2024 Nissan Z Review: Updated Z Virtues In A Sharp Suit

Nissan relaunched its rear-wheel-drive Z sports car in the USA last year, but as a limited-volume sportster, it's a bit of a parts-bin special, using a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 from Infiniti and a refined FM platform from the 370Z, which was itself an updated version of the bones that started life beneath the 2003 350Z. Its body retains the 370Z profile but uses retro styling cues that pluck at the heartstrings of people remembering the 240Z of blessed memory. In contrast, Toyota went the joint-venture route with GR Supra rivals to achieve the same ends, sharing most under-the-skin parts and mechanicals with the BMW Z4, while Ford mimicked Nissan by upgrading the old Mustang to create the new one. The problem is that the $42k starting price of the new Nissan Z puts it right in the crosshairs of the 486-hp V8 Ford Mustang GT and far more modern Supra. That doesn't mean it isn't a hoot though, and our Z test drive proved it's a little misunderstood.

New for 2024

The 2024 Nissan Z range sees the return of the high-performance Nismo trim, so be sure to check out our separate review of that model. The Nismo is upgraded with handling and aero refinements, along with a 20-hp power boost. There are no changes to the Z's specifications for the new model year except for the Amazon Alexa digital assistant being added to the infotainment system of the Performance and Nismo trims. With all 240 examples of the limited-run Proto Spec sold out, that trim level disappears from the 2024 lineup. Last of all, the 2024 Nissan Z's base price increases by $1,220.

2024 Nissan Z Price: Which One to Buy

If you're in the market for a new Nissan Z, its price is $42,210 this year for the Sport trim, while the Performance trim will cost you exactly $10k more at $52,210. These prices apply equally to the six-speed manual and nine-speed automatic transmissions, so Nissan doesn't charge you a premium to upgrade to the self-shifter. The prices are MSRP and are exclusive of the $1,095 destination charge.

It might carry a $10k premium, but the Performance is the one to have. We might be able to live with the unheated manual cloth seats and basic infotainment and audio system without navigation, but the Sport also lacks the Performance's upgraded hardware, such as the upgraded Akebono brakes, the LS diff, and the auto's paddle shifters. It's kitted out the way a sports car should be, so it's our choice.

Interior and Features

The interior originates from the 370Z - most obviously seen in the doors - but it’s been updated with far plusher finishes and way more features than its predecessor.

A keen eye will spot the interior bits that were carried over from the erstwhile 370Z, but quality levels have been upped substantially, with soft-touch materials now far more liberally used on the dashboard. Properly modern in-car tech and an easy-to-use infotainment setup feature prominently, thanks to dual digital displays. The seats are supportive during spirited driving, but only the Performance adds heating, leather, and power adjustment to those perches. Interior space feels snug, but it's adequate, with enough room for two adults, but getting into the low-slung sports car requires you to stoop right down, thanks to the scant sub-52-inch height and sub-five-inch ground clearance.

Space

Given the same design hard points, the Z's cabin space is the same as that of its 370Z forebear. Passengers will feel a bit hemmed in, but on paper, the available space isn't bad and runs the GR Supra close. There is, of course, room for two people only, with no small second row like the Mustang's. The doors are big, so getting in is easier than you might imagine, given the car's low stance, but the low seating position means that the view out is restricted, with blind spots created by the front and rear pillars. At least front and rear parking sensors are standard, along with a backup camera, but no surround-view camera is available.

Cargo

Trunk space is poor, with the 6.9 cubic feet available being no more than that of the old 370Z, and a lot less than the Mustang's 13.5 cubes and the GR Supra's 10.2 cu-ft. The loading lip is very high too. Lacking a foldable second row, trunk volume cannot be increased. The luggage bay is open to the passenger compartment, so you might have to make use of the optional cargo stabilizers or cargo net to restrain the contents of the trunk while driving, lest your groceries come sliding into the passenger compartment when you let your enthusiasm get the better of. You don't get a standard luggage cover included, but you can opt one in for $510.

There is a bit of usable stowage space in the cabin behind the front seats, but it's difficult to get to from the outside and most easily accessed when seated inside the car. There's no quick-flip action for the seats to grant quick access to this space either. Front-seat occupants also get door bins, two cupholders in the center console, and a small storage tray. There is a lidded storage bin between the front seats as well. The lockable glovebox door gains damping only on the Performance model, which strikes us as a bit cheap.

Materials and Colors

The Sport gets cloth upholstery in Graphite with a black interior. The Performance's seats are trimmed in leather with Alcantara inserts on the seats and doors in a choice of two interior colors - Graphite or Blue, with the accent color also partially used on the doors, dashboard, and center console. It gets aluminum foot pedals as well. Throughout the range, the steering wheel and parking brake are trimmed in leather, but only manual cars get a leather shifter.

