When you compare it to other vehicles in the class, the math simply doesn’t add up. It’s not as nice nor as quick as a BMW M2, which starts at $64,195. It doesn’t have a manual gearbox or 500 horsepower like the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, which costs $60,865.
Even the Toyota Supra, while not as powerful, comes close in terms of overall performance and it only costs $56,495.
Price and competitive set notwithstanding, there is a lot to like about the Nissan Z Nismo. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 puts out 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque – 20 more hp and 34 extra lb-ft over the base Z. That pushes the Z Nismo to 60 mph in about 4.1 seconds, which is pretty quick.
This engine isn’t super torquey; it lacks the immediate gut punch of something like BMW’s inline-six. Instead, the Z Nismo has a nice linear wave of torque that peaks at 2,000 RPM and builds to redline with excellent mid-range and top-end shove.
Then there’s the way this thing looks. No Mustang, M2, or Supra would ever win a beauty contest against the Z Nismo. The long sloping hood and raked-back cabin give the Z nearly perfect proportions.
The Nismo upgrades – red accents, a bigger spoiler, black 19-inch wheels – only improve the Z’s already impeccable styling.
The interior isn’t as pretty, and most materials are below average when you look at the competitive set. But there are some thoughtful Nismo touches that make it more interesting.
The custom gauge cluster has red graphics and Nismo logos aplenty, while the sporty Recaro buckets mark a huge upgrade over the Z’s base chairs. They have great bolstering and good butt and back support. There isn’t a ton of adjustability, but enough to get comfortable.
