LOOKS

While appearances are not everything when it comes to a sporty ride, they certainly help things. And the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO has a stunningly beautiful design.

Incorporating elements of some historic Z models with more modern looks, its beautiful angles are bound to get the attention of everyone who sees it. My test vehicle featured an attractive light blue paint job with red accent lines to highlight its unique style.

As sports cars tend to be, the 2024 Nissan Z is low to the ground. It features a bold yet classy grille design, sharp side lines, a spoiler and dual exhaust.

The NISMO version of the Z features wider wheels, and a more aggressive tire compound, to enhance track performance.

It features LED lighting on both the headlights and taillights (which turn on/off automatically), and heated outside mirrors with turn indicators.

The NISMO model gets special 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, and revisions to the design of the Z NISMO are geared toward improving the car’s ability to perform on a racetrack. The grille design helps to reduce drag, and other subtle design changes allow for aerodynamic improvements.

Moving inside the Z NISMO, you’ll find what a classic-style sports car should offer — a tight two-seater with limited trunk space that’s not meant to be a family ride. There is no back seat and you’re not going to fit much in storage. This car is about enjoying the ride, not packing in the cargo. A couple smaller, carry-on style suitcases should fit if you’re doing a quick getaway. And if you buy groceries, don’t buy a lot of larger items (the Z probably isn’t the best choice for Costco runs).

The aesthetic of the interior is racing-inspired, from the black and red seating to the pop-up gauges on top of the dashboard.

You also get:
— NISMO-exclusive leather/Alcantara seats with embroidered headrest
— NISMO-exclusive Alcantara steering wheel
— Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Controls
— Aluminum Trimmed Performance Pedals
— Automatic Temperature Control
— Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror 

Despite its limited space, both driver and passenger seats are actually quite comfortable and there’s plenty of leg room in the 2024 Z NISMO. Some 2-door sports coupes can make you feel a bit cramped, but not the Z.

You’ll have to dip down a bit to get in the car of course, as it sits so low to the ground, and there are some blind spots to watch out for because of how it’s designed.

HOW’S THE RIDE?  

Let’s just get the truth out there about this fun little coupe: The reality of the Z NISMO is that drivers should view it as a racecar that you can drive on the street.

It delivers exhilarating power, while handling, cornering, braking are all on point. It’s easy to go too far if you’re not a professional, so if you feel the back end start moving a bit too much, you better get it under control quickly. 

The Z is absolutely trackworthy, if you have access to a racetrack, and it’s impossible not to have fun driving it. Just be careful you don't overextend yourself.

The 2024 Z NISMO power comes from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that belts out 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual option is offered on lower trim levels of the Z, but the NISMO offers a 9-speed automatic transmission that also features paddle shifters.

The NISMO’s driving credentials include an exclusive Sport+ Drive Mode, Launch Control, a firm NISMO-tuned suspension, NISMO-tuned power steering, front and rear stabilizer bars, and NISMO-exclusive brake rotors and calipers. It is a rear-wheel drive vehicle, and its limited-slip differential boosts traction to limit wheel spin and support better acceleration.

Non-NISMO versions of the Nissan Z will still offer a solid 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet, which isn’t too steep of a drop if you’re not willing to pay the premium for the NISMO version.

The 0-to-60 times for the Z NISMO are predictably super fast, coming in at sub 4-second levels, which is an excellent number to hit. In fact, you can get up to 100 mph in the 9-second range.

The only issue I have with the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO is that it’s so low to the ground that the driver really feels all the road bumps. But this is a common sports car issue and nothing unique to the Z lineup.

The powerful engine sounds amazing, and drivers can choose between Standard, Sport and Sport+ driving modes (Sport+ will allow for faster shifting).

The upgraded NISMO braking system changes the front brakes to larger, 15-inch rotors matched to 13.8-inch rear brake rotors, delivering a more performance-focused brake pad compound. This upgrade will come in handy during any racetrack visits.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO features a simple design on a smaller (8 or 9 inch) center touchscreen, but it works very effectively. Voice commands and touch controls are easy to master. Nissan delivers a functional, but not fancy, tech setup.

The vehicle also features a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, satellite radio, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Standard sound system has six speakers, but an upgraded 8-Speaker Bose system is also offered. You can also opt for an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot. Navigation is included, as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

Moving on to safety features, I found that the Z NISMO’s Intelligent Cruise Control system worked quite effectively.

Other standard safety features on the Z NISMO include:
— Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
— Blind Spot Warning (helpful warning of traffic in blind spots)
— Lane Departure Warning (warns if you drift from your lane)
— Rear Cross Traffic Alert
— High Beam Assist 
— Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, with Automatic Braking (in case of impending collision)

The Z also offers six airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system and more. All in all, not a bad safety package for a sports car.

MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers in the Nissan Z NISMO are 17 city/24 highway/19 combined. I averaged 20 mpg during my time behind the wheel.

The non-NISMO versions of the Z offer 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway (with automatic transmission); or 19 combined, 17 city and 24 highway (with manual transmission)

These aren’t the greatest numbers, but fuel economy is not going to be atop the list of concerns for NISMO buyers. It’s all about the driving experience.

PRICE

The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO that I tested was priced at just over $68,000. The base price for the Nissan Z Sport trim starts around $42K, with the Performance trim starting at $52K, and NISMO trim starting at $65K.

These numbers are very favorable compared to high-end sports cars, many of which go deep into six-figure territory. It’s more costly than some lower-end rivals (Toyota GR Supra, Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata), but also delivers a more impressive performance.

Warranties include:
— Three years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty
— Five years/60,000 miles powertrain warranty
— Roadside assistance for three years/36,000 miles

No complimentary maintenance is included.

BOTTOM LINE

The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO is a powerful vehicle aimed at driving enthusiasts who want a sporty and thrilling ride worthy of the racetrack, but don’t want to spend what it takes to get into most of these types of vehicles.

The Z has a beautiful design, and costs less than its rivals, but is still very high-end and enjoyable, and manages to deliver a quality sports car experience for less.

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