For the 2023 model year, Nissan answered the call of its enthusiast customers when it introduced the latest generation of the iconic Z car. The new model carried styling cues from 50 years of building this popular sports car, and performance exceeded all previous generations. For the 2024 model year, Nissan turns up the heat on the Nissan Z by introducing the all-new and much anticipated Nismo Z.
While the rest of the Nissan Z lineup carries over to the 2024 model year primarily unchanged, the new Nismo Z is a big step from the standard car. The Nismo Z stands out with:
Nissan offers the 2024 Z in three trim levels: Sport, Performance, and the new Nismo. The Sport starts at around $42,000, Performance is about $52,000, and the new Nismo Z comes in at about $65,000. Prices do not include the $1,095 destination charge.
The Sport and Performance come standard with a 400-hp V6 with a 6-speed manual gearbox (a 9-speed automatic transmission is available at no charge). The Nismo Z has the same engine but higher horsepower, and the 9-speed automatic is standard.
Previously, JD Power reviewed the 2023 Nissan Z. This review focuses on the Z's updates for 2024, the Nismo performance upgrades, and how they potentially impact its overall consumer appeal.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Nissan Z competes in the Midsize Sporty Car market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 77 percent of new Midsize Sporty Car buyers are male (vs. 61 percent for the industry), and the median age of a new Midsize Sporty Car buyer is 55 years (vs. 56).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated Midsize Sporty Cars in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about their vehicles to their least favorite:
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Nissan Z Nismo equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $68,680, including the $1,095 destination charge.
Nissan did an excellent job of incorporating design elements of previous Z models into this latest generation of the legendary sports car. The stylish LED headlights feature unique half-circles inspired by the Japan-market 240ZG from the 1970s, while the taillights look very much like the 1990s 300ZX. The 2024 Nismo Z keeps these identifiable cues but adds design features that are both stylish and functional.
Up front, the nose of the Z extends further over the wider, reshaped grille that features a thin honeycomb mesh that Nissan says reduces drag while improving airflow to the engine. According to the automaker, not only does this give the Nismo a wider stance, but it also improves overall aerodynamics. Additionally, canards placed ahead of the front wheels create negative pressure in the wheel wells, creating downforce at the wheels.
At the rear, a new 3-piece spoiler stretches around the corners, increasing downforce while reducing drag. According to Nissan, the spoiler adds downforce at speeds as low as 50 mph. This new treatment also gives the Z a more rounded style at the rear, further differentiating it from the rest of the lineup. Nissan also updated the rear fascia to help direct airflow away from the rear bumper, reducing drag.
Finally, the Nismo Z gets a red trim line surrounding the base of the car, adding a sporty flair.
Photo: Perry Stern
Nissan continues the high-performance theme inside the Nismo Z with new Recaro sport seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara. Seats feature manual adjustments and are rather stiff, but they provide excellent support, keeping both driver and passenger from sliding around during enthusiastic driving. While these seats aren't uncomfortable and look great, I prefer the more traditional sport seats in the standard Z for longer stints behind the wheel.
The Nismo Z also stands out with a leather and Alcantara trimmed steering wheel with a red center mark and stitching. Nissan installed a red-adonized start button and drive-mode selector, and the graphics in the digital driver display are unique to the Nismo.
Like previous Nismo editions, the 2024 Nismo Z gets a power bump over the standard Z. The twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V6 engine gets many enhancements in the Nismo, including a higher turbo speed, improved intake air cooling, and independent ignition/timing control that Nissan says optimizes combustion. These updates result in an output of 420 hp and 384 pound-feet of torque—increases of 20 hp and 34 pound-feet of torque over the rest of the lineup.
