Has it been 55 years since Nissan released the Datsun 240Z, capturing the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide? Seven generations later, we now have the 2025 Nissan Z, which is still one of our favorite sports cars. Nissan has let its performance arm, Nismo, take the Z to new heights, adding about $20,000 to the price and positioning it against rivals like the Toyota GR Supra, Ford Mustang V8, and BMW M240i, all of which are also fan favorites.
The 2025 Nissan Z Nismo is worth the extra cost. Nismo, short for Nissan Motorsport, is to Nissan what AMG is to Mercedes and HSV was to Holden, making it a name Australians love. Last year, the first 100 limited-edition Nismo Z cars sold out in under an hour. The Nismo Z is now more permanently available, starting from $94,000 before on-road costs. While it may lack the exclusivity of the limited edition, it still offers the Nismo body kit, cabin treatments, enhanced performance, and track-focused chassis upgrades.
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What Sets the 2025 Nismo Z Apart?
The Nismo version features more robust performance, sharper steering, beefier suspension, and GTR-spec wider wheels than the regular Z. You’ll also find Recaro sports seats, Nismo-branded digital instrumentation, a steering wheel with additional driving modes, and red trim highlights. However, some comforts are sacrificed: the Nismo ditches electric seat adjustment, seat warmers, and the spare wheel, leaving you with just a tire repair kit.
The design retains its retro charm with a cab-backward silhouette, long nose, and short wheelbase, successfully capturing the spirit of previous Z generations without appearing like a mishmash. The 240Z was Japan’s first breakthrough sports car, even appearing. The Nismo version includes design elements inspired by the 240Z, such as the more extended bumper spoiler and diffuser, which improve air intake, aerodynamics, and high-speed stability.
Performance and Driving Experience
Under the hood, the Nismo version features the VR30DDTT engine, known for its power and torque. Nismo has made it 4% more powerful and added around 10% more torque, resulting in 11 kW more power and 45 Nm more torque. The car now boasts a superior power-to-weight ratio of around 184 kW per ton despite gaining about 50 kg. This improvement is thanks to extra turbo boost, revised ignition timing, improved cooling systems, and updated engine management software.
The 2025 Nissan Z is equipped with a Mercedes-Benz-based 9-speed torque converter automatic transmission, upgraded and retuned for track use, including a Sport Plus mode for faster shifts. We managed a tidy 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. Unfortunately, there’s no manual option as with the regular Z.
The 2025 Nissan Z version retains the Z’s double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension setup, with front-to-rear weight distribution at 56:44. Nismo has stiffened everything up, from anti-roll bars and springs to bushes and steering rack mounts, delivering more controlled and linear steering. The brakes are also upgraded, and the model-specific Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 tires, wider at the back, provide excellent grip.
Interior and Comfort
Inside, the 2025 Nismo Z combines new and old elements. It has Recaro bucket seats and a trio of dials on the dash reminiscent of the original 240Z from 1969. The manual handbrake and three-spoke steering wheel add to the retro vibe. The car also features an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrumentation cluster with three screens, and adjustable steering for reach and height.
However, the manual seat adjustment needs to be updated, and a latch is required for easy adjustment. Despite this, the driving position is excellent, and there’s a surprising amount of storage space behind the seats. The frameless doors are a nice touch, adding to the sports car feel.
On the Road
Driving the 2025 Nismo Z is a thrilling experience. The extra power and torque are immediately noticeable, and the car accelerates with a ferocity that borders on supercar territory. The Sport Plus mode further enhances this, with the rear end eager to break loose under hard acceleration. The twin turbos provide formidable mid-range acceleration, making overtaking a breeze.
With its stiffened components and well-tuned suspension, the chassis handles the power with aplomb. While not as sharp as a Mazda MX-5, the steering is responsive and provides good feedback. The car corners and handles are precise, and the body control is excellent.
One downside is the road noise, especially on highways, due to the large hatchback area acting as a noise amplifier. However, the 2025 Nissan Z makes all the right sounds when pushed, with the exhaust delivering satisfying pops and crackles in Sport and Sport Plus modes.
Is the Nismo Z Worth the Extra $20K?
The Nissan Z 2025 is undeniably more expensive than the regular Z, but you certainly feel the difference on the road. The enhanced performance, sharper handling, and unique design elements make it a compelling choice for enthusiasts. However, it does come with higher running costs, including the need for premium 98-octane fuel and increased fuel consumption. However, the Nismo Z is worth the investment for those who value performance and exclusivity.
2025 Nissan Z Nismo Overview
The high-performance Nismo variant has traditionally been the spearhead of Nissan’s sports car. It will return for the new generation of the Nissan Z. It was an open secret since the appearance of the new Z. Still, finally, in the summer of 2025 Nissan Z Nismo and after some subsequent previews, the new Nissan Z Nissmo is officially presented with all its keys and details that reveal an improved version of the latest sports car, with a body kit, improved wheels and tires and of course a powered engine.
