The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO has been the talk of sports car enthusiasts, combining a nostalgic look at its breed with performance upgrades for modern driving. We recently visited Japan for the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon and while there, we had the opportunity to drive around with the 2024 Z NISMO, courtesy of Nissan.
It took us a week with the car and easily drove over 300 miles. Our tour consists of a variety of environments, from exploring the city of Tokyo to testing the vehicle's ability on the Hakone Sky Line pass. Because of these experiences and the length of our test drive, we got to look at the vehicle as a possible everyday sports car — specifically for the Japanese market — considering its price of 9,200,400 JPY or $60,000 USD .
Here are five standout features we experienced while touring with the Z NISMO, each with their pros and cons.
Enhanced Performance
The heart of the Nissan Z NISMO is the 3L twin-turbocharged V6 engine, which puts out 420 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the regular Nissan Z, the NISMO variant has an additional 20 hp and 34 lb-ft of torque, and while it may seem like a small increase, it's noticeable, especially given the improved drivetrain that comes with the NISMO exclusive which is Sport + mode. The vehicle is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission with quick shifting and improved cooling. We very much liked the driving engagement, there is a clear sense of urgency when pushing the car through its gears.
While some have complained about the lack of a manual option for the NISMO, it's important to note that the 9-speed is not an ordinary auto-configuration but rather a NISMO-tuned one with shorter gear ratios. The metal paddle shifters are super responsive, offering quick shifts and extra fun. During our time on the Hakone Sky Line, we greatly appreciated the confidence and control that the automatic transmission provides.
The NISMO's upgrades extend to the chassis as well. Wider tires, mounted on forged 19-inch wheels, provide extra grip, while stiffer anti-roll bars stabilize the vehicle during aggressive cornering. This combination results in precise handling and, in our opinion, makes the Z NISMO track-ready from the factory.
Focus on Steering
One of the Z NISMO's standout features is its steering. The Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel adds a layer of luxury and tactile engagement, contributing to the vehicle's overall driving enjoyment. The weight and feedback from the steering wheel were fine-tuned, which provided a precise connection to the road. This becomes especially noticeable during high-speed cornering.
Feedback from the steering is direct, with little numbness. We feel complete control over the vehicle's motion, allowing us faster and more confident inputs in maneuvers. The only downside we noticed was when driving in busy areas of the city like Shibuya and Shinjuku. Although a minor issue, the sporty tuning of the steering wheel feels too heavy at low speeds, especially in parking. Still, it's a worthwhile trade-off for the raw, mechanical feel offered by performance steering.
Track-Oriented Suspension
The Z NISMO's track-oriented nature is evident in its suspension setup. Nissan equipped the car with stiffer springs and dampers, as well as improved chassis bracing for added rigidity. These adjustments work together to provide a composed and stable ride in aggressive driving. While we didn't make it to a track like Fuji Speedway, we were able to test the car in other controlled environments and noted that the Z NISMO excelled in its ability to stay planted, with minimal body roll and excellent weight transfer. in cornering.
One of the only tradeoffs of this track-oriented setup is the lack of adaptive suspension, which results in some discomfort but only on less-than-ideal roads. Given the environment we drove in and the quality of Japanese roads, we found the suspension still adequate and comfortable for trips of up to three hours. Overall, the suspension feels purpose-built, with a good balance of predictability and capability.
Interior Design and Comfort
Inside the car, there are notable upgrades like the supportive Recaro seats that gave us great support during spirited drives. Materials inside the cabin, such as Alcantara and red accents, reflect the vehicle's sporty personality. The interior layout is driver-centric, with controls and gauges that are easy to access and read, matching the vehicle's performance-first ethos.
However, there are parts of the interior that seem a little dated, especially compared to some competitors. Some components such as the infotainment system and dashboard design seem to have been carried over from previous generations, missing the premium feel that others expect from a vehicle of this price, especially in the United States, where the price of vehicle can reach more than $70,000 USD.
Additionally, while the Recaro seats provide great support and styling, we noticed something a little annoying on long drives — the noise of the top of the seat against the ceiling. But this is mainly due to the seat being positioned in the furthest position for comfort on long trips and something that is easily noticed with the eight-speaker Bose stereo setup.
Thinking About Weight
At 3,704 pounds, the Z NISMO is the heaviest model in the current Z lineup but it's hardly a "heavy" vehicle. This extra weight is caused by additional chassis reinforcements, upgraded suspension components, and wider tires. While these changes help improve the vehicle's handling and stability, we noticed that it has little effect on agility, particularly when moving quickly or in heavy traffic.
Compared to cars in a similar class such as the GR Supra or Cayman, we noticed that the Z is a bit not as quick as its lighter competitors. The extra weight is most noticeable in tight corners, where the car's dynamics can feel a little sluggish compared to lighter, more athletic competition. However, the NISMO's wider tires and improved suspension help to counteract some of the impact, and overall grip and stability remain strong.
With all of the above, we're very impressed with the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO and feel it's a vehicle that achieves the best of both worlds, offering exciting day-to-day driving as well as being track-ready. performance for those who want to push it to the redline.
