The 2023 Nissan Z proves sports cars are here to stay. With its twin-turbo V6 and optional manual gearbox, the Z is engineered to entertain. The 2023 Nissan Z has a starting price of $39,990.
The 2023 Nissan Z arrives after years of speculation and worries the seventh generation of the iconic “Z Car” might never happen. Luckily for driving enthusiasts, Nissan decided there are still car shoppers who want the driving thrills provided by a 2-passenger sports car.
Powered by a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, the Z comes with a 6-speed or 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. All power goes to the rear wheels, and there’s no option to add all-wheel drive.
The 2023 Z comes in two main trims: Sport and Performance. Each comes with the same 400-hp engine and the choice of either gearbox.
ENGINE AND IMPLEMENTATION
Like its beastly brother, the Nissan GT-R, the 2023 Nissan Z is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6. But, instead of the fire-breathing 565-hp 3.8-liter that’s under the hood of the GT-R, the Z gets a 400-hp 3.0-liter mill from the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 paired to either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic.
While all-wheel drive is available in the Infiniti, Nissan is sticking with rear-wheel drive exclusively for the Z. The turbo six gives the Z a lot of zipping but our manual-transmission test car hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, well behind the Supra. The cornering grip is plentiful so long as you’re not driving too close to the Z’s limit.
Push it hard, though, and the suspension’s tuning reveals itself not quite up to the task. Its compliance provides good comfort when commuting, but rival sports cars offer sharper reflexes.
ENERGY AND REAL-WORLD MPG
According to the EPA, the most efficient Z is the one with the automatic transmission. It’s rated for 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Going with the manual drops those numbers to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
When we have a chance, we’ll test the Z on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route and update this story with the results. For more information about the 2023 Nissan Z’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH
Although it’s new for 2023, Nissan hasn’t changed the layout of the Z’s cabin. It remains a two-seat coupe with no vestigial rear seats à la Porsche 911. What has changed, though, is everything else.
The new 2023 Nissan Z receives a modernized cabin with updated materials—a welcome improvement over the current 370Z’s dated interior. Leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control are all available.
Cargo space remains a mystery, but we aren’t expecting the Z to be a Costco-run champion; we fit three carry-on suitcases in the trunk of the old 370Z, which should be plenty for most sports-car buyers.
IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTIONS
Nissan has brought the 2023 Nissan Z into the twenty-first century with a standard 8.0-inch infotainment display (a 9.0-inch unit with navigation is optional), a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
A six-speaker stereo is standard but audiophiles can upgrade to an optional premium audio arrangement engineered by Bose; an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot is also available.
PROTECTION AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE ASPECTS
Nissan offers the 2023 Nissan Z with several standard driver-assistance features, including automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring.
For more information about the Z’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
2023 Nissan Z Performance
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $51,015/$53,610
Options: Passion Red premium two-tone paint, $1695; Illuminated kick plates, $500; floor mats, $400
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2997 cm3
Power: 400 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 350 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.0-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone S007 B-Silent
F: 255/40R-19 96W
R: 275/35R-19 96W
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 100.4 in
Length: 172.4 in
Width: 72.6 in
Height: 51.8 in
Passenger Volume: 52 ft3
Trunk Volume: 7 ft3
Curb Weight: 3507 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.5 sec
100 mph: 10.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.0 @ 111 mph
130 mph: 19.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 8.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 166 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 331 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.93 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 17 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/18/24 mpg
