The two-passenger 2024 Nissan Z is a rear-drive, front-engine coupe made in Sport, Performance, and NISMO trim levels. Each is fitted with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, but the NISMO’s is specially tuned to produce 420 hp and 384 lb.-ft. of torque (as opposed to the 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque put out by the other trims). The Sport and Performance get a standard six-speed manual transmission but are eligible for a nine-speed automatic, which comes standard in the NISMO.
Fuel economy estimates as reported by the EPA are favorable, with the stick-shift Sport and Performance grades achieving 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway (19 city/28 highway with the automatic). The NISMO is rated to return 17 city/24 highway.
The Sport most distinguishing features are double-ring 3D LED taillights, a Katana blade roof finisher, and 18-inch wheels with high-performance tires. It also has proximity keyless entry, push-button start, automatic LED headlights and daytime running lights, automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, manually adjustable seats with cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with performance readouts, and two USB ports: one Type-A and one Type-C.
The Performance brings in a limited-slip differential, aluminum-trimmed pedals, advanced Akebono brake calipers, launch control with no-lift shift, two spoilers (chin and rear), heated side mirrors, a HomeLink universal garage door opener, synthetic-suede door panel inserts, active noise enhancement and cancellation technology, and 19-inch wheels. The seats are heated, upholstered with leather, and lined with synthetic-suede inserts as well.
The debuting NISMO is given some compelling performance upgrades. In addition to its punchier engine output, the NISMO is equipped with a special launch control mode, a NISMO-tuned suspension, exclusive body reinforcements and aerodynamic elements, and superior performance tires. While it reverts to the manually adjustable seats, this top-level trim adds Recaro sports seats with leather and Alcantara-suede inserts, as well as an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.
All three 2024 Z trims have the Nissan Safety Shield 360 driver-assist technology suite installed. Across the board, it supplies forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, and driver attention monitoring.
The Sport’s 8-inch infotainment system can be controlled via its touchscreen or voice recognition. Its main components are Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, hands-free text messaging assistance, get these improvements: a 9-inch touchscreen, onboard navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose sound system with eight speakers.
