same as the Z we tested a year ago.

Seats

The Nismo’s Recaro seats look incredible, with red leather inserts, black ultra suede and shoulder harness cutouts. They are, however, tight, constricting and a bit uncomfortable for daily driving. Getting in and out of them is the stuff memes are made of. The passenger seat is slightly less bolstered than the driver’s, which should make your girlfriend slightly more willing to ride with you. Find the newest Nissan Z models on KSL Cars

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Climate control

The Z heated up nicely on cool days and kept us comfortable in varying temperatures. The cabin is a noisy place thanks to the tires, engine, exhaust and road noise, so we can’t really tell you whether the HVAC was loud or not.

Cargo space and cabin storage

You wanted cargo space and cabin storage with your Z? Fuhgidaboutit. There’s a small center console and small door pockets, and a small cubby in front of the gear selector. The rear hatch is enough for just a few bags of groceries. Otherwise, you’re out of luck. Shop Nissan Z models on KSL Cars

Infotainment system

Nissan includes a 9-inch touchscreen with the Nismo. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. The system works well and its integration into the dash looks clean and attractive. The Bose system sounds fine, but we guess most won’t be listening to their tunes when they can listen to the exhaust instead.

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Exterior appearance and functionality

For those who were on the fence about the regular Z’s styling, you’ll probably love the Nismo changes. Some of these include an exclusive front fascia, rear fascia, front grille, side sills, rear spoiler, emblems, wheels, red accents and more. Our tester was finished in two-tone Everest White Tricoat and Super Black paint. Other color options include Two-tone Brilliant Silver Metallic and Super Black, Two-tone Stealth Gray and Super Black, Two-tone Passion Red, and Super Black and Black Diamond Pearl. Find Nissan Z models on KSL Car

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Wheels

The 19-inch Rays gloss black wheels are one of our favorite highlights of the Z Nismo. They are one-half inch wider than the wheels on the Z Performance trim, and it shows. These things are girthy and exude performance. The multispoke design also allows a clear view of the enormous brakes, which we think look pretty cool.

Another highlight is the superhero sticky tires. Nissan chose Dunlop SP Sport MAXX GT600 tires for the Nismo, which are a variation of the tires found on the GT-R. There are 285 wide tires in the rear and 275 wide tires in the front. They deliver excellent traction and road feel, but be warned: They are loud and not for use below 40 degrees.

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Lights and turn signals

The LED headlights and taillights on the Z are also excellent, and very cool looking. Gaining style inspiration from several past generations of the Z, they do a great job of forging a modern path forward while honoring the past. They also provide excellent illumination and look especially attractive at night.

Cameras and side mirrors

As we noted in our review of the Z Performance, the rearview camera is fine but surprisingly grainy. The side mirrors are attractive and provide a good view down the sides of the car.

Front and rear windshield

Overall, the visibility is not bad in the Z, notwithstanding the enormous rear pillars. The view out the front and rear is good, but you’ll be especially grateful for the blind spot monitoring system.

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Safety

The Z has still not been officially crash-tested as of this writing, but it does come with Nissan’s excellent suite of standard safety features. Some of these include: 

• Adaptive cruise control

• Blind spot monitoring

• Forward automatic emergency braking

• Forward collision warning

• Pedestrian detection

Awards and ratings

Since its 2022 debut, the Z has racked up awards. Some of these include:

• 2023 SEMA Sport Compact of the Year

• Best Sport Coupe by MotorWeek Driver’s Choice Awards

• Car Of The Year by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

Final Impression

The Nismo division has confidently delivered what it promised: a track-focused, high-performance, serious sports car. The Z Nismo enjoys a host of upgrades to pretty much everything in the car, including the chassis, suspension, engine, transmission and seats. It is, by all standards, a better-performing car. However, it isn’t without compromises. It’s stiff, harsh and aggressive — maybe too much for daily driving.

The Recaro seats, while very supportive and cool looking, are tough to get in and out of and can be a bit much for daily driving. Of all the downsides though, the one that looms largest is the price. At nearly $70,000, it’s a bit of a tough sell. But, for those wanting a JDM power and engineering, the Z Nismo is a compelling choice, especially if you’re regularly going to the track. Otherwise, save your $15,000 and stick with the Z Performance, which we love. 

Highs: 

• Nismo-exclusive exterior styling updates

• Increased power

• Extra large brakes, wheels and tires

• Exhilarating engine and exhaust sound

• Sport+ mode is exceptionally sharp

• A true out-of-the-box track weapon

Lows: 

• Stiff ride, aggressive demeanor

• Constricting seats for daily driving

• Lack of manual transmission

• Heavier than the standard Z

Shop new Nissan Z models on KSL Cars

Photo by Nissan USA Newsroom

FAQs

Is the Z Nismo fun to drive?

Yes and no. The power, the sound and the drama are all very exciting. But the suspension, seats and overall serious nature of it make it tough to play with on normal roads and within speed limits. Think of the Nismo version as less “dance partner” and more focused track tool.

Is it worth it over the Z Performance?

Unless you’re a regular at the Utah Motorsports Campus, probably not; just get the Z Performance model with the 6-speed transmission. You’ll have a lot of fun daily driving it, you’ll be more comfortable and you’ll save a huge chunk of change that could go toward tire replacements.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com.