The Japanese automaker has revived its iconic 2027 Nissan Z sports car, which has been met with mixed reactions. The latest-generation model adopts a retro-futuristic styling that is appealing, although the high-performance two-door sports car doesn’t offer significant upgrades compared to the previous generation Nissan 370Z.
There are several competitors to the Nissan Z in the U.S. market, including premium sports cars like the BMW 2 Series, Ford Mustang and the Toyota GR Supra. However, the automaker is conducting a mid-cycle refresh to provide significant updates to both the standard model and the more powerful NISMO version.
The 2027 Nissan Z features a more powerful engine mated to a manual transmission and a radical design. However, the basic structure of this sports car looks outdated, and its less responsive handling robs it of its full potential. While initially, the new model looks like a very impressive sports car.
The 2027 model year is expected to address some of those issues. The NISMO version comes with further upgrades, including a brake configuration that is claimed to reduce nearly 20 pounds of unsprung mass from the front end and an improved cooling system. According to the Japanese automaker, the sports car comes with refined aerodynamics and new suspension dampers aimed at improving responsiveness without sacrificing driver comfort.
Under the hood, the refreshed 2027 Nissan Z is still powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine delivering 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Nissan offers all Z variants with rear-wheel drive and is paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox, as well as a 9-speed automatic transmission. Before the facelift, the previous version of the Nissan Z with the automatic transmission was able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, while the model equipped with the manual transmission achieved 4.9 seconds.
Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine
On the other hand, the 2027 Nissan Z NISMO is claimed to still deliver 420 HP and 384 pound-feet of torque like the previous generation model. While a 6-speed manual transmission is now widely available for this sportier coupe variant. There is also a 9-speed automatic gearbox that is likely only available as an optional equipment. The latest Z NISMO variant with an automatic transmission is claimed to be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds, but this is only 0.1 seconds faster than the standard model.
If we look at the Nissan Z’s Japanese competitors, we look at Toyota. Powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 382 hp and 367 lb-ft of torque, the 2026 Toyota GR Supra can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. Unfortunately, Toyota will discontinue production of the Supra after 2026, while Nissan will continue to produce the Z sports car for the U.S. market.
The Nissan Z is claimed to have received aerodynamic improvements for the 2027 model year, which has improved its fuel economy compared to last year’s EPA ratings. Last year’s generation model with the automatic transmission had an EPA rating of 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, the variant with the manual transmission had an EPA rating of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
As for the 2027 Nissan Z NISMO, fuel efficiency has dropped with an EPA rating of 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The 2026 Toyota GR Supra is much more efficient in terms of fuel consumption, returning 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for the model with the automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the manual transmission version has an EPA rating of 19/26 mpg.
Standard Safety Features
Talking about safety features, the 2027 Nissan Z comes with a number of standard safety features which include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, front automatic emergency braking and automatic high-beams. This iconic sports car still comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital driver display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Meanwhile, the entry-level model offers an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the top-of-the-line version features a 9.0-inch touchscreen with navigation and connected services. There is also one USB-A port and one USB-C port inside the interior.
All top-of-the-line trim levels of the Nissan Z continue to feature an 8-speaker Bose premium audio system, while entry-level models offer a 6-speaker system. Upgrades are available for the 2027 model year, which now prioritizes road presence over high-tech features. Several upgrades are available, including a power driver seat, heated seats, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Just like the previous model year, the facelifted 2027 Nissan Z is expected to retain standard equipment. For example, the 2026 Sport trim level comes with 18-inch wheels, two-piston front brakes, and one-piston rear brakes. Inside the cabin, you’ll find a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 8.0-inch touchscreen, cloth seats and a 6-speaker sound system.
Pricing and Release Date
Speaking of the release date, the 2027 Nissan Z is scheduled to go on sale at US dealerships this summer. Official pricing details have not been announced, but the latest generation of the iconic sports car is expected to see a slight price increase compared to last year’s model, likely ranging from $44,000 to $67,000.
Meanwhile, the NISMO variant will debut with a 420 HP twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, new suspension tuning, and a 6-speed manual transmission. Nissan is focusing on enhancing the driving experience, especially for track racing enthusiasts, with improvements to the cooling system and suspension.
