Review - Nissan Z

AF
By Alexi Falson on 13 Oct 2022
image for Review - Nissan Z There’s an all-new Nissan Z car on the block, and by the look of it, Nissan has spared no effort in making it a serious performer within the two-seater sports coupe segment.

Replacing the outgoing 370Z, Nissan’s all-new seventh-generation Z has received a top to bottom makeover with an updated engine, revised performance hardware and modern interior to match its key rivals.

Just how good is the latest Nissan Z, then, and how does it stack up against competitors like the Toyota Supra and its twin-under-the-skin, the BMW Z4? Let’s find out.

Starting Price: $73,300 

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Nissan Z range kicks off from $73,300, with the Nissan Z Proto Edition priced at $80,700.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, you could save by letting one of our car specialists help you find the best value model for you.

What Features Does the Nissan Z Have?

The Nissan Z comes riding on 19-inch alloys, and receives a set of LED headlights, active exhaust system with dual pipes, mechanical limited slip differential with launch control, leather & suede upholstery with heated seats, climate control, a rearview camera with front & rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, active noise cancellation, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Buyers of the Z Proto will receive a set of 19-inch forged bronze alloys, Ikazuchi yellow paint with a black contrast roof, yellow brake calipers and interior highlights specific to the Proto variant.

Range Features:

  • 19-inch alloys

  • LED headlights

  • Active exhaust system

  • Mechanical limited-slip differential with launch control

  • Leather & suede upholstery

  • Rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors

  • Adaptive cruise control

  • Active noise cancellation

  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster

  • 8.0-inch infotainment system

  • 19-inch forged alloys (Z Proto)

  • Ikazuchi Yellow paint with black contrast roof (Z Proto)

  • Yellow brake calipers (Z Proto)

  • Interior highlights (Z Proto)

Nissan Z Colours

The Nissan Z range is available in the following colours: Black Diamond, Serian Blue, Boulder Grey, Gun Metallic, Passion Red, Rosewood, Everest White, Brilliant Silver and Ikazuchi Yellow.

Is it Fun to Drive?

Powering the all-new Nissan Z is a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine producing 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque which is thrown at the rear wheels via six-speed manual or nine-speed Jatco automatic transmission.

This marks a 53kW and 112Nm increase over the previous 370Z, with Nissan yet to confirm an official 0-100km/h sprint time that should sit south of the 4.5 second mark thanks to the launch control system as standard.

The end result is a massive power improvement over Nissan’s previous Z car, and by far the most aggressive we’ve seen on the road yet that benefits from a bucketload of torque from those two turbochargers.

Underneath, you’ll find double-wishbone suspension up front and a multi-link system at the rear with two settings for the suspension for a heap of grip and reduced bodyroll, while a limited-slip differential allows for a heap of fun while exiting a corner under throttle.

Stopping power is provided by a set of 320mm front and 307mm rear disc brakes, with two-piston calipers at the front and single-piston brakes at the rear that helps to wipe off speed quickly.

As a dynamic package, the all-new Nissan Z packs a serious punch that very much keeps up with its major rivals.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Nissan’s all-new Z has also received a much-needed makeover from its predecessor, with the cabin featuring a simple yet modern design filled with technology.

The driver is treated to a large digital instrument cluster, with a set of heated leather upholstered seats adding to the premium aesthetic in the cabin.

The centre console houses a cup holder, storage inside the folding armrest as well as a small storage tray behind the gear lever for loose items and smartphones, while there’s some additional storage in the door bins on either side of the cabin.

For those with family duties, the Nissan Z even features an ISOFIX anchor on the passenger seat with a top tether mount, while the boot space figure stands at 241L, effectively matching what’s on offer in its key rivals.

All up, practicality is of course limited by the Z’s sports coupe dimensions, however, Nissan has done a great job in making the compact cabin accommodating for tall drivers while adding some much-needed practical touches.

Is it Safe?

The Nissan Z is yet to receive an official ANCAP safety rating simply because of how new it is to the Australian market.

It does, however, come packed with a heap of clever safety features, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian protection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warnings, predictive forward collision warnings and traffic sign recognition.

As a result, the Nissan Z is impressively packaged when it comes to safety equipment.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Nissan Z returns fairly thirsty fuel economy figures, consuming a claimed 10.8L per 100km on a combined cycle, making it significantly less fuel efficient than some key rivals like the Toyota Supra and the BMW Z4.

Our Verdict: Is the Nissan Z Worth it?

While it’s taken quite a while for Nissan to introduce a brand new Z-car, the latest addition to the iconic family is an outstanding sports car that offers a heap of power, nimble handling characteristics and a fresh interior design.

As a result, we can’t help but recommend that you add the Nissan Z to your shortlist immediately, because the wait lists are long, and getting longer.

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

  1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty

  2. 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 produces 298kW/475Nm

  3. Six-speed manual & nine-speed automatic available

  4. Mechanical limited-slip differential & launch control are standard

  5. 10.8L/100km combined cycle fuel economy

Pros

  • Immense performance from twin-turbo V6

  • Nimble and entertaining handling

  • Refreshed, modern interior

Cons

  • Long waitlists

  • No official ANCAP safety rating

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Nissan Z Competition




Nissan Z



VS
Toyota Supra
BMW Z4
Ford Mustang
Porsche 718
Jaguar F-Type

AF

Alexi Falson

Alexi is an automotive journalist and road tester hailing from Byron Bay. He has an affection for both cars and motorbikes, a great admiration for the simplicity of old-school engineering, and a fascination of new technology making its way to modern cars. When he's not road testing, you'll find him surfing, hiking or helping people find their dream cars.

Have any questions? Call us on 1300 719 925

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