Used 2023 Nissan Z

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 manual 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 of the two gearboxes.

Upgrading to the Performance trim adds a mechanical limited-slip differential, 19-inch Rays lightweight aluminum wheels, Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires, a rear spoiler and chin spoiler, larger brakes (14.0 and 13.8-inch vented discs front/rear), floating 4-piston front/2-piston rear aluminum brake calipers, and a performance-tuned dual exhaust system.

In comparison, the Z in Sport grade makes do with only 18-inch dark-painted aluminum alloys, Yokohama ADVAN sport high-performance tires, and vented disc brakes measuring 12.6 and 12.1-inches front/rear. It also does without the upgraded exhaust system and exterior spoilers.

At launch, there’s a limited-edition model called the Proto Spec. Named in honor of the concept vehicle that led to the production version Z, only 240 examples (as in the original 1969 240Z) are allotted to the U.S.

Features unique to this trim include 19-inch bronze-colored RAYS alloy wheels, yellow brake calipers, leather seats with yellow accents, suede and cloth door trim with yellow stitching, and an exclusive gear lever knob (though only with the manual gearbox).

Speaking of the Z Proto concept car, the new Z draws on styling from the original, first-gen 240Z launched in 1969, along with the fourth-gen model sold here from 1990 to 1996. While it looks remarkably similar to the Z Proto concept, Nissan designers wisely toned down that car’s gaping rectangular grille in the production model.

During our time with the 2023 Nissan Z, one thing that immediately stood out was the Power On Shift system that comes with the 6-speed manual transmission. This allows the driver to keep the gas pedal floored between gear changes. This provides for more seamless (and quicker!) acceleration and is simply a lot of fun.

That’s the point of the Nissan Z, after all. If you’re looking for lots of cargo room and space for the whole family, Nissan will gladly direct you to a Rogue, Pathfinder, or Armada SUV.

Still, we noticed the Z exhibits a good deal of tire noise, even for a car engineered for high-speed thrills. The rear tires in this resolutely rear-wheel-drive sports car also proved eager to break traction when punching the gas pedal. We need to spend more time with the Z on a wider variety of road surfaces to see if this was unique to the setting of our initial test drive, or something inherent in the Z car’s dynamics.

The steering reacts to the tiniest inputs from the driver, though the handling doesn’t feel nervous as a result of the car’s agility. We found the brakes easy to modulate. They have a very firm feel but inspire confidence in the driver.

That’s important when a 400-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 is under the hood. After all, going fast in a straight line is easy, but having composure through corners and being able to stop without hair-raising drama is just as vital to the Nissan Z’s driving manners.

The cabin of the 2023 Nissan Z is familiar, but also very different. There is still seating for only two, and cargo space will keep you packing light during road trips.

Headroom and legroom measure in at 38.2 inches and 42.9 inches, respectively — identical to the space afforded by the outgoing 370Z. Taller drivers, take note — if you didn’t fit in the last Z model, the new one isn’t likely to be any more accomodating. Then again, rivals like the Toyota Supra, BMW Z4, and Porsche Cayman offer similar levels of passenger stretch-out room.

Here’s the really good news: The rest of the Z cabin is a major step forward in terms of its modern finishes and technology. The Z in Sport grade comes with black cloth seats featuring an 8-way manually adjustable seat for the driver and a 4-way manually adjustable seat for the passenger. Facing the driver is a new digital gauge display and an 8-inch touchscreen that comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and hands-free text messaging.

In the Performance grade, you get leather seating surfaces along with a 4-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with manual lifter, lumbar and thigh support, a 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and heated seats as standard.

The Performance trim gets a 9-inch touchscreen versus the 8-inch screen that comes standard in the Z Sport, along with a Bose audio system.

The 2023 Nissan Z pays homage to a wide range of previous Z sports cars, though most noticeably the original 1969 240Z (when seen in profile) and the 300Z that ran from the 1980s through the mid-1990s. That’s most evident in the design of the rear LED taillights, which gives no doubt Nissan’s design team was feeling a little nostalgic for the Nintendo era.

The shape is taut and clean, with the wheels pushed out to the far corners of the car. All in all, the Z retains that clenched-bicep look of the outgoing 370Z, while blending modern touches (like LED lighting) and throwback design cues.

TWIN-TURBO V6 WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL
Performance cars increasingly rely on dual-clutch automatic transmissions as the sole gearbox choice. While they retain a manual sequential shift capability through paddles, some enthusiasts prefer an old-fashioned gear selector with a manual clutch. Nissan recognizes how important the manual is to these buyers, and that’s why one is available in the Z.

ICONIC STYLING
The 2023 Nissan Z retains the long hood with short front and rear overhangs that have defined Nissan’s sports car since the first 240Z arrived in 1969. Designers included a nod to the 1990s-era 300ZX with the Z’s sleek 3-D signature LED taillights.

The Nissan Z comes standard with cloth seating, 18×9-inch alloy wheels (front and rear), plus LED headlights and taillights. Interior features include automatic climate control, two USB ports (Type-A and Type-C), an 8-inch infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch customizable digital gauge display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio (subscription required), among other features.

The Z offers a fairly wide range of upgrades in terms of comfort and performance features. Inside, you can upgrade to leather seating surfaces, heated seats, a larger 9-inch infotainment screen, navigation, 8-speaker Bose audio system, active noise cancellation, and active sound enhancement.

The Performance grade upgrades the brakes and exhaust system, adds a limited-slip differential, and the exterior is treated to a rear spoiler, a chin spoiler, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The 2023 Nissan Z is motivated by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 paired to a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic transmission fitted with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Total output is 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 to 5,200 rpm.

At some point, look for Nissan to launch an even more powerful version tuned by its in-house Nismo performance division. Something in the region of 450 horsepower seems likely when the Nismo variant breaks cover. A convertible version is also rumored to be in the works.

Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6
400 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
350 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19 mpg/28 mpg (automatic), 18 mpg/24 mpg (manual)