2025 Nissan Z Coupe

　　2025 Nissan Z Review

　　byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　12/20/2023

　　Overview

　　Nissan just wouldn't be the same without its Z, so when the company gave its iconic sports car a fairly thorough redesign for 2023, enthusiasts breathed a collective sigh of relief. The former Z had been left to languish for too long, and we hoped the new Z would breathe some life back into the brand. Though not totally different from its predecessor, the latest Z is a quicker, more comfortable and far more modern vehicle in every way. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and offers the choice of a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic. Since Nissan added the Nismo version for 2024 (a major and welcome addition), we think it's likely the Z will continue into 2025 without any major changes.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: The Nismo effect

For those unfamiliar with Nissan, Nismo is short for Nissan Motorsports and serves as the automaker's in-house tuning brand for a variety of its vehicles. When the Z relaunched in 2023, we felt as if the Z had lost some of its performance edge, lacking the acceleration and handling capabilities of rivals like the Toyota GR Supra and Ford Mustang. But when the Z Nismo dropped for 2024, we were genuinely surprised at how meaningful the upgrades were in making the Z finally feel like a true sports car. The handling is far more crisp and predictable, and the subtle styling tweaks give the Z Nismo an understated presence the standard car lacks. Our only real gripe about the Nismo is that it comes only with the nine-speed automatic and the six-speed manual transmission isn't offered.

　　

Competitors to consider

The most direct competitor to the Z is the equally iconic Toyota GR Supra. This generation is a joint venture between Toyota and BMW, but Toyota has given the GR Supra an extra edge and a personality all its own. Unlike the Z, the GR Supra offers a four-cylinder engine as an option, which is a good option for enthusiasts keeping an eye on the bottom line. Other options are the BMW 2 Series and Ford Mustang, both of which offer small but useful back seats, a more secure trunk, and plenty of performance if you get all the right options.

　　zzdcar says

　　We think Nissan's likely to let the Z coast through 2025 without any significant changes to its iconic sports car. In its standard form, the Z is a comfortable, sporty coupe. Buyers looking for more performance should skip right to the Z Nismo and its excellent handling. Either way, if you're looking to buy a new Z, now is as good a time as any.