2024 Nissan Z Review
2024 Nissan Z
Base Price: $50,415
3.0 Liter Twin Turbo V6
400 HP / 350 TQ
0-60: 4.2 Seconds
— Story: Yousef Alvi ; Images: Nissan —
The Nissan Z carries the mantle of decades of Z cars on its back. From the original 240Z all the way to the 350z, Nissan’s history, DNA and essence boils down to the Z marque.
Introduced late last year, the hotly anticipated Z, had a lot on its shoulders. Another issue was that the Z’s nemesis, the Supra was also new on the block. Whereas the Supra was made with BMW’s backing, the Z was made by all by Nissan’s lonesome.
So, instead of working with a brand new platform, Nissan had to stick with a heavily revised version of the 370z’s, along with its transmission. So, it gives this new Z a well worn feeling behind the wheel. The controls are familiar, if not feeling a bit old and the options are a limiting.
There is no adaptive suspension, no multiple drive modes, an ancient infotainment system, no automatic climate control and a bewildering set of seat controls lifted directly from the old 370z.
What also causes you a momentary pause is the way the Z rides. It’s not sports car battering ram to your spine. It’s supple and damn comfortable. It soaks up bumps effortlessly and so well damped that is borderline GT levels of refinement.
Which would be great but runs in contrary to the Z’s power delivery. The throttle tip is abrupt and gets only worst in ‘S-Mode’, which makes the throttle a hairtrigger but it is the only way to enable the auto rev match. Pair the hair-trigger with a springy and vague clutch, you can’t just jump in and drive the Z smoothly.
Getting all of that to work unison though, the Z can fly down the road. Riding the 350 ft/lbs of torque, launches the Z in 4.2 seconds and the instant throttle makes it feel a lot faster. The steering direct, weighted nicely and offers decent amount of feedback.
It’s not quite as visceral as the Supra nor is it a bargain in comparison either.
Let’s go ahead and break it down:
The Great
Looks: Curvaceous beauty of a thing that blends historical Z cues from its taillights all the way to its headlights. It’s beautiful.
Airy Cabin: Whereas the Supra is a bit claustrophobic feeling, the Z’s larger greenhouse is much appreciated. Affording plenty of head, shoulder and legroom.
Engine: The twin turbo V6 is a torque monster. Spinning the rear tires from the moment you breathe on the throttle, all the way to redline.
The Good
Ride: Best riding sports car on the road today. It’s supple, composed and just damn comfortable.
Brakes: Brake modulation is on point. Delivering instant response with great feedback through the pedal.
The Bad
Infotainment: It’s old looking and feeling. With a UI that is clunky and unintuitive.
The Ugly
Clutch: The Exedy clutch is springy, vague and offers barely any slipability. Making driving the Z smoothly harder than it needs to be.
Seats: They look fantastic but that is about it. There is no lumbar support, so your back aches after a few miles, you can’t adjust the thigh or side bolsters either.
The Overall
Even with its faults, I’m glad the Z with us and so should you…so should you.
