400-horsepower sports car for the price of a family sedan: Nissan Z review 2023

The modern automotive market is going through unusual times – sports car sales are declining and low-cost vehicles are in danger of disappearing. And despite the fact that the world is gradually taking over the strange electric cars and boring crossovers, Nissan decided that it needed to present something amazing. We are talking about the 2023 Nissan Z – yes, just “Z”, nothing more.

And being the most powerful car in the Z line ever made, on paper it’s a truly impressive beast. The car provides a potential buyer with 400 horsepower for a starting price of just over $40,000. It’s one of the few affordable sports cars left on the market, but it’s just a major upgrade and not a brand new car from a well-known brand. I spent a week with him to see not only what the audience of fans would definitely like, but also to decide whether to celebrate the release of a new car in the Z line.

Characteristics

  • Base price (Proto Spec trim tested): $41,015 ($53,210)
  • Powertrain: 3.0L twin-turbo V6, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive.
  • Power: 400 horsepower at 6400 rpm.
  • Torque: 475 Nm at 1600-5200 rpm.
  • Capacity: 2 seats.

Body, interior and engine

Let’s start with what this enthusiast car from Nissan is all about. To do this, you need to look at the lineup of the Japanese automotive giant – everything is rather dull there. The GT-R, the brand’s flagship car, hasn’t been updated in over a decade, and it’s not sold in the US, and the line’s future is murky, to say the least. Many cars like Sentra or Maxima occupy a certain niche in their segment, but no more. Accordingly, it is difficult to find some new and inspiring models from Nissan, and the new Z aims to be exactly the novelty that will be noticed.

That said, the fact that 2023 Z is just a major update isn’t exactly reassuring, but the key word here is “major.” The Z sports car has been given an all-new skin on the outside – and it’s a stunningly beautiful car. I’ll go so far as to say that I consider it the most proportional front-engined sports car on sale today. In the photos, the car is damn good, but trust me, the live model looks even better. And this is exactly the car that you want to see in more colors to choose the one that suits you best. But, spoiler alert, they are all good.

In the cabin, a similar story – the manufacturer moved a little from the previous car and slightly refreshed some elements. For example, the car received climate controls from an old 370Z that has been in production since 2009. And these controls, which are more than a decade old, look a little odd in a car that’s up for sale in 2022. The seat controls, like the door handles, are also carried over from the old car. The eight-speaker Bose audio system is also not up to modern standards, and, as it turns out, is also carried over directly from the 370Z.

At the same time, important elements that you look at and actively interact with every day (steering wheel, dashboard, touch screen of the multimedia system) are actually completely new. So the company has freshened up the car’s interior just enough to make it seem like Nissan has made a serious effort in this direction. And suede on the seats and door cards (in the car in the maximum configuration) makes the space inside the cabin more modern – a certain illusion of novelty is created.

Also transferred to this car is a completely standard 3-liter V6 twin-turbocharged VR30DDTT engine, which is capable of developing the aforementioned 400 horsepower at 475 Nm of torque. It’s the same engine that powers the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, and in the new Z it can only be paired with a six-speed manual transmission with an Exedy high-performance clutch, or a nine-speed automatic with paddle shifters. And I have six hints at once what exactly I would prefer. It’s also worth remembering that the car comes exclusively in rear-wheel drive, so the manual transmission model also benefits from a carbon fiber composite driveshaft.

Driving emotions

From the driver’s seat it becomes clear that this thing is actually a monster. If there’s one thing I can say about this car, it’s that it pulls great on the road, especially on highways. Fast shifting to any gear (except sixth), ample power and decent Z torque are just plain obvious. “Yeah, that’s definitely 400 horsepower,” I thought on my first ride.

The chassis is also excellent – this car rides well, providing the necessary grip and confidence in the corners. Of course, there is body roll, but not so much as to be unpleasant on the road. In addition, the turning radius seems extremely narrow, perhaps due to the car’s relatively short wheelbase. The vehicle is reasonably nimble while the steering offers reasonable feedback and a natural “weight” when steering. The brakes seemed too sensitive to me, but I quickly got used to them – the braking system here is excellent. Everything works as it should.

