Nissan Z

Core summary

2026 Nissan Z

The 2026 Nissan Z is Nissan's current two-seat sports coupe and the seventh generation of the Z-car line. Its core configuration uses a front-mounted 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission, depending on trim. Sport and Performance versions produce 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The NISMO version uses a tuned version of the same engine producing 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The range retains a traditional sports-car layout rather than adopting all-wheel drive or electrification. A fastback roof, rear hatch and two-seat cabin give it a compact grand-touring profile, while the chassis uses independent double-wishbone front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension. For the 2026 model year, the U.S. range includes Sport, Performance, Heritage Edition and NISMO versions.

History & generations

The Z lineage began with the Fairlady Z in 1969. In North America, the first generation was sold primarily as the Datsun 240Z, establishing a relatively accessible Japanese sports car with a long hood, rear-drive chassis and inline-six engine. The S130 generation followed in 1978, while the Z31 and Z32 300ZX generations moved the nameplate toward greater technology and performance. Production ended in 2000 after the fourth generation. Nissan revived the model in 2002 with the 350Z, known internally as Z33, after a two-year interruption. The 370Z, or Z34, followed for the 2009 model year and remained in production through 2020. Nissan introduced the seventh-generation Z for the 2022 model year. The current car preserves the two-seat, front-engine and rear-wheel-drive formula while adding turbocharged V6 performance and contemporary electronics.

Body, platform & design

The current Z uses a modern fastback interpretation of several established Z themes. Nissan identifies the long hood and low rear profile as visual links to earlier cars, while the side shape recalls the original S30 silhouette. The front end uses a large rectangular grille opening, a reference to the original Z's front proportions, with twin-ring LED signature lamps. The rear lighting treatment draws from the 300ZX era through two horizontal LED rings. A Z emblem appears on the rear pillar, and the roofline flows into a rear hatch rather than a separate trunk. Aluminum is used for the hood, doors and hatch. Sport models use 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, while Performance and NISMO versions use forged-alloy wheels in different sizes and designs. NISMO adds unique front and rear fascias, side sills, a rear spoiler and additional body reinforcement. The Heritage Edition applies special trim and exterior details to the Performance specification.

Engine & drivetrain

Sport, Performance and Heritage Edition versions use Nissan's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V6. Output is 400 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 to 5,600 rpm. A six-speed manual transmission is available on Sport, Performance and Heritage Edition models. The manual system includes a high-performance clutch, while Performance adds SynchroRev Match. Performance and NISMO versions can use a nine-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, steering-wheel-mounted paddles and downshift rev matching. The NISMO engine is tuned to produce 420 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 384 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 to 5,200 rpm. Every current version sends power to the rear wheels. A mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential is listed across the U.S. 2026 range. NISMO also receives a NISMO-tuned suspension, steering calibration, body reinforcements and larger brakes.

Trim differences

The U.S. 2026 range comprises Sport, Performance, Heritage Edition and NISMO. Sport is the entry specification and uses the 400-horsepower V6, rear-wheel drive, an available six-speed manual and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Performance adds a choice of manual or automatic transmission, larger brakes, 19-inch RAYS forged wheels, a rear spoiler, a chin spoiler, heated mirrors and upgraded interior equipment. Heritage Edition is based on Performance and uses bronze-finish 19-inch RAYS forged wheels with Z32 Midnight Purple styling and additional heritage-themed details. NISMO is the range-topping version, with 420 horsepower, automatic transmission, NISMO-specific aerodynamics, wider wheels and tires, larger brakes, reinforced body structure and a NISMO-tuned chassis. Trim equipment differs materially between versions, especially in transmission availability, braking hardware, seating materials, audio equipment and exterior aero. The summary above describes the U.S. model-year range.

Interior & seating

The Z cabin is organized around a driver-focused cockpit with a horizontal dashboard and a three-gauge pod mounted above the center stack. The gauge pod is a direct visual link to earlier Z interiors. All 2026 U.S. versions use a 12.3-inch digital dashboard and NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment, with an 8-inch display on Sport and a 9-inch display on Performance, Heritage Edition and NISMO. The car seats two people and provides 42.9 inches of front legroom, 38.2 inches of headroom and 54.2 inches of shoulder room. Cargo volume is 6.9 cubic feet behind the cabin. Sport uses cloth seating surfaces, while Performance and Heritage Edition use leather-appointed seating. NISMO uses Alcantara-style trim and NISMO-specific seat and steering-wheel treatments. Performance, Heritage Edition and NISMO include Bose premium audio, while Sport uses a six-speaker system. All versions include Bluetooth streaming, USB-A and USB-C ports, SiriusXM and automatic temperature control.

Efficiency & range

The 2026 U.S. Nissan Z uses premium gasoline and has a 16.4-gallon fuel tank. EPA estimates for Sport and Performance are 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined with the six-speed manual transmission. Their automatic versions are rated at 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. NISMO is rated at 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined with its automatic transmission. The manual and automatic versions therefore have different official fuel-economy results, even when they use the same 400-horsepower engine. The Z is configured as a performance coupe rather than an efficiency-focused vehicle, and all versions require premium gasoline. Fuel-economy figures apply to the U.S. 2026 model year and should not be transferred directly to Fairlady Z versions sold in other markets, where engines, transmissions and testing procedures can differ.

Safety & equipment

The 2026 U.S. Z includes Nissan's Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage front airbags, seat-belt sensors and occupant-classification sensors. Driver and passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roof-mounted curtain airbags are standard across the range. Other standard protective systems include a tire-pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist and zone-body construction with front and rear crumple zones. Vehicle Dynamic Control and traction-control functions are also part of the vehicle's electronic stability systems. The Performance and NISMO versions use substantially larger brake hardware than Sport. Performance has Akebono four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers with 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear discs. NISMO increases the front disc diameter to 15.0 inches. Equipment and regulatory certifications can vary by market, so the details here describe the U.S. 2026 production specification.

Strengths

The Z's strongest attributes are its clear mechanical identity and broad transmission choice. A standard 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 gives the mainstream versions substantial output, while the available six-speed manual preserves direct driver involvement. Rear-wheel drive, a limited-slip differential and independent suspension keep the specification centered on traditional sports-car dynamics. The cabin retains physical design references to earlier Z cars without abandoning a digital instrument panel or modern connectivity. The Performance version adds meaningful hardware rather than cosmetic changes alone, including stronger brakes, wider tires, forged wheels and a choice of manual or automatic transmission. NISMO adds further chassis, aerodynamic and powertrain development for buyers seeking the most track-oriented factory version. The model's two-seat layout, rear hatch and modest cargo area also give it more everyday flexibility than a roadster, although it remains a compact sports coupe rather than a general-purpose vehicle.

Considerations

The Z's traditional configuration also defines its limitations. It has only two seats, limited cargo capacity and a low body, which restricts its usefulness for passengers and bulky items. Sport uses smaller brakes, wheels and infotainment equipment than the upper trims, while NISMO is available with an automatic transmission rather than the six-speed manual. The twin-turbo V6 requires premium gasoline, and the official fuel-economy ratings are below those of ordinary passenger cars. The car's rear-wheel-drive layout can demand more care in wet, cold or low-grip conditions than an all-wheel-drive sports model. The Performance and NISMO versions use wider tires and more specialized chassis hardware, which can increase replacement and maintenance demands. U.S. trim names and equipment should not be assumed to match Fairlady Z specifications in Japan or other international markets.

Recommended use

The Nissan Z is best suited to drivers seeking a dedicated two-seat sports coupe for spirited road driving, weekend touring and enthusiast ownership. Sport is the clearest entry point for buyers who want the core engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and available manual transmission with fewer high-performance hardware upgrades. Performance is better suited to drivers who value larger brakes, wider performance tires, forged wheels, upgraded cabin equipment and a choice of manual or automatic transmission. Heritage Edition emphasizes styling links to earlier Z generations while retaining the Performance mechanical package. NISMO is intended for buyers prioritizing factory chassis tuning, additional body reinforcement, larger brakes, distinctive aerodynamics and higher engine output. The rear hatch offers useful space for a sports car, but the two-seat cabin and 6.9-cubic-foot cargo area make the Z more appropriate for personal use than family transport. Regional Fairlady Z versions may use different names and equipment.

FAQ

Q: Is the 2026 Nissan Z manual? A: A six-speed manual is available on Sport, Performance and Heritage Edition.

Q: How much power does the Nissan Z make? A: Sport, Performance and Heritage Edition make 400 horsepower.

Q: How powerful is the Z NISMO? A: The 2026 Z NISMO produces 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque.

Q: Does the Nissan Z have all-wheel drive? A: No. The current U.S. Nissan Z uses rear-wheel drive.

Q: How many people can the Nissan Z carry? A: The Z has two seats.

Q: What is the Z's cargo capacity? A: The rear hatch area provides 6.9 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Sources & updates

Research for this Nissan Z profile prioritized current manufacturer specifications, model-year equipment pages and official press material. Independent safety or regulatory records were used where available. Historical references were kept separate from current-generation specifications and image identification.

Equipment, pricing and certified figures can vary by market, trim and model year. The expandable reference list below contains the linked sources used for verification. Last editorial review: August 29, 2026.

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Last editorial review: August 29, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.