Since the original Datsun 240Z launched back in 1969, each generation Z car has been about delivering an attainable rear-wheel drive sports coupe that blends Japanese character with everyday performance. The latest generation, launched in 2022, rekindled that spirit with retro-inspired styling and a twin-turbo V6 under the bonnet.
Now, Nissan has taken things further with the 2025 Z NISMO. Developed by Nissan’s in-house motorsport and performance division, this version promises sharper dynamics, a more aggressive look, and a neat lift in power. Sure to be a future classic? Let’s take a look.
2025 Nissan Z NISMO: Specifications
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
Output: 309kW@6400rpm / 520Nm@2000-5200rpm
Gearbox: Nine-speed auto
Drive type: Rear-wheel drive, limited-slip diff
Wheels: F: 19×10, 255/40 R: 19×10.5, 285/35
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 1635kg
Power-to-weight: 5.29:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 10.4L/100km
Our consumption: 12.2L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 62L/95 RONPower efficiency: 29.71kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.49 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.57 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.78 seconds*
1/4 mile: 12.68 seconds at 187.3km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.943g*
100-0km/h braking: 36.63m in 3.07 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.245g*
Decibel at idle: 48*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 90*
Starting price: $94,605
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 Nissan Z NISMO: How much does it cost?
This is $18,445 more expensive than the regular automatic Z, starting from $94,605 (excluding on-roads). Pricey? Yes. But it is a more exclusive package and somewhat exotic, and it is cheaper than its direct rival, the Toyota GR Supra Track Edition (from $105,295).
Unfortunately, Nissan is only offering the nine-speed auto with the NISMO treatment. You’ll need to step down to the regular Z to shift gears yourself. The NISMO Z maintains rear-wheel drive.
2025 Nissan Z NISMO: Interior & packaging
Climb inside and the Z NISMO immediately sets a different tone compared with the regular Z. The highlight is a pair of neatly-bolstered Recaro seats, trimmed in a mix of leather and Alcantara. They’re firm but supportive, holding you tightly during spirited driving.
Bright red centre stripes stitched into the seatbacks and the NISMO logos leave no doubt about this car’s intent. That said, the lack of power adjustment and seat heating might feel like a step backward considering the asking price. However, not having these features does save weight.
Ahead of the driver, a digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster offers configurable layouts, including a motorsport-inspired performance mode with shift lights and central tacho. It’s crisp and easy to read, but not as graphically rich as some rivals. Sitting atop the dashboard are three analogue gauges – turbo boost, voltmeter, and turbine speed. These serve as a nostalgic callback to earlier Z cars, though they feel more ornamental than useful in practice.
The central touch-screen measures 9.0 inches and the interface is quite basic. Menus are functional and straightforward, though the graphics and response times feel dated next to rivals from Toyota (Supra), BMW (2 Series), and Ford (Mustang). Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on board, which most buyers will lean on as the menu and depth are enhanced over the native interface.
The audio system is acceptable but nothing special, leaving little in the way of premium sound quality to complement the driving and styling theatrics. It’s an eight-speaker unit – it doesn’t even have Fast & Furious style sub-woofers like the Supra and the R35 GT-R.
Cabin practicality is better than expected for a coupe. The wide centre console features deep cupholders, a covered storage bin, and small but usable door pockets. There’s also a shelf behind the seats for bags or jackets. Seating space is generous enough for taller drivers, with good legroom and shoulder room compared with some rivals, such as the tighter Supra.
The boot, however, is shallow and awkwardly shaped. At 241 litres, it’s fine for groceries or a gym bag, but not much else. The almost-horizontal hatch and high load lip limit versatility, meaning this is more a weekend tourer than a true grand tourer.
As for the NISMO hardware? It comprises a bespoke bodykit with red highlights, 19-inch RAYS wheels which are 0.5 inches wider and lighter than the standard wheels, 25mm larger front brakes, enhanced engine cooling, NISMO-tuned suspension, a Sport+ driving mode and specially-tuned launch control and nine-speed auto transmission.