General Characteristics of the 2025 Nissan Z Nismo
As we anticipated in previous appearances, the 2025 Nissan Z Nismo is presented with a more aggressive body that seeks to offer extra aerodynamic performance and cooling to the car. This is seen in its new front bumper, with a wider grille and not as rectangular as that of the standard model -which also includes the NISMO badge- but above all in its new skirts accentuated by red edges, highlighting on the front front splitter called Grand-Nose, inspired by that of the Nissan Fairlady 240 ZG or the new canards.
The rear end is just a little behind, with a new rear spoiler that extends to the corners beyond the taillights and a rather generous rear diffuser with two round exhaust outlets. All these elements help to create a positive aerodynamic force that improves the Japanese sports car’s dynamic behavior. The new NISMO also comes with 19-inch Rays wheels in gloss black.
The 2025 Nissan Z’s modern interior is accentuated by some red details, specific graphics on the two digital screens with the NISMO identification, and new Recaro sports seats upholstered in leather and Alcantara.
Technical Specifications of 2025 Nissan Z Specs
In the current model, this engine produces 400 hp and 474 Nm of torque, but of course, the NISMO was destined to surpass these figures, albeit slightly. The new Nissan Z NISMO manages to get around 420 hp and 521 Nm from its already familiar 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, again mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission as the only available option, so forget about being able to opt for a manual transmission as before.
However, Nissan claims to have worked on this automatic transmission to make it faster than the standard model. It is undoubtedly a significant jump compared to the figures offered by the previous Nissan 370Z Nismo, as its 3.7-litre V6 produced 344 hp compared to the 328 hp of the standard version.
In addition to these improvements, the 2025 Nissan Nismo Z benefits from an improved steering rack with a stiffer mounting bushing, new anti-roll bars, stiffer springs and bushings, retuned more giant shock absorbers, and other reinforcements to improve its handling. In addition, in terms of technology, it has a new launch control and a new Sport+ driving mode that optimizes transmission operation.
Finally, the footwear is provided by Dunlop SP Sport MAXX GT600 tires with dimensions 285/35, which also implies an increase in the width of the rear axle.
Driver-Centric Cockpit Design
The horizontal instrument panel design wraps around the driver to create an accurate sporty cockpit, while the 9-inch central touchscreen features wireless Wi-Fi and Apple CarPlay.
The Purest Connection between Driver and Vehicle
Advanced technology, such as Nissan Connect Services, is combined with a classic design that always remembers what a genuine sports car should be.
Smart Storage
A sports car should thrill you at every turn, but it must also be helpful for everyday life. Innovative thinking makes the Z a vehicle with a great driving experience, even for every day.
Center console
The sliding center armrest reveals a second cup holder, while a phone holder with USB ports is conveniently located at the bottom of the center console.
Technology for Connection
Get connected at the speed of Z. A digital dashboard offers critical data, while the advanced infotainment system appears on the 9-inch color touchscreen with Nissan Connect service. Stay connected with wireless connectivity, and there’s even a Wi-Fi hotspot. Does that sound good to you? Wait until you hear even more with the Z’s available Bose premium audio system.
Digital Board
The 2025 Nissan Z’s 12.3″ fully digital display can be quickly configured with three preset screens to suit your needs, whether you use it for the daily commute, explore a new place, or enjoy the incredible performance.
Security Elements are alert and ready to Respond.
The 2025 Nissan Z cares for you by surrounding you with advanced features that can alert you and even intervene if you need help.
Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Automatic emergency braking detection monitors your speed and the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to alert you if you need to slow down. It can even apply the brakes automatically to avoid a head-on collision or minimize the severity of an impact. And if it detects a pedestrian at a crossing, it can stop the car instantly.
Designed to dominate the road and the track
Building on the 2025 Nissan Z’s massive capability, engineers focused on optimizing key performance elements to create a Z worthy of the NISMO badge. The result is a more responsive and precise vehicle, making it a thrill to drive on the street while performing like a more capable, track-focused machine.
Shaped by the will to win
NISMO engineers are as practical. That’s why nothing about the 2025 Nissan Z Nismo is just for show – everything is designed to optimize performance. From the 420-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine, the Nissan Z Nismo is the purest expression of race design.
Making Air an Ally
A unique honeycomb grille improves engine cooling and directs air to help cool the brakes. A redesigned front lip, vortex generators on the spoiler, and a flat underbody panel help provide downforce. The attractive design inspired by the GT-500 race car helps reduce. More comprehensive side sill spoilers, air splitters on the sides of the rear bumper, and a unique rear spoiler help give the 2025 Nissan Z Nismo a competitive edge.
Designed for visceral excitement
The connection between the driver and the machine makes a sports car unique. That’s why the Z NISMO has an exclusive cabin with Alcantara details to make your next trip unforgettable.
Intimately Connected
To help you connect with the 2025 Nissan Z Nismo driving experience, it offers a cabin with Recaro leather-trimmed sports seats and an Alcantara-finished thick steering wheel. The exclusive instrument display is another NISMO tradition, helping you keep track of the Z NISMO’s exciting performance stats.