For years, the Nissan Z has occupied a unique space in the automotive world: a sports car that balances performance with everyday usability. While many brands chase pure track dominance, the Z has traditionally offered a more accessible blend of style, power, and affordability. The latest iteration, the 2026 Nissan Z NISMO, nearly hit this mark—but fell short on key features. Now, with the upcoming 2027 model, Nissan is poised to correct those oversights, delivering a car enthusiasts have been waiting for.
A Legacy of Accessible Performance
The Nissan Z’s history stretches back to 1969 with the Datsun Fairlady Z, a car that democratized sports car ownership. Subsequent generations – the 300ZX, 350Z, and 370Z – continued this tradition, offering V6 power and striking designs at competitive prices. The current Z, launched in 2023, builds on this legacy, boasting 400 horsepower and a starting price around $43,000. Notably, it keeps the manual transmission alive in a market increasingly dominated by automatics.
The Z’s appeal isn’t about setting lap records; it’s about feel. It’s a car for those who grew up seeing it in Gran Turismo or plastered on Super Street magazine covers. It’s Japan’s answer to the Ford Mustang – a cultural icon as much as a performance machine.
The NISMO Gap: Where Performance Met Compromise
The Z NISMO, the high-performance variant, promised to elevate this formula. And it did… almost. The 2026 model offered 20 additional horsepower, upgraded suspension, and a sharper driving experience. However, it omitted a manual transmission—a baffling decision for a premium trim that offers it in the base model. The ride quality was also criticized as too stiff, and at $65,000, it started encroaching on Porsche territory.
This left many enthusiasts questioning the value proposition. Why pay a premium for a car that sacrificed key enthusiast features? Nissan listened, and the 2027 model is designed to address these concerns directly.
2027: The Fixes Are Here
The 2027 Nissan Z NISMO will finally include a six-speed manual transmission, a move long demanded by enthusiasts. Nissan has also revised the suspension damping for improved ride comfort and on-road stability. The changes aren’t just about ticking boxes; they’re about refining a car that was already good, making it truly exceptional.
Furthermore, the new model incorporates upgraded Akebono brakes from the R35 GT-R, featuring lighter forged aluminum hats and cross-drilled rotors. This reduces unsprung mass, improving handling, braking performance, and overall ride quality.
The Market Opportunity: Filling a Void
The timing is crucial. With the Toyota GR Supra and BMW Z4 slated to end production in 2026, the manual sports car landscape is shrinking. Nissan is well-positioned to capitalize on this gap, offering a compelling alternative for those who prioritize driver engagement.
Sales Momentum and Future Outlook
Despite initial dealer markups that inflated prices, the 2023 Nissan Z saw a 73.4% sales increase in the US last year, moving 5,487 units. This demonstrates the car’s underlying demand, especially as Nissan has clamped down on excessive pricing.
The 2027 Z NISMO, with its corrected formula, is expected to build on this momentum. While it won’t be cheap, it promises to deliver a combination of performance, affordability, and driver satisfaction that few competitors can match.
In conclusion, the 2027 Nissan Z NISMO isn’t just an update; it’s a correction. By addressing its predecessors’ shortcomings, Nissan is reaffirming the Z’s position as a balanced, engaging sports car for enthusiasts.