However, Nissan’s new sports car, unfortunately, is not ideal – this may seem strange, given that it has an excellent engine and chassis. In fact, the vehicle has a few small details that definitely disappointed me. First, the flywheel feels too heavy. As a result, fast shifting felt too awkward and unnatural. Secondly, the shift lever itself is also underwhelming, although it is the best that BMW has to offer. It feels rubbery and has too much travel, which isn’t quite right for a two-seater. But surely an aftermarket or Nismo version (if there is one) will solve this problem.

Thirdly, the exhaust needs serious improvement. The Nissan Z is too quiet to appeal to a broad customer base. It’s weird because theoretically the more luxurious Infiniti Q60 with the exact same engine is one of the loudest production cars I’ve ever driven. At least in more expensive trim levels, the Z deserves a dual-mode exhaust. And fourthly, there are no driving modes. Generally. Initially, I was fascinated by this, but ultimately, the lack of driving modes makes the car feel limited and older. Yes, there is S-Mode, which includes automatic rev matching when downshifting, but that’s about it. And I’m not asking for anything like adaptive dampers – just a louder exhaust sound to make the car a little more alive.

On the other hand, this car’s penchant for quiet exhaust isn’t too bad, as it makes the cabin noticeably quieter at 60 mph than any other car I’ve driven that cost about the same $40,000. Add to that decent interior quality and impressive fuel economy by sports car standards. As a result, Z even in the basic configuration is simply an excellent representative of the grand touring class (for long trips at high speed).

Specifications, options and competition

That being said, the trims, in terms of their price and the options provided, are another disappointment for the Nissan Z. The base trim is a valuable ton of sports car for the money, but you’ll have to shell out another ten grand for the Performance trim if you want a limited-slip differential. Accordingly, if you plan to drive this car in winter weather or on the highway, you really need a limited slip differential. But if it was my money, I’d still go for the base trim, just because that performance upgrade isn’t really worth ten thousand dollars at all.

The competition really comes down to what the potential owner wants to ride. For example, I think the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is a wildly underrated car that delivers a lot more value for money than would-be competitors at the same price point. It has a powerful V8, the transmission is noticeably better, plus it will definitely beat the new Nissan Z on the track. But some motorists simply don’t want to be seen driving certain vehicles. The same can be said for the Ford Mustang Mach 1. I would argue that the Nissan Z may keep up with these cars, but it certainly can’t beat them. But, again, a potential Z buyer may prefer this car and not even consider American muscle cars. In the event that sports cars from the US are really out of the question, this model could be an acceptable alternative. Just don’t expect it to sound as good or ride on par with the Americans. However, the interior quality is comparable to both competitors.

Fuel consumption and environmental friendliness

According to the official EPA rating, the Nissan Z is exactly where a V6 sports car should be. Its consumption per 100 kilometers is 11.8 liters – about the same as the Camaro, but much more economical than the V8 Mustang GT, which is expected. But the Toyota Supra with a BMW engine shows more pleasant performance, but you need to understand that the Supra’s 8.9 liters per 100 kilometers were registered on a complete set with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and not on a model with a manual transmission, which is being prepared to release.

True, all this seems to be only a theoretical expense, because after driving a car for a week, I am ready to declare with confidence that the declared consumption is actually greatly underestimated. If you really want to drive under 12 liters per 100 kilometers on the highway, then take your foot off the gas pedal. I was only able to get this figure on the freeway with a lot of effort in sixth gear and 2500 rpm. In the city or on less high-speed routes, this result will not be achieved with all the desire.

Verdict

But let’s get back to what this car gives for its money. It’s quiet, powerful enough, relatively economical, and believe it or not, the Nissan Z is very spacious. Yes, the shock absorbers brazenly invade the rear of the cargo area, but there is still usable space in the trunk and there is plenty of it. If you live with one person, and not with a family, then there will be enough space, the car is quite practical. It also has a handy storage solution up front with spacious door cavities and shelves behind the seats. But it’s a well-rounded car that, at the price Nissan is asking, will be hard to beat. Yes, the Camaro and Mustang exist and are better for the money, but the Z is quite capable of competing with them.

It is worth recalling that the world is running out of cars like the Nissan Z – affordable sports vehicles. So this is a very good car by all standards, although, of course, it has its drawbacks, which are not a decisive factor. But even in spite of them, this is one of the most charming cars sold today.

Source: Trash Box

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