2025 Nissan Z NISMO: Powertrain & handling
Power is also boosted for the NISMO, with the Z’s VR30DDTT 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 uprated to produce 309kW and 520Nm. That’s a gain of 11kW and 45Nm over the regular Z. While the numbers aren’t drastically higher, you can feel the difference, particularly in the top end.
Peak torque range is moved up in lower revs and capped sooner in higher revs, from 1600-5600rpm in the regular Z to 2000-5200rpm. Peak power remains at 6400rpm. There’s also a richer exhaust note with, unfortunately, artificial augmentation through the speakers.
The nine-speed automatic transmission has been tuned for quicker, more decisive shifts over the regular Z. In manual mode, the paddles snap through gears with a satisfying urgency, though not quite as quick as a dual-clutch system and not as refined as the ZF found in the Supra. Ford’s 10-speed in the Mustang also feels more direct, but it does feature an excessive 10 gears. In normal driving, this nine-speed is smooth and mostly decisive.
During higher tempo driving, it can hunt for higher gears sooner than you might expect in auto mode, and some gear ratios seem very close while others seem further spaced apart. It also doesn’t respond to your prompts as quick as some rivals do.
Using a Vbox on a private road we recorded a best 0-100km/h in 4.57 seconds, and the quarter mile in 12.68 seconds at 187.3km/h. It can be tricky as traction isn’t the best. In fact, it often chirps the tyres hard into third gear. And again, it tends to upshift too early which causes more wheelspin. Even with the grippy Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres, measuring 255/40 on the front and fat 285/35s on the back.
The chassis has been stiffened with revised suspension tuning and beefier anti-roll bars. Turn-in is sharp enough, and lateral grip levels are good, but the rear differential can be unpredictable under power. Hard corner exits occasionally produce a wriggle or mild ‘snakiness’ that keeps you on your toes.
While exciting, it doesn’t exude the same planted precision as something like a Toyota GR Supra or BMW 2 Series. And then the steering is light but lacks some of the natural feedback found in older Z models and found in some rivals, making it effective but not particularly communicative.
Where the NISMO does surprise is ride comfort. For a performance-tuned coupe, it’s compliant enough to live with day-to-day. Around town, it doesn’t crash over bumps or feel punishingly stiff, making it viable as a daily driver. The absence of adaptive dampers does limit versatility, though.
The brakes, upgraded with larger rotors, provide strong and confident stopping power. Pedal feel is firm and progressive, with good fade resistance under repeated abuse.
Overall, it’s an exciting and somewhat challenging sports car to drive. Totally fine for cruising and out on the highway, but not the sharpest tool in this segment’s shed. Regardless of all that, it is great to see Nissan bringing out a proper NISMO variant and rekindling with its legendary heritage.
2025 Nissan Z NISMO: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Stronger engine with thrilling top-end performance: Great to see actual performance gains from NISMO, no matter how small.
- Styling pairs modern Nissan theme with classic Z cues: This is one of the coolest-looking sports cars on the market we reckon. Distinctive, a bit retro, and even slightly controversial. Perfect.
- Recaro sports seats: Again, it’s good to see actual enhancements to hardware from the NISMO sub-brand.
- Surprisingly comfortable ride for a performance variant: Looking at this, you might think bone-jarring ride. This is appropriately taut yet liveable and compliant.
- Heritage factor: Few cars at this price carry such a strong lineage. This harks back to the golden era of Japanese sports cars.
2025 Nissan Z NISMO: Key considerations before you buy
- Limited handling finesse: The chassis and rear diff can feel unsettled and unpredictable during hard driving, especially compared with some rivals. Traction can be an issue as well.
- Shallow boot: Luggage space is limited which could hinder its true grand touring appeal.
- Basic infotainment: The touchscreen interface is dated and lacks polish.
- No adaptive suspension: Ride quality is good, but more adjustability could have lifted it to the next level.
2025 Nissan Z NISMO: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X-factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
The Nismo branding carries real weight, and it’s great to see Nissan applying it to the Z in a meaningful way. Ultimately, the Z NISMO captures much of what makes the Z badge iconic; bold looks, rear-drive dynamics, and exciting power. It’s not perfect, but it’s a charismatic alternative in a segment where personality often counts more than outright performance.