Features and Infotainment

The Sport feels a bit basic with its manually adjustable and unheated cloth seats, but it does come with keyless entry, push-button start, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, parking brake, and (manual only) shifter, manual tilting/telescoping adjustment for the steering column, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and power accessories. The Performance adds only basic four-way power adjustment to the seats, but they also gain heating and leather trim with Alcantara inserts on the seats and doors, while active noise canceling also makes an appearance.

The base infotainment system in the Sport has an eight-inch touchscreen and comes with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, Bluetooth audio streaming, USB ports, SiriusXM, and a six-speaker audio system. The system in the Performance is quite a substantial upgrade; it comes with a larger nine-inch touchscreen and also adds navigation, NissanConnect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Alexa Built-in, wireless connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Performance

Performance is strong, but the six-speed manual is not as satisfying to use as expected; it’s also noticeably slower and heavier on fuel than the nine-speed automatic.

The only engine in every Nissan Z is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque - but only on 93-octane gas. The GR Supra also boasts six-cylinder power, but the Mustang GT comes with a 486-hp V8 at the same price. In the tradition of the true enthusiast's sports car, all three rivals offer only a RWD option. Performance depends on the transmission chosen, and the Nissan Z's 0-60 mph sprint can take anything from 4.5 to five seconds with the six-speed manual gearbox, which is dependent on driver skill to launch properly. The nine-speed automatic transmission should do the deed in no more than 4.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph. The Performance gains upgraded Akebono brakes with four-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers, along with bigger rotors and a limited-slip differential. Manual cars get a carbon-fiber driveshaft and, on the Performance trim, downshift rev-matching.

The comfort provided by the compliant suspension comes as a nice surprise and turns the Z into an excellent grand tourer. Coupled with the quick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission, the immediate engine responses and strong performance combine with good refinement to do a convincing imitation of a sporty Gran Turismo. But if you think the Z is best enjoyed with a manual gearbox on a twisty road, you might come away slightly disappointed. The shift action is not very slick or precise, taking away the layer of satisfaction that a rifle-bolt shift like a Civic Type R's provides. The Performance's rev-matching downshifts are perfectly timed, but it can be switched off if you want to heel and toe. Pedal-to-the-metal driving quickly reveals that the GR Supra simply provides better body control, steering precision, and feedback than the Z - areas where the Z cannot hide its old bones when compared to the far more modern Toyota. You can't leave the stability control in a liberal intermediate setting to have some fun either; it's either off or on - and intrusive.

Fuel Efficiency

When it comes to gas mileage, there's quite a difference between the Nissan Z's mpg figures in manual and automatic guise. On the EPA's city/highway/combined cycles, the manual returns 18/24/20 mpg, while the automatic's figures are 19/28/22 mpg - a lot better but still well adrift of the automatic 3.0L GR Supra's 26 mpg combined.

A 16.4-gallon fuel capacity allows a range of only around 328 miles for the manual, but a more useful 360 miles for the automatic.

Safety

The Z hasn’t been crash-tested, but every trim comes with adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring, though a surround-view camera is not available.

As is often the case with low-volume sports cars, there is no NHTSA safety review of the Nissan Z. The IIHS hasn't crash-tested the car either. An entire suite of driver assists comes as standard on the Z though, with the base Sport spec not losing out to the Performance trim. All Zs get adaptive cruise control and front-collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, automatic LED headlights with auto high beams, and driver-alertness monitoring.

Reliability

There is no Nissan Z reliability review from JD Power due to the low sample size, but recalls have been few. Ever since the launch of the latest Z last year, there's been only a single recall - applicable to both 2023 and 2024 models - for the pedestrian-protecting pop-up hood that may fail to pop up in the event of a collision with a pedestrian.

This makes it easier to stomach the unimpressive limited warranty of the 2024 Nissan Z, which covers the car for only three years/36,000 miles. The powertrain warranty runs for a longer five years/60,000 miles, but no complimentary servicing is included.

Warranty

Design

The Nissan Z's styling is an unqualified success in our eyes, and Nissan was able to update the recognizable 370Z form factor and profile with various retro styling cues, with a front maw and headlights harking to the Zs from the '70s and rear light clusters recalling the Z32. The Sport gets 18-inch alloys, while the Performance runs on 19s Rays wheels and also gains front and rear spoilers - the spoilers are offered optionally on the Sport. LED headlights with automatic high beams are standard. The buyer can customize their Z's appearance with the addition of racing stripes and Z wheel center caps, should they want to make it more unique.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Nissan Z a Good Car?

The Nissan Z will appeal to the Nissan faithful upgrading from the 370Z because it's a better car in every respect - quicker, better handling, more refined, more comfortable, and fitted with the latest in-car technology. Nissan fans will contend that the Z is a "genuine" Nissan that does not rely on a joint venture with another automaker, as the GR Supra does. Sadly, this does not make it a better car, as the Toyota ably demonstrates that its modern architecture results in a much-improved sports car. It might be the greatest Z ever while helping to keep the manual gearbox alive, but the Z will trade more on nostalgia than outright ability. It's a better grand tourer than all-out sports car, which will be either good or bad news, depending on what you expect from it.