When Nissan introduced the new Z, it was a win for sports car enthusiasts with its standard 6-speed manual gearbox. So, it was a surprise that the high-performance Nismo Z comes standard with a 9-speed automatic transmission with no option for the manual. While there are no technical hurdles to equipping it with a manual gearbox, going as fast as possible at the track is the Nismo Z's goal. The automatic helps it achieve that goal with shifts quicker than a human can shift the manual. The Nismo Z gets an updated version of the 9-speed automatic with quicker shift times and increased heat capacity to handle the rigors of a day at the track.
The improvements to the Nismo Z go beyond the added power and quicker shifting. According to Nissan, chassis improvements add 12 percent lateral rigidity and 2.5 percent torsional rigidity, improving overall road and track handling.
The Nismo Z also gets a tuned suspension, stiffer spring rates, larger front brakes, and improved downforce from a new rear spoiler. Further improving grip are the Dunlop SP Sport MAXX GT600 tires fitted to stylish, lightweight RAYS 19-inch wheels in gloss black.
Driving the Nismo Z back-to-back with the standard model, the increased performance is noticeable. While it is hard to discern the difference that 20 additional horsepower makes, especially since this new model adds just over 100 pounds to the curb weight, the improvements to steering, braking, and overall handling are quite evident both when pushed hard on the track and the twisty roads outside Napa, California.
With maximum performance and the best track times being the reason behind the changes made to the Nismo Z, comfort is a secondary concern. The stiffer suspension delivers a rough, bouncy ride when the road surface is less than stellar—much stiffer than the Sport or Performance trim levels. But the Nismo Z is still great fun on the street, adding excitement to any winding road or freeway entrance ramp.
Photo: Perry Stern
The new Nismo Z is perfectly capable as a sports car for the street, but this car is equally at home on the racetrack. I had the opportunity to test this new top-level Z at Sonoma Raceway and came away quite impressed.
It is worth noting that the Nissan Z Performance is also quite good on the track, but the Nismo is noticeably better. Steering is very responsive, which, combined with the stiffer suspension and excellent grip, gives the Nismo Z the ability to change direction quickly. The Nismo Z felt planted, providing a confident ride as I tackled the S turns in the backstretch of Sonoma Raceway. My speed continued to increase throughout the session, and the Nismo Z stuck to the track like glue.
With improved downforce and the quick-shifting gearbox, I could exit turns with greater speed for a better overall track time, which is the goal of this special Z car. With the stronger brakes, I could wait longer to slow before turns, and even after multiple laps, the brakes never faded, continuing to provide excellent stopping power.
The Nismo Z gets a Sport+ drive mode, setting the sports car up for maximum performance. Selecting Sport+ improves engine response, firms up the steering, and sets the transmission to deliver quicker shifts. The stability control remains in operation but allows for more oversteer before adding correction. Lastly, the powerful exhaust sound pipes into the cabin for a more exciting experience.
Nissan equips the Nismo Z with launch control for the ultimate acceleration experience, meant for the track, not public roads. I had the opportunity to test the system on the drag strip at Sonoma Raceway. Engagement is simple, with no special controls to set up.
I put my left foot on the brake pedal, pulled back both paddle shifters, floored the accelerator, and released the brake. The Z took off like a shot, with rear tires squealing until they found grip while the car remained perfectly composed. It was an exciting endeavor with little drama as the car hooked up and rocketed down the track, hitting triple-digit speeds without a problem.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Nissan Z is the quintessential sports car, featuring a powerful engine, rear-wheel drive, excellent handling, and perfect proportions. The addition of the Nismo Z for 2024 sets up this sports car to perform as well on the track as it does on the street.
The Nismo Z is an ideal solution for the enthusiast who is serious about going as fast as possible at the track. With stylish and functional updates for the 2024 model year, the Nismo Z can run hard on the circuit and then provide an enjoyable ride on the drive home.
There are also those Z Car fans who will want the highest-performance variant no matter the price. But as good as the Nismo is, with its available manual gearbox, the Z Performance may be the better option if you don't plan many track outings. Priced almost $13,000 less than the Nismo, the Z Performance is an excellent choice for the driver who just wants a sports car to enjoy daily.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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