Review: Nissan Nismo Z

There’s something beautifully out of sync about the 2025 Nissan Z Nismo. In a world sprinting toward silence and software, this car throws on a pair of driving gloves, growls from idle, and drags you back to the seat of your pants. Literally and emotionally.

It’s not here to out-tech a Porsche. It’s not chasing lap records. It’s here to remind you what it feels like to drive.

Start-up: The Mechanical Greeting

Press the red starter button and the twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 clears its throat with a bark that is louder, meaner, and more mechanical than the standard Z. No fake audio trickery. No polite EV whirr. Just proper exhaust acoustics, raw through the titanium-tipped pipes and sharper thanks to a revised ECU tune.

At idle, it pulses like it’s got somewhere to be. The cabin, decked out in Alcantara and red-accented stitching, tightens around you like a tailored suit. This isn’t comfort-first. It’s cockpit-first.

On the Road: Firm, Focused, and Unfiltered

The Nismo Z rides firmer than the standard Z, that’s no question. Hit a rough section of bitumen and you'll feel it in your spine. But hey, that’s the price of precision.

The steering is heavier, more deliberate. It doesn’t snap to centre. It loads up. There’s a weight to the wheel that reminds you of older GT cars, where feedback wasn’t filtered by sensors and servos.

Turn in, and the front end digs with intent. Nissan’s chassis tweaks that include bracing, stiffer bushings, and some reworked dampers make the Nismo feel planted but alert. It rotates with throttle input in a way that feels familiar to anyone who’s driven a 370Z Nismo… but with actual pace to match the attitude.

And that’s where this car really separates itself.

Throttle Response and Grit

At full tilt, the revised twin-turbo V6 now delivers 309kW and 520Nm (as opposed to the regular Z’s 298kW and 475Nm). Doesn’t exactly sound like headline-grabbing numbers, until you actually pin it.

There’s a muscular swell from low rpm, then a surge at 3,500 that makes the rear-end twitch if you're not dialled in. The 9-speed auto, with its Nismo-specific tuning, slams shifts home like a fast dual-clutch without feeling synthetic. Pop it into manual mode and you’ll find yourself playing with the paddles just to hear that deep, metallic roar between gears.

Traction is strong but not overwhelming. Push past the grip and the car lets go with a progressive slide, not a snap. Here is where we take a moment to say thank you to Nissan’s engineers, who didn’t over-digitise the experience. They refined the chaos, not removed it.

Brakes, Body Control, and Balance

Nismo-spec brakes are ferocious. Pedal feel is immediate, with a solid, confidence-inspiring bite that lets you dive deeper into corners than expected. Body roll is minimal, but not erased, almost just enough lean to tell you what the car’s doing beneath you. It’s that balance of honesty and composure that makes the Nismo feel more alive than many of its more powerful peers.

And when you back off, it settles. Quietly. No hiss, no drama. Just you, the car, and that feeling that driving is supposed to mean something.

Safety Tech: Subtle but Present

True to its old-school vibe, the Z Nismo doesn’t overwhelm you with intrusive safety systems. But it’s not barebones either. You get:

  • Forward Collision Warning with Auto Emergency Braking

  • Blind Spot Monitoring

  • Lane Departure Warning

  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert

  • Adaptive Cruise Control

There are no nanny-state alerts constantly beeping at you mid-corner. Just enough to keep things sensible when you're not chasing apexes.

Fuel Economy: Not Its Party Trick

Let’s be honest. Efficiency isn’t what you buy a Nismo for. Nissan claims 10.8L/100km combined, but if you’re using the throttle the way this car wants you to, expect a figure closer to 13–14L/100km. Yes, it’s thirsty when driven hard. But few cars make every litre feel this worth it.

Storage and Practicality: Not Forgotten

Well, it’s not an SUV, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But the Z Nismo still surprises when it comes to day-to-day usability.

The boot offers 241 litres of cargo space, which to be fair, is enough for a couple of weekend bags or a solid grocery run. It’s not cavernous, but it’s wide and flat, with a useful lift-over height. You won’t be hauling IKEA flat-packs, but a set of track day tools, a helmet, and a change of clothes? No problem.

Inside, storage is sparse but focused. You’ll find a few smartly placed cubbies, cupholders tucked between the seats, and a small glovebox. There’s no centre console bin (a throwback to its predecessor), but that just adds to the pared-back, driver-first philosophy.

It’s not luxurious. But it is liveable.

Is it Flawed? Of Course — That’s the Point.

It’s not perfect. The ride is firm in town. The interior, while focused, won’t wow you with tech. And yes, $100K+ is knocking on Supra and M2 Competition territory.

But here’s the thing: the Z Nismo doesn’t care. It’s not trying to be a GTR or an M car. It’s a love letter to analogue feel in a digital age. A car for people who miss heel-toe and steering feel, who want turbo lag and brake dive and steering weight.

So what do you get over the standard Z for the $20,000 price increase?

Performance & Mechanical Upgrades

  • More Power:

    • Nismo: 309kW / 420hp and 520Nm

    • Standard Z: 298kW / 400hp and 475Nm

  • Faster Acceleration:

    • Nismo 0–100 km/h in ~3.5 seconds (vs ~4.5 sec for the standard auto)

  • Recalibrated 9-Speed Auto:

    • Nismo gets unique tuning for faster, sharper shifts

  • Stiffer Chassis:

    • Additional bracing and increased structural rigidity

  • Upgraded Suspension:

    • Stiffer springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars

    • Revised geometry for better track performance

  • Nismo-Specific Brakes:

    • Larger rotors and high-performance brake pads

  • Performance Tires:

    • Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 tires (same compound as GT-R) on lightweight 19-inch RAYS wheels

  • Improved Cooling:

    • Enhanced engine and transmission cooling for track use

Driving Dynamics Enhancements

  • Nismo Drive Modes:

    • Sharper throttle response and more aggressive tuning in Sport+

  • Launch Control:

    • Tuned specifically for repeatable performance

  • Aero Upgrades:

    • Functional front splitter, side skirts, and a massive rear diffuser and fixed rear wing all improve downforce and high-speed stability

  • Downforce-First Design:

    • Body kit adds approx. 150% more downforce compared to standard Z

Exterior Design Differences

  • Unique Nismo Front & Rear Fascias

    • Red-accented lower bodywork

    • Gloss black grille with increased airflow

    • Larger air intakes

  • Fixed Rear Wing (instead of the retractable spoiler on the standard Z)

  • 19-inch Nismo-specific RAYS forged wheels

  • Red Nismo Badging and details throughout

Interior & Cabin Upgrades

  • Nismo-specific Recaro bucket seats

    • Black leather + Alcantara with red contrast

    • More aggressive bolstering

  • Nismo Digital Gauge Graphics

  • Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel

    • With red leather centre stripe at 12 o’clock

  • Red interior stitching and trim accents

  • Nismo startup animation on the digital cluster

What You Don’t Get

  • No manual transmission option

    • Nismo is auto-only, unlike the standard Z which offers a 6-speed manual

  • No sunroof or luxury options

    • This is a focused performance variant — less frills, more function

Final Word: A Proper Driver’s Car

The 2025 Nissan Z Nismo isn’t the fastest car in its price range, and it’s certainly not the most refined. But it might be the most satisfying. Here us out.

Because from the moment you turn the key to the last pull into your garage, the Nismo reminds you that driving, real driving, is supposed to stir your soul, not just your stopwatch.

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