The Nissan Z was introduced for the 2023 model year, but I’ve barely seen any on the street. We evaluated one two years ago, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the last one I have seen. Meanwhile, the Toyota Supra seems to be much more popular. Is that true?
Yes and no.
The redesigned Z replaced the 370Z starting in the spring of 2022, though deliveries didn’t begin until the fall due to supply chain issues, keeping U.S. sales to a low 263. Equipped with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, the Z put out 400 horsepower, with a bump to 420 for the NIMSO variant that was unveiled in the summer of 2023. By the end of calendar year 2023, U.S. sales amounted to 1,771.
Compare that to the Toyota Supra, a sports car with BMW Z4 bones: In 2021, 6,830 were sold in the U.S., with another 4,952 sold the following year. However, it may be more fair to compare sales with the Z’s first complete calendar year, so the Supra’s 2,652 makes the Z’s 1,771 pale in comparison—this despite the fact that the Supra’s standard engine is a turbo inline-four, with the turbo inline-six costing 10 grand more than the Z.
However, the trend has flipped for calendar year 2024, with the Z outselling the Supra 3,164 to 2,615. Still, I can’t remember the last time I saw a Z. Of course, there are regional issues at play, so that may be one explanation, while another is the Supra has been in production since 2019 and sold well in those early years.
The 2025 Nissan Z has quite a reasonable base price, so the poor sales initially come off as a head-scratcher. The Z Sport starts at $42,970. Opt for the Z Performance, which adds the features below, and the price gets bumped up $10,000:
- 8-speaker Bose audio system
- 9-inch touchscreen with navigation
- NissanConnect Services with Wi-Fi hotspot
- Mechanical limited-slip differential
- 19-inch RAYS super-lightweight forged aluminum wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S007 high-performance tires
- Nissan performance brakes
- Heated side mirrors
- Aluminum sport pedals
- Heated power leather seats
Go the NISMO route and it’ll cost you $65,750. Aside from the 20-horse bump and mandatory nine-speed automatic, it includes the following:
- NISMO-tuned suspension and brakes
- Revised aerodynamic bodywork
- Wider wheels with a more aggressive tire compound
- Red anodized engine start and drive mode buttons
- Manually adjustable Recaro seats
- Leather- and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a red marker at the 12 o’clock position
There’s a lot of unusual forces currently at play in the market, especially with a new administration in the White House. Will the Nissan Z continue its rise for the duration of 2025? In about 11 months, we will know.