The new 2023 Nissan Z has been a long time coming, and while the recently announced production delay is frustrating, we’re finally on the home stretch. First drives of the new sports car are finally out—including ours, read it here!—and pricing has been announced, with the Z starting at just over $40,000 once it hits dealer lots later this summer. Forty-ish grand? That price severely undercuts the new Toyota Supra, the Nissan’s primary competitor.
The 2023 Nissan Z Coupe Sport, the base model, will start at $41,015 after factoring in destination and handling fees, while the Z Coupe Performance model will start at $51,015 and the limited run of Z Proto Spec models will start at $54,015. Those asks represent quite the price bumps over the outgoing 370Z, which started at $30,985 including destination for the 2020 model year.
However, the new car produces 68 more horsepower and 30 percent more torque from its far newer, twin-turbo V-6 engie, so at least there’s more bang for more buck. To further make its case, the new Z increases maximum cornering G by 13 percent, features new dampers with a 20 percent reduction in impact force over bumps, and now has a quicker 0 to 60 mph time of approximately 3.5 seconds. The Nissan Z may not be as “attainable” as the Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 sports cars, but it’s still priced to be the more affordable performance model in the Nissan lineup, especially compared to the six-figure prices the GT-R asks for. It also starts a couple grand cheaper than the 2023 Toyota Supra, which is priced at $44,315—and that’s for a lowly four-cylinder model. The six-cylinder, more equivalent Supra 3.0 starts over $56,000.
All 2023 Z models will get a 3.0-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine rated at 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque powering the rear wheels. Manual models feature a carbon-fiber composite drive shaft and rev-matching tech, and all Z cars now come with launch control. Automatic-equipped Z cars now get the same paddle shifter handles as found in the GT-R. On all three available Z trims, the good news is the 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions are priced the same, which should help move more stick-shift units. Need we remind everyone that the Supra only recently gained the option for a six-speed manual?
The Z Proto Spec trim is limited to just 240 total units for the U.S. market, available with either transmission. The Z Proto adds to the Performance trim, with yellow brake calipers, bronze 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, leather seats with yellow accents, yellow stitching throughout the cabin, and a unique shifter on manual models.
Customers can opt for three monotone exterior paint jobs, including Black Diamond, Gun, and Rosewood metallic colors, or go for a two-tone look with the choice of six colors including silver, grey, Seiran Blue, Ikazuchi Yellow, Passion Red, or Everest White, combined with a black roof treatment. Red, black, or blue interior accent treatments are available. Infotainment is managed by an 8-inch dashboard touchscreen on the Sport and a 9-incher on the Performance, and the driver gets a 12.3-inch display in front of the wheel on all models, which includes a boost gauge, g-meter, and redline at 12 ‘o-clock position.
The base Sport model comes with dark-painted 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on Yokohama Sport high performance tires. The car also comes with auto temperature control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, one Type-A and one Type-C USB port, front and rear parking sensors, push button start, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Z also gets emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert.
The Z Performance trim upgrades to 19-inch super-lightweight forged alloy wheels mounted with Bridgestone Potenza high-performance tires, a rear spoiler, upgraded larger disc brakes, onboard navigation, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, heated side mirrors, a dual exhaust system, a mechanical limited-slip differential, and inside, the trim adds aluminum pedals and heated and powered front seats. Despite earlier delays, the car is still on track to launch in the U.S. this summer.
Keyword: The 2023 Nissan Z's Pricing Undercuts the Toyota GR Supra Big Time