Nissan Z Quietly Outsells the Supra Three to One in 2025 Sales Surge : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

In the ever-shifting world of modern sports cars, surprises still happen. And this year, one of the biggest surprises comes from Nissan, as the Z has managed to outsell the Toyota GR Supra by a staggering 3-to-1 margin so far in 2025. For anyone who’s been following the evolution of both cars, this twist wasn’t exactly expected. But here we are.

When we reviewed the 2024 Nissan Z Performance with the manual transmission, we came away thoroughly impressed by its blend of classic rear-wheel-drive fun, usable power, and throwback styling that just works. It felt like Nissan finally hit the sweet spot between nostalgia and modern performance. At the time, sales didn’t quite reflect how good the car was, likely due to lingering supply chain issues, inflated dealer pricing, and a relatively slow production ramp-up. Now, those hurdles seem to be mostly in the rearview mirror.

According to the latest numbers, demand for the Nissan Z has exploded in 2025. First-quarter sales surged 108 percent, with 1,635 units sold. That momentum continued into the second quarter, bringing the total to 3,789 units through the first half of the year. That’s a 160.1 percent increase year-over-year — a massive leap that reflects growing interest and availability.

Compare that to the Toyota GR Supra, which, despite offering a compelling package and finally adding a manual transmission in recent years, hasn’t been able to maintain the same momentum. We gave high praise to the 2023 GR Supra 6MT when we tested it, appreciating the way Toyota and BMW managed to inject some analog soul into an otherwise very tech-heavy car. Unfortunately, sales haven’t followed suit. So far in 2025, just 1,231 Supras have found homes in the U.S., marking a 17.7 percent decline compared to this time last year.

While the Z’s resurgence is worth celebrating, it’s worth noting that its main rival won’t be around much longer. Toyota has confirmed that the current Supra will end production after the 2026 model year, with a limited-run Final Edition of just 1,300 units wrapping things up. That said, Toyota fans can take comfort in knowing that a sixth-generation Supra is already in development, likely closing the long gap that once stretched two decades between generations.

Of course, the sports car landscape has shifted quite a bit, and while the Z is currently stealing the spotlight from the Supra, both are still light-years behind the segment’s volume leader — the Ford Mustang. Even with a 14.2 percent dip in sales, Ford managed to move 23,551 Mustangs in the first half of 2025. That’s more than four times the combined sales of the Z and Supra. The Mustang’s broader appeal and multiple drivetrain options continue to make it the go-to choice for American coupe buyers.

And then there’s the Nissan GT-R. While not really in the same sales conversation due to its price and now-limited availability, it’s worth mentioning that just 37 GT-Rs were sold in the first half of 2025. That marks a 75.5 percent drop, but with U.S. production ending last October and order books closing in Japan in February, the writing was already on the wall. The R35 chapter is closed. The next-generation GT-R is coming, but if the Hyper Force concept is any hint of what’s next, expect a radical, possibly all-electric future.

For now, the Nissan Z’s strong showing in 2025 proves that even in a market leaning heavily toward crossovers and EVs, there’s still room for an old-school, rear-drive sports coupe done right. Whether this pace keeps up remains to be seen, but the message is clear — enthusiasts are paying attention.

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