By: Aoun Syed
October 11, 2026
The 1980s and 1990s gave us many iconic Japanese sports cars, and the Nissan Z was already one of the most recognizable names among them. The 2027 Nissan Z is the latest chapter, with unique styling, plenty of power, impressive driving dynamics and modern tech. But despite all of this, does it still have the charm the nameplate has always carried? We had the opportunity to test a Z Performance to find out.
When you push the start button, the twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 purrs to life. Our tester, equipped with the nine-speed automatic transmission, is quick to respond in full-auto mode, with boost coming on progressively without feeling jarring. Put the shifter into manual mode and you can use the aluminum paddle shifters to move through the gears, although shifts can feel delayed and rough at times. Keeping your foot in it during upshifts and letting the transmission handle downshifts on its own delivers smoother results, but for most day-to-day driving, leaving the car in full auto mode is much smoother.
The Z is no slouch in the corners either. The steering has quite a bit of heft to it and requires some effort, but still feels responsive even through tighter corners. The suspension does a great job of keeping the car well sorted during hard cornering, with very little body roll while remaining comfortable over bumps. The large disc brakes give the Z plenty of stopping power, with a brake pedal that responds smoothly and naturally the harder you press.
The exterior of the Z has no shortage of iconic styling cues, from the long hood to the sloping rear end and signature taillights reminiscent of the 300ZX. For 2027, the front fascia has been slightly revised, with a new horizontal bar splitting up the grille and making it less imposing than before. While there are plenty of callbacks to previous Z models, the designers have also added touches that give this generation an identity of its own.
Full LED exterior lighting keeps the car from looking too retro, while subtle and well-disciplined creases prevent the design from becoming overstyled. The result is a unique sports car that stands out even from a distance.
In today’s cars, it is hard to escape the screens that have become necessary thanks to things such as backup cameras and sought-after convenience features such as smartphone connectivity. The Z humbly satisfies these needs without overdoing it. Its 8-inch infotainment system is primarily there to handle infotainment-related functions, while a fully digital instrument cluster displays additional driving information and integrates cleanly into the dashboard.
The climate control system is handled entirely through physical knobs and buttons and is extremely intuitive. The eight-speaker Bose audio system delivers a reasonable amount of clarity, although there is some distortion at higher volumes. The wireless charger also has a magnetic base that securely holds your phone in place and gets rid of the whole “is my phone still charging?” conundrum.
In terms of additional tech, the Z comes with a moderate amount of helpful driver assistance features, including Intelligent Cruise Control, front and rear parking sensors and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning. Aside from the automatic emergency braking, there aren’t many safety systems that feel overly intrusive or take away from the driving experience. Instead, they generally stay in the background and gently warn you of potential dangers.
Then there are the seats. The leather-appointed front seats use four-way power adjustment, with the controls positioned toward the centre-console side, a quirky setup reminiscent of older Japanese sports cars and one that has a very 1990s feel when actuated. The driver’s seat also includes manual lifter, lumbar and thigh-support adjustments, but the available range still leaves you sitting fairly low in the Z. That can make outward visibility a bit challenging, especially when combined with the blind spot created by the A-pillar and side mirrors positioned higher up.
When it comes to fuel economy, Natural Resources Canada rates the Z at 12.3 L/100 km city, 8.6 L/100 km highway and 10.6 L/100 km combined. During our testing, we achieved a slightly higher average of 11.3 L/100 km, as it was simply too satisfying to hear the twin-turbo V6 sing.
Pricing for the 2027 Nissan Z starts at $49,998 MSRP before freight, fees and taxes. Our Performance 9AT tester started at $62,998 and added $500 for its Bayside Blue metallic paint. With freight and listed fees included, it came to $66,562 before taxes.
The 2027 Nissan Z does something not many nostalgia-inspired sports cars can do. It strikes a strong balance between modernity and staying true to its roots. With its interesting quirks coupled with modern technology, it is an ideal car for someone who wants a fun-to-drive and well-sorted sports car with today’s conveniences while still not losing sight of what made the Z special in the first place.
