By: Joshua Lee
January 8, 2024
We all appreciate a good sports car, and there are a variety to choose from. A sports car should prioritize exceptional driving dynamics as well as performance, no matter if the price tag is budget-friendly or on the premium end. There’s a particular vehicle that’s been preparing for a comeback, and we just so happened to have the keys.
Nissan Canada put us in the 2023 Nissan Z Performance for the week. Power comes from the same engine as the Infiniti Q50 Black Opal, with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. You can get the rear-wheel drive Z in a six-speed manual, but a nine-speed automatic transmission is fitted in this tester. It’s great fun when there’s a good stretch of road, as the engine allows you to push it hard. The Z Performance comes with Akebono brakes featuring 14-inch front rotors with 4-piston calipers that do a good job of slowing the car down. The automatic shifts quickly, and the aluminium paddle shifters are great to use in Sport mode. Z Performance models get a mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential and launch control. There’s enough feedback from the electric-powered steering, and the ride is quite comfortable, even going through bumps. The Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires aren’t gripping enough, as we’ve experienced lots of slips under acceleration and the occasional slide when turning.
The exterior design of Nissan’s new sports car is very good looking with styling elements that reflect its predecessors. The oval shape of the 240ZG inspires the LED headlights at the front. Some might think the grille is just a reiteration of the 350Z and 370Z, but it’s a callback to the original 240Z, along with the hood. Looking at our Boulder Grey with two-tone black roof model from its side, we appreciate that it maintains the long hood, sloping roof line look of previous Z-cars. Our favourite would be the rear, as the taillights immediately screams out the 300ZX. Our Performance spec gives us dual exhaust tips, 19-inch RAYS super lightweight forged alloy wheels, a front chin spoiler, and a rear spoiler.
Stepping into the Z, you’ll find it quite familiar if you’ve been inside the 370Z. The new interior gives you a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both of which are extremely easy to use and display clear graphics. You’ll notice that the air vents on the door, door handles, window switches, and climate control buttons are basically carried over from the 370Z. We’re glad to see the three-dash gauge clusters still exist on the new Z, displaying turbo boost, turbocharge turbine speed, and voltimeter. It’s quite easy to find your driving position with the heated four-way powered driver seat; our model is fitted with blue leather seats, which are comfortable and offer nice support, which kept us snug. The interior is well thought out, and there was no confusion in figuring out where everything is. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Cargo space isn’t bad for this two-seater with 241L of cargo capacity; it will swallow up a 55L duffel bag and two small carry-ons.
The Nissan Z Performance includes front and rear parking sensors, a back-up camera, high beam assist, adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert.
Nissan rates the fuel economy for the Nissan Z as 12.3L/100KM city, 8.6L/100KM highway, for a combined 10.6L/100KM. We had plenty of fun during the week, and ours came at 10.1L/100KM.
At the time of review, our 2023 Nissan Z Performance has a price of $62,844. Pricing for 2024 models starts at $53,843 with the Sport 6MT/9AT, $64,843 with the Performance 6MT/9AT, and $78,843 for the all-new 420 horsepower NISMO, which is only available with the automatic.
Z-cars are beloved by a large community, and the 370Z had a long, 13-year production run. The new Z actually shares the same 15-year-old platform as its predecessor. Does that call for some concern about a new sports car? In order to spruce up the new Z, Nissan has increased torsional stiffness by 10.9%, a 23.9% improvement in the rigidity of the rear hatch, and tuned the suspension along with new monotube shock absorbers. There are many reviews comparing this to the Toyota Supra, as they’re both great two-door options. Getting 400 horsepower at this price point is quite special; the new Z is cheaper than the Toyota 3.0 Supra, the Infiniti Q60, and the Lexus RC350. The Z drives fantastically and has all the run-of-the-mill modern features that you’ll use on an everyday basis. It might not get as many looks parked beside its rival, but the Z celebrates its past, and that should be appreciated